Fiber Optic Hit Grid with Advanced Electronics

An advanced hit detection technology is needed for missile testing that can report impacts at hyper-velocities and at multiple hit locations.We present a technology with an attractive cost and performance that leverages decades of hit technology experience and utilizes existing technologies developed under previous efforts.Our technology offers a low latency non-interpolated direct indicator of multiple hit locations including damage progression, internal damage indicators, and housekeeping sensor readout, enabling unmatched lethality assessment with low size, weight, and power (SWAP).A collection of technologies with common components are presented that offer benefits for detection of hits making the technology cost-effective.In this proposal, we present the R&D efforts needed to lower cost and improve performance which require sufficient funding to bring the technologies forward into production.Approved for Public Release | 17-MDA-9219 (31 May 17)