Award Data

High pulse energy lasers are a critical part of missile defense systems. Typical lasers deployed in missile defense applications require between 100mJ and 1 Joule of pulse energy and use diode pumped solid-state master oscillators typically based on a Neodymium doped crystal. To meet the laser system performance requirements, typically many individual laser diodes are needed to provide the neces ...

Orora Design Technologies, teaming up ATK Mission Research and Boeing Solid-State Electronics, with the support from Oregon State University and Vanderbilt University, proposes to develop innovative mixed-mode and mixed-level simulation capacities for combined simulation of radiation and electrical performance to speed up simulation in radiation hard designs of VLSI circuits. The ultimate goal is ...

This Phase II program proposes a unique passivation process for infrared focal plane arrays. It entails the re-growth of isolating structures on the processed array that will passivate surface traps, leading to dramatically reduced surface-related transient effects and improved device performance. We shall team up with MDA designated partners to adapt the passivation process to focal plane arrays ...

Components used in missile propulsion and control systems such as Throttling Divert and Attitude Control Systems (TDACS) are susceptible to damage and degradation under the harsh operating conditions. Notwithstanding such conditions, a monolithic variant of the “NZP” ceramic has been successfully utilized by Aerojet for TDACS components in MDA’s GMD and SM3 missiles. For more advanced soli ...

We have defined a state-of-the-art forecasting and nowcasting ADA to support HAA operations. Our focus will be on stratospheric gravity wave (GW) and turbulence processes at altitudes to 70,000 feet. These phenomena pose the major threat to HAA (including Global Hawk and U-2) flight operations and mission performance, have resulted in the destruction of several aircraft and a pilot death in the pa ...

New high temperature resistant materials are being developed for the kill vehicles required for missile defense. These materials are typically very hard and difficult or impossible to machine by conventional techniques, thus limiting their use and driving cost and lead time up. Designs are being constrained by manufacturing limitations. These issues will be addressed in the proposed program by ...

The manufacture of meter-class windows and mirrors requires extended fabrication periods, often longer than one year. This is because current fabrication techniques entail multiple stages of grinding, lapping, and polishing to achieve high surface finish and dimensional requirements. Our Phase II project will demonstrate innovative ductile mode machining (DMM) process and modeling technology the ...

A major MDA/SMDC thrust area is the development of methods to improve discrimination of warheads from decoys by altering signatures and/or kinematics characteristics of potential threats. Some of the discrimination systems being evaluated/flight tested for this application require discrimination system payloads to be deployed from carrier vehicles. Maximizing the capability of discrimination sys ...

Not Available Paper recycling continues to increase in the United States, with public support and legislative mandates helping boost recycling of all paper grades. Office waste paper is a significant source of high grade paper fiber for recycling, but is currently underutilized, due to the challenges of fully removing xerographic and laser printer toner. These so called *laser inks* are designed t ...

Commercially available tents and vestibules are relatively inaccessible to people who use mobility devices or those with dexterity limitations. The objectives of this project are to develop and test tent-related technology which results in a vestibule and a combined tent and vestibule accessible to people of varying abilities, including people with mobility, dexterity, cognitive and visual impairm ...