Indirect Fire and Fuze Technology
Abstract
This program investigates maturing technologies and seeks potential candidates for integration on current fuzing and safe and arm devices. This program will implement these technologies into fuzing systems to preclude obsolescence and enhance performance of existing munitions. The program addresses two major areas: (1) risk mitigation and (2) block upgrades. Risk mitigation efforts will evaluate and demonstrate second sources for fuzing systems that may reduce cost by providing competition, and maintain production when sources or parts are no longer available. It will also allow for the performance enhancement of current ammunition items by conducting studies of major fuze components to detect and identify latent defects. The second major area is block upgrades, which will evaluate and perform studies on improvements to fuzes; increase commonality of fuze components and requirements across all hand grenade programs; determine feasibility of common training fuze for 60, 81, and 120mm mortar rounds; determine feasibility of common mortar safe and arm device components for M734A1, M783 Fuzes; improve M759 fuze sensitivity of 30mm munition. Block upgrades will enable the introduction of the latest technologies into fuzing, keep the fuzing design current to avoid obsolescence issues, and add capabilities. Replacement of DPA Stabilizer in Ball Powder Propellants significantly reduces stabilizer depletion rate and increases propellant shelf-life with replacement of Diphenylamine (DPA) which is incompatible with Nitroglycerin (NG). Proposed replacement Akardite-2 is compatible with NG and is the least toxic of all stabilizers. IMX104 as Comp B explosive fill replacement for 81mm HE reduces risk of accidental/fratricidal incidents to the Warfighter in theater through incorporation of insensitive munitions. It also improves transport and stockpile survivability. The XM1128, 155mm extended range projectile addresses structural survivability and igniter reliability to achieve extended range on a modified profile projectile using the current weapon platform and existing propulsion systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 862_0605805A_6_2040_PB_2012
Related Documents
- Root: Munitions Standardization, Effectiveness and Safety
- Child Accomplishment: Indirect Fire & Fuze ARDEC Support.
- Child Accomplishment: Indirect fire & Fuze PM CAS Support
- Child Accomplishment: XM1128 development and testing