Adaptable Miniature Initiation System Technology (AMIST)
Abstract
The ever-changing nature of warfare presents constant challenges to weapon system designers, who must carefully consider various perspectives of mutual importance. Specifically, designers must address constraints associated with newly developed aircraft, such as the F-22 andF-35, which carry their stores internally and thus have size limitations on their payloads. Weapons designers must also recognize the weight of political pressures that fuel concerns about a given weapon's potential to cause collateral damage to civilian populations. At the same time, they must respond adequately to warfighter demand for the flexibility to employ the most effective weapon against a given target. These distinct but inter-related challenges emphasize the need for smaller, more efficient, and highly accurate weapons with controlled damage effects. Moreover, the availability of highly adaptable munitions that serve multiple functions will provide more options in meeting emergent threats and targets of opportunity on the battlefield. Development of focused warhead weapons, such as the dual-role munition, requires an interdisciplinary technical solution incorporating aerodynamic, energetic, warhead, target detection, and initiation system technologies. AFRL is collaborating with the US Department of Energy's Kansas City Plant (Missouri) to provide ordnance designers with the tools to address the initiation system element of these requirements. One tool undergoing development is the Adaptable Miniature Initiation System Technology (AMIST) a multipoint system designed for initiating explosive warheads. A key goal of the AMIST program effort is to ensure the developed system incorporates highly accurate and precise timing between fire points. It provides multipoint initiation technology to tailor weapons effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456460
Entities
People
- Chris Martin
- Ed Wild
- Kenneth Bradley
- Roger Platteborze
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory