WMD Counterforce Technologies

Abstract

The Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Counterforce Technologies project provides applied research to support full and sub-scale testing required to investigate countering WMD weapon effects, and sensor performance, weapon effects modeling algorithm development, and the set-up of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Experimentation Lab (DEL). This project provides combatant commanders the prediction capability and the attack options to engage WMD targets, to include related Hard & Deeply Buried Targets (HDBTs) as the proliferation and hardness of this class of targets increases. The project conducts weapon effects phenomenology (WEP) tests, analyzes data, conducts high performance computer simulations, and creates/modifies software to more accurately model cratering effects, fragmentation (both primary & secondary), internal air blast, equipment/container damage, structural response, and penetration. These efforts will lead to advanced modeling and simulation capability in the countering WMD planning tools, to include the Integrated Munitions Effects Assessment (IMEA) planning tool used for weaponeering and the Vulnerability Assessment and Protection Option (VAPO) planning tools used for force/structure protection. The Advanced Energetics & Counter WMD Weapons Program develops new novel energetic materials and weapon design technology for rapid, directed and enhanced energy release, providing new capability to defeat difficult WMD/HDBTs. The Advanced Energetics Program also develops new high energy systems well above current chemical energy levels to defeat WMD targets beyond the reach of traditional high explosive blast/frag warhead technology. The DTRA Experimentation Lab Capability is an Agency-wide capability that assures the timely acquisition, synchronization, correlation and delivery of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) consequence management and mitigation data necessary in combating WMD. The DTRA Experimentation Lab will be the “key enabler” allowing the Agency to transform successfully into an interoperable DoD Science and Technology environment. Using the DTRA Experimentation Lab, DTRA will be able to shape and improve military situational awareness independent of time or location, effectively shorten decision cycles in a CBRNE event, and extend DTRA’s knowledge base externally through collaborative technologies. Program RM supports the National Strategy for Countering Biological Threat priority/focus area 3) Capability Expansion. DTRA is developing blast explosives technologies such as the EG Hybridized Enhanced Blast Explosive (HEBX) as well as reactive cases for explosives used for countering special targets including biological weapons. The approach is to develop an enhanced explosive fill that will envelop the target with a high temperature caustic environment that will kill any bio-agents released during the strike. DTRA initiated efforts to develop and demonstrate advanced material science solutions to support WMD Counterforce missions. This effort investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. The goal of this program is to provide a practical mechanism to develop, demonstrate and deliver novel materials for several WMD counterforce missions. Materials developed under this auspice will have use in these areas; Energetic Materials, Non-Kinetic defeat, Agent Defeat (Biological) and Interfacial materials for WMD Sensors The increase from FY 2012 to FY 2013 is predominately due to the reallocation of funds from infrastructure development in Project RR - Test Infrastructure to weapons effects and planning tools in Project RM – WMD Counterforce Technologies to properly align mission responsibilities. The decrease from FY 2013 to FY 2014 is predominately due to decreased investment in Advanced Energetics and DTRA Wargaming to fund increased investment in WMD Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance activities.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2014
• Source ID: RM_0602718BR_2_0400_PB_2014

Entities

Organizations

• Royal Marines

Tags

Readers

• Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.