Armament Technology Broad Agency Announcement

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate 101 W. Eglin Blvd Eglin AFB FL 32542-6810 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Armament Technology BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Amendment #1 to BAA-RWK-2013-0001, dated 01 Oct 2012 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-RWK-2013-0001 CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER(S): 12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: This BAA will remain open through 30 Sep 2013, or until amended or superseded. It may be reissued and/or amended periodically, as needed. It is recommended that prior to submission of any white papers, each submitter should consult with the technical POC for each respective research area to discuss the topic of interest. White papers may be submitted at any time during the open period to afrl.rwk.baaworkflow@eglin.af.mil. I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This is a Broad Agency Announcement of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) paragraph 6.102(d)(2), which provides for competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to the BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. This acquisition is unrestricted. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712 (for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 500 employees (1000 employees for Space Vehicles and Guided Missiles, their propulsion units, propulsion unit parts, and auxiliary equipment and parts). For purposes of this announcement, research is defined to be scientific study and experimentation directed at increasing knowledge and understanding in relation to long term national security needs. It is an enhancement to related exploratory and advanced development programs. A program should be designed to demonstrate well-defined and substantive research results, should not be overly ambitious or open-ended, and should not be a paper study that inherently requires a substantial testing effort. Any significant testing is unlikely; however, there is a possibility of experimental testing to support battle lab experiments proposed under this BAA. Occasionally, AFRL/RW will have more specific research interests or topics that warrant specific attention. Under those circumstances, a specific BAA will be issued describing the requirement in greater detail, defining funding availability, elaborating on white paper or proposal submission due date and format, and possibly providing more specific evaluation criteria. Programs to support Team Eglin Technology Demonstration Programs may also be considered under this BAA. AFRL/RW contracts with educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry for research in armament technology. This BAA is intended to cover, in general nature, all research areas of interest to this Directorate. Offerors contemplating submission of a proposal to AFRL/RW should carefully examine this BAA, and are also strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate AFRL/RW technical Point of Contact (POC) identified in this publication to ascertain the extent of interest AFRL/RW may have in a specific research project. AFRL/RW is the primary Air Force organization concerned with conventional munitions technology development. AFRL/RW plans and executes research, development, and test of conventional munitions, and supports conventional munitions Weapons Program Offices. There are three divisions within the Munitions Directorate that conduct research and development (R&D). They are the Ordnance Division, the Strategic Planning and Integration Division, and the Weapon Engagement Sciences Division. ORDNANCE DIVISION (RWM) The Ordnance Division (RWM) directs and conducts research and exploratory and advanced development research of fuzes, damage mechanisms, and energetic materials for air launched munitions for use with a full array of launch platforms including fighter, bomber, and Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV). Recent AF Core Functional Master Plan has led to technology needs in support of high velocity penetrating weapons, air superiority, long range strike and high speed strike platforms, and future capability for functional defeat. RWM consists of the Energetic Materials Branch (RWME), Fuzes Branch (RWMF), Damage Mechanisms Branch (RWMW). RWME operates the High Explosives R&D (HERD) facility which is responsible for the development of energetic materials from concept formulation through pilot plant production for transition into existing or future inventory weapon systems. RWMF is responsible for the research and development of technologies to enable precision burst point control initiation of current and future weapon systems. Examples of precision burst point control include post-impact hard target intelligent fuzing and high-closing rate air-to-air and air-to-ground target imaging and aim point selection. RWMW interests range from a fundamental understanding of detonation and reaction processes for the formation of damage mechanisms (i.e., directed fragmentation fields, multi-phase blast) to ordnance system survivability and end-game performance (e.g. sled track verification and/or arena characterization for later lethality estimates). Specific research interests are in the shock response and equation of state for the damage mechanism materials, including inert, reactive, and explosives; relevant target materials and improved constitutive strength descriptions; fracture and fragmentation; penetration mechanics; and improving the suite of diagnostics to best extract the high-rate and violent environments of these ordnance systems. Current specific interests reside in multi-functional materials, such as those possessing structural benefits as well as contributing to the energy-on-target for the most efficient of weapon designs. Also desired are highly agile and end-game responsive adaptation to the weapon-on-target conditions; tailorable output that ensures optimal energy use while limiting collateral damage STRATEGIC PLANNING AND INTEGRATION DIVISION (RWP) The Strategic Planning and Integration Division (RWP) is responsible for strategic planning. Strategic planning consists of overall RW investment planning; determining warfighter issues and requirements related to munitions and the transition opportunities for science and technology. RWP consists of the Capability Planning Branch (RWPB) and the Capability Integration Branch (RWPI). WEAPON ENGAGEMENT SCIENCES DIVISION (RWW) The Weapon Engagement Sciences Division (RWW) directs and conducts basic, exploratory, and advanced development research in weapon terminal seeker science and munitions aerodynamics, guidance navigation and control to include algorithms, processors, control loops, and airframes for affordable air-to-air and air-to surface conventional munitions. Munitions Systems Effects Sciences area conducts research on a broad range of leading edge modeling and simulation activities that allows the evaluation of system level performance and effectiveness of advanced munitions concepts through high-fidelity, ground testing. Much of the technology focus is on autonomous precision-guided air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, with decreased susceptibility to counter measures, improved weather performance, enhanced utility, and decreased cost. The Division is comprised of the following organizational branches to conduct this mission: Computation Mechanics (RWWC), Integrated Guidance Simulations (RWWG), Integrated Sensing and Processing (RWWI), Lethality and Vulnerability (RWWL), Weapon Dynamics and Control Sciences (RWWN), Weapon Seeker Sciences (RWWS), and Munitions Aerodynamics Sciences (RWWV). The descriptions of the technical areas are organized by scientific discipline, and the reader may note some overlap between sections. The following narratives are intended to provide an abbreviated description of the 18 prospective research areas. These descriptions are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to challenge the reader to create and submit truly creative proposals that have the potential to dramatically shift existing air delivered munitions paradigms. These descriptions furnish specific examples of areas of interest and Directorate focal points associated with these technology areas. However, any submitted white paper or proposal must be grounded in achievable technology goals. RESEARCH AREA 1 - WEAPON AIRFRAME SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH (RWWV) Advances in weapon airframe systems technologies are required to take advantage of emerging developments in weapon guidance systems, networked information systems, and precision effect ordnance systems. The goal of this work is to perform research on technologies for development of agile weapon airframes that are capable of being deployed or dispensed from manned and unmanned platforms (e.g., 5th-6th generation fighters) and that are capable of delivering precision controlled effects against fixed and mobile ground targets and air targets in high uncertainty engagement scenarios. Enabling technologies in the following research areas are of interest: agile weapon airframes for all flight regimes; high agility airframes capable of aggressive but controlled post-stall flight maneuvers; robust, low-cost, compact control and actuation systems (aero and propulsive) for small weapons; composable/fractionable weapon systems; compact power for small weapons; small weapon design, carriage, and dispensing technology; and compressed carriage munitions. Airframe technology research efforts should have a sound basis in credible theories, principles and methodologies of dynamical systems, aerodynamics, structural dynamics, materials, propulsion, and flight mechanics; should exploit advances in other weapon technologies (e.g., advanced sensors and seekers, guidance and control algorithms, networked enabled weapons and information architectures, controlled effects ordnance, etc.); should be amenable to further development through sound principles of systems engineering; and should offer the potential for significantly improving affordable weapon aerial systems capabilities, effectiveness and reliabilities. In the context of this research area, innovative and novel concepts based upon emerging science and technology are encouraged; incremental evolution of existing technologies are of low interest. Technical POC: Dr. Michael Valentino AFRL/RWWV (850) 883-2561 Fax: (850) 883-2538 michael.valentino@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 2 - BIOMIMETIC SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL (RWWI) Both biological systems and smart munitions are required to collect space, time, and color information from the environment, process it, and make some decision. The decision may be that of detecting, recognizing, tracking, or intercepting an object. The decision may also be that of changing position or direction of motion for vehicle navigation or for better viewing of a target. A clear understanding of how the natural systems collect and process information to make these kinds of decisions may lead to revolutionary seeker concepts for autonomous weapons, as well as other machine vision applications. Thus, RWWI is interested in signal processing and control methods that use natural concepts found in biological systems. Our focus in biomimetics (the science of mimicking biological systems) is on leveraging efforts previously aimed at understanding how life forms collect and process environmental information. We want to use what is understood about the natural seekers to build small and affordable autonomous munitions seekers. As biologically inspired seeker system concepts mature and exploit commercially available technology, the resemblance to the original biological system may diminish or even disappear. This consequence reflects our focus on building affordable, capable seekers for smart munitions. Proposed concepts should support the mission of the Munitions Directorate and Weapon Engagement Sciences Division. Technical POC: Mr. Paul McCarley AFRL/RWWI (850) 883-0889 Fax: (850) 882-3344 paul.mccarley@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 3 - AUTONOMOUS TARGET RECOGNITION (RWWI) RWWI is interested in investigating all aspects of Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) technology as it applies to seekers for conventional guided weapons. Interests range from basic signal/image processing foundations through tower and flight test of advanced real time ATR/host signal processor implementations. ATR systems (and related technologies) designed for use with all relevant weapon system sensors (MMW Radar, SAR, IIR, LADAR, Dual Mode combinations, etc.) are of interest. Technical POC: David Gray AFRL/RWWI (850) 883-0849 Fax: (850) 882-3344 david.gray@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 4 - HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES (RWWG) RWWG is interested in developing advanced capabilities related to hardware-in-the-loop and digital simulation of guided weapon designs. RWWG exercises simulations to verify weapon performance, with particular emphasis on target acquisition, tracking, and guidance performance during terminal homing. Sensors and algorithms for Strategic and Theater Missile Defense concepts developed under the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Tactical Munitions subsystems developed within AFRL/RW are evaluated. Weapons tested typically include visible, imaging infrared, millimeter-wave, and/or LADAR seeker subsystems. Emphasis for simulation technology research is placed on advancement and improvements to scene projection/projector technologies, real-time target scene generation techniques, target phenomenology methods, simulation architectures, millimeter-wave simulators, cryogenic chamber simulator, wide field-of-view flight motion simulators, and high bandwidth motion simulators. Technical POC: Mr. Michael Deiler AFRL/RWWG (850) 883-1919 Fax: (850) 882-4128 michael.deiler@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 5 - ADVANCED SCENE GENERATION (RWWG) Integral to the development of advanced munitions programs is the capability at AFRL/RW to perform high fidelity simulation-based testing of munitions, components and systems. The current capability to generate synthetic imagery for high fidelity hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) and Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) algorithm testing is based on a toolbox of independent Government and industry tools for predicting threat characteristics, environmental effects, and munitions hardware and software performance. The evolution in complexity and capability of modern weapons systems, however, is leading to demands for higher fidelity and performance from test simulations. In addition, the integrated nature of the modern battlefield requires test simulations to encompass not only the weapon itself, but also a variety of other systems. New scene generation (SG) techniques are needed in the areas of characterization of Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Air Force threats, urban environments, chemical/biological effects, coupling and integration of scene generation software, multiple sensor views, and advanced computing techniques. These SG improvements must be designed to streamline the process for evaluating guided munitions concepts from initial design to final implementation, lowering development costs and shortening time from drawing board to battlefield. The improved testing realism will provide confidence that the munitions will perform as expected under a much wider variety of combat conditions than previously possible. Technical POC: Mr. Charles Coker AFRL/RWWG (850) 882-4629 Fax: (850) 882-4128 charles.coker@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 6 - LADAR COMPONENT RESEARCH (RWWS) RWWS has an interest in developing the components and systems necessary for imaging and non-imaging ladar systems. These include, but are not limited to, optical sources, detector systems, beam pointing and beam scanning systems, detection schemes, and discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems. Interests range from complete systems and devices to basic materials and components. These include the following: Optical Sources: Optical sources of various wavelengths from the visible to the mid-infrared (< 5 microns) are desired. These devices may be diodes, diode or flashlamp-pumped solid-state lasers, or optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). The systems can operate at moderate output powers at pulse repetition rates ranging from a few Hz to greater than 1 MHz. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, novel laser and OPO operating schemes, laser and OPO systems and designs, optical coatings, laser materials, and non-linear materials. Associated technologies, such as diode drive electronics, output power control and stabilization, wavelength tuning and stabilization techniques, rapid pulse generation, optical shutters and Q switches, polarization and phase controllers, and optical coupling techniques are also of interest. Detector systems: Single element and array detectors sensitive in the visible to mid-infrared wavelength range are desired. Rapid rise times (approaching a nanosecond) are desired, as is operability without cryogenic cooling. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, detector systems, detector materials, amplification and biasing electronics, temperature control systems, wavelength selection (filters, gratings, etc.), and readout technologies (for array detectors). Beam pointing and beam scanning systems: Systems that can rapidly steer a laser beam as well as the field of view of the detector are desired. Systems capable of search/track modes and variable fields of view are also desired. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, controlled mirror sets, microlens assemblies, gratings, acousto-optical devices, and liquid crystal devices. Associated technologies such as scanning drives and controllers, beam direction monitoring techniques, and pointing stabilization techniques are also of interest. Detection schemes: Various incoherent and coherent detection schemes are of interest. Such schemes include, but are not limited to, direct detection of reflected radiation, return detection of a modulated signal, detection of laser-induced fluorescence, and detection of raman scattered radiation. Possible methods for coherent detection include amplitude, frequency, phase, or polarization modulation. Discrimination, ranging, and acquisition systems: Systems that can discriminate the signal from the background environment, condition the signal, and store the data are required. These systems should be able to resolve time differences as small as or smaller than a nanosecond, dynamically adjust the gain of any amplification stages, allow variable timing/ranging techniques, and/or minimize range uncertainty. A variety of discrimination techniques are of interest, including nth pulse detection, constant fraction threshold detection, variable threshold detection, and others. Technical POC: Mr. James Savage AFRL/RWWS (850) 882-4250 Fax: (850) 882-4260 james.savage@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 7 - NAVIGATION AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (RWWN) RWWN is developing global positioning system (GPS) anti-jam technology, geo-referenced alternative to GPS navigation, control algorithms for agile autonomous micro air vehicles and micro munitions, vision-based guidance methodologies, control algorithms for path planning and task assignment of cooperative systems of munitions and air vehicles, track fusion and on-line state estimation methods for fusing target tracks between weapon platforms, methodologies for operators to supervise the time critical control of collections of cooperating air vehicles, small and low cost components for secure low probability of intercept data links on micro weapons, and network topologies and routing algorithms for small to large networks of munitions with line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight links. GPS technologies of interest are anti-jam techniques including spatial (beam forming and/or null steering) and temporal anti-jam technologies, and miniature GPS antenna technologies. Biologically inspired but mathematically rigorous techniques are being pursued for agile and vision-based guidance and control. Cooperative control methodologies currently emphasize integrated path planning and task assignment, hedging for un-modeled (adversarial induced) uncertainty, and information theoretic bounds on performance of cooperative networks. Data link technologies are needed that will yield extreme miniaturization while being compatible with current and future military tactical networks. Technical POC: Dr. Jess Curtis AFRL/RWWN (850) 883-2564 Fax: (850)882-0715 jess.curtis@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 8 - MODELING, SIMULATION, & ANALYSIS (MS&A) OF ADVANCED WEAPON CONCEPTS (RWWL) The goal of this work is to develop/modify and employ models used to analyze advanced weapon concepts and their related concepts of employment to highlight technologies worthy of consideration for investment. The objective is to apply, modify and/or combine engineering, engagement (one-on-one), mission (few-on-few), systems-of-systems, campaign (many-on-many, military worth), level modeling techniques, tools, and analysis methods as well as virtual and constructive digital simulation which lend themselves to the quick and effective evaluation of advanced weapon concepts. Concepts include, but are not limited to, intercommunicative weapons, novel damage mechanisms, lethal and novel destruct mechanisms, multiple targeting, and time critical delivery. Detailed modeling includes, but is not limited to, sensors, aerodynamics, autopilots, navigation and guidance schemes, propulsion, warheads, fuzes, datalinks, error filters, environment (wind, fog, dust), lethality, vulnerability, and threats. Scenario development and visualization at each level of MS&A is also sought. Research into new simulation toolsets and architectures designed for this purpose will also be considered. Additionally, environmental factors that influence a weapons performance can be considered. This can include but not be limited to urban environments, collaborative simulation environments, A@AD type environments, scenario generation and infrastructure simulation common to environments that weapons may operate in. Existing tools of interest include, but are not limited to, ESAMS, RADGUNS, MATLAB/Simulink, FLAMES, EADSIM, and STORM. White papers and proposals should be designed to demonstrate substantive knowledge in any or all of the specific areas of MS&A. Some or all of the work performed under this BAA Research Area will be performed on-site (e.g. at the Government facility) and security clearances at the SECRET level will be required. Technical Concept POC: Mr. Avi Nusimow AFRL/RWPB (850) 883-4062 Fax: (850) 882-8594 avi.nusimow@eglin.af.mil Technical Model POC: Mr. Reed Young AFRL/RWWL (850) 883-2325 Fax: (850) 882-2563 reed.young@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 9 - TARGET VULNERABILITY AND WEAPON EFFECTIVENESS (RWWL) The goal of this work is to collect data, conduct research, develop/modify and employ responsive modeling tools, target models, and processes as part of AFRL's R&D efforts. These efforts will identify potential vulnerabilities in targets and their subcomponents for conventional or concept weapons to exploit. They will also enable understanding and predictive capability for the effectiveness of inventory, developmental, and conceptual munitions when deployed against targets and critical components. Targets of interest can include but are not limited to mobile, fixed (above and below ground), hard and deeply buried, chem-bio and air-to-air. This research will allow development of new techniques or enhancement of existing techniques to measure and compare weapon effectiveness, collateral damage, and potential collateral hazards. Research will include improvements in our ability to predict and measure component vulnerability and functional defeat allowing assessment of weapon effects that degrade a target's ability to perform its intended functions without necessarily destroying it. It could also include research and modeling of new or conceptual damage mechanisms. Development of new target and associated functional models as well as advanced methodologies to capture the physics of structural response to conventional weapon effects would improve our abilities to assess current and conceptual weapons and ways to exploit high interest targets or newly discovered vulnerabilities. Research to enhance or develop methodology to account for the target critical equipment/components, and their interconnections, and associated failure logic and failure modes could be required. Tools of interest include, but are not limited to AJEM, ARM, BLASTX, BRL-CAD, Endgame Framework, FastCD, FASTGEN, FATEPEN, IMEA, JWS, CUSP, ORCA, PENCURV, PDAM, STMG, VALUE, WEAPS, and WinBLAST. In addition, to the existing toolset, new methods for integrating high-fidelity computational physics capability while minimizing CPU and/or clock time would provide enhanced predictive proficiency. White papers and proposals should be designed to demonstrate substantive knowledge in any or all of the specific areas of weapon testing, experimentation and weapon effectiveness and target vulnerability MS&A. Some or all of the work performed under this BAA Research Area will be classified. Approved classified processing capabilities and security clearances at the SECRET level as a minimum will be required. Technical POC: Mr. Eric Scarborough AFRL/RWPL Ph: (850) 883-5419 Fax: (850) 882-2563 eric.scarborough@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 10 - WEAPON/TARGET MECHANICS (RWWC) The performance assessment and development of advanced conventional weapon systems requires the capabilities to model complex weapon/target interaction phenomena and to predict environments produced by impacting, penetrating, and detonating warheads. Modeling may be achieved with simplified engineering models or system/subsystem analysis codes, but the emphasis of this effort is the development and validation of continuum mechanics codes yielding high fidelity weapon and target models. Areas of particular interest include penetration mechanics, high strain rate fracture dynamics and constitutive modeling, modeling the shock survivability of fuze electronic components, predictive models for the change in material properties due to thermal cycling (energetics and electronics), fragmentation, mesoscale modeling (metals and energetics), localized shear band formation, high pressure/high strain rate modeling of geologic and geologically derived materials, modeling of reacting droplet and particulate flows, equation of state and constitutive models for chemical and biological agents, numerical modeling of neutralization mechanisms for biological and chemical agents, hydrodynamic ram, atomization and aerosolization of chemical and biological agents, direct numerical simulation of detonations, coupled detonation physics and multi-phase flow, accurate and efficient boundary interface treatments, the ability to span several orders of magnitude in spatial and temporal length scales, and advanced numerical methods. Innovative theoretical, computational and experimental projects that specifically address the problems of interest and result in an improved predictive capability are the goal. Technical POC: Dr. Kirk Vanden AFRL/RWWC (850) 883-2658 Fax: (850) 882-2201 kirk.vanden@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 11 - DAMAGE MECHANISMS RESEARCH (RWMW) RWMW is interested in all aspects of conventional munitions warhead technology as it relates to the destruction, damage, defeat, or denial of function. Technologies and concepts are sought for a robust and affordable capability of air-launched munitions in the areas of: hard and deeply buried targets, fixed ground targets, mobile ground vehicles, air dominance, chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear/explosive (CBRNE) neutralization or access denial, and cyber net neutralization. Specific research interests are in the shock response and equation of state for the damage mechanism materials, including inert, reactive, and explosives; relevant target materials and improved constitutive strength descriptions; fracture and fragmentation; penetration mechanics; and improving the suite of diagnostics to best extract the high-rate and violent environments of these ordnance systems. Current specific interests reside in multi-functional materials, such as those possessing structural benefits as well as contributing to the energy-on-target for the most efficient of weapon designs. Ordnance package integration and optimized system response of shared capabilities is of interest. Also desired are highly agile and end-game responsive adaptation to the weapon-on-target conditions and tailorable output that ensures optimal energy use while limiting collateral damage. Novel concepts of target defeat are encouraged to augment or replace the more traditional kinetic energy methods. Technical POC: Dr. David Lambert AFRL/RWM (850)882-7991 Fax: (850)883-1381 david.lambert@eglin.af.mil RESEARCH AREA 12 - FUZE RESEARCH (RWMF) RWMF develops, demonstrates, and transitions technologies that have application to fuzes for air-delivered weapons, including, but not limited to, guided and unguided bombs, missiles, and submunitions. Fuzes must reliably remain in a safe mode until the appropriate post-deployment environments (such as freefall) are sensed; the fuze must then arm the weapon and, upon receiving a signal from a target detection device (TDD), initiate the explosive fill (or other damage mechanism). RWMF thus seeks proposals for innovative technologies that can be integrated into the design or testing of air-delivered weapon fuzes. RWMF is particularly interested in fuzes (including submunition fuzes) and related component or material technologies that are capable of surviving the repetitive, multi-axis shock environment experienced by a fuze during penetration of a hardened target and functioning the warhead. Materials that mitigate all or some portion of the shock spectrum are also of interest. Unique inertial detection devices or non-inertial detection devices are of interest. However, current test technologies do not fully duplicate the multi-axial fuze environment in terms of duration, repetitive high-acceleration loading, and other aspects of the mechanical loading profile. This necessitates extremely expensive sled tests for fuze research, testing, qualification, and performance evaluation. Therefore, there is interest in laboratory and field test techniques and equipment to duplicate these repetitive, multi-axial shocks. Additional penetration fuzing-specific research tasks of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: - Develop a jam-resistant, greater than 250 kilobits/second shock-hardened wireless Data Link for two-way communication with a fuze during a weapon's deep underground penetration event; - Develop a hardened, passive, unpowered, tri-axial device that irreversibly and measurably changes some physical configuration or property without relaxation/hysteresis to record the peak acceleration as a back-up data point for tests when a hardened fuze data recorder fails; - Develop a low-cost (<$100), shock-hardened accelerometer; - Develop non-inertial techniques and appropriate devices for detecting voids and layers during hard target penetration; and - Develop miniature, shock hardened transmitter and antenna to burst stored digital data upon command to retrieve post event recorded data from a buried warhead. It would also be useful for the purpose of locating a test item...