Lightweight Energy-Deposition IED Blast and Momentum Bypass/Mitigation

There is a current DoD need to develop advanced technologies to increase the capabilities and effectiveness of the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force and to aid in the execution of the Global War on Terrorism. Specifically, there is interest within ONR to develop active technologies to mitigate combat and tactical vehicle underbody Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)/mine blast damage through unique shaping/wave propagation deflection and momentum mitigation techniques. Our proposed development effort will enable Marine Corps ground forces to increase ground vehicle survivability by implementing our innovative concept/technology to achieve leap-ahead gains in survivability of USMC ground assets. There are a number of techniques currently being applied to counter IEDs, including: armor to protect against penetration; angled undercarriages to deflect shock waves; and vent concepts to help dissipate high-pressure gases. The focus of this topic is to identify an alternative or complementary technology to vent the gases past the vehicle to eliminate or mitigate the volume penalty in the engine/passenger/cargo portions of the vehicle and mitigate acceleration/momentum transfer to the vehicle and its occupants.