Solid State Tuned Mass Dampers for Hit to Kill Interceptors

Excessive seeker jitter caused by high frequency bending vibration severely reduces the interception capabilities of kinetic kill vehicles (KKVs). Previous studies of vibration suppression techniques have indicated that tuned-mass dampers (TMDs) are the most effective method of reducing seeker jitter. CSA Engineering, Inc., and Garman Systems, Inc., propose the development of an innovative solid-state TMD for KKVs. The innovation is the use of shunted piezoceramic materials as the TMD loss mechanism. In contrast to viscous, viscoelastic, and elastomeric loss mechanisms, shunted piezoceramics have low temperature sensitivity and are capable of withstanding the high-g loads experienced by the KKV. The proposed TMD concept is a bi-directional device that minimizes parasitic weight and size by using only one proof mass to suppress motion in two orthogonal directions. Shunted piezoceramics tuned to the first bending mode of the vehicle provide the TMD loss mechanism that reduces seeker jitter. In the Phase I research, the size, weight, and performance tradeoffs of two TMD concepts will be studied. A rudimentary prototype of one concept will be built and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of piezoceramic TMDs for kinetic kill vehicles.