SBIR-STTR Award

Karagozian & Case Inc., Cobia Research, and Applied Research Associates are proposing a Phase I SBIR to develop an innovative physics-based lethality toolset that can be used to analyze the effects of multiple weapons against maritime targets. The toolset must be able to consider combined effects from the multi-physics modules to predict the structural response of the target when subjected to weapon lethality analysis. Among them, modules for the calculation of detonation effects, structural analysis, weapon fragmentation, kinetic energy penetrators effect, shape charges effect, are present. The toolset will leverage existing capabilities for geometry handling (e.g. BRL CAD). The application will provide a Monte Carlo simulation feature that can vary the weapons terminal impact conditions and perform statistical variations of other input parameters in a scalable and efficient fashion. The software will be packaged leveraging the already existing Modeling & Simulation platform, Endgame Framework.

Benefit:
The anticipate benefits of this research are the development of a fast-running software usable on desktop machines capable of analyzing the effects of multiple weapons against maritime targets. The capability will enable DoD engineers to assess performance of existing weapons as well as new weapon concepts with a set of physics-based tools that yield high-fidelity predictions. Moreover, the community will be provided with an expandable and scalable toolset that can host future enhancements from multiple actors within the Navy.

Keywords:
Lethality analysis, Lethality analysis, Detonation effects, Integrated platform, Structural Response, threat reduction, Fast running models

The overall objective of this effort is to develop an innovative physics-based lethality toolset that can analyze the effects of multiple weapon damage mechanisms against maritime targets. Damage mechanisms of initial interest to the program include the following: internal flooding, structural failures, internal and external blast, penetration and perforation from fragments, cavitation damage, cutting and severing damage to components, shaped charge and explosively formed projectile damage. To address the project requirements, K&C is proposing to develop a Maritime Lethality Analysis Toolset (MLAT) software application which combines existing and new computational models for each of the damage mechanism into a vulnerability and lethality software framework called Endgame Framework (EF). The software will be composed of: 1) a target generator to create ship target models, 2) a GUI which can be used to setup a scene with a desired target and weapon combination, 3) a suite of computational modules that can predict damage mechanisms, and 4) a suite of output visualization features and post-processing tools.

Benefit:
The anticipated benefits of this research are the development of a lethality software which can support mission planners to prosecute a variety of maritime targets with greater accuracy and efficiency. The software can also support scientists, analysts, and engineers with the development of new warheads designs for increased/enhanced lethality against ship targets. Lastly, the software can also support ship designers with the development of ship components that provide increased/enhanced survivability.

Keywords:
Structural, mission planning, Shock, Survivability, ship, lethality, penetration, target, Maritime