Award Data

Diode-Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPALs) have great potential for high-energy lasers. Proper design of these systems is challenging because many interrelated processes impact their performance, and critical kinetic rate coefficients are not well known. In response, our team is developing a comprehensive physics-based analysis/design tool, and experimentally determining key kinetic rate coefficients. The ...

Future MDA space missions will utilize small spacecraft with correspondingly small, advanced sensor systems. Cooling of these sensors is required to decrease detector noise and increase detector sensitivity by maintaining the detector at a reduced operating temperature. The cooling system comprises a mechanical cryocooler and its control electronics, both of which are critical technologies to enab ...

Systima is proposing the development of a non-hit-to-kill warhead for hyper-velocity projectiles capable of deploying a volumetrically efficient tungsten payload using advanced manufacturing techniques. Using Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (Wire EDM), the payload packaging efficiency is dramatically increased while also reducing cost due to greater design simplicity and ease of assembly of th ...

Within the hypersonic missile community, it is generally known that Mentis Sciences, Inc. (MSI) is developing a candidate Quartz/Polysiloxane radome solution for the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC3) system. This solution is presently in the process of being evaluated for the relevant hypersonic rain erosion environs and full-scale thermal/structural loading. At this time, it has exceeded all mec ...

We propose to develop a high-performance longwave infrared focal plane array (FPA) based on Type-II InAs/(In)GaSb strained-layer-superlattice (SLS) technology and deliver it packaged in a portable handheld CAMERA. In Phase 1, a matrix of recipes was designed and grown, several wafers were processed, arrays were fabricated and characterized, and material and process issues identified. In Phase 2, ...

Space-based laser systems require unsurpassed reliability and ruggedness, as space-deployment may make it impossible to service and repair deployed systems. In this program we propose to continue our Phase I investigation to systematically identify, address and eliminate the most significant failure points in space-deployed diode laser systems. We will replace these points of failure with evoluti ...

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is currently developing a comprehensive testing environment to test and evaluate the operation of multiple elements operating concurrently within the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Synthetic scene generators are required to be developed to stimulate, in real-time, both radar and optical sensors within the BMDS. These scene generators must present to the ...

Advanced technology and circuit architecture is under investigation for high performance, infra-red, and low power electronics. GaSb substrates have advantages that are attractive for implementation of very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) detectors with higher operating temperatures for spaced based and stealth applications. A significant aspect inhibiting widespread commercial application of GaS ...

Advanced technology and circuit architecture is under investigation for high performance, infra-red, and low power electronics. GaSb substrates have advantages that are attractive for implementation of very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) detectors with higher operating temperatures for spaced based and stealth applications. A significant aspect inhibiting widespread commercial application of GaS ...

Thermal batteries are a power source for many MDA programs. As mission requirements push the limits of battery lifetime, optimizing the thermal insulation used in the batteries becomes increasingly important. Another design challenge is to create batteries with unconventional configurations for more efficient space utilization. Designers need flexible tools to assist them to meet these challeng ...