Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform
OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative design for a lightweight, low cost, precision, seeker gimbal assembly that can operate in endo and exo-atmospheric environments inducing high stress levels, i.e., temperature, vibration, shock, and sustained high-g.
DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks an innovative design of a lightweight, low cost, low power, high performance gimbal for missile seekers. Innovative materials and manufacturing processes can be from any of the major material types as long as they are lightweight and low cost and are able to withstand the relevant environments. Innovative manufacturing processes can be from any of the process types to include powder technology, forging, casting, additive manufacturing, etc. Assembly processes should consider semi-automated and fully automated assembly. The gimbal should be designed to accommodate electrical and cryogenic elements (assume sensor operation between 68 degrees K and 120 degrees K) necessary for operation of the sensor element on the gimbal platform. Assume a thermal environment ranging from -50 degrees C to + 70 degrees C and radiation hardness >300 krad. The gimbal should have the capability of maintaining less than 0.1 milliradians pointing accuracy, greater than 4 radians per second slew rate, less than 50 microradians RMS stabilization, and must accommodate up to 1 radian field of regard.
PHASE I: Investigate alternative gimbal designs for a low cost, lightweight gimbal capable of withstanding high stress environments and provide a feasibility assessment of the proposed solution. Develop down selection criteria based on reduced cost and weight. Provide analysis to support recommendation of the most appropriate design for further evaluation in Phase II.
PHASE II: Build a prototype with the goal of demonstrating that the proposed design represents a feasible approach. The contractor should provide a lessons learned summary about the results and a manufacturing tolerance study and provide the gimbal to government personnel as needed for performance and environmental evaluation and testing.
PHASE III: Develop and execute a plan to manufacture component developed in Phase II, and assist the government in transitioning this technology to the appropriate prime contractor(s) for the engineering integration and testing.
REFERENCES:
1: N. F. Palumbo, et.al, Basic Principles of Homing Guidance, Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Vol. 29, No. 1 (2010).
2: P. Zarchan, Tactical and Strategic Missile Guidance, 5th Ed., AIAA, 2007.
3: Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing: Materials, Processes, and Systems, Groover, Wiley, 2006
4: Manufacturing Engineering Handbook, Geng and Geng, Mc Graw-Hill, 2004
5: Advanced Machining Technology Handbook, Brown, Mc Graw-Hill, 1998
KEYWORDS: Gimbal, Missile, Seeker, Control System
