N102-192 TITLE: Innovative Inertial Acceleration Sensing Technologies

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: SSP (DRPM), TRIDENT II D5 Strategic Weapons System, ACAT I

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate innovative next generation inertial acceleration measurement technology leading to a common accelerometer applicable for use on space constrained ballistic missile submarines that will increase accuracy, reduce size, and reduce total ownership cost of systems.

DESCRIPTION: Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarine strategic weapon systems depend on high accuracy inertial navigators to ensure precise initial launch coordinates and conditions in very dynamic environments to improve weapon�s system accuracy at terminal aim point. Initial launch position errors are a large part of overall terminal accuracy and are propagated throughout missile flight. Today�s high accuracy inertial navigators require precise measurement of submarine angular rate and linear acceleration in all axes. Additionally, today�s high accuracy inertial navigators are augmented with gravity corrections since today�s inertial navigators cannot distinguish between ship�s acceleration and gravity. These gravity corrections are derived from precise accelerometer-based gravimeter and gravity gradient measurements.

This topic seeks an innovative, common accelerometer technology applicable to inertial navigation, real-time gravimetry and real-time gravity gradient measurements on board submarines that reduces size and cost. Required performance goals include; Bias stability < 0.01micro-g, Scale factor < 0.001 PPM, absolute acceleration measurement, and Noise floor < 1*10-9 g/sqrt(hz). Therefore, research and development investment is required to replace current gravity correction mechanizations with an innovative, inertial sensing technology.

PHASE I: Develop a preliminary Proof Of Concept design for the proposed accelerometer sensor technology.

-Develop sensor error models and simulations to evaluate the expected Proof Of Concept performance.

-Validate the error model and simulation results using government approved existing data.

-Deliver a final report including the preliminary Proof Of Concept design, error model results, and a plan for Phase II activity.

PHASE II: Perform trade studies and conduct component test and evaluations.

-Develop the final design for the Proof of Concept accelerometer sensor.

-Fabricate one Proof of Concept Demonstration Unit (PDU).

-Conduct characterization testing and validation of the PDU.

-Deliver a final report containing the trade studies, component test results, Final Design Documents and PDU test results.

PHASE III: Productize the Proof of Concept accelerometer and integrate into a submarine deployable system. The Proof of Concept accelerometer may be integrated into existing inertial navigators, next generation navigators or standalone navigation aiding systems.

The productization approach shall meet all Navy Strategic Systems Projects Alteration (SPALT) requirements necessary to deliver new hardware to the fleet. This will require working with current prime contractors in ensuring that requirements are met and that the hardware is compatible with existing equipment.

Additionally, broader use commercialization and militarization options will be identified.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Inertial accelerometer technology is currently used to build the precise gravimeters and gravity gradiometers sold commercially for hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and the detection of subsurface structures and voids. Gravity measurements are also used to determine melting rate of ice caps and glaciers and can reveal the addition or loss of mass (magma) from volcanic systems. Improvements in inertial accelerometer technologies are directly applicable to improving performance and reducing the cost of gravimeters and gravity gradiometers currently sold commercially for these applications.

REFERENCES:
1. Jekeli C., 'Inertial Navigation Systems with Geodetic Applications', de Gruyter

2. Macomber G., Fernandez M., 'Inertial Guidance Engineering', Prentice Hall

3. Zorn A., 'A Merging Of System Technologies: All Accelerometer Inertial Navigation and Gravity Gradiometry', IEEE PLANS 2002

4. Difrancesco,' Advances and Challenges in the Development and Deployment of Gravity Gradiometer Systems', EGM 2007 International Workshop

5. Rice H., Benischek V., ' Submarine Navigation Applications of Atom Interferometry', IEEE PLANS 2008

KEYWORDS: accelerometer; navigation; gravimeter; gravity gradiometer; strategic; inertial

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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