SBIR-STTR Award

Improvements to the BMDS Hit-to-Kill Lethality Predictive Toolset
Award last edited on: 7/8/2010

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : MDA
Total Award Amount
$799,854
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
MDA07-020
Principal Investigator
Andrew Witzig

Company Information

BFA Systems Inc

3325B Triana Boulevard
Huntsville, AL 35805
   (256) 704-3211
   N/A
   www.bfasystems.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 05
County: Madison

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2008
Phase I Amount
$99,979
The Ballistic Missile Defense Shield (BMDS) developed by the United States Government relies on layered defense designed to defeat incoming missiles in boost, mid-course, and terminal phases of flight. To maximize effectiveness of the shield, two types of intercepting missile concepts exist

Keywords:
Multiple Fragment, Non-Shock To Detonation, Lethality, Missile Defense, Modeling And Simulation, High Explosive, Deflagration

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2009
Phase II Amount
$699,875
BFA Systems and ITT Corporation were awarded a Phase I effort for MDA07-20 to improve the existing BMDS hit-to-kill lethality predictive toolkit. Phase I efforts produced a prototype simulation call the Multiple Fragment Impact (MFI) code that predicts SDT response for cased high explosives as a function of the number, interstitial spacing (space and time), velocity, and obliquity of the striking fragment array as well as the target design and properties of all materials involved. Preliminary comparisons of MFI to CTH hydrocode during Phase I revealed similar critical velocity requirements for SDT response for two fragments impacting a cased high explosive target over a range of fragment masses and interstitial spacings. The objective of the Phase II proposal is to provide the MDA with the BFA/ITT team vision for enhancing, integrating, and validating the MFI simulation. Planned upgrades include the expansion of code capabilities to handle realistic payload geometries and configurations, additional fragment geometries (spheres, rod, and platelets), multiple explosive types, and run time enhancements. An interface with the MDA Core Lethality Model the Parametric Endo-Exoatmospheric Lethality Simulation (PEELS) will be developed. Additionally, ITT will oversee a limited test program designed to provide validation for the MFI code.

Keywords:
Lethality, Fragment, Detonation, Hydrocode, Shock, Impact, Simulation, Synergy