system for Directional Blast Pressure Measurement

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop the capability for the Air Force Development Test Center (AFDTC), Eglin AFB to measure true blast wave pressure which meets the specific requirements of the solicitaion. PSI will show in this Phase I program the feasibility of making the measurements with a newly developed blast wave direction and magnitude measurement system based on fiber-optic sensing units. PSI believes that by coupling two different fiber-optic based sensors into a single unit the true blast wave pressure time history and vecotor direction data (dual axis) can be obtained. The objective is to measure the blast overpressure with a fast-response fiber-optic pressure sensor and the vector direction of the blast wave with a second fiber-optic based sensor. The two will be combined into a single integrated unti and can in such close proximity that they can be considered a single point measurement. During the proposed program PSI will define the hardware and software necessary to determine the true blast wave pressure-time and vector direction. During the Phase II program PSI will design and produce a prototype, and validate the system during actual live fire testing at Eglin AFB, culminating with the delivery of an integrated system.