Shape Changing Maneuverable Munition Using Novel Alloys/Materials for Flight Performance Enhancements

AVID LLC has partnered with Virginia Tech"s Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures to develop a shape-changing projectile using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) that increases range more than 30% and adds precision targeting. SMA materials provide large actuation forces and require minimal packaging volume, thereby allowing more volume for internal components and payload. The shape-changing munition solution will be a low-cost, add-on package that can retrofit existing projectiles. Material testing and modeling will determine the optimal SMA materials from several new chemistries, and optimization of the aerodynamic design will maximize control authority and range. Novel techniques for controlling the SMA actuators that are simple and robust will be developed and demonstrated. Finite element analysis (FEA) will be used to ensure the newly design components can survive the high-G loading of a gun-launched projectile. The size, weight, and power of the SMA actuation system will be assessed, and a bench-top prototype will demonstrate the shape-changing capability, SMA control techniques, and response speed. The innovative technology developed will be scalable to gun-launched projectiles of various sizes.