The Department of Defense, through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is seeking innovative methodologies for developing large mass high-velocity projectiles as part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The objective is to create a new approach that combines large projectile mass and high velocity for impact testing, significantly improving current capabilities in modeling and simulation tools used for ground testing of projectiles and munitions. This initiative is critical for enhancing the effectiveness of defense technologies and may also have applications in industries such as mining and oil and gas extraction. The solicitation is set to open on April 23, 2025, with proposals due by May 21, 2025. Interested parties can find more information and submit applications through the official SBIR website at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/.

## Description

High-velocity impact testing supports development of modeling and simulation tools used for ground testing of projectiles and munitions. The ground test approaches now in use include light gas gun projectiles in a multi-stage light gas gun test facility, and explosively formed projectiles used in an arena test facility. These approaches to date will either provide a large mass with lower velocities, or a high velocity with smaller mass. A highly innovative new approach is sought that would vastly exceed current state-of-the-art capabilities (see references), by combining large projectile mass and high velocity in the same test. Performance improvement by an order of magnitude over the capabilities listed in the references is sought. Reliably, repeat-ably and affordably meeting the goal of a large mass and a high velocity with the same method would require an innovative method that is entirely new. 

## Objective

Develop large-mass projectiles at high velocities for impact testing.

## Phase I

Identify and examine one or more large-mass high-velocity projectile concepts that have the potential to work within the desired parameter ranges. Complete a feasibility study, identifying risks and risk mitigations for the concept or concepts under study, and determining whether there is an approach that has the best likelihood of success. Develop a research and development model of the concept in order to support down-select. Provide a methodology for using experimental data to anchor modeling and simulation tools. Incorporate analytical results and test data from the technical literature.

## Phase II

Provide a detailed experimental design for a large-mass high-velocity projectile test facility, and demonstrate the concept as a prototype capability. Fabricate a prototype facility and test performance over a range of payload masses and desired velocities. Include comparison against model runs as part of the Phase II effort. Improve the fidelity of the models based on the information gathered in testing. Test results should anchor modeling and simulation tools used to predict performance. Conduct an initial assessment of economic viability, based on test costs and required customer base.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Transition the large-mass high-velocity modeling capability to an appropriate hydro-code and execute model runs for design and analysis cases of interest to the government. Conduct lethality ground tests for Department of Defense customers. Transition the technology to support of both government agencies and contractor companies. Other applications for the technology may be relevant to mining, digging wells for oil and gas, cutting and forming metal, or weapons systems (e.g. anti-armor weapons).

PDF.html

Please provide the text you would like summarized.

Topic

Agency

Program

Topic Link

Additional Information