IR/RF Expendable

GSI proposes the development of an IR/RF expendable utilizing chemical energy to produce both signals. Current studies have shown that GSI'S patented intermetallic fuels are capable of producing extremely high in-band intensities for most military bandwidths, even under high flow conditions. In addition, chemical seeding of the fuel produces high electron cross-section plumes across a variety of radar wavelengths. Critical issues identified for study in this proposal include plume length tailoring and its effect on RCS gerierated, mass flow of the fuel necessary to provide required IR and RF signatures. These areas will be explored utilizing the facilities available at GSI. Due to the space savings created by the use of the Hi-Therm fuels, a back-up design is planned combining conventional RF chaff in a module attached to an un-seeded Hi-Therm IR fuel. Potential benefits from a successful effort include a lightweight, low cost expendable capable of multispectral simulation. Use of the GSI fuels holds potential for safer manufacturing processes since all materials involved are rated as flam- mable solids. Potential military spinoff uses include ground based decoys for armored vehicle protection, as well as fixed site aircraft (airfield) protection.