Free Flight Sensor

U.S. conventional ammunition safety standards, such as MIL-STD-1316E, require sensing two independent environments prior to arming the warhead. Generally, one of these environments is supposed to be indicative of the launch environment, and one of the post-launch environments. The selection of these environments is relatively straightforward for some munitions: setback and spin for spin-stabilized projectiles for example. The selection is more complicated for a general-purpose Free Flight Sensor for use on both powered and non-powered weapons. The results of Phase I established the technical feasibility of a Free Flight Sensor including identifying two viable concepts - a smart triaxial accelerometer with an rf Doppler separation sensor and an improved wind-driven power supply. The focus of the Phase II effort will be the dual sensor where we will further this approach using a classic design-build-test-evaluate cycle with intermediate decision points at PDR, CDR and design verification test review. Phase II will culminate in a set of design verification tests, which will enable the transition into existing munition programs and provide needed technical fuzing solutions for future weapon designs. In addition to the primary application of powered and non-powered guided weapons, the sensors have applications in commercial trailer monitoring and security applications.