Low-Cost Hit-to-Kill Munitions for Anti-Mortar, Anti-Rocket, Anti-Missile Capability

Tanner Research proposes to modify an existing missile or munition, embedding an autonomous hit-to-kill intercept capability, to develop near-term a counter-munition to defeat incoming low-cost ballistic threats like mortar, rocket and missile attacks. The significant technical challenge is to develop both low-cost detect and intercept guidance, and hit-to-kill maneuverability in an autonomous kinetic energy format. Tanner Research, working with Raytheon Missile Systems, will adapt an existing imaging sensor used to detect `coming-at-you' threats, for use as a micro-scale seeker system in a hit-to-kill application. The guidance and control (G&C) commands will be inferred from an existing moving point target detection and sensor-processing (SP) algorithm, and used to implement hit-to-kill maneuverability using existing micro thrusters or gas-actuated canard fins. Enhanced lethality on impact can be gained by using a reactive material airframe. Tanner's objective is to adapt component technologies that will integrate generically with any of several Navy munition platforms, including: ground-launched 2.75-inch rocket as a variant of the air-launched LOGIR; or, the shoulder-launched imaging sensor munition. Both are being developed at China Lake.