Abstract The effect of swirling on solid rocket motor performance is investigated analytically and expermentally.The investigation on burning rate sensitivity in detail is completed.The prediction programs of transient burning rate,steady state burning rate and internal ballistic performance are established,the calculation results are compared with the experimental data.The effect of propellant ingredients on the swirling solid motor performance is also revealed.Through a series of researches,the following conclusions are reached:if the aluminium content of the propellant remains constant,the greater the diameter of aluminium particles,the higher the burning rate sensitivity;if the diameter remains constant,the greater the content,the higher the sensitivity.For a high burning rate propellant,there exist a higher threshold of acceleration and a lower burning rate sensitivity.For star grain motor,the effect of swirling flow on its internal ballistic performance is smaller,than in the motor with conocyl grain.The prediction results of the theoretical model are consistent with the experimental results.The theoretical model can be applied to engineering design.