Armament Contracting Division (WL/MNK), Building 13, 101 West Eglin Boulevard, Suite 337, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810

A -- ARMAMENT TECHNOLOGIES (PART 2 OF 4) SOL baa No. MNK-97-0001 POC Contracting Officer, Jean Pulley (904) 882-4294, ext 3402 CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS SYNOPSIS for Armament Technologies. C. RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS To support the missions of WL/MN, research is required in the areas described in this section. These descriptions are not meant to exclude other research topics which are consistent with the mission of the Armament Directorate and its Divisions. These descriptions furnish specific examples of areas of interest and Directorate focal points associated with these technology areas. WEAPON FLIGHT VEHICLES RESEARCH -- The goal of this program is to perform weapon airframe research in the areas of: weapon airframe design, alternate flight control, advanced guidance, aerodynamics of high angle-of-attack missile and air-to-surface weapon airframes, low cost/light weight airframe design, rapid response weapon concepts for use on time-critical targets, submunition design and dispensing technology, drag and thermal impact reduction on airframes/domes, compressed carriage missile design, including new concepts for reliable fin/wing fold mechanisms, new aircraft/ weapon integration concepts to reduce drag when carrying advanced and inventory stores, and advanced carriage and release equipment design for application to both internal and external carriages. Research interests also include interdisciplinary high fidelity modeling of coupled aerodynamic, structural, thermal, electromagnetic, and flight control aspects of weapon flight vehicles. Mr. Frederick A. Davis, WL/MNAV, 904-882-8876 ext 3341, Fax: 904-882-2201, email: davisfa@eglin.af.mil BIO-SENSOR PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY The Munition Processing Technology Branch has interest in signal processing and control methods which use natural concepts found in biological systems. Proposed concepts should directly support the general objectives of the Advanced Guidance Division mission statement. Dr. Geoffrey Brooks, WL/MNGA, 904-882-3910 ext 2221, Fax: 904-882-4034, e-mail: brooksg@eglin.af.mil HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP REAL-TIME TESTING TECHNOLOGIES -- The Seeker Technology Evaluation Branch (MNGI) is interested in investigating technologies related to the testing of missile designs that incorporate imaging infrared and LADAR seeker subsystems. MNGI exercises complete missile hardware-in-the-loop simulations to verify the signal processing, image processing, and guidance performance including terminal homing accuracy. Strategic and Theater Missile Defense concepts developed under the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) as well as Tactical Munition subsystems developed within WL/MN are tested. Research emphasis will be placed on the advancement of infrared projection technologies and real-time target scene generation techniques as they apply to imaging infrared and LADAR sensors. Mr. Tony Thompson, WL/MNGI, 904-882-4446 ext 2273, Fax: 904-882-2363, e-mail: thompsra@eglin.af.mil LASER RADAR COMPONENT RESEARCH -- The Advanced Guidance Division has an interest in developing the components and systems necessary for imaging and non-imaging laser radar systems. These include, but are not limited to, optical sources, detector systems, beam pointing and beam scanning systems, detection schemes, and discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Interests range from complete systems and devices to basic materials and components. These include the following: Optical Sources. Optical sources of various wavelengths from the visible to the mid-infrared (< 5 microns) are desired. These devices may be diodes, diode-pumped solid state lasers, or optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). The systems can operate at moderate output powers in either a continuous wave mode or a pulsed mode at pulse repetition rates ranging from a few Hz to greater than 1 MHz. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, novel laser and OPO operating schemes, laser and OPO systems and designs, optical coatings, laser materials, and non-linear materials. Associated technologies, such as diode drive electronics, output power control and stabilization, wavelength tuning and stabilization techniques, rapid pulse generation, optical shutters and Q switches, polarization and phase controllers, and optical coupling techniques are also of interest. Detector systems. Single element and array detectors sensitive in the visible to mid-infrared wavelength range are desired. Rapid rise times (approaching a nanosecond) are desired, as is operability at temperatures greater than 77K. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, detector systems, detector materials, amplification and biasing electronics, temperature control systems, wavelength selection (filters, gratings, etc.), and readout technologies (for array detectors). Beam pointing and beam scanning systems. Systems which can rapidly steer a laser beam as well as the field of view of the detector are desired. Systems capable of search/track modes and variable fields of view are also desired. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, controlled mirror sets, microlens assemblies, gratings, acousto-optical devices, and liquid crystal devices.Associated technologies such as the scanning drives and controllers, beam direction monitoring techniques, and pointing stabilization techniques are also of interest. Detection schemes. Various incoherent and coherent detection schemes are of interest. Such schemes include, but are not limited to, direct detection of reflected radiation, return detection of a modulated signal, detection of laser-induced fluorescence, and detection of raman scattered radiation. Possible methods for coherent detection include amplitude, frequency, phase, or polarization modulation. Discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Systems which can discriminate the signal from the background environment, condition the signal, and store the data are required. These systems should be able to resolve time differences as small as or smaller than a nanosecond, dynamically adjust the gain of any amplification stages, allow variable timing/ranging techniques, and/or minimize range uncertainty. A variety of discrimination techniques are of interest, including nth pulse detection, constant fraction threshold detection, variable threshold detection, and others. Maj. Jeff Grantham/Dr. Willie Rockward, WL/MNGS, 904-882-1726, Fax: 904-882-1717, e-mail: grantham@eglin.af.mil or rockward@eglin.af.mil HIGH SURFACE AREA ELECTRODE RESEARCH -- High Surface Area (HSA) materials are substances having a high degree of microscopic porosity or surface roughness and exhibiting greater than 100 sq. meters/gram active surface area when gas absorption testing is employed. Catalysts in HSA form can accelerate rates of chemical reaction. Electrically conductive HSA materials can serve as high-capacitance electrodes in double layer charge storage devices or as dimensionally stable anodes required for processing corrosive liquids. Basic research in the area of conductive HSA materials is needed to provide a stronger basis for future high energy density capacitor design. Recent work has focused upon the development of ruthenia-based HSA coating thermally grownon titanium foil from chloride dipping solutions. Long term studies concern other transition metal compounds (molybdenum nitrides and borides are prime candidates) as coatings formed by hot spraying of metal chlorides from dilute solvent solution in a non-oxidizing ambient. Such studies also address HSA electrode suitability and performance in capacitors using any of a variety of electrolytes. Dr. Duane Finello, WL/MNMF, 904-882-9257, ext. 227 Fax: 904-882-2707, e-mail: finello@eglin.af.mil SOLID MECHANICS -- The Bombs and Warheads Branch develops engineering design methodology for the evaluation of advanced conventional warhead concepts. An essential element of this work is the use of continuum mechanics codes which are employed extensively in design development and analysis. The codes used employ state variable-based models of the mechanical behavior of solids. Research which proposes advancement on the state-of-the-art in modeling and test methodology for mechanical characterization is the foundation of the long term development goals of the warhead mission. Particular emphasis is placed on high rate behavior for modeling impact and shock loading. Dr. Joseph C. Foster, WL/MNMW, 904-882-9643 ext 237, Fax: 904-882-5142, e-mail: fosterjc@eglin.af.mil REACTIVE FLOW -- The development of conventional warheads requires a detailed understanding of energetic materials and the associated energy release process. Modeling of these processes in continuum mechanics codes provides the capability to conduct inexpensive design development and assessment work on advanced warhead concepts and related target defeat processes. Research which addresses the initiation of deflagration and detonative processes in energetic material involves the dual role of design development and safety assessment. Theoretical and experimental works with long term objectives that represent advanced, state-of-the-art understanding and are suitable for use in general format of state variable-based continuum mechanic codes are sought. Dr. JosephC. Foster, WL/MNMW, 904-882-2141 ext 2219, Fax: 904-882-5142, e-mail: fosterjc@eglin.af.mil (SEE PART 3 OF 4) (0057)

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