Magnetorheological Fluids based Isolators for Spacecraft and Missile Components

Loss of Line of Sight (LOS) due to low and high frequency vibrations in fast maneuvering THAAD missiles can result in catastrophic mission failure. The ability to hit a Re-Entry Vehicle (RV) carrying a nuclear/biological/chemical warhead either in themid-course of the terminal phase, is directly related to the capability of the sensor to maintain an accurate LOS to assure an accurate hit-to-kill based on an isolated and stable sensor platform. The high velocity of the THAAD missile, at just under 1mile/s, introduces a great deal of vibration in the missile seeker, resulting in poor imaging capabilities, hence leading to missed targets. Vibration isolation in these missile seekers is currently performed using passive damping device such asviscoelastic mounts. Materials Modification Inc (MMI) proposes to eliminate the vibrations significantly and provide an accurate control of the LOS using a revolutionary MR fluid based isolator technology developed through the Phase I. This SBIR Phase IIeffort will demonstrate the capabilities of this technology by conducting laboratory scale testing. This will be followed by a ground scale testing at BAE Systems by integration of the MR isolators to the THAAD seeker.