Embedded Sensor Technology for Solid Motor Health Monitoring

This Phase II proposal is for the implementation of existing technology for a solid rocket motor embedded case bond stress sensor with proven accuracy and long-term stability. Sensors will be installed into a suitable tactical motor design and testingwill demonstrate that they do not effect the grain structural integrity and should determine the magnitude and location of potential failure modes. These sensors will permit the determination, in real time, of the motor health and service life. Real timeenvironmental history of a tactical motor propellant grain will be measured and stored in on-board memory. Means for transmitting this data to the Remote Readiness Asset Prognostics/Diagnostics System (RRAPDS) will be investigated. The resulting embeddedsensor package developed for this proposal could be leveraged as a Sensor Electronics Packages (SEP), subservient to the missile Asset Electronics Package; the primary means of communication with an RF interrogator. This would permit RRAPDS to identify,count and measure the health of the munitions.Real time health monitoring of munitions would eliminate the need for expensive removal from use or storage for inspection and other non-destructive or destructive testing. Hence, it would result inconsiderable savings on test facilities, eliminates potential damage during shipping and extend the useful life. The embedded sensor technology also has the potential to monitor any polymeric interface in vehicles, buildings, pipelines, or DOE reactorvessels. It may also be possible to provide technical data for evaluation of civilian and military structures subject to battle damage, hurricane or earthquake scenarios.