Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has expressed, via SBIR N231-005, a need to observe the flight path of 40mm projectiles, in order to reduce the time required to adjust fire without exposing the firing position using luminescent tracer technology. Our objective is to develop the capability for the observation of projectile trajectories, with a desired degree of visibility (DOV). Therefore, correction to trajectories may be made immediately upon firing via direct observation of trace, thereby significantly increasing the warfighters effectiveness on the battlefield. The MCSC Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs) have identified the 40mm ammunition types with the greatest need for luminescent capability as the MK281 training-practice (T-P, all variants/MODs) and M430A1 high explosive dual purpose (HEDP) high velocity (HV) variants. Incendiary tracer ammunition is the standard solution to observe trajectories. This capability has inherent downsides. From a warfighting perspective, DOV is such that it risks revealing the gunners position and from a safety & training perspective, it is the leading cause of range fires. The United States Army (USA) has explored a range of various tracer technologies that have been designated as One Way Luminescent (OWL). Strictly defined, luminescence is cold light where heat is not involved. Contrary to this designation, some USA OWL technologies are non-luminescent and are in fact incendiary. Additionally, some the previously tested OWL technologies have been found to degrade during storage, resulting in diminished visibility. Novel luminescent tracer solutions are needed to improve the warfighters capability. The founders of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) startup company, GlowSens, LLC have been involved in the research and development of luminescent tracer ammunition since 2005. GlowSens was formed in 2022 to support the commercialization of luminescent technologies. This combined GlowSens-UL Lafayette team is able to leverage the Universitys experience, expertise and capabilities in the development of novel luminescent technologies. To date, the GS Team has tested more than 250 different luminescent materials and produced, fired, and observed many thousands of rounds of luminescent tracer ammunition. GlowSens founders are the original inventors of luminescent tracer ammunition (USPTO #8,402,896, Hybrid-Luminescent Munition Projectiles). This technology transfer represents the only commercially available luminescent tracer ammunition; offered by small arms ammunition manufacturer Ammo, Incorporated (ammoinc.com/product-category/product-family/streak-ammunition/) as Streak . We have secured letters of support from manufacturers which ensures timely commercial availability of luminescent tracer technology optimized for 40mm ammunition. MCSC will be able to rapidly integrate this technology into the supply chain once SBIR requirements have been met.
Benefit: The primary anticipated benefit of the commercial application of this research is the creation of a new luminescent technology able to be inserted into the production of 40mm ammunition to provide a 40mm One Way Luminescent (OWL) trace capability. The GlowSens Team has acquired Letters of Support and commitment from multiple suppliers of 40mm ammunition to United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Department of Defense (DoD). These suppliers have agreed to purchase or otherwise incorporate through commercial sale or technology transfer, GlowSens-developed products. This technology will first meet the market need for luminescent tracer 40 mm ammunition. DoD acquires more than 15M HV rounds on a yearly basis, and at a conservative price of $30/round. The objective price increase of 1% and threshold price increase of 5%, the 40 mm tracer market is estimated to be $4.5M - $22.5M annually. The technology can be expanded into the military medium caliber ammunition market and the civilian market for AirSoft and small arms (including shotgun) tracer ammunition. The Airsoft market size was valued at $1.894B in 2021 and is estimated to reach $4.125B by 2031, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% from 2022 to 2031. Any discoveries involving new luminescent materials as 40mm tracer ammunition could also filter down to small caliber luminescent tracer ammunition, increasing the market even more. Intellectual property developed during the performance of this work shall be assigned to UL Lafayette, where it will be patent protected and licensed to support USMC and Industrial Base (IB) acquisition needs. GlowSens commercialization strategy will be to become a supplier into the 40mm IB. GlowSens will manufacture or have domestic original equipment manufacturers produce luminescent tracer technology. GlowSens will sell this technology to the 40mm ammunition IB. State SBIR-matching funds (30% of in-state research expenditures and 25% matching funds) will enable the manufacture, production, and sales of complementary luminescent technology to civilian (including law enforcement) applications such as small arms ammunition, shotgun-specific many-pellet tracer ammunition, and AirSoft luminescent tracer ammunition.
Keywords: tracer, tracer, One Way Luminescence, Degree of Visibility, Ammunition, OWL, 40mm, luminescent, Non-burning
