FUZE CONTACT SENSING TRANSDUCER

THIS PROPOSAL DESCRIBES THE PHASE I DEVELOPMENT WORK FOR A DUAL OUTPUT, "FAIL-SAFE" FIBER OPTIC FUZE CONTACT TRANSDUCER FOR USE IN AIRBORNE MISSILE APPLICATIONS. THE SENSOR WOULD EXPLOIT THE SENSITIVITY OF SPECIALIZED OPTICAL FIBERS TO MICROBENDING: THIS PHENOMENON WOULD BE USED TO DETECT PHYSICAL DEFORMATION OF A MISSILE SKIN. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PHASE I EFFORT INCLUDE RESEARCHING AND IDENTIFYING OPTICAL FIBERS, FIBER COATINGS, AND COUPLING METHODS WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING SUITABLE SENSITIVITY AND SURVIVING IN-FLIGHT CONDITIONS. CANDIDATE DESIGNS FOR THESE OPTICAL COMPONENTS WOULD BE TESTED AND EVALUATED TO ESTABLISH SPECIFICATIONS FOR A PROTOTYPE SYSTEM.