Microstructural Treatment of Munitions Cases to Improve Performance

The US Air Force seeks new technologies to improve the fragmentation performance of legacy munitions. Traditional approaches for controlled fragmentation consist of notches or grooves on the order of 1-10 mm to control the fragment size distribution and shape. However, for USAF, new methods are needed that do not significantly alter the surface of the munitions casing to meet flight safety requirements. Corvid’s innovative approach consists of using small hole EDM drilling to microstructurally alter the Mk-82 munitions casing and improve the fragmentation performance. In Phase II, Corvid will optimize and improve the microhole drilling process from Phase I, refine and execute the design of experiments plan created in Phase I, create a response surface model for end users, and develop a manufacturing plan for insertion of the technology into production of the Mk-80 munitions series. The end of Phase II will result in a well-defined, optimized, and demonstrated microstructure altering approach using small hole EDM drilling for improving the fragmentation performance of munitions without compromising its structural integrity for the Air Force.