Modular Hypergolic Leak Detector

The Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA’s) THAAD system is capable of detecting and intercepting ballistic missile threats. Hypergolic fuels are used in these missiles for inducing spontaneous ignition. These fuels are toxic, and require monitoring of leakage. InnoSense LLC (ISL) has developed a prototype sensor following Lockheed Martin (LM) specifications. ISL sensors are designed to serve as a drop-in replacement for the existing LM sensors. Tests show that ISL sensors detect 10–300 ppm MMH and 10–100 ppm NO2 within 10 minutes at temperatures ranging from -46 C to +71 C. They exhibit long-term operational stability and capability of withstanding shock and vibration under laboratory conditions. When tested at LM Advanced Technology Center, the prototype sensors detected 235 ppm MMH and 97 ppm NO2 at 35 C and 235 ppm MMH at -46 C. This sensor system needs ruggedization and construction of multiple prototype units for rigorous testing followed by independent validation. Toward that in this project, refined, optimized and ruggedized working prototype units will be developed. LM has endorsed this project and through a support letter expressed intent to continue working with ISL. A highly skilled engineering and commercialization team has been assembled for executing the proposed project.