Counter-Mortar Projectile and Gun-Launch System

Tanner Research (TR) and Radiance Technologies (RT) propose to implement a medium-caliber gun-launched counter-mortar projectile. The team’s 20-to-40 mm projectile concept will integrate a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker system on a reactive material airframe. The ‘reactive’ projectile relies on contact fuzing with the incoming threat for enhanced lethality but has self-destruct fuzing to minimize collateral damage. Tanner’s micro-scale SAL seeker with Radiance guidance and control (G&C) sensor processing of target data is used to drive a piezoelectric-actuated fin subsystem that delivers 10-to-25 “g” of lateral force maneuver control authority (MCA). A miniature COTS thermal battery powers the seeker, G&C processor, MCA fin actuation and the high voltage contact/self-destruct fuzing. Tanner’s MEMS-based inertial igniter initiating the pyrotechnic thermal battery provides gun-launch safe separation functionality by closing a 1000-to-50000 “g” setback hypergolic switch. Tanner and Radiance will leverage ongoing sensor programs to provide 360º detection and pinpoint alert/cue accuracy vis-à-vis the incoming threat munitions’ intercept azimuth and elevation. The proposed 20/40 mm projectile, with SAL-seeker, will be gun-launched from the advanced crew-served weapon (ACSW) system or the Mk19 grenade machinegun. Importantly, both ACSW/Mk19 systems have 3-to-5 µm thermal optics and 1064 nm laser rangefinder needed during endgame hand-off for man-in-the-loop detection, laser designation and incoming threat intercept/destruction.