SBIR-STTR Award

In Bore Projectile Speed Measurement System for use in Electromagnetic Launchers
Award last edited on: 9/16/02

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$634,067
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A94-100
Principal Investigator
Gary W Kamerman

Company Information

Fastmetrix Inc

4040 Memorial Parkway SW Suite I
Huntsville, AL 35802
   (256) 881-5558
   gwk@fastmetrix-al.com
   www.fastmetrix-al.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 05
County: Madison

Phase I

Contract Number: DAAD05-95-C-0045
Start Date: 4/19/95    Completed: 10/19/95
Phase I year
1995
Phase I Amount
$34,067
This effort will develop and demonstrate the design of a Doppler-based laser radar system to measure in-bore velocity of a projectile accelerated by an electromagnetic launcher. The system will measure the absolute velocity at 30 microsecond intervals for a duration of at least 30 milliseconds. The velocity measurement resolution will be at least 10 meters per second. Absolute velocity measurement permit recovery of information after isolated data dropouts. The use of an optical measurement technique provides inherently high immunity to electromagnetic launcher generated noise.

Phase II

Contract Number: DAAD05-96-C-0008
Start Date: 6/30/96    Completed: 7/31/98
Phase II year
1996
Phase II Amount
$600,000
Electromagnetic Launchers are being developed by all branches of the U.S. Military. Furthermore, extensive research and development have been conducted into armature and projectile design. Detailed knowledge of the velocity and acceleration experienced by the projectile as a function of time and position as it travels down the barrel of the launcher is critical for further advancement of this technolgy. Currently available instrumentation does not have sufficient temporal or spatial resolution to provide the detailed information needed on the interior ballistic motion of the projectiles fired by an electromagnetic launcher. The primary objective of this program is to experimentally demonstrate that an affordable laser radar system can measure the motion of an accelerating projectile interior to an EML. Phase I demonstrated by analysis that a laser radar system can measure the interior ballistic motion of a projectile accelerated by an EML. Phase II will demonstrate the performance of a coherent laser radar for interior ballistics measurements experimentally. The secondary objective of phase II is to provide the qovernment with an experimental instrument which may be for additional, independent test and evaluation. The near term bentfit of this project is centered upon advanced gun technology permitted by the improved diagnostic tool delivered by this effort. In the far term, this project will provide the technical basis for major advances in commercial communications equipment and electronic warfare instrumentation.