Casper rocket engineer John Wickman will design a prototype of a new solid rocket motor and an innovative nozzle with a $730,000, two-year contract from the U.S. Army, he said.

"Basically, this is a solid rocket motor with a pintle nozzle, where you can control the thrust level of a missile in real-time, like you would a gas pedal on a car," Wickman said in a news release from the Wyoming Business Council. "It also controls steering and that has never been done before."

Wickman could not be reached directly for comment. He is president of Casper-based Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Co.

The project has a high-priority rating directly from the Secretary of Defense.

The military wants more capable tactical missiles to hit more sophisticated enemy aircraft and fast-moving ground targets, and Wickman is developing the motor and nozzle for expressly that purpose.

Wickman has worked, often solo, for years at his shop near the Natrona County International Airport. He has developed solid rocket fuel that has the consistency of a rubber eraser; worked with Casper College and Natrona County High School students to build a rocket that was test fired at the NASA center at Wallops Island, Va.; and has conducted summer rocket camps for students.

This marks one of the largest contracts Wickman has ever received.

The Army contract funnels the money through the Small Business Innovation Research Program.

The new contract marks the third phase of the SBIR process, according to Tom Lacock of the Wyoming Business Council.

Phase 0 helps Wyoming companies develop competitive proposals for the federal SBIR and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

Both programs are related to the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative, which is funded by the Wyoming Business Council and awards $120,000 in Phase 0 a year, according to the Business Council.

In Phase I, the granting agency offers money to the company for a feasibility study.

Wickman won a Phase 0 award in June 2004 for his effort with the pintle rocket nozzle. He used the grant money to conduct some preliminary design analyses, and included those in the Phase I proposal.

In Phase II, funding pays for a prototype. Wickman latest award is under Phase II.

Wickman will demonstrate his nozzle through different types of tests, including one for the rocket motor. He will demonstrate the motor firing at an Army facility. Wickman also will construct a high-pressure cold flow facility for the test.

The University of Wyoming will benefit from this award with a $226,000 subcontract to conduct low-pressure cold flow tests, upgrade a wind tunnel and provide computational fluid dynamic analysis.

Reporter Tom Morton can be reached at (307) 266-0592, or at tom.morton@casperstartribune.net.