Continuous Hypergolic Monitor Network for Shipboard Applications

The current kill vehicle design for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor utilizes a hypergolic liquid fueled DACS. Current Navy regulations prohibit the use of hypergolic propellants aboard ships. One of the requirements that must be addressed prior to gaining approval for sea-basing of these missiles as part of the GMD system is monitoring for propellant leakage. This monitoring must be performed in a way that supports overall Navy goals to reduce manning, and supports deployment aboard Trident SSBNs where the AUR will not be accessible to personnel while underway. Based on these requirements, Streamline Automation proposes to develop a network of voltammetric sensors to detect leakage of hypergolic propellants in shipboard environments. This system will be based on a mature, rugged, voltammetric chemical sensor that is capable of detecting propellant vapors at low concentrations. These sensors will be networked to a local controller that will perform data fusion, and communicate with shipboard command and control systems via TCP/IP networking. The Phase 2 effort will focus on the development of a full-scale prototype, and integration with the Flexible Payload Module. To ensure the success of this development effort, Streamline Automation will work closely with Electric Boat, Bath Iron Work, Northrop-Grumman Mission Systems, and United Defense LP.