N101-008 TITLE: Insensitive Munitions Compliant Initiation System

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-259 - AIM 9X Block 3 Upgrade

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced initiation system that is Insensitive Munitions (IM) compliant and capable of initiating high-performance insensitive energetics, which pose a problem for current initiation systems.

DESCRIPTION: Current weapon systems must meet IM requirements under which weapons are to be immune to external threats in their environments and respond in a benign manner when exposed to these threats. The IM requirements include passing fragment impact, bullet impact, slow cookoff, fast cookoff, shaped charge jet and sympathetic detonation tests. This need has been partially met by decreasing the sensitivity of the main charge fill and modifying the warhead case design. As a result, many weapons are now capable of meeting several of these requirements but few meet all of the required responses.

A new approach to initiation is needed that is not susceptible to the above mentioned threats and still meets the affordability and operational energy requirements of conventional weapon systems. Recent studies and technological developments suggest there is an achievable path to achieving full IM compliance without decreasing weapon system performance. The primary challenge for this development will be to use low cost/firing energy components to initiate insensitive explosive fills and maintain immunity to the threats listed above. A secondary challenge of this effort will be to selectively control the initiation system output to modify the performance of the warhead. The developed initiation system should demonstrate a hazard level 1.6 compliance, maintain current weapon system initiation system costs, and reduce the cost of meeting IM goals. Additionally, there is a desire for selectivity in the initiation system to enable control of the output characteristics of the warhead. A secondary goal is to develop a multipoint system that requires no more energy than a two- point exploding foil initiator (EFI) system.

PHASE I: Develop an initiation system concept and demonstrate its feasibility of operation against a standardized IM explosive fill, with timing characteristics sufficient to meet missile ordnance section requirements. The design must use secondary explosives qualified for in-line use and have analysis or test data demonstrating the ability to meet the requirements of MIL-DTL-23659.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype and perform component and system level testing to demonstrate that performance goals are met and performance variations have been established.

Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. Owned and Operated with no Foreign Influence as defined by DOD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been be implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this contract as set forth by DSS and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advance phases of this contract.

PHASE III: Transition developed technologies into a Navy weapon system to meet the specific program needs. Integrate the technology into the existing safety system and associated warhead to minimize the development cost and program risk.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Use of this technology in the private sector will be limited to homeland defense where safety critical applications will benefit from implementation. Potential applications in demolition and mining industry will be investigated for application of a reduced performance design.

REFERENCES:
1. NAVSEA INSTRUCTION 8020.5C

2. MIL-STD-1316, Safety Criteria for Fuze Design.

3. MIL-STD-2105C, Hazard Assessment Tests for Non-Nuclear Munitions.

4. MIL-DTL-23659, General Design Specification for Initiators, Electric.

5. MIL-STD-1751A, Safety and Performance Tests for the Qualification of Explosives (High Explosive, Propellants and Pyrotechnics)

6. NAVSEAINST 8020.8C

KEYWORDS: Insensitive; Munitions; Initiation; System; Detonation; Warhead; Ordnance

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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