Award Data

NanoSonic has developed advanced synergistic morphing-sensing-shielding materials for interceptor kill vehicle structures as key enablers for state-of-the-art ultra Lightweight Kill Vehicle (LKV) ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) interceptors. Next generation Agile KVs, deployable space satellites, adaptive spacecraft, and munitions airframes demand durable lightweight shielding materials t ...

The Ballistic Missile Defense System’s (BMDS’s) ability to detect and track enemy missiles against earth terrain backgrounds, including any intervening clouds, requires prior knowledge of the environmental radiance conditions to support the development of optimal sensors and detection approaches. There is a need for an architecture that efficiently and seamlessly unifies terrain and cloud mode ...

We propose to create a discrimination engine for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) based on the concept of manifold learning algorithms. Manifold learning algorithms have come to prominence within the computer vision community as a type of feature extraction algorithm which does not require specific features to be learned a priori. High dimensional sensor data is input to these algorit ...

In a conventional phased array radar (PAR), analog beamforming networks reduce the entire array into a few combined beams (e.g., sum beam, difference beams) at X-band. Next generation PAR will use a hybrid approach, forming many subarray beams in analog, and then performing a second-stage of beamforming digitally. In analog beamforming systems, only a few DREX modules are needed for the entire rad ...

A 128 x 128-format avalanche photodiode (APD) focal plane array (FPA), including a low-power dual-mode readout integrated circuit (ROIC) and low excess noise, high gain (M>1,200) will be developed for laser radar (LADAR) applications requiring reduced SWAP. The FPA gives LADAR seekers an advanced active tracking sensor capability, providing a sufficiently wide field of regard (FOR) to eliminate th ...

Using our 50+ person-years of experience with business process (BP) modeling, BPEL, SOA, and HCI design, we developed a proof-of-concept of a real-time battle management solution for MDA that will coordination with multiple dispersed and disparate weapon platforms in achieving accurate and reliable kill results for layered Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). The proof-of-concept is in the form of two ...

The impact of metal whiskers on the reliability of electronics has been exacerbated by environmentally-driven efforts to eliminate lead from tin plating and solders. Even exempt applications, such as military, are affected due to COTS. Foresite, Inc., a consultant, laboratory and test equipment development company, has a goal for the subject research, in collaboration with Purdue University, to ...

Missile defense systems will always require a real-time weapon/target pairing capability. Although extensive preplanning can give the defender general guidance for a variety of enemy courses of action, the combinatorial explosion of possible ways an engagement can evolve makes explicit enumeration of all possible defensive responses to enemy actions impossible. Ultimately, allocation of intercep ...

The need for munitions insensitive to unplanned stimuli possible in the logistical and operational life cycle of a munition is paramount for safeguarding life and property. To help meet this need, IN Space and Purdue University have developed a new class of composite solid rocket propellant based on an energetic, low toxicity, high strength binder. The Phase I effort demonstrated the feasibility ...

Missile defense systems are now required to conform to the insensitive munitions requirements of MIL STD 2105C. Meeting such requirements in the ballistic missile defense system will require a layered approach involving modified shipping containers and canisters, improvements in solid rocket motor casings, and less sensitive solid rocket propellant. One of the most difficult IM responses to miti ...