In developing gun propellants a number of aspects are ofimportance. Apart from the
performance improvement, higher specific impulse and a lower flame temperature, requirements
for safe production, storage and storage lifetime can be mentioned.
At TNO - PML gun propellant compositions have been developed and investigated over the
years. A number of compositions have been evaluated for their energy content and ballistic
performance. A selected number have been produced on a small scale and tested. Some
compositions have been produced with a twin screwe extruder and underwent full scale testing.
The paper describes process modelling and processing safety aspects of laboratory scale
processing. Furthermore the internal ballistic and performance characterisation and safety
properties of the LOVA propellants that are under development will be presented.
The paper ends with a summary of future developments at TNO - PML with respect to gun
propellants and concluding remarks.