Award Data

The goal of the project is to develop a handheld instrument that detects, identifies, and categorizes radioactive sources based on gamma, thermal-, and fast-neutron signatures. Existing radioisotope identification devices (RIIDs) are typically biased toward gamma spectroscopy; some instruments may use an additional inefficient neutron counter in form of a He-3 tube. The recent development of mat ...

Threaded fastening systems in vibrating environments require a secondary locking feature, augmenting primary locking provided by an applied preload, to prevent vibration-induced loosening. The secondary locking feature can be mechanical, prevailing torque-type, or an adhesive. Self-locking nutplates and inserts are often more expensive than adhesives, require retorquing or on-torque adjustments, a ...

Physical Sciences Inc. has successfully demonstrated the operational capability of a filament wound composite case designed to mitigate against slow cook-off, fast cook-off, bullet and fragment impact threats for solid rocket motor (SRM) systems. The implemented manufacturing, quality control and assurance processes enable production of small and large diameter motors to satisfy strategic and tact ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to utilize a ground-based simulation facility based upon its patented FAST technology to obtain critical data necessary to validate and extend the capabilities of the MDA’s high altitude plume code, SOCRATES-P, to model plume signatures with high fidelity. In Phase I PSI demonstrated the model validation approach by measuring the velocity dependent cross sec ...

Triton Systems, Inc. proposes to develop a method for efficiently running federated simulations of atmospheric and orbital rocket flight. Tritons proposed method will be able to get information between time steps without the need for interpolation and will significantly reduce the computational time needed to run Federated simulations.Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)

Indiana Microelectronics is proposing an alternative design for a high-speed missile to missile radio frequency communications link. The concept is to implement a reconfigurable, full duplex, software defined Ku band transceiver to allow for faster data throughput and better interference mitigation than existing downlinks. The system would be designed to operate at a higher frequency than the exis ...

Large federated simulations are inherently complex to design and execute effectively to meet experiment objectives. When running a series of computationally expensive simulations, simulation engineers need to quickly analyze critical events of interest (e.g., time of detection) without being inundated with GBs of irrelevant data. Unfortunately, many critical events are sporadic, so to ensure that ...

Data logging of complex simulations can easily overwhelm computer resources or risk losing critical data. Knowing what data is most relevant while simultaneously minimizing collection resources, is extremely challenging.Intelligent Dynamic Data Logging (IDDL) senses run-time data volume, considers scenario objectives, and monitors system performance to record only the most relevant data. It maximi ...

Missile seekers are precision guided munitions that are a key element of modern defense systems.Seekers using laser guidance or imaging require IR-transparent protective windows domes.One of the most challenging applications is in endo-atmospheric interceptors. The ultimate achievable performance of missile seekers under such extreme conditions is limited by the available infrared window materials ...

CeraNova conformal spinel windows that will provide enhanced performance over traditional, flat sapphire windows.Conformal spinel windows will maintain the curvature of the nose cone and will thus eliminate aerodynamic hot spots caused by flat surfaces.CeraNovas transparent ceramics and experience in manufacturing conformal optics will be leveraged to enable design and fabrication of a conformal w ...