Charle Werner Rousseau
Solid Rocket Engineer
Ueberlingen,BW
Summary
Dynamic propulsion engineer with extensive expertise in diverse rocket propulsion systems, including composite, double base, hybrid, and gel propellant technologies. Proficient in utilizing various casing materials such as composites, aluminum, and aerospace steels, with hands-on experience in full-scale development and qualification programs as a systems engineer. Strong foundation in subsystems, encompassing safety systems, warheads/detonics, flight systems, and guidance systems, which fuels a commitment to advance simulation and computational capabilities within the field. Dedicated to leveraging extensive knowledge to drive innovation in solid rocket motor design and production while identifying new technologies to address industry challenges and meet evolving market demands.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
8
8
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Technical Manager: Propulsion Systems
Diehl Defense
06.2022 - Current
- Since joining Diehl Defense my primary responsibility has been to acquire the propulsion system for the IRIS-T SLX. My first task was to redefine the propulsion requirements and to formulate a Technical Requirement Specification. The primary activities were to coordinate with all subsystem technical managers and to give input in the absence of a selected rocket motor developer and manufacturer. The selection of a potential supplier included technical briefs and workshops, participating in contract negotiating activities and internal evaluations while proposing solutions.
- A secondary activity has been to provide input into future systems or projects still in concept phases that would require propulsion systems.
Chief Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
11.2021 - 04.2022
In addition to my tasks a senior engineer I was also responsible for the technical management of both the warhead and the rocket motor of the Skyknight Missile.
Senior Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2016 - 11.2021
- Served as primary performance design authority for solid rocket motors. Determined technology development and investment strategies for government-funded programs. Expanded expertise into production and manufacturing processes for propellants.
- Ad-hoc projects where a wide range of inputs and expertise outside my core responsibilities were required were also common, such as helping to research and scope RDM's potential entry into green energy technologies.
Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2012 - 02.2016
- During this phase of my career at RDM I became more involved in Systems Engineering and Analysis. I was appointed the systems engineer on an anti-tank weapon which consisted of seven subsystems for which new baseline qualification specification, qualification reports and production specifications had to be negotiated and approved by the client. This experience has allowed me to be intimately involved with all aspects of a missile system as well as having to learn how to engage clients and end users. Throughout this period, I faced many technical, obsolescence and program challenges, which have prepared me to successfully complete even the most challenging projects. Solid rocket grain that went into production was also developed and qualified during this period. Other activities include:
- Product support of all double base rocket motor products;
- Continued government funded technology work;
- Systems engineer on several products.
Junior Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2009 - 02.2012
- Appointed to assist in internal ballistic simulations of rocket motors as well as associated fields (combustion instability, propellant manufacturing, CFD simulation, heat transfer, etc). During this phase of professional development at RDM I was given the opportunity to be part of all rocket motor related projects as well as exposure to all subsystems RDM provided while shadowing experienced system engineers. Primary projects:
- Air to air rocket motor development;
- Mass production grain design and development;
- Sled testing rocket motor;
- Developed MS Project/excel based project tool;
- Identification and purchase of RDM's first CFD software.
Education
PhD. - Chemical Engineering
University Of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch2011
BSc.Eng - Chemical Engineering
University Of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch2005
Skills
Product Development
Systems Analysis
Engineering Code Development
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Systems Engineering
Innovative Problem Solving
Accomplishments
Accomplishments at Diehl Defense
- >20% system performance by redefining of propulsion requirements for the same volume;
- Delivery of Technical Requirement Specification (IRIS-T SLX);
- Contributing in the field of Insensitive Munition Design.
Accomplishments at RDM:
- Dual Pulse Rocket Motor establishment up to pre-qualification;
- Cast Double Base Dual Layer Grain technology demonstration;
- Full motor design and testing accomplished in less than 3 months;
- Anti-tank subsystems qualification;
- Mass production grain qualification and production;
- Establishing RDM's CFD capabilities;
- Development of a programmed MS Projects/Excel project reporting tool;
- Development of more than 10 software tools used for design, simulation or quality control purposes;
- Establishing High Performance Computing center at RDM.
- Managed Development of a full 3D Internal Ballistic Software tool within commercial grade CFD solver.
Affiliations
- AIAA Solid Rocket Technical Committee
- Session Planner: 2014 Joint Propulsion Conference
- University Stellenbosch: Co-Supervisor PhD studies
- University Kwazulu Natal: Co-Supervisor PhD studies
Certification
Systems Engineering
Timeline
Technical Manager: Propulsion Systems
Diehl Defense
06.2022 - Current
Chief Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
11.2021 - 04.2022
Senior Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2016 - 11.2021
Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2012 - 02.2016
Junior Engineer
Rheinmetall Denel Munition
02.2009 - 02.2012
PhD. - Chemical Engineering
University Of Stellenbosch
BSc.Eng - Chemical Engineering
University Of Stellenbosch
Academic Papers
- C. W. Rousseau and J. H. Knoetze. "Calculating an Admittance Function from Pulsed Tubular Grain Motor Tests", Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 26, No. 5 (2010), pp. 998-1005. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.40286
- C. W. Rousseau and J. H. Knoetze. "Velocity Coupling from Pulse-Test Firings", Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 28, No. 3 (2012), pp. 596-602. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B34363
- Charle Rousseau, Johannes Knoetze, and Stephanus Steyn. "Establishing a Cost Effective and Innovative Combustion Instability Programme", 44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Joint Propulsion Conferences, Hartford,CT, 21 - 23 July 2008, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2008-4603
- Charle Rousseau and Johannes Knoetze. "Calculating an Admittance Function from Pulsed Tubular Grain Motor Tests", 44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Joint Propulsion Conferences, Hartford,CT, 21 - 23 July 2008, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2008-4599
- C.W. Rousseau and J.H. Knoetze, Improving the Method for Determination of an Admittance Function from Pulsed Tubular Grain Motor Tests, International Symposium on Special Topics in Chemical Propulsion (8th): Advancements in Energetic Materials and Chemical Propulsion, Cape Town, South Africa, 2-6 November 2009
- Charle Rousseau and Hansie Knoetze. "Velocity Coupling from Pulse Test Firings", 46th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Joint Propulsion Conferences, Nashville, TN, 25 - 28 July 2010, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2010-7156
- Knoetze and C. Rousseau. "Heat Transfer Induced Irregular Burning", 47th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Diego, CA, 31 July - 03 August 2011, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2011-6123
- C. Rousseau, M. Leslie, G. Steyn, and Robin Pretner. "Cast Double Base: Propellant designed to meet internal ballistic requirements", 47th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Diego, CA, 31 July - 03 August 2011, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2011-6138
- Johannes Knoetze and Charle W. Rousseau. "Experimental Combustion Instability Data Analysis using different theoretical Models", 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Jose, CA, 14 – 17 July 2013, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-4023
- Frederik Retief, Johannes Knoetze, Gideon J. Smit, and Charle W. Rousseau. "Modeling the Effect of Condensed-phase Contributions in Ammonium Perchlorate Based Composite Solid Propellant Combustion", 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Jose, CA, 14 – 17 July 2013, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-3787
- Frederik Retief, Johannes Knoetze, Charle W. Rousseau, Adriaan J. Steenkamp, and Gideon J. Smit. "A Comparison between the OpenFOAM Toolbox and Custom-built Numerical Solvers for Composite Solid Propellant Combustion Modeling", 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Jose, CA, 14 – 17 July 2013, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-3646
- Wichard Sullwald, Gideon J. Smit, Adriaan J. Steenkamp, and Charle W. Rousseau. "Solid rocket motor grain burn back analysis using level set methods and Monte-Carlo volume integration", 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Jose, CA, 14 – 17 July 2013, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-4087
- Erhardt R. De Kock, Gideon J. Smit, Charle W. Rousseau, and Adriaan J. Steenkamp. "Implementation of an Internal Ballistics Module in OpenFOAM", 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Joint Propulsion Conferences, San Jose, CA, 14 – 17 July 2013, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-3917
- Gideon J. Smit, Johannes Knoetze, Francois Steyn, Charle W. Rousseau, and Erhardt R. De Kock. "Rapid Solid Rocket Motor Design", 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Joint Propulsion Conferences, 14 – 17 July 2013, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-3789