Test Article Printing with Laser Additive Manufacturing (TAP-LAM) for Threat Surrogate Target Production

Optonicus proposes development of the TAP-LAM (Test Article Printing with Laser Additive Manufacturing for Threat Surrogate Target Production) powder bed fusion and directed energy depositions systems. The TAP-LAM metal additive manufacturing system will advance strategic missile defense system testing capabilities by improving 3D printing methods to rapidly produce large-scale threat surrogate targets with identical material properties to those currently built with conventional, subtractive techniques. Through the use of proprietary multi-beam fiber-array laser systems the metal LAM material properties will be tailored to meet the strict tolerances required in high strain rate testing conditions. The proposed system will adapt high-power coherent fiber-array and adaptive beam control technologies originally developed for DoD directed energy applications. In Phase II, Optonicus will develop a fully functioning TAP-LAM-DED system, which will be used to quickly fabricate full and scaled test articles which will be delivered to MDA for further evaluation. Optonicus plans to commercialize this technology for DoD defense markets and civilian applications in Phase III.Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)