N121-065 TITLE: Multivariate Algorithm for Insensitive Munitions (IM) Hazard Mitigation

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO-IWS3A (Standard Missile / SM-6), ACAT I

OBJECTIVE: Develop automated real-time estimates of energetic material (EM) environmental hazards, unplanned ignition thresholds, and mitigation impacts to improve system safety and lessen susceptibility to IM hazards.

DESCRIPTION: Currently the Navy does not have sensors or controls for monitoring the health or responses of energetic materials to Insensitive Munitions (IM) hazards. This topic requires innovation to develop a multivariate algorithm for a system solution which includes a network of sensors, processors and communication and control measures to provide real-time estimates of EM health, warning signals, and avoidance/mitigation options. The developed system will enable required operator actions to prevent or alleviate safety related incidents and IM events. Advances in sensor technology for measuring environmental states including thermal, gas, and shock/vibration provide a set of potential information inputs that can be used to develop real-time situational awareness of the safety thresholds for multiple EM types. This includes quantities embedded in complex systems including land or sea-based multi-weapon launchers or transporters and forward temporary storage areas. While each additional information source nominally increases situational awareness, the operator is currently limited in ability to assess the information.

The Navy has looked at various options such as Chemical Sensor Initiators (CSI) and heat and humidity sensors; however, they are only a subset of the scope of capability needed. For example, automation of sensing and condition reporting are innovations that are required. This topic seeks innovative concepts that will enable automation to maintain current safety or improve shipboard safety. For real-time tactical or logistical missions requiring rapid response to emergent IM safety threats from accidents or adversarial actions, the operator must understand how much time is available and the expected impact of available avoidance and/or mitigation measures that can be used to prevent catastrophic hazards to equipments, platforms, military personnel, and civilians. It is critical that EM response predictions be robust to prevent mission failure and loss of lives and property. A multivariate system approach is needed based on: (a) EM behavior in elevated heat and mechanical environments (possibly based on health monitoring), (b) knowledge of sensor technologies and capabilities, and (c) impacts of passive or active avoidance/mitigation measures.

Results from this topic will enable system designers to develop high payoff avoidance/mitigation strategies given that sensors are available to measure environmental factors important to EM behavior. These multivariate algorithms will also enable system designers to develop needed types of sensors, capabilities, and preferred placement thereby providing the operator with the best situational awareness. Matching multi-sensor products to understand and predict EM time-to-event opens the design space for avoidance/mitigation of EM response. Knowledge of these characteristics and their real time EM response estimates will enable investment in new sensor technologies and capabilities.

PHASE I: The company will define a concept for an automated multivariate system that meets the above objective. It will conduct an assessment on the concept, and perform a preliminary analysis to establish the feasibility of an EM health monitoring system (to determine the response to unplanned ignition thresholds for EMs). The company will define the architecture and concept of operation, and identify the algorithm requirements to provide the desired capabilities. The company will provide a Phase II development plan with key technical milestones and performance goals.

PHASE II: Based on the Phase I findings and the Phase II development plan, the company will develop a prototype of the automated EM health monitoring system, and integrate it into an analytical test bed (Navy asset not required). The company will demonstrate the maturity of the proposed solutions by numeric trials and validate performance using available Navy EM characteristics data. The company will conduct trials on simulated/surrogate launcher/magazines to evaluate acceptability of proposed solutions. Results from these trials will be used to refine the health monitoring system into an initial design that will meet Navy requirements. The company will prepare a Phase III development plan to transition this technology for Navy use.

PHASE III: Based on successful Phase II results, the company will work with the appropriate Navy Program Offices (PEO-IWS, PEO-Ships) to transition the technology to Navy use, if a Phase III award should be made. The company will develop a health monitoring system and help in its evaluation to determine its viability to be used as upgrades to missile launchers and ship magazine spaces. The company will support the Navy for test and validation to certify and qualify the system for Navy use.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Successful outcome of this topic would be beneficial to military systems, space launch systems, commercial transport of weapons and weapon components containing EM (or other potentially explosive material), global counter-terrorism, and homeland security including emergency response.

REFERENCES:
1. Swierk, T.E., "IM Maturity � A Systems Perspective," Proceedings, Insensitive Munitions & Energetic Materials Technology Symposium, Bristol, UK, April 2006.

2. Jones, D. A., et. al., "Expedited Transition of Propulsion Modeling & Simulation Capability � Enabled by a Knowledge Structure," Proceedings, Insensitive Munitions & Energetic Materials Technology Symposium, Munich, Germany, November 2010

KEYWORDS: Insensitive Munitions; Energetic Material; Mitigation; Health Monitoring; Survivability; Sensors.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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