Joint DOD/DOE Munitions / Energetic Materials
Abstract
The energetic materials (EM) focus area is aimed at developing the next-generation of EMs that have increased energy density over those in the current inventory, while attempting to provide enhanced insensitivity to extreme environments. There is a need to develop EMs that, when integrated into munitions, offer advantages of enhanced lethality against a variety of targets. Lighter and/or less bulky munitions significantly reduce the logistics burden of military actions and are also highly desirable. Similarly, a decrease in hazard classification brought about by the use of insensitive energetic materials and better designs will greatly decrease transportation and storage costs. Smarter munitions, capable of selectable, differential output, are another advantage to military agility. Hence, there is also a need for advanced EMs that can be used in small-scale devices such as distributed fuzing systems. In addition, as the operational environments have become more severe, EMs must survive setback forces in guns and severe impact forces in hard-target penetration applications. For enhanced lethality effects, the energy in EMs must be released either in the detonation reaction zone, or early enough in the gas expansion process so that it couples to impulse loading or sustains high temperatures. Increased lethality of EMs and munitions while simultaneously reducing collateral damage is of critical importance. Enhanced lethality requires that the energy be released in an appropriate time domain to allow optimized coupling to the target. Material ingredients that contribute to later energy release offer no enhancement in lethality. For micro devices suitable for distributed fuzing systems, the requirement on energy release is very exacting in order to sustain reaction propagation in environments with extensive shock and heating losses. Like advanced initiation, advanced energetic materials are an enabling technology for the next generation of weapon systems that will be safer, smaller, and more lethal.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 06de83c581767d656a13f441f9ebac5c