Innovative Inertia Devices

The primary objective of this project is to study the feasibility of the development of several novel classes of inertia sensors such as accelerometers and gyros for use for flight control in high-G gun-fired munitions and mortars. The proposed inertia sensor concepts are intended to provide high sensitivity of better than 0.05 G while being capable of withstanding setback acceleration levels of over 120,000 Gs. The inertia sensors are also intended to require minimal time (3 msec or less) to settle post firing and consume relatively low power. The sensors are to be produced using existing MEMS manufacturing processes, thereby are expected to be relatively low cost and highly reliable and have a wide range of potential commercial applications. The proposed novel inertia sensor designs are scalable across all munitions applications and should allow the development of low-cost inertia-based components for flight control of high-G gun-fired munitions with the goal of providing very affordable guidance and control systems for all future guided munitions applications, including large to medium caliber rounds.