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Kinetic Energy Control Technologies for Explosively-dispersed Fragments

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8651-12-M-0244
Agency Tracking Number: F121-107-0280
Amount: $149,930.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF121-107
Solicitation Number: 2012.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-05-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
1413 Brandi Lane
Round Rock, TX -
United States
DUNS: 601218253
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dennis Wilson
 CEO
 (512) 380-1992
 dennis.wilson@empi-inc.com
Business Contact
 Richard Johnson
Title: Director of Operations
Phone: (512) 380-1992
Email: richard.johnson@empi-inc.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

ABSTRACT: Our proposal involves enabling technologies to enhance the lethality of a directionally focused fragment warhead. Our concept involves three innovations to improve the lethality and reduce the possibility of collateral damage. The three innovations are: shock/shock interactions to increase the velocity (kinetic energy) of the fragments; incorporation of micro-fragments in the reactive material (RM) to produce a"two-stage"fragment field; and improved fragment liner material and architecture to produce a tightly focused beam pattern. The first innovation is designed to increase the shock pressure delivered to the fragments beyond the Chapman-Jouguet detonation pressure by using an energetic material architecture and initiation scheme to produce a Mach stem that impacts the fragment array. The objective of the second innovation is to enhance lethality by including high-mass density micro-fragments (or macro-particles) in the RM to create a"two-stage"focused fragment field. The final innovation is a new fragment liner with a high-density frangible retainer ring or cup. The primary objective is to produce a tightly focused fragment pattern and the secondary objective is to maximize the kinetic energy of the fragments by minimizing"blow-by"of the explosive products and hence optimize the momentum delivered to the fragment array. BENEFIT: Examples of dual-use commercial applications for the proposed research include: (1) low collateral damage explosive defeat of IEDs for domestic bomb squads; and (2) novel energetic tools and devices for down-hole perforation operations in the oil production industry

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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