Novel Thermite Composites for Precision Reactive Munitions

Mainstream will produce and test coupons of a novel reactive composite material designed to reduce the size and weight of modern munitions, and thereby improve mobility and precision, without sacrificing offensive power. This composite, based on unique component materials, will offer lower density, lower processing temperature, and higher strength than existing reactive composites. Like those, it will also provide a large amount of offensive power in the form of a shear/impact- or detonation-ignited thermite reaction. BENEFIT: It is expected that successful development of the proposed reactive materials will yield significant benefits to the U.S. armed services by enabling munitions with higher lethality, or conversely, with equivalent lethality but smaller size and weight, and hence better precision. Between the armed services and civilian sectors such as private military contract and security personnel, law enforcement, and even oil and mineral exploration and high-temperature thermochemistry, the market for a successful technology is expected to be very large. In addition to meeting the needs of these markets, the technology will help address concerns of the public regarding casualties to both U.S. and foreign noncombatants.