40mm Low/Medium Velocity Air Bursting Munitions System

This project is to develop a new fuze for precise air-burst detonation of munitions. Recent fuze sensing advances [1] could greatly increase the effectiveness of small munitions/ordinance such as those fired by the 40 mm, M-203 grenade launcher by replacing the point-contact fuze with a radar fuze. Point contact fuzing can allow more than 95% of the explosive potential of the round to be directed into the ground, essentially blowing up dirt [2]. The purpose of this proposal is to develop and deliver an innovative, low power, long shelf life standoff radar fuze sensor that will enable precise fuzing at optimal position from the target, raising the effectiveness of the round, and recovering the wasted 95% energy. Air-bursting munitions can be more lethal, provide better logistics, and lower overall costs. An air-bursting munition can lighten individual soldier loads by providing greater firepower in a smaller package, and that will enhance individual Marine and unit battlefield effectiveness. A 95% more effective round means soldiers can carry fewer rounds to accomplish missions and that fewer rounds need be purchased for inventory and storage. The USMC desires development of new Radar Actuating Micro Sensor (RAMS) proximity fuzes for 40mm rounds in particular and small munitions and ordnance in general. RAMS capability increases lethality and reliability, simultaneously improving performance and easing post-conflict issues such as cleanup and disposal of unexploded ordnance. The RAMS fuze sensor must be physically tiny, operate on a small power supply, and be reliable and immune to countermeasures. The sensor should also function well in the myriad of potential CONOPS, including conventional battlefield dug-in targets, light armor targets and urban situations. It also must have a long shelf-life. Sperient proposes to develop such a fuze on a single microchip. Based on two recent and successful projects: 1) the Phase I predecessor project to this proposed effort demonstrated circuitry, a low parts count circuit board that successfully and repeatedly functioned at over a variety of materials in drop testing and 2) a DARPA project [3] where Sperient successfully designed and built similar circuitry into a microchip, a single microchip radar fuze sensor is well within reach. Based on Sperient’s innovation in signaling that exploits the advantages of short impulses of energy and our unique method for correlation, Sperient’s Micro Pulse Radar (MPR) has a sensitive window for accurately detecting reflections from boundaries. By utilizing very short pulses, maximum target information is acquired with the minimum power.