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(Online) ISSN 2744-1741 
Defense and Security Studies   Original Research 
Vol. 5, No. 2, 2024, pp.115-132 
https://doi.org/10.37868/dss.v5.279 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) that allows 
others to share and adapt the material for any purpose (even commercially), in any medium with an acknowledgement of the work's 
authorship and initial publication in this journal. 

115 

 
 
Estimation of internal ballistic parameters for the 107 mm rocket motor conceptual 
design  

 
Ilma Subotić1* 
1 Center for Advanced Technologies Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 
 
 

*Corresponding author E-mail: ilma.subotic@outlook.com  

Received: Nov. 3, 2024 
Revised: Dec. 26, 2024 
Accepted: Dec 27, 2024 
Online: Dec. 31, 2024 
 

Abstract 
The demand for solid propellant rocket motors does not seem to fade, regardless of 
constant improvements in rocket technology. To make modifications that will 
result in improved design, it is crucial to use already existing motor models. Setting 
internal ballistic requirements and conducting calculations by following the design 
sequence, results in defining pressure- and thrust-time curves that are needed for 
rocket motor performance evaluation and providing a base for further external 
ballistic analysis. Calculation results are obtained by using the program SPPMEF, 
which is divided into modules for different parts of internal ballistic analysis using 
equations and shortens the time needed for theoretical integrations. NGR-176 is a 
type of double-base solid rocket propellant selected for the conceptual design of a 
107 mm rocket motor. The selected propellant configuration is a star with adapted 
and optimized geometric variables and new structural materials have been assigned 
to the newly-sized nozzle and motor case through examining various parameters.  

© The Author 2024. 
Published by ARDA. 

Keywords: internal ballistic, solid rocket propellant, rocket motor design  

 

1. Introduction  

Rocket projectiles represent a specific ammunition type, with a rocket motor included in their structure, the element 
that works by means of reactive force – thrust. Solid propellant rocket motors fall under the group of chemical 
rocket motors that represent a generator in which potential chemical force first converts into thermal energy of 
developed combustion gases, which further converts into the projectile’s kinetic energy by gas expansion through 
the nozzle. The selection of solid propellant rocket motors is influenced by their simplicity, mobility, reliability, 
and efficiency, keeping the development and production costs at an acceptable level. Tactical projectiles with solid 
propellant rocket motors are usually used for firing at infantry, close strategic positions, military aircraft, and vessels 
[1, 2]. 

The conceptual design of the 107 mm rocket projectile starts with designing an effective solid propellant rocket 
motor by following the principles of rocket motor design, the technological potential of military production in 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the accessibility of materials on its market. 



DSS Vol. 5, No. 2, 2024, pp. 11-30 
 

116 

Calculations in internal ballistic (IB) of solid propellant rocket motors entail propellant composition and 
configuration selection that will ensure rocket motor performances that meet defined mission objectives, which 
include the formation and development of combustion gases after burning, such that the required thrust- and 
pressure-time curves are defined, which dictate values of dependent and independent IB parameters and initial 
projectile velocity, which further defines projectile’s trajectory and range. To evaluate solid propellant rocket motor 
efficiency, parameters that need to be defined are: ballistic performances of the rocket motor (thrust force F, burning 
time 𝑡 , total impulse 𝐼 ), thrust coefficient 𝐶 , combustion chamber pressure 𝑝  and propellant properties [1]. 

1.1. Rocket motor structure, material and production technology selection 

Four main components of a solid propellant rocket motor are: the motor case (chamber), propellant, nozzle, and 
igniter. 

The motor case (chamber) is exposed to high temperatures and pressures during the propellant burning process, 
as well as high velocities of combustion gases during their expansion. That requires encasing the inner walls of the 
chamber with an isolating material that will be used as a binder between the propellant grain and walls. That could 
be an elastomer or a thermosetting plastic that is compatible with the selected propellant and which will provide a 
thermal shield and maximize erosion resistance from the hot gas flow [1].  

The suggested production technology for the motor case is flow forming, which is based on the plastic deformation 
of a piece of metal on a mandrel by applying forces through rollers. This technology will provide: good dimension 
tolerance, geometrical precision during production, improvement of the material’s mechanical properties, and lower 
the production cost [2]. 

The thickness of the rocket motor case is calculated by using the following equation, where the yield strength of 
steel C.4730 (AISI 4130) is known and equals 𝑅  = 685 MPa [3]: 

                                              𝛿 =
∙ ∙

= 2.7 𝑚𝑚                (1) 

where MEOP = 23.5 MPa is maximum expected operating pressure, d = 107 mm is caliber and k = 1.5 is security 
coefficient. 

Motor case dimensions are important for limiting and, therefore, optimizing propellant grain dimensions. In this 
case, to achieve the desired performance of the rocket motor design, the grain length of 𝐿  = 450 mm is accepted 

for the conceptual design, with the following values: 𝐿  = 21 mm – frontal motor case end where the warhead’s 
bottom is attached, 𝐿  = 25 mm – rear motor case end where the nozzle is attached, 𝐿  = 5 mm – propellant’s 
distancer length. 

Outer motor case diameter is known and equals 𝐷  = 107 mm, whereas for the inner diameter for propellant design, 
inhibitor thickness (𝛿  = 1 mm for the outer grain surface and 𝛿  = 2 mm for the front and rear end of the grain) 

and motor case wall thickness (𝛿  = 2.7 mm) need to be taken into consideration and the calculated value equals 𝐷  
= 99.6 mm. Finally, the length/diameter ratio for the propellant grain is 𝐿 /𝐷  = 4.52 and the free volume for grain 

placement is [3]: 

            𝑉 = ∙ 𝐿 = 0.0035061 𝑚                      (2) 

The nozzle is the part of the rocket motor through which an intensive combustion gas expansion is happening, 
which means this part is thermally heavily loaded and exposed to erosion. The nozzle in this case is fixed and does 
not rotate during firing to direct developed thrust force, but it has 6 peripheral convergent-divergent (C-D) openings 
set at an angle of 22°, which allow the rocket to rotate and achieve gyroscopic (dynamic) stabilization.  Considering 



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117 

the nozzle’s exposure to loads during the active phase of the motor and rocket’s flight, the material selected for its 
production is steel C.4734 (AISI 4142), with a tensile strength of 1230-1430 MPa [2]. 

The propellant is the main source of energy for propulsion of solid propellant rocket motors and its configuration 
defines the burning process, initial mass flux of combustion gases, and initial thrust force. The selected propellant 
NGR-176 belongs to the homogenous solid rocket propellant group, usually referred to as double-base (DB) 
propellants. This kind of propellant is produced through extrusion, considering better mechanical properties they 
obtain, compared to propellants cast directly into the motor case, which have enhanced thermal effects due to 
chemical reactions between the propellant and casting agent [2, 4].  

The composition of the introduced propellant with a density of 𝜌  = 1590 kg/m3 is given in Table 1 and the burning 

laws for three ambient temperatures (-30°C minimum, +20°C normal, and +50°C high) are given in Table 2. They 
are important for calculating burning velocity using Saint-Robert’s law. Because of the plateau effect for pressures 
above 14 MPa, burning laws are different for the same ambient temperature, for the given value of pressure [3]. 

Table 1. Composition of propellant NGR-176 [3] 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 2. Burning laws for low (-30°C), normal (+20°C) and 

high (+50°C) ambient temperatures for NGR-176 [3] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The configuration of the propellant for the 107 mm rocket motor, which is freestanding in the motor case, is star-
shaped and defined by seven geometric variables (Figure 1): N – number of star points, w – web thickness, η – half-
angle of the star ray, ξ – angle between the circle center that defines the root of star ray (tangential fillet) and the 
circle center that defines the top of star ray, r1 – star root radius, r2 – star point radius, Rp – grain radius. These 
dimensions are varied to satisfy grain optimization requirements. Parameters that define „star family“ are: 𝑅 , 𝑟 , 
𝑟 , w and N, and the ones that ensure achieving the required volumetric fraction loading and degree of burning 
surface neutrality are angles ξ and η. The star-shaped configuration has a neutral burning character, provided by 
two dimensions that come from the interaction of star points that have regressive burning and cylinder that has 
progressive burning [1, 2, 5]. 

Despite the production process for the star-shaped configuration being complex, not being able to achieve a larger 
web fraction and lower chemical energy efficiency degree, this type of configuration shape is being selected because 
of its advantages [2]: 

 inner motor case wall protection from hot combustion gases effect, 

Nitrocellulose (NC) 55.24 (±1.5) 
%N u NC 12 
Nitroglycerin (NG) 33.84 (±1.0) 
Diethyl phthalate (DEP) 2.96 (±0.4) 
Ethyl centralite (EC) 2.96 (±0.4) 
Lead stearate  2.00 (±0.5) 

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) 2.00 (±0.3) 

Grime 1.00 (±0.3) 

Temperature a n Pressure value 

-30°C 
0.005013 0.585523 ≤ 14 MPa 
0.021131 0.038345 > 14 MPa 

+20°C 
0.006575 0.493339 ≤ 14 MPa 
0.023985 0.005285 > 14 MPa 

+50°C 
0.005108 0.604111 ≤ 14 MPa 
0.025013 0.002698 > 14 MPa 



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118 

 achieving relatively constant burning surface area change with burned web thickness, 
 smaller rocket motor slenderness. 

 

Figure 1. Geometric variables that define star-shaped configuration 

The ignition system for the 107 mm rocket motor is pyrotechnic and consists of a composition that burns in such 
a manner that produces combustion gases that transfer directly onto the propellant grain and ignite it. The most 
important properties good ignition systems need to have are: high flame temperature (>≈ 3000 K), high burning 
rate (15-30 mm/s), and low ignition pressure. It has to meet the following requirements: security and reliability, 
ability to ignite propellant efficiently, minimal dimensions, steadfast pressure rise in the chamber, minimal time of 
grain surface ignition start, ability of long-term storage [1, 4, 6]. 

The selected ignition composition in this case is black powder consisting of: 74% potassium nitrate (KNO3 – 2100 
g/cm3), 15% charcoal (C – 570 g/cm3), and 11% sulfur (S – 1960 g/cm3). It provides adiabatic flame of 2590 K. 
The impetus of black powder is λ = 254000 J/kg [4, 6]. 

The black powder is placed in a thin metal box placed on a threaded carrier that is put at the front end of the motor 
case, right below the warhead bottom. The wire that transfers the electric impulse used to start the ignition process 
is soldered at the place of contact on the inner surface of an aluminum lid that covers the nozzle before launching 
and it stretches from the lid, through the chamber, to the ignition composition carrier at the front end. Interior of the 
lid is isolated with a rubber insert to keep the heat transfer in control. The exit for formed ignition gases is positioned 
right above the front end surface of the propellant to start the combustion. 

2. Research method  

Estimating the internal ballistic parameters of the 107 mm rocket motor conceptual design by using adequate 
computer programs for calculations and CAD methods to create a 3-D model and 2D drawings is the base for the 
assessment of rocket motor performances. The steps required for a successful IB analysis are: 

 defining mission objectives and constraints for the rocket in question, 



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119 

 setting new ballistic requirements that will ensure achieving desired performances (pressure- and thrust-
time curves), 

 assessment of theoretic performances of the selected propellant, as well as energy properties of combustion 
gases, 

 sizing of the new nozzle and rocket motor case, 
 sizing and optimization of the propellant grain, 

 sizing of the ignition system, 

 assessment of IB parameters of the new rocket motor. 

2.1. Program SPPMEF 

SPPMEF (The Solid Propellant Rocket Motor Performance Prediction Computer Program) is a computer program 
made in the Department of Defense Technologies at Mechanical Engineering Faculty of University of Sarajevo, 
which uses defined ballistic requirements – average and minimal thrust, burning time, rocket mission requirements 
(MEOP, operational temperature range, launching height, envelope – motor case length and its inner diameter) and 
selected propellant type (defined composition, burning rate and temperature sensitivity). Entering the 
aforementioned requirements into the SPPMEF program provides the following results, calculated in four main 
modules of the program [7]: 

 theoretical (ideal) performance prediction (TCPSP), 

 assessment of losses in rocket motor and sizing of the nozzle (NOZZLE), 

 sizing of propellant grain and burning surface area regression (GEOM), 

 IB performance prediction (ROCKET). 

2.2. SolidWorks CAD model 

SolidWorks is the CAD program used to make a 3D model of the 107 mm rocket motor, as well as generate 2D 
drawings of newly sized and optimized parts. Materials from the SolidWorks library are used for every part of the 
rocket motor if the real material data is unavailable, otherwise, materials are defined by their mechanical properties. 
The following materials are considered for modeling rocket motor parts (Figure 2), with their mechanical properties 
shown in Table 3: 

 steel AISI 4130 – motor case, 

 steel AISI 4142 – nozzle, 

 NGR-176 – propellant, 

 phenol formaldehyde resin (PF plastic) – inhibitor, 

 1060 Al alloy – nozzle lid. 

Table 3. Mechanical properties of materials applied in SolidWorks for rocket motor parts [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] 

 AISI 4130 AISI 4142 1060 Al PF 

Density [kg/m3] 7850 7850 2700 1300 

Tensile strength [MPa] 880-1080 1230-1430 90-110 35-62 

Yield strength [MPa] 685 1030 65-85 28-50 

Elastic modulus [GPa] 190-210 190-210 70-80 3.8 

Poisson’s ratio 0.27-0.3 0.27-0.3 0.33 0.33-0.36 

Thermal conductivity [W/mK] 42.7 42.6 230 0.25 



DSS Vol. 5, No. 2, 2024, pp. 11-30 
 

120 

 

Figure 2. A 107 mm rocket motor assembly 

3. Results and discussion  

3.1. Defining ballistic requirements for the conceptual design of the rocket motor 

The main step towards achieving the main objective is setting ballistic requirements, which include: total impulse, 
average thrust, and burning time. These parameters are important for defining pressure- and thrust-time curves, 
where the thrust-time curve serves for obtaining initial velocity after launching. Ballistic requirements for the 107 
mm rocket motor are shown in Table 4: 

Table 4. Ballistic requirements for the rocket motor [14] 
Total impulse [Ns] 9180 Ns 

Average thrust [N] 7061.54 N 

Rocket motor burning time [s] 1.3 s 

Web thickness can be approximated as a fourth of the inner diameter of the internal-burning propellant grain [1]: 

𝑤 = ≈ 25 𝑚𝑚 = 0.025 𝑚                     (3) 

Propellant design usually requires reducing the web thickness by 2-3 mm, in this case, it is a 2.5 mm reduction, so 
the final web thickness is 𝑤 = 0.0225 m.The burning rate is defined by coefficients a and n for a normal ambient 
temperature of 20°C and nominal pressure of 12.5 MPa, using Saint-Robert’s law [15]: 

𝑟 = 𝑎𝑝 = 0.0229 𝑚/𝑠               (4) 

Web thickness is also defined as the average burning rate and rocket motor burning time ratio, so burning time can 
be determined by the following equation [4, 15]: 

𝑡 = = 0.98 𝑠                          (5) 

Average thrust force can be calculated using total impulse and burning time values [16]: 

       𝐹 = = 9367.35 𝑁               (6) 



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121 

3.2. Thermochemical performances of propellant 

Thermochemical properties of rocket propellants directly affect the selection and are used to define the energy 
properties of propellants, as well as IB parameters of a rocket motor. These parameters include: combustion 
products composition and their thermal capacity, average molecular mass, burning temperature and heat, etc. 
Theoretical analysis is an approximation of an actual combustion process inside a rocket motor chamber and its 
flow because more simple assumptions are needed. The analysis is carried out for two groups of calculations: 
combustion and expansion. Processes in the chamber are irreversible and non-isentropic. Rocket propellant 
efficiency depends on: a specific heat ratio 𝛾, chamber temperature 𝑇 , nozzle exit and chamber pressure ratio 
𝑝 /𝑝 , the molecular mass of combustion gases M [16, 17]. 

Module TCPSP in SPPMEF program is used to determine thermochemical properties for selected propellant 
(equilibrium and frozen expansion). It provides results in the form of: combustion gases’ composition calculation 
under conditions of chemical equilibrium, their transport properties (dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity 
coefficients and Prandtl number), and theoretical performances of a rocket motor with unknown surfaces. It is based 
on the following assumptions [18]: 

 one-dimensional flow, 

 the gas flow rate in the chamber is zero, 

 combustion is complete and adiabatic, 

 isentropic expansion in the nozzle,  

 homogenous composition, 

 combustion gases are behaving like an ideal gas, 

 there are no differences in temperature and rate between the condensed and gas phases. 
 

Theoretical performances of rocket motors are predicted for the following cases of expansion [18]: 

 expansion up to a defined Mach number (a requirement for nozzle throat), 

 expansion up to a defined pressure value at the exit cross-section of the nozzle, 

 expansion up to three defined expansion ratios. 
 

Calculations are based on values for combustion at a normal ambient temperature of +20°C. Transportation 
properties are shown in Table 5, and results of combustion parameters under conditions of equilibrium and frozen 
expansion are shown in Table 6. 

Table 5. Transportation properties for equilibrium and frozen expansion 
TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF COMBUSTION GASES (EQUILIBRIUM) 

 Combustion 
chamber 

Critical 
section 

Exit 
section 

Exit section (Ae/At) 
6 9 12 

Cp (J/gK) 1.8272 1.7804 5.3476 2.1367 2.6235 3.0229 
Dv (Pas)10^5 7.268 6.7461 3.9989 4.3806 4.2177 4.1726 

K (W/mK) 0.1896 0.1727 0.0879 0.0986 0.094 0.0927 
Prandtl 0.7003 0.6955 2.4339 0.9492 1.1775 1.3607 

TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF COMBUSTION GASES (FROZEN) 

 
Combustion 

chamber 
Critical 
section 

Exit 
section 

Exit section (Ae/At) 
6 9 12 

Cp (J/gK) 1.7701 1.7417 1.47 1.529 1.5039 1.496 
Dv (Pas)10^5 7.268 6.7335 3.6328 4.1632 3.9352 3.8645 

K (W/mK) 0.1896 0.1719 0.0758 0.0906 0.0841 0.0821 
Prandtl 0.6784 0.6822 0.7044 0.703 0.7038 0.704 

 



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122 

Table 6. Combustion parameters for equilibrium and frozen expansion – NGR-176 
EQUILIBIRUM EXPANSION 

 Combustion 
chamber 

Critical 
section 

Exit 
section 

Exit section (Ae/At) 
6 9 12 

P (bar) 125.25 69.723 1.0132 2.5247 1.8127 1.635 
T (K) 2351 2099.9 966.7 1102.2 1043.5 1027.5 

Cp (J/gK) 1.8203 1.7713 4.5513 2.075 2.4805 2.8251 
γs 1.2348 1.2416 1.1817 1.2242 1.2117 1.1984 

S (J/gK) 9.627 9.627 9.627 9.627 9.627 9.627 
H (J/g) -2485.3 -2935.3 -5025.2 -4703.5 -4825.7 -4862.4 

RH (g/m^3) 15494 9659 309.7 667.8 508.03 466 
M (1/n) 24.182 24.187 24.568 24.243 24.313 24.345 

MW (g/mol) 24.066 24.07 24.296 24.105 24.152 24.173 
Vzv (m/s) 999 946.6 613.69 678.99 654.76 644.97 

Mach - 1 3.6726 3.102 3.3043 3.3806 
c*(m/s) - 1369.8 - - - - 
Ae/At - 1 13.099 6 9 12 

cf - 1.24 1.6454 1.6161 1.6326 1.6365 
Isp,v (Ns/kg) - 1709.6 2399 2285.7 2328.4 2341.3 

Isp,ad 
(Ns/kg) 

- 948.7 2253.9 2106.3 2163.5 2180.4 

Isp,na 
(Ns/kg) 

- 1698.5 2253.9 2213.7 2236.2 2241.6 

FROZEN EXPANSION 

 Combustion 
chamber 

Critical 
section 

Exit 
section 

Exit section (Ae/At) 
6 9 12 

P (bar) 125.25 69.563 1.0132 2.353 1.6509 1.4757 
T (K) 2351 2093 840.6 1021.6 942 917.9 

Cp (J/gK) 1.7617 1.7335 1.4641 1.5225 1.4976 1.4898 
γs 1.2425 1.2474 1.3069 1.2917 1.298 1.3 

S (J/gK) 9.627 9.627 9.627 9.627 9.627 9.627 
H (J/g) -2485.3 -2936.3 -4967.6 -4697.2 -4817.4 -4853.4 

RH (g/m^3) 15494 9666 350.6 669.8 509.66 467.56 
M (1/n) 24.182 24.182 24.182 24.182 24.182 24.182 

MW (g/mol) 24.066 24.066 24.066 24.066 24.066 24.066 
Vzv (m/s) 1002.2 947.5 614.59 673.57 648.38 640.53 

Mach - 1 3.6254 3.1226 3.3308 3.3977 
c*(m/s) - 1367.5 - - - - 
Ae/At - 1 11.725 6 9 12 

cf - 1.2405 1.6293 1.6076 1.6216 1.6246 
Isp,v (Ns/kg) - 1707.5 2357.8 2270.3 2309.7 2321.3 

Isp,ad 
(Ns/kg) 

- 949.7 2228.1 2103.3 2159.7 2176.3 

Isp,na 
(Ns/kg) 

- 1696.4 2228.1 2198.4 2217.6 2221.7 

3.3. Nozzle sizing 

The main objective of the nozzle design is an effective expansion of combustion gases from the chamber through 
the throat, creating sufficient thrust force. That means that nozzle sizing entices defining the throat area and 



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123 

expansion ratio. Nozzle performances can be characterized with several parameters, from which the most notable 
ones are: nozzle (thrust force) efficiency coefficient 𝜂 , mass rate coefficient , and thrust coefficient 𝐶  [16]. 

With 6 C-D nozzle openings, the steps required for defining the throat area (expansion ratio) of the nozzle are [19]: 
1. Calculating throat area with ideal thrust coefficient 𝐶  (maximum possible when ambient pressure is 𝑝  = 

0, maximum when exit pressure equals ambient pressure 𝑝  = 𝑝 ) [2]: 
 

𝐴 =
∙

                (6) 
 

2. Calculating thrust force efficiency by inserting predicted losses during the gas expansion [2]: 
 

𝜂 = 1 − 0.01 ∙ (𝜀 + 𝜀 + 𝜀 + 𝜀 + 𝜀 + 𝜀 )   (7) 
 

𝜀  – flow divergence loss, 𝜀  – two-phase flow loss, 𝜀  – boundary layer loss, 𝜀  – kinetic loss, 𝜀  – 
nozzle erosion loss, 𝜀  – flow complexity loss. 
 

3. Calculating real thrust coefficient 𝐶 ,  [5]: 
 

 𝐶
,

= 𝜂 ∙ 𝐶                          (8) 
 

4. Correction of throat area [6]: 
 

𝐴 =
∙

                     (9) 
 

These steps are repeated until the convergence requirement is met for 𝐴  and 𝜂 , which is the difference between 

two 𝐴  values being less than 1%. 

The exit area and diameter of the nozzle are calculated using the following equations, respectively [3, 19] 

𝐴 = 𝐴 ∙ 𝜀                 (10) 

𝐷 =
∙

                  (11) 
 

where N is the number of nozzle openings. 
 

NOZZLE is the module of SPPMEF program used for nozzle sizing, and the following parameters are taken into 
consideration for calculations: 

 thermochemical properties calculated in TCPSP module for equilibrium expansion, 

 nozzle divergence half-angle α = 12°, 

 expansion ratio ε = 9, 

 number of nozzle openings N = 6, 

 flow complexity loss 𝜀  = 1.65%. 
 

Calculation results are shown in Table 7: 

Table 5. Nozzle sizing and loss prediction using the NOZZLE module of SPPMEF program - NGR-176  
 NGR-176 
Theoretical specific impulse ε = 9, 𝑰𝒔𝒑,𝒕𝒉 2236.2 Ns/kg 

Predicted specific impulse value, 𝑰𝒔𝒑,𝒑 1970.18 Ns/kg 

Flow divergence loss, 𝜺𝑫𝑰𝑽 1.093% 
Two-phase flow loss, 𝜺𝑻𝑷 0.134% 
Boundary layer loss, 𝜺𝑩𝑳 6.787% 
Kinetic loss, 𝜺𝑲𝑰𝑵 0.031% 
Nozzle erosion loss, 𝜺𝑬𝑹 0.405% 



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124 

Flow complexity loss, 𝜺𝑴𝑼𝑳𝑻 1.65% 
Thrust force efficiency coefficient, 𝜼𝑪𝑭

 0.9 

Thrust coefficient, 𝑪𝑭 1.47 
Throat area, 𝑨𝒕 0.0005096 m2 
Throat diameter, 𝑫𝒕 10.4 mm 
Exit area, 𝑨𝒆 0.0042398 m2 
Exit diameter, 𝑫𝒆 30 mm 

3.4. Propellant selection and grain sizing 

The main objective that propellant grain design needs to meet is achieving the required change of pressure in time, 
so the rocket mission can be carried out successfully. The conceptual design of propellant grain is highlighted by 
several features [7]: 

 Consider propellant types that are available on the market and possible to make with technologies available 
in the industry. 

 Configuration of propellant has to be defined in a way that ballistic requirements are met, keeping the 
structural integrity of the rocket motor at the same time.  

 Approximately determine the structural integrity of the grain with the rise of chamber pressure during 
ignition. 

Propellant grain selection is based on three segments: ballistic requirements assessment (according to rocket 
mission), configuration (geometry) selection, and analytical verification of the design. A specific occurrence in 
solid propellant rocket motors is the way the burning surface changes, so the relation between the burning area and 
the thickness of the burned web depends almost entirely on the initial grain shape [5].  

The main factors considered in propellant grain configuration selection are [2]: 

 free volume for grain placement 𝑉 , 

 L/D grain ratio, 

 web thickness and grain radius ratio – web fraction: 
 

 𝑤 = = = 0.452                    (12) 
 

 pressure change type in the function of time (progressive, neutral or regressive burning), 

 volumetric loading fraction 𝑉  – determined by total and specific impulse requirements, 

 critical loads – thermal cycles, pressure rise rate during ignition, acceleration, inner flow), 

 production technology, 

 production cost. 

The selected star-shaped configuration for the 107 mm rocket motor allows a higher volumetric loading fraction, 
and has good burning surface neutrality, with a sliver value of 5-10% and web fraction (0.36-0.57 for 𝑉  = 0.75-0.9 
and 0.3-0.6 for 𝑉  = 0.75-0.85) [16, 20]. 

GEOM is a module of SPPMEF consisting of two parts: propellant grain sizing and burning surface regression of 
the grain (change of burning area in time, in the function of current flame front position). Parameters required for 
propellant grain sizing are given in Table 8, calculated in the GEOM module [1]. 

Characteristic exhaust velocity c* depends on combustion temperature 𝑇 , gas constant R and specific heat ratio γ, 
and not significantly from the change of combustion pressure [19]. 

 



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Table 6. Main parameters for propellant grain sizing, for the selected propellant type NGR-176 
Characteristic exhaust velocity, 𝒄∗ 1369.8 m/s 

Combustion efficiency coefficient, 𝜼𝑪∗  0.98 

Web fraction, 𝒘𝒇 0.452 

Burning surface-to-throat ratio (Klemmung), K 251.33 

Average burning area, 𝑨𝒃,𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓 0.12808 m2 

Combustion efficiency coefficient 𝜂 ∗ mainly depends on gas and metal particles retention time in the chamber and 
is also defined as the “completeness of metal additives burning in the rocket motor and a degree of chemical 
equilibrium between combustion gases” [2]. 

Burning surface-to-throat ratio (Klemmung), K has a value of 50-600 and is calculated using the following equation 
[2]: 

       𝐾 = =
( )

∙ ∙ ∗                     (13) 

3.5. Star configuration optimization  

Requirements for the grain design can contradict each other, for example, minimum sliver, maximum 𝑉  and quasi-
neutral burning cannot be synchronized. That is why the optimization of a star-shaped grain configuration is done 
by modifying 7 geometric variables, based on the adopted volumetric loading fraction 𝑉 , sliver σ (relative 
propellant loss), and degree of burning neutrality, all to meet rocket mission requirements [5].  

OPTIM is a module in the SPPMEF program and is a part of the GEOM module in which optimization calculations 
are conducted. Optimization is based on the following settings [18]: 

 All 7 variables that define star configuration are taken into consideration; 

 Maximum and average burning perimeter ratio Г is considered an independent parameter: 
 

  Г =             (14) 

For selected 𝑉 , as well as the sliver, a minimum value of Γ  is selected from the ones listed by the program to 
provide quasi-neutral burning for the given star geometry. Selected values (according to reference [2]) are: 

 𝑉  = 0.85, 

 Sliver, σ = 5-10%. 
 

A tendency followed during the optimization process is to reduce 𝑟  and 𝑟  as much as possible, considering they 
influence burning surface neutrality and sliver value while meeting the requirement for Γ , but if the values are 
too small, that will cause a practical problem with the production of the grain, which can break during ignition or 
storage at low temperatures. On the contrary, if 𝑟  is increased, sliver also increases, and burning surface neutrality 
is disturbed. If 𝑟  is increased, without modifying the rest of the dimensions, 𝑉  also reduces, but that does not affect 
sliver and burning surface neutrality much. If 𝑟  is reduced, the radius of the circle that is tangent to star points r is 
also reduced. The minimum value of r is achieved when the requirement η < π/N is met [1]. 

Grain length can be calculated using the following equation [3]: 

  𝐿 =                           (15) 

where average perimeter 𝑆  is defined as the arithmetic mean value of minimum and maximum perimeter sum.  
 



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126 

Table 9 shows the results of OPTIM calculations, with values assigned to geometric variables that determine the 
final grain design, after which the grain length and mass are determined (Table 10). 

Table 7. Values of star configuration variables after optimization calculations in OPTIM 
Minimum value of maximum and 
average burning perimeter ratio, 𝚪𝒎𝒊𝒏 

1.1557 Star root radius, 𝒓𝟏 3 mm 

Number of star points, N 6 Star point radius, 𝒓𝟐 2 mm 

Web fraction, 𝒘𝒇 0.451 Star root angle, ξ 27° 

Web thickness, w 22.46 mm Star ray half-angle, η 32.88° 

Grain radius, 𝑹𝒑 49.8 mm 
Radius of the circle that is 
tangent to star points, r 

16.8 mm 

Table 8. Initial propellant grain values after optimization for NGR-176 

Average burning parameter, 𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓 0.285 m 

Coefficient J 0.398 

Initial burning area after optimization, 𝑨𝒃𝟎,𝒐𝒑𝒕 0.11043 m2 

Initial port area after optimization, 𝑨𝒑𝟎,𝒐𝒑𝒕 0.001281 m2 

Volumetric loading fraction, 𝑽𝒍 0.836 

Grain length, 𝑳𝒑 450 mm 

Grain mass, 𝒎𝒑 4.68 kg 

Coefficient J characterizes gas flow conditions in rocket motor. If it’s too high, it indicates the existence of a large 
drop in pressure inside gas ports and erosive burning, which is what usually happens after ignition. Inner gas flow 
is satisfied if the port-to-throat ratio is <0.5. Equation used to describe coefficient J is [18]: 

  𝐽 =               (16) 

3.6. Star propellant grain regression 

Free propellant surface regression during the process of burning is perpendicular to grain surface and defines 
pressure- and thrust-time curve development. Current burning area of the propellant grain is defined with the 
equation [2]: 

𝐴 = 𝑆 ∙ 𝐿                        (17) 

where 𝑆  is the current burning perimeter.  

For star configuration, there are 4 specific zones where burning is observed (Figure 3) [2, 5]: 
1. Zone 1 – 0 ≤ 𝑤  ≤ 𝑟  – progressive burning for variable web burned 𝑤  < 𝑟 , where perimeter 𝑆  and port 

area 𝐴  are defined as: 

= 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 ∙ − 𝜉 + (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) − 𝜂 + 𝜉 + 𝑅 − 𝑤 − 𝑟 − (𝑟 + 𝑟 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 − 𝜂 +

(𝑟 − 𝑤 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 − 𝜂                                  (18) 



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127 

= 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 ∙ − 𝜉 + (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) − 𝜂 + 𝜉 + 𝑅 − 𝑤 − 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜂 − 𝜉) − 𝑅 − 𝑤 −

𝑟 − (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 − 𝜉 + ( 𝑟 + 𝑤 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 − 𝜉 − − 𝜉                 (19) 

where 𝑤  represents the path of the flame front. 

2. Zone 2 – 𝑟  < 𝑤  ≤ Y* = 𝑅 − 𝑤 − 𝑟 − 𝑟  – progressivity is determined by the derivative of the 

perimeter change function S = f (𝑤 ), where 𝑆  and 𝐴  are defined as: 

= 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 ∙ − 𝜉 + (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) − 𝜂 + 𝜉 + 𝑅 − 𝑤 − 𝑟  − (𝑟 + +𝑤 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 − 𝜂       (20) 

= 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 ∙ − 𝜉 + (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) − 𝜂 + 𝜉 + 𝑅 − 𝑤 − 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜂 − 𝜉)- 𝑅 − 𝑤 −

𝑟 − (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 − 𝜉                   (21) 

3. Zone 3 – Y* <  𝑤  ≤ 𝑤 − burning has a tendency to be progressive, where 𝑆  and 𝐴  are defined as: 

= 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 ∙ − 𝜉 + (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) 𝜉 + 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜉                 (22) 

= 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 ∙ − 𝜉 + (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) 𝜉 + 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜉 + 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑤 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜉 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜉 +

( )
− 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜉                             (23) 

4. Zona 4 – w < 𝑤  ≤ 𝑤  – regressive burning, where 𝑆  and 𝐴  are defined as: 

   = (𝑟 + 𝑤 ) 𝜉 + 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜉 − 𝜋 + 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑠
( )

( )
          (24) 

𝐴
( )

= ∑ 𝐴
( )

+
( ) ( )

∙ 𝛥𝑤      (25) 

Equation (25) shows the possibility of port area being defined numerically with the rectangle rule, where the initial 
area value is the one from the end of zone 3 and where 𝛥𝑤  represents the integration step. 

The maximum flame front path is labeled as 𝑤  and defined as [1]: 

𝑤 = 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜉 + 𝑅 − 𝑅 − 𝑤 + 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜉 − 𝑟            (26) 

OPTIM calculations using equations (17) – (26) give results in the form of diagrams that show burning and port 
area change in function of web thickness for propellant NGR-176 (Figure 4, A), as well as the change of J and K 
coefficients in function of web thickness (Figure 4, B). 

 

 



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128 

 

Figure 3. Star configuration burning zones [5] 
 

 
(A) 

 
(B) 

Figure 4. Diagrams of burning and port area change in function of web thickness (A) and J and K change in 
function of web thickness (B) 

3.7. Internal ballistic parameters of the rocket motor for 107 mm, HE, XM24 ER 

The final step in predicting IB parameters is concluding pressure-time (Figure 5) and thrust-time (Figure 6) curves 
for three accepted ambient temperatures, using calculation results obtained from SPPMEF program modules, which 
will give an insight into preliminary expectations for the rocket motor’s behavior with selected propellant type and 
configuration, materials and production technologies, as well as the structural sizing done with the nozzle, motor 
case (chamber) and propellant grain. 

ROCKET is the final SPPMEF module that provides prediction and display of results for the following parameters 
[18]: chamber pressure in function of time, nozzle exit pressure in function of time, thrust in function of time, 
burned propellant mass, nozzle throat area, current burning rate, thrust coefficient, total propellant mass, maximum 
and average value of thrust and combustion pressure, total impulse, specific impulse, pressure integral in function 
of time, burning time and total rocket motor action time. Calculation results are shown in Table 11. 



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129 

 
Idealized prediction of IB performances of the rocket motor implies taking out the nozzle throat erosion effect, 
“hump” effect, and erosive burning, but they significantly affect performances, so it is necessary to take them into 
consideration. The following effects have been considered for the rocket motor: 

 nozzle throat erosion with rate of 1 mm/s, 

 erosive burning with coefficients: specific propellant heat 𝑐  – 1450 J/kgK, burning surface temperature 𝑇  
– 650 K and empirical constant of β = 65, 

 “hump” effect, according to factors shown in the reference [18]. 
 

 
Figure 5. Pressure-time curve for normal (+20°C), low (-30°C) and high (+50°C) temperature, for optimized star-

shaped propellant NGR-176 
 

 
Figure 6. Thrust-time curve for normal (+20°C), low (-30°C) and high (+50°C) temperature, for optimized star-

shaped propellant NGR-176 

Table 9. IB parameters of the 107 mm rocket motor preliminary design 

Ambient 
temperature, T 

Burning time, 
𝒕𝒃 [s] 

Maximum 
pressure, 𝒑𝒄𝒎𝒂𝒙 

[MPa] 

Maximum 
thrust, 

𝑭𝒄𝒎𝒂𝒙 [MPa] 

Average 
thrust, 

𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓 [N] 

Total 
impulse, 
𝑰𝒕𝒐𝒕 [Ns] 

-30°C 1.07 15.31 11182.62 9131.57 9791.68 

+20°C 0.96 15.87 11578.30 10252.77 9857.23 

+50°C 0.93 16.41 11956.89 10591.02 9804.32 

 



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130 

3.8. Sizing of the ignition system 

The equation used to define the ignition mass of small- and average-sized rocket motors is derived from the ideal 
gas law for combustion gases at the end of ignition [3, 4]: 

𝑚 = ∙
∙( )

                              (27) 

Where 𝑝  is the initial chamber pressure after the ignition process, 𝜎 is the solid phase mass fraction of igniter 

combustion gases (20%) and 𝑉  is propellant volume. Initial chamber pressure is calculated with the following 

equation [1]: 

𝑝 = (0.3 𝑑𝑜 0.4)𝑝 = 0.3 ∙ 12.525 = 3.76 MPa         (28) 

Ideal and real igniter densities are determined using the equation [1]: 

𝜌 , =
. ∙∑

=
. ∙

= 1492.56 kg/m3             (29) 

𝜌 = 𝑙 ∙ 𝜌 , = 1119.42 kg/m3                    (30) 

Where 𝑙  = 0.75 is the real-ideal igniter density ratio and 𝑔  is the solid phase fraction. 

Using the calculated propellant mass 𝑚  = 4.68 kg and known propellant density for NGR-176 𝜌 = 1590 kg/m3, 

propellant volume totals: 

𝑉 = = 0.00294 kg/m3          (31) 

Finally, the igniter mass for the preliminary design of the 107 mm rocket motor is: 

𝑚  = 0.00907 kg = 9.07 g           (32) 

4. Conclusions 

According to calculations provided by the SPPMEF program, followed by structural modifications and design 
decisions, the selected propellant NGR-176 for the preliminary design of the 107 mm rocket motor provides an 
average thrust force of  𝐹  = 10252.77 N at +20°C, burning time of 𝑡  = 0.96 s at +20°C and maximum chamber 
pressure of 𝑝  = 16.41 MPa at +50°C (𝑝  = 15.87 MPa for +20°C), which meets set ballistic requirements. It is 
evident that the maximum pressure, predicted for the higher ambient temperature of +50°C stays under loading 
limits (MEOP), which is important for keeping the structural integrity and combustion process in control.  

One effect that has not been considered for calculations is the radial acceleration effect on the overall display of 
thrust loss, which should be explored more, considering the type of stabilization this rocket has (gyroscopic). 
Materials and technologies described in this research are selected to adjust to production possibilities in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina. For further research, theoretical results should be verified through numerical simulations, as an 
introduction to real conceptual design analysis. 

Declaration of competing interest 

The author declares that she has no known financial or non-financial competing interests in any material discussed 
in this paper. 



DSS Vol. 5, No. 2, 2024, pp. 11-30 
 

131 

Funding information 

No funding was received from any financial organization to conduct this research. 

Acknowledgments 

My deepest gratitude and admiration go to the entire personnel of the Defense Technologies Department of 
Mechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Sarajevo, as well as their external associates and academics for an 
immeasurable contribution to research in the domain of solid propellant rocket motors design and testing, which 
accounts for numerous research papers, proceedings and articles containing valuable experimental analysis, 
calculations, and program codes. These materials provided much-needed information for this paper, that stands as 
a base for further research. 

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