DoD TechMatch: SBIR Opportunity View

Site Search:

Print This Page

	SBIR Opportunity View

Back to Listing

MDA12-033




Go To DOD SBIR Site
Basic Information:

Title:	Cost Effective, Reliable Service Life Extension Testing of Ordnance Devices
Program:	SBIR
Technology Area:	Weapons
Open Date:	8/27/2012
Close Date:	9/26/2012

Description:

The Missile Defense Agency is seeking technologies to support its Stockpile Reliability Program. Interceptors must function successfully after being exposed to lengthy periods of environmental exposure. Interceptor ordnance devices, referred to as one-shot devices, include, but are not limited to, solid rocket motors, mild detonating fuses, pressure cartridges, frangible devices, and hot gas generators. Other types of explosive devices can be found in MIL-HDBK-83578. Interceptor one-shot devices cannot be exposed to any health monitoring, Built-In-Tests like electronic components to ensure readiness, making other means of verification critical. Service Life Extension (SLE) testing on units is performed to extend the service time beyond the original design life of ordnance devices and is typically used to assess readiness of units installed on interceptors. Various approaches are used for SLE testing throughout industry with some including high temperature accelerated aging and function testing of aged components. Although the specific component design may have satisfied all material compatibility tests and analysis, subtle lot-to-lot manufacturing and processing variations may have adverse effects on a particular production lot of units. Arbitrary SLE times are used for different testing and ordnance device components which may prove to be costly and ineffective, thus, a focused effort to develop a technically sound, cost-effective means to grant SLE is desired. Reliability of ordnance devices is critical to Interceptor mission success, thus warranting development of a rigorous, cost-effective approach to this testing. While recommended SLE testing approaches for Lots are defined Military and AIAA Standards, they are based on assumptions of linear relationships between test duration and life extension, test quantities required for life extension, and other assumptions. Proposals should address a systematic, technically sound approach to developing a cost-effective SLE approach across various ordnance device components.

Objective:

Assess viable approaches to cost effective, reliable service life extension testing of ordnance devices. Investigate the various approaches used in industry to conduct service life extension testing and develop reliable testing solutions specific to ordnance devices. Maintaining fielded systems beyond their original design life provides potential cost-savings for the Missile Defense Agency.

Phase I:

Development of a thorough assessment of best practices used in industry for Service Life Extension of ordnance devices, recommend a cost-effective approach that includes test methodologies and appropriate analysis tools that facilitate Service Life assessment.

Phase II:

Based on the results/findings of Phase I, develop analysis tools and potentially apply processes to Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) for validation over an extended period. This phase would proto-type the process and analysis tools.

Phase III:

Verification of overall approach and finalize the methodology. The proposed methodology developed under this effort should advance the state-of-the-art in cost effective service life extension testing of ordnance devices to enhance predicted and demonstrated reliability. This phase may include refinement of analytical tools for SLE assessment, and implementation of the testing process as an MDA Standard on various Interceptor Programs. Further, this phase should include demonstration of commercial scalability of the technology for use in commercial product development, reliability assessment and service life estimates.

References:

1) "HALT, HASS & HASA Explained, Accelerated Reliability Techniques, Revised Edition" by Harry W.McLean, ASQ ISBN 978-0-87389-766-2. 2) "Management & Technical Guidelines for the ESS Process" IEST-RP-PR001.1, published by the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology. 3) "Accelerated Testing" a Practitioners Guide to Accelerated and Reliability Testing, by Bryan Dodson and Harry Schwab. 4) "Accelerated Reliability Engineering", by Gregg Hobbs, ISBN 0-615-12833-5. 5) http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/GMD_DSC_Focused_Transition_brief.pdf 6) http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Lockheed_Martin_Provides_Proven_Solutions_For_Missile_Defense_999.html 7) "Ballistic Missile Defense Review," Office of the U. S. Secretary of Defense, February 2010. Available via Internet at http://www.defense.gov/bmdr/. 8) MIL-STD-1512, MILITARY STANDARD: ELECTROEXPLOSIVE SUBSYSTEMS 9) MIL-STD-1576, MILITARY STANDARD: ELECTROEXPLOSIVE SUBSYSTEM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND TEST METHODS FOR SPACE SYSTEMS (31 JUL 1984) 10) AIAA-S-113-2005, Criteria for Explosive Systems and Devices on Space and Launch Vehicles (Nov. 2005) 11) MIL-HDBK-83578 (USAF), Criteria for Explosive Systems and Devices Used on Space Vehicles (Jan. 1999)

SBIR Keywords

Accelerated aging, stockpile reliability, shelf life estimates, service life predictions, service life extension tests, sensors

TechMatch Keyword(s):

Weapon Systems

DISCLAIMER:

The Solicitations listed on this site are copies from the various SBIR agency solicitations and are not necessarily the latest and most up-to-date. For this reason, you should use the agency link listed below which will take you directly to the appropriate agency server where you can read the official version of this solicitation and download the appropriate forms and rules. The Official Website can be found at: http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/solicitations/index.htm