Naval Energetic Systems and Technologies
Managed by ATI since 2021 | nswcihdnest.org
Government Sponsor: Navy | NSWC Indian Head
NEST Program Supports Key Milestone in Navy Hypersonic Rocket Motor Development
The Naval Energetic Systems and Technologies (NEST) Program, managed on behalf of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), empowers the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with advanced energetics solutions across propellants, warheads, propulsion systems, and related technologies. By fostering collaboration among government engineers, academia, and more than 1,150 National Armaments Consortium (NAC) member organizations, NEST accelerates the development of next-generation energetics to counter emerging threats across surface, subsurface, air, ground, littoral, and expeditionary domains.
NSWC IHD is the Navy’s premier organization for ordnance, energetics and explosive ordnance disposal solutions to address the most significant energetics-related challenges facing the DoW. Its workforce provides energetics R&D, manufacturing technology, engineering, testing, manufacturing and fleet support. Energetics are used in propulsion systems and ordnance, and include explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, reactive materials, related chemicals and fuels. Traditional and nontraditional defense contractors were awarded projects which aligned with one of the Navy’s goals to develop a hypersonic-capable missile that can be launched from surface combatants and NEST is providing a streamlined contracting vehicle to facilitate rapid development of that capability. Three companies were awarded projects with a combined ceiling of $57.1 Million that were successful in developing and conducting live-fire tests of their 21-inch hypersonic solid rocket motor in support of the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile Program. These tests validated rapid prototype propulsion development and illustrated how NEST enables fast turnarounds from design to testing to scaling. The success of the initial projects resulted in the award of an additional project related to the 21-inch propulsion section demonstration and validation, furthering support of the Navy’s goals and NEST’s mission. The new project was awarded a ceiling of $94.3 Million resulting in a total ceiling across all four projects of $151.4 Million for 21-inch hypersonic solid rocket motor support.
