Award Data

Low-cost systems operating at video rates within W-band have remained elusive – especially for stand-off and remote applications. Real time video rate imaging requires parallel detection modalities that traditionally led to high costs and calibration challenges. Substantial advances in low-cost packaging and chip-level integration driven by commercial millimeter-wave applications can now be appl ...

In this work, we propose to develop low-cost, high sensitivity high electron mobility transistor-based W-band millimeter wave focal plane array/camera based on mature ternary III-V epitaxial materials of InAlAs on top of InP substrate. The plasma-wave detector uses well established mature technology of high electron mobility transistors which allows future integration and reduces cost. The detecto ...

Through this DLA STTR program, NanoSonic and Penn State will work with a major US manufacturer of missile systems and hypersonic vehicles. Together we will demonstrate automated filament winding and resin transfer molding manufacturing processes to produce high temperature thermal protection system (TPS) materials and evaluate material properties to develop production statistics and quality contro ...

Re-Entry Vehicles (RVs) are a critical component of the strategic weapon arsenal. While physics packages themselves have a substantial deterrence value, the ability to deliver those weapons quickly and with high survivability unlocks the ability to maintain a truly global deterrence. However, these thermal protection systems are encountering two developing challenges: Industrial Base Attrition: Th ...

Specialized materials such as Carbon-Carbon (C-C) are required as primary structural and thermal protection elements to sustain the severe temperatures on the surface of Hypersonic Vehicles during high-speed flight. The C-C material currently qualified at Northrop in Hypersonic Glide-Bodies or “Aeroshells” consist of phenolic resin and a low fired, stretch broken polyacrylonitrile fiber (LFSP ...

As Hypersonic weapons enter the US arsenal there is a need for cost control and high rate of production which is currently not being met by the current state of the art material systems, like Carbon-Carbon. What is needed is a Thermal Protection System (TPS) for aero structures that can survive the Hypersonic environments of high heat in oxygenated environments. A means to do this is using Peregr ...

As bio-based composites see increased use in protective design more robust material data sets and alternative analysis tools are needed.  Improved material characterization and the capability to evaluate close-in effects will enable engineers to evaluate a broader set of design configurations and loading conditions.  Three technical objectives are proposed: comprehensively characterize the balli ...

The US Army and other DOD forces occasionally need to breach reinforced concrete structures. There are several existing methods to assess the structural properties and predict reinforcement but each of these methods has specific deficiencies (e.g. to loud, too large, too inconsistent). Ground penetrating radar is a promising technology for non-destructive concrete substructure characterization but ...

Robotic systems in general, and Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) in particular, pose a threat for both military and civilians when in the wrong hands. The triad of Kinetic, High-Power Microwave and Laser weapon systems currently used or considered for Counter-UAV (C-UAV) operation though effective in disrupting their performance, might be hazardous when used in a populated area. In the Phase I progr ...

Recent advancements in artillery, muzzle velocity, and post-launch propulsion technology have enabled precision guided munitions (PGMs) to travel faster and at longer ranges than ever before. To be most effective in flight and at range, the munitions must incorporate RF sensors to enable advanced, mission-critical functionality. The RF sensors must also be able to survive and operate through extre ...