Integrated Carbon-Carbon Ultrasonic Recession Sensor

Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) re-entry vehicles (RV), with carbon-carbon nosetips undergo significant aerothermal ablation during atmospheric re-entry.  Diagnostics are needed to measure recession rates and shape change to validate aerodynamic performance.  Numerous approaches have been utilized to instrument nosetips but legacy technologies have not been flown in decades and therefore, new sensor technology development efforts are needed to help characterize new platforms and delivery systems.  Exo-Atmospheric Technologies will continue development of its new ultrasonic recession gauge that utilizes a 2-D array to provide measurements of recession rate and nosetip shape.  The array will be operated with a custom avionics package built specifically to integrate with US Navy aeroshell designs and legacy telemetry systems utilizing a mixed digital and analog signal architecture.  In Phase II, the custom avionics system and the novel sensing technology will be further developed, integrated with updated avionics, and validated through a series of high-enthalpy ablation tests culminating in a series of arc-jet tests and multiple sounding rocket flights to increase the TRL of select hardware components.  The updated technology product will utilize multiplexing and a master control system to further minimize size, weight, and power requirements on a deployed system.  The technology developed will be capable of measuring nosetip shape and ablation rate while accounting for the thermal gradient from the high-speed aerothermal re-entry event.