Wireless Multi-Point Fiber Optic Acoustic-Ultrasound 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 for the in-situ, real-time, and un-attended detection, identification, localization, and classification of suitable for the un-invasive, in-situ, real-time, and un-attended detection, identification, localization, and classification of crack formation and propagation within the solid-state propellant grains commonly found in propellant actuated devices (PADs) and cartridge actuated devices (CADs) used in aircraft canopy rocket motors. In Phase I, ROI will design, assemble, and produce a working prototype of the FAULT™ SHM sensor network and test it on a simulated Navy canopy rocket motor structure to demonstrate its ability to detect and localized hidden cracks within the propellant grain structural. In Phase II, ROI will produce a stand-alone FAULT™ SHM sensor network system and tested in the MK 109 Canopy Jettison Rocket under a variety of static and dynamic test conditions. All of the Navy’ current and future operational PADs and 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.