Integrated Rocket Motor Life Prediction System

Impact Technologies, LLC is developing and demonstrating an Integrated Rocket Motor Life Prediction Software System called mLIFE™. Shelf life of missiles is limited due to aging and damage to solid propellants, which results from environmental related variations in storage conditions, shocks, stresses and transportation-induced vibrations. The Army and missile manufacturers have a wide range of models and algorithms that provide damage, reliability, and age estimates for missiles based on motor life. Impact is currently integrating these diverse models into a graphical user interface-driven software system that uses regression, evidence-based reasoning, and information fusion to combine the results of these models to provide a more accurate estimate of the remaining life of rocket motors. The software system contains a flexible architecture that links data from the rocket motor sensors, storage area environment conditions, and manufacturer’s statistics to prognostic algorithms to provide a comprehensive picture of missile reliability. During Phase II, Impact will develop new algorithms and models that will use concepts from finite element analysis, viscoelasticity, nonlinear damage accumulation, and probability theory to enhance and improve the fidelity of the life prediction system. In addition, Impact will continue to develop the software interface and modules and improve the system architecture.