Extremely Insensitive Reactive Liner

The program goal is to develop, test and evaluate a group of extremely insensitive reactive materials (RM) that can be used in selectable output warheads. This novel class of RMs is based upon our current family of aluminized perfluoropolyether, non-ideal explosives (APEX). APEX compositions are shock initiated, but unlike conventional HEs, the reaction rate and duration can be specifically tailored by varying the shock strength and duration. The sensitivity of the new RMs will be controlled through the use of novel fluorine-oxygen molecules with different shock dissociation levels and reactive metals with different particle sizes and activation energies. A key advantage of these RMs is their high energy-density and gas production, which is desirable for enhanced target damage. The program contains both fundamental experiments, modeling and numerical simulations to help explain and interpret the data and understand the underlying chemistry and physics. After fundamental experimentation and screening, a few outstanding RMs will be selected for performance testing with different shock initiation schemes. The work plan contains aggressive goals and multiple tasks, made possible by leveraging previous results (in technically aligned programs), existing diagnostics and data to efficiently screen innovative RMs.