TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-280 Tomahawk Multi Effects Warhead System (MEWS)

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a reactive shaped charge warhead liner that will produce more damage in concrete and rock targets than aluminum liners.

DESCRIPTION: Enhanced penetration capability relative to current shaped charge warheads, which utilizes aluminum liners, is desired. Tandem warheads are used to defeat hard targets. First, a shaped charge precursor warhead produces a hole in the target wall. A second, follow-through warhead travels through the hole and then detonates inside the target. If the shaped charge warhead liner material can be made to react inside the target wall, it has the potential to soften the target wall and allow greater penetration by the follow-through warhead.

The development effort should identify candidate reactive liner materials. Consideration should be given to chemistry, thermodynamics, and thermo-physics of various candidate materials. Consideration should also be given to high strain rate mechanical properties of the candidate materials.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of developing a reactive shaped charged warhead liner with the ability to produce greater damage to concrete and rock than aluminum liners.

PHASE II: Conduct proof of concept validation testing against concrete targets demonstrating a performance enhancement relative to a baseline warhead design.

PHASE III: Develop a full scale (approximately 20-inch diameter) shaped charge liner.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology may have application to the oil field industry, which uses shaped charges to perforate oil well casings and rock formations.

REFERENCES:
1. Cooper, Paul W. "Explosives Engineering." Wiley-WCH, 1996.

2. Walters, W.P. and J. A. Zukas. "Fundamentals of Shaped Charges." John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 1989.

3. Carleone, Joseph. "Tactical Missile Warheads, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics." American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc., 1993.

4. Kennedy, D.R. "History of the Shaped Charge Effect � the First 100 Years." U.S. Department of Commerce, AD-A220 095, 1990.

KEYWORDS: Warhead; Shaped Charge; Explosive; Terminal Ballistics; Penetration; Explosively Formed Projectile

TPOC: (760)939-7650
2nd TPOC: (760)939-0250
3rd TPOC: (760)939-3217
4th TPOC: (760)939-3714

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between November 13 and December 9, 2007, you may talk directly with the Topic Author(s) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting December 10, 2007, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

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