Modeling High Explosive (HE) Detonation Response and Resulting Debris/Shrapnel Generation from Submunitions Warheads

PeopleTec, Inc., a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), teamed with SECOTEC and ITT Exelis to provide an innovative and economical solution to Missile Defense Agency (MDA) requirements for evaluating high explosive detonation response to impact. Led by principle investigator Mr. Tim Cowles, the goal of our effort is the development of an inexpensive test technique enabling the assessment of a wide variety of high explosives and energetic materials in a cost and time-efficient manner sufficient for first principle analyses. The proposed effort focuses on inexpensive test devices, instrumentation and test set up enabling large data sets creation for the benchmarking of explosive response for first principle code analysis. The effort builds upon an initial evaluation of the available data and the primary mass/velocity trades which show the greatest need and promise for first principle benchmarking. A launch device will be designed responsive to these trades with the focus on constraints to the test situation which allow certainty of impact conditions with a minimum of instrumentation. Termed the Controlled High Explosive Response Test Apparatus (CHERTA), key design trades include the rapidity of test cycling, minimization of test consumables, and impact accuracy providing test repeatability. Designs will be assessed for durability and survivability. Phase I deliverables include the detailed test article design, operational concept and procedures, the definition of an initial test series and the identification of a government test partner to host the completed device.