Propellant Grain Cracks Detection System

Redondo Optics Inc. proposes to develop and demonstrate to the Navy a miniature, lightweight, and low power, wireless multi-point fiber optic acoustic-ultrasound sensor (FAULT™) SHM system suitable the un-invasive, in-situ, real-time, and un-attended detection, identification, localization, and classification of crack formation and propagation within solid propellant grains commonly found in propellant actuated devices (PADs) and cartridge actuated devices (CADs) used in aircraft canopy rocket motors. In the Phase II program, ROI will complete the engineering development and production of a stand-alone FAULT™ SHM crack detection system and tested within a relevant MK 109 Canopy Jettison Rocket, under a variety of static and dynamic test conditions suitable to detect and localized hidden cracks within the rocket propellant grain structure. In Phase III, ROI in collaboration with a strategic prime contractor commercialization partner will produce MIL-SPEC aircraft ready FAULT™ SHM systems that will be qualified onboard canopy rocket motors, i.e., MK 109 Canopy Jettison Rocket, at a TRL = 8-9. All of the Navy’ current and future operational PADs/CADs platforms will benefit significantly from this project, wherein the key technological challenge is to develop methodologies for high fidelity detection and characterization of flaws and degradation in complex structures.