Lightweight Energy-Deposition IED Blast and Momentum Bypass/Mitigation Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-081 Topic Title: Lightweight Energy-Deposition IED Blast and Momentum Bypass/Mitigation Proposal No.: N121-081-0510 Firm: Physics, Materials & Applied Math Research, L.L.C. 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 112 Tucson, Arizona 85719 Contact: Kevin Kremeyer Phone: (520) 903-2345 Web Site: www.physics-math.com Abstract: There is a current DoD need to develop advanced technologies to increase the capabilities and effectiveness of the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force and to aid in the execution of the Global War on Terrorism. Specifically, there is interest within ONR to develop active technologies to mitigate combat and tactical vehicle underbody Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)/mine blast damage through unique shaping/wave propagation deflection and momentum mitigation techniques. Our proposed development effort will enable Marine Corps ground forces to increase ground vehicle survivability by implementing our innovative concept/technology to achieve leap-ahead gains in survivability of USMC ground assets. There are a number of techniques currently being applied to counter IEDs, including: armor to protect against penetration; angled undercarriages to deflect shock waves; and vent concepts to help dissipate high-pressure gases. The focus of this topic is to identify an alternative or complementary technology to vent the gases past the vehicle to eliminate or mitigate the volume penalty in the engine/passenger/cargo portions of the vehicle and mitigate acceleration/momentum transfer to the vehicle and its occupants. Benefits: The proposed lightweight active mitigation approach will reduce the number of head, neck, lower leg, and spinal injuries seen by the warfighter due to the shock and acceleration/ momentum forces experienced when high-pressure gas from an explosion forces a vehicle upward. Additionally, there exists potential use in the civilian sector by police special forces for the purpose of approaching and breaching fortified bunkers that potentially contain explosives. Return