Award Data

A key system in the development of effective KEI vehicles is the divert and attitude control system (DACS). The DACS are responsible for maneuvering the interceptor vehicle to its target. A vital component to the DACS is the thruster, which provides effective control of vehicle divert. Solid propellant DACS thrusters employ a adjustable pintle for controlling the thrust level. Movement of the ...

In Phase I, a demonstration SUpersonic Rain Erosion (SURE) facility was developed which demonstrated the capability of producing spherical, millimeter-sized droplets repeatedly at velocities up to 1200 feet per second. Data were collected to extend the speed range of the facility and droplet size. Based on these results, a Phase II prototype facility will be built that could attain speeds of 240 ...

The field of hyperspectral imaging has undergone tremendous development in the past decade. Research and development of the hyperspectral imaging in military applications has primarily focused on air-to-ground and space-to-ground reconnaissance of stationary military targets and terrestrial backgrounds. In this SBIR program, researchers of Dymas Research propose an innovative hyperspectral imaging ...

Highly reactive nanocomposite powders will be consolidated into solid shapes suitable for use as structural components of munitions. Nanostructured, reactive composites of intermetallic or thermite compositions have been prepared recently by Arrested Reactive Milling (ARM). Specific materials prepared previously include compositions in the systems Al-Fe2O3, Al-MoO3, and B-Ti. The prepared nanoco ...

Fiber Materials, Inc. (FMI), in partnership with Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC), proposes to develop innovative, reduced weight and cost, thermal protection systems for the THAAD mid-body and booster based on the placed fiber fabrication process. Placed fiber is a manufacturing process in which fiber and resin is sprayed to form a material that can substitute for a prepregged clo ...

The behavior of flaw growth in hetrogeneous materials such as reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) is not well understood. The use of CMC materials for thin wall components such as interceptor directional control thrusters offer significant advantages in cost and weight reduction over refactory metals now in use. However, no NDE techniques or analytical tools have yet been determined to b ...

The primary goal of the proposed Phase II effort will be to demonstrate materials and processes necessary to reliably produce a viable high temperature DACS thruster via the enhancement of the baseline C/SiC composite with hafnium diboride matrix doping. The viability of the resulting prototype CMC thrusters will be evaluated through complete thermomechanical evaluation of optimized materials and ...

Fiber Materials, Inc. (FMI), teamed with Aerojet, proposes to demonstrate a low cost material concept applicable to the SM-3 ACS. The material, a 4-dimensionally reinforced carbon-carbon containing silicon carbide to eliminate oxidation and erosion, will offer significant benefits in comparison to the refractory metals now in use such as rhenium, columbium, and molybdenum. Refractory and other m ...

Fiber Materials, Inc., teamed with Aerojet and Plasma Processes, Inc., will complete the design and development leading to fabrication and demonstration of a ceramic matrix composite thrust chamber and requisite joining technologies for an advanced liquid/gel divert and attitude control (LDACS) application. The proposed Phase II development program will utilize a non-eroding material based on carb ...

There is a need for broadband infrared light source for simulation projection systems operating at room temperature. We are proposing to develop tunable quantum cascade infrared light emitters based on III-V nitride semiconductors. During Phase I, the proposed emitter will be designed and fabricated. Electro-luminescence in the infrared will be measured at room temperature and low temperatures. In ...