Hypervelocity Projectile Position, Angle of Attack, and Velocity Detection System

This proposal describes an improved Hypervelocity Projectile Scanner for tracking hypervelocity projectiles in aeroballistic test ranges. The scanner responds to a customer need for portable systems that can measure the pitch, yaw, position, and velocity of hypervelocity projectiles in the range. Presently, these measurements are made using film-based spark shadowgraph systems that are not portable and have become obsolete due to the closure of film processing labs. The scanner uses digital streak cameras to track an object moving through a vertical plane perpendicular to the range axis. The scanner is modular with compact components for easy mounting at multiple locations along the test range. It features digital imaging and automated data reduction software that calculates desired parameters immediately after the test. The project will continue the development of a laser scanning system that was developed in a Phase 2 SBIR and successfully tested at the AEDC G-range. This project will bring about significant improvements in the hardware and software of the system to make it easier to set up, align, calibrate, and extract projectile data. A mature system, complete with hardware and software, will be delivered at the end of the project.