Remote Interrogator for Munition Recorder Instrument Packages (RIMRIP)

ABSTRACT: The overall objective of this program is to develop a robust, state-of-the-art, remote data recovery (RDR) system for on-board data acquisition (OBDA) and fuzing systems used during weapon development research programs. The Phase I effort will include supporting a technical start-up meeting at Eglin AFB FL, developing secure data transmit/ receive software, and designing and building a prototype bench top system to demonstrate the feasibility of such a system for weapon research and development activities. The Phase II effort would miniaturize the design, develop miniaturized antenna architectures for RDR system, build shock-hardened RDR tactical systems that can be used in weapon systems, static bench testing of operational hardware through non-optimal media, and support field testing the hardware in penetration tests to-be-conducted at Eglin AFB, FL. BENEFIT: The successful development of the remote data recovery (RDR) system would have an immediate impact on the weapons development community that is in need of a remote data recovery system for a wide range of testing platforms. Remote data recovery from live explosive payload systems will provide a major safety advantage over traditional methods of recovering data from a warhead, post-test. The secure data transmit capability and data telemetry of tactical system performance could also be used in combat through battle damage assessment (BDA) initiatives. The commercial transportation and energy exploration industries could also utilize remote, miniature, shock-hardened data recorder systems that could replace on-board flight recorders or down-hole oil and gas instrumentation systems, respectively.