Low-Cost Autonomous Kinetic Energy (KE) Penetrator Payload for EX 172 Cargo Round

Tanner Research proposes to develop variable-sized thrusters packaged in digital-controlled arrays for high g applications in the ongoing development of exo-atmospheric hypervelocity projectiles (exo-HVP). Tanner’s multifunctional thruster concept is designed to be extensible for near-term use with gun-launched proof-of-concept prototypes, and the emerging EM gun-launched exo-HVP devices. The long-range exo-HVP must be reoriented at apogee into a nose-down attitude to achieve a smooth angle-of-attack for atmospheric reentry. A MEMS-based attitude control system (ACS) provides a low-cost methodology for embedding digital-controlled arrays of micro and macro-scale propulsion elements on an exo-HVP. MEMS fabricated devices have inherent gun-launch survivability at high g acceleration levels. Tanner’s thrusters were initially developed as a DACS for exo-atmospheric use with the miniature kill vehicle (MKV), a ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) concept implemented in hardware. Tanner’s digital-controlled micro thrusters are now being implemented in µUAV surfaces for maneuver control of endo-atmospheric applications, and other precision-guided autonomous munitions applications.