Award Data

The goal of this program is to extend our Phase I success in growing detached CdZnTe crystals to growth of high quality 51-mm (2-in) diameter crystals as substrates for LWIR sensors. This goal is to be pursued through a strong emphasis on purification of starting materials, experimental identification of the optimal growth conditions, establishment of a science-based reproducible technology , inc ...

A successful high-altitude (>100km) missile intercept by a kinetic-energy kill vehicle initiates a complex sequence of events and observable signatures occurring over a wide range of temporal, spatial, and spectral scales. The resultant debris cloud signatures contain highly desirable information on the intercept lethality and warhead contents (nuclear, biological, high explosive, or chemical). T ...

A single high-bandwidth MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit can provide data for both guidance and seeker image stabilization functions required for the MKV. The IMU integrates three gyroscopes and five accelerometers on the same chip, including a planar z-gyroscope. The data for each function can be obtained and separated by combining the signals from all the instruments included in the proposed MKV I ...

Understanding and modeling low thrust systems requires a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry, which is not well known. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI) proposes to rectify this critical deficiency by developing end-to-end models based on engine measurements of the near-field signature, laboratory measurements of the critical far-field plume chemistry, and development and ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop validated plume codes for the hydrazine monopropellant thruster; the propulsion system that is being utilized for the Divert Attitude Control system in the kill-vehicles in several MDA sponsored defense systems. In Phase I, PSI demonstrated an approach to developing validated codes for the far-field plumes generated by the interaction of plume speci ...

We propose to design, develop, and evaluate methods for Meta-Information Visualization and Processing (MVP) for BMD C2. These methods will assist BMD operators in reasoning about large amounts of complex information – a task made more challenging due to meta-information (i.e., qualifiers of information) such as recency, reliability, and pedigree. Under Phase I, we demonstrated the feasibility ...

The development of a multiband, stand-off detector with both MWIR imaging, hyper-spectral imaging, and ultra-high-resolution, high-speed Fourier transform spectroscopy is proposed. In the Phase I work, a Multiband Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer was invented and demonstrated. In the Phase 2 a high-speed high-resolution Multiband Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer will bed developed and tested to anal ...

The main issue preventing widespread use of x-band antennae systems in military platforms is cost. Cheaper assembly processes, e.g. automated pick and place and larger formats are needed to implement wideband gap semiconductor devices (GaN and SiC). Lessons learned in GaAs based systems are difficult to transition to WBG based systems because of the widely different materials required for CTE 7 p ...

It is proposed to develop, model, and demonstrate composite case materials with sympathetic responses to slow cookoff. In phase II, the proposed study will focus upon conducting subscale SCO testing on composite case materials and validate a physics based modeling and simulation tool. Subscale motor case dimensions will be analogue to a specific MDA rocket booster.

Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI) and its team member Aerojet propose to evaluate Insensitive Munitions (IM) compliant propellants for large diameter SRMs by using novel energetic nitrofurazan compounds with low sensitivity, good energy, and good density. The PSI-Aerojet team has actively developed synthetic pathways to the nitrofurazan MFNO. The MFNO plasticizer synthesized on the completed Phase I ...