One Way Tracer Technology for 40mm Ammunition

The United States Marine Corps seeks new and improved one-way luminescence (OWL) tracer technology for high velocity (HV), medium velocity (MV), and low velocity (LV) 40 mm ammunition, including high explosive and practice rounds.  OWL is desired to give warfighters the ability to visually follow the trajectory of the ammunition as it approaches the target (without exposing their position to the enemy) and to allow for them to rapidly adjust fire without waiting for an impact signature.  New cartridges with improved OWL functionality need lower Degree of Visibility (DOV) than offered by current configurations, in order to decrease the risk of exposing the gunner’s position.  New improved cartridges also need to be non-incendiary and need to be stable duriing storage and use under a wide variety of ambient conditions.   To solve these issues, TDA Research Inc. (TDA) proposes new non-incendiary one-way luminescence (OWL) tracer material for 40 mm ammunition.  The proposed next-generation OWL materials will meet the criteria required by the USMC for OWL applications.  The new materials will be stable under long-term storage and be at or under the required cost thresholds.  The new OWL technology will be compatible with the different types of 40 mm ammunition that the USMC needs it to work with.  Phase I will provide proof-of-concept for our technology, and by the end of the Phase I project we will have developed a detailed plan for testing, validating and implementing the technology for eventual military qualification and Marine Corps use.