Penetrator Fuze Shock Mitigation Concepts

The team of KaZaK, Kaman Fuzing and ITT Advanced Engineering & Sciences was awarded a Phase I to investigate design concepts for a shock-mitigating fuze mounting system, in order to extend the hard target capability of the FMU-152 Joint Programmable Fuze in penetrating weapons such as BLU-109 and its successors. This fuze is exposed to high-frequency resonances due to impact shock, whether from axial deceleration in straight-in impacts or ‘tail slap’ in oblique impacts. The concepts make use of the dynamic properties of novel nonmetallic materials to mitigate the effects of high accelerations and improve fidelity of coupling to the rigid body motion of the penetrator. They may also improve coupling through the explosive train. These were conceived as applicable in a three-tiered design space, covering field installable hardware requiring no modifications to existing components; modified components for direct backfit not impacting configurations or procedures; and comprehensively revised components for new design. Results of Phase I to date show promise in high strain rate testing. For Phase II, the team proposes to further develop the materials and design concepts, demonstrating their validity by experiment and analysis, working toward the end product of prototype articles for full-scale sled or drop test.