March 2015

Products and competencies of WEPA-Technologies have been covered in the October edition of ‘Wehrtechnik’ magazine (‘Defence Technology’).

The publication can be downloaded below.

English translation:

 ‘Defence Technology 03/2015’

Solutions in propulsion technology: UAV and rocket applications

WEPA-Technologies GmbH is located in Leverkusen / Germany and was found in 2011 via spin off of several business activities from Behrend Maschinen- und Werkzeugbau GmbH.

Business activities of WEPA-Technologies do include solutions in the fields of engineering, automation and aerospace technology.

The business field ‚aerospace technology’ at present is focussed on propulsion- and rocket technology and does highly benefit from the companies specific expertise in the field of mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology and automation technology. The company defines itself as a development and planning focussed engineering office with extensive manufacturing capabilities in the field of prototyping and small lot production. Manufacturing capabilities present at the 700 m² sized workshop do include a broad range of technologies: turning, milling, EDM, grinding, welding and sheet metal work.

Public references are listed below:

- Development of a solid rocket booster adapted to an assisted take off application with maximum thrust 2 to (Airbus Defence and Space / CASSIDIAN).

- Development of a mobile unit to demonstrate the efficiency of fire suppression and fire extinguishing systems for use in defence and civil applications (Dynamit Nobel Defence).

Currently solid-, hybrid- and liquid propellant rocket engines respective complete rocket booster stages bound for various applications are developed, built and tested by WEPA-Technologies. In addition to mere propulsion systems, this does include the development of auxiliary units, as - for example - turbo pumps in the case of liquid propellant or hybrid rocket engines.

Adapted to ‘UAV’ applications, propulsion systems under development can be custom tailored to meet specific booster and sustainer engine requirements.

All developments are based on using safe to handle, storable and environmentally green propellants:

Solid rocket motors exclusively use chlorine free oxidizer systems resulting in non-toxic, non-corrosive combustion products. Consequently there is no need to implement measures to protect launch equipment or operation personal.

Hybrid propulsion systems completely omit the use of pyrotechnic substances or explosives. Consequently no transport restrictions do apply and use of civil aircrafts is possible. (A possible propellant combination is nitrous oxide (N₂O) and polymers. Both substances are rated non combustible and harmless, as long as they are not mixed.)

Liquid propellant rocket engines do use hydrogenperoxide or liquid oxygen as oxidizers. On the fuel side diesel, jet propellant (f. ex. Jet-A) or alcohols can be used.

In the case of supersonic propulsion – used for example in target drones - air breathing RAM-jet engines are preferred, as their propellant efficiency is significantly higher compared to rocket engines. Surface launch capability can be achieved by using solid- or hybrid propellant booster systems.

At present the development of a propulsion unit and cell of a supersonic drone is under evaluation – flight target simulation could be a potential application. A key technology component is the use of an air breathing RAM-jet engine to be developed at WEPA-Technologies (thrust: 500 – 1000 kg; surface take-off by using a booster engine is specified.) To significantly minimize development costs, the drone is planned to be based on an already existing surface to air missile: suitable technology components should be reused. Cooperations with external partners – for example to optimize guidance and flight control – are  preferred.