Tanner Research, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA14-022

Description

The evolution in safe and arm (S&A) devices to in-line electronic S&A and Arm-Fire devices (ESAD/EAFD) have not tracked closely with the incredible cost- and size-reductions made by electronics in-general. Large electro-mechanical S&A device used in rocket motor ignition systems have become one of the notable cost elements on current missile systems. Developing and delivering considerably smaller, in-line, electronic S&A devices can greatly improve system reliability and cost, and reduce space, weight and power (SWAP) for both legacy and forth-coming missile systems. Tanner Research in conjunction with Teledyne Electronic Safety Products (ESP), and supported by Raytheon RMS, proposes to micro-miniaturize a redundant dual-fire electronic Arm-Fire device as a paradigm for creating cost-effective initiation devices for ANY ordnance or energetic application. The team plans to leverage their reliable TRL-7 EAFD/through bulkhead initiator (TBI) architecture previously developed with insensitive exploding foil iniator (EFI) detonators specifically crafted for initiating and igniting insensitive energetics. At the completion of the Phase II, this high voltage in-line ESAD/EAFD will have reliable redundancy, built-in test (BIT) functionality and packaged as a through-bulkhead initiator. Approved for Public Release 14-MDA-8047 (14 Nov 14)