Yawsonde Solar Sensor Assessment

Abstract

The Yawsonde solar sensor is a photosensitive waveguide used to determine the flight attitude of a projectile when it is moving towards, at, and after its apogee. This sensor design has been assessed since the 70s, and different shapes and configurations have been analyzed, see references for past resources. The current sensor design used on the family of 155-mm projectiles used by the U.S. Army is now under re-assessment. Currently, the complexity of the design, its ability to be manufactured, and the high cost associated with such are primary factors causing this new review. A tasker was made if the optical metrology team within the Small Arms Fire Control division, Weapons Systems and Engineering Center directorate, at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, could perform a preliminary review on potential lower cost replacements for the sensor assembly. This paper describes the current fielded sensor design and several potential options that may lead to reducing the component costs and complexities. Several modeling experiments took place to show current optical performance for each of the options considered in this initial review.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1158195

Entities

People

  • Andrew Lansey
  • James Hitscherich
  • Stephan Zuber

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Assembly
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Control Systems
  • Detectors
  • Engineering
  • Instrumentation
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Projectiles
  • Reflectors
  • Shape
  • Small Arms
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • ballistics.