SBIR-STTR Award

AVID LLC has partnered with Virginia Tech?s Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures to develop a shape-changing projectile using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) that increases range more than 30% and adds precision targeting. SMA materials provide large actuation forces and require minimal packaging volume, thereby allowing more volume for internal components and payload. The shape-changing munition solution will be a low-cost, add-on package that can retrofit existing projectiles. Material testing and modeling will determine the optimal SMA materials from several new chemistries, and optimization of the aerodynamic design will maximize control authority and range. Novel techniques for controlling the SMA actuators that are simple and robust will be developed and demonstrated. Finite element analysis (FEA) will be used to ensure the newly design components can survive the high-G loading of a gun-launched projectile. The size, weight, and power of the SMA actuation system will be assessed, and a bench-top prototype will demonstrate the shape-changing capability, SMA control techniques, and response speed. The innovative technology developed will be scalable to gun-launched projectiles of various sizes.

Keywords:
Shape Memory Alloy, Morphing, Shape-Changing, Gun-Launched, Transforming Munitions, Projectiles, Aerodynamics, Control, Expanded Mission, Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd)

AVID LLC will develop a retrofit kit for standard 81 mm mortar munitions using Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) to increase range more than 100% and add precision GPS targeting. SMA materials provide large actuation forces and require minimal packaging volume, thereby allowing more volume for internal components and payload. The shape-changing mortar solution will be a low-cost, add-on package retrofitting to an existing interface. We will leverage our controls expertise to ensure open-loop stability in every phase of flight and precision-guidance to a GPS location. Wind tunnel testing of the projectile will be performed, yielding high-fidelity simulations of its performance. Novel techniques for controlling the SMA actuators that are simple and robust will be developed and demonstrated. Finite element analysis (FEA) and high-G drop testing will ensure the newly designed components can survive the high-G launch loads. Temperature tests from -45F to +145F will prove the components are suitable for Army operations. AVID, in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures (CIMSS), will deliver two smart mortar prototypes ready for flight-testing at the end of the Phase II effort. The innovative technology developed will be scalable to gun-launched projectiles of various sizes, providing broad commercial possibilities.

Keywords:
Shape Memory Alloy, SMA, shape changing, aerodynamic effectors, mortar, extended range, precision, gun hardened