Lightweight, High Strength, Enhanced Blast, Energetic Structural Composites for Enhanced Lethality Munitions

ABSTRACT: Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) propose to develop novel structural reactive materials with mechanical and energetic characteristics particularly applicable to low collateral damage munitions, weaponized UAVs, and advanced submunitions. The materials are lightweight, possess high energy density, and exhibit mechanical properties similar to aluminum. The composition and fabrication process of the materials can be specialized and tailored to realize mechanical and energetic properties as needed for different applications. In first six months of Phase I PSI will develop and demonstrate reactive materials formulations and processing, as well as fabricate samples for testing. We will measure the strength and stiffness of the materials and also characterize their impact, friction and electrostatic discharge sensitivity. We will also characterize relative energy release rates of materials under mechanical impact at PSI facilities. In the last three months of Phase I, we will fabricate samples of additional formulations, characterize their mechanical properties, and conduct simulated bulk autoignition and energy release tests at ATK facilities. An approach will be developed for fabricating reactive materials in practical shapes and sizes in Phase II. BENEFIT: The primary beneficiary of the proposed technology of Structural Reactive Materials (SRM) is the US military including the Air Force, Army, Navy, and MDA. The SRM will be applicable to all types small weaponized UAVs and munitions for increasing their lethality. Non-military applications include systems used in excavation and mining and hardware for law enforcement.