DoD TechMatch: SBIR Opportunity View

Site Search:

Print This Page

	STTR Opportunity View

Back to Listing

A08-T025




Go To DOD SBIR Site
Basic Information:

Title:	Bi-spectral (Visible & Infrared) Material for Smoke/Obscurant Munitions
Program:	STTR
Technology Area:	Materials/Processes
Open Date:	2/19/2008
Close Date:	3/19/2008

Description:

In the history of smoke and obscuration in the US military, there has not been any development of an obscuring material that would work in both the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The military uses separate munitions for each region of the spectrum; for the visible region, we use the L8 grenade, AN HC grenade, titanium dioxide hand grenade and the M76 smoke generator, for the infrared region, we use the M76 launched grenade. There are many scenarios where having one type of munition for both the visible and infrared regions is desirable. Bi-spectral capabilities are preferred by the Infantry School and are endorsed by the Joint Program Manager (JPM) Reconnaissance and Platform Integration. Bi-spectral efforts are in development in foreign countries (United Kingdom and France). The United States Army has been actively pursing a bi-spectral material to replace its existing payload material (JPM Reconnaissance & Platform Integration and JPM Close Combat Systems). The material should be effective in both the visible and infrared regions, with an extinction coefficient value (a measure of the screening/obscuring performance) equal or greater than that for the current material, which is 5 m2/g.

Objective:

To develop a bi-spectral smoke/obscurant material that will obscure in the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This material will form an obscuring screen for the protection of soldiers and platforms against visible and infrared threats (heat seeking missiles, thermal viewer, laser guided missiles, sniper fire, etc.).

Phase I:

During Phase I, new and advanced materials will be developed. Intensive chemistry and material science will be needed to fabricate an effective material. Updated technologies and breakthroughs in vapor phase synthesis and nanotechnology may assist in developing a successful material. Material samples (approximately 50 grams) will be provided to the US Army for evaluation in an aerosol test chamber. The screening performance/ extinction coefficient will be measured and, based on the results, several candidate materials will be transitioned to Phase II. The objective of Phase I is to find or develop several high performing bi-spectral materials.

Phase II:

The objective of Phase II will be to obtain the material from Phase I and develop the material in a production scale, load the materials in munitions, and test in a controlled and real life environment.

Phase III:

The technology developed in this STTR will fill requirements set by the US Army for improved obscuration materials for use in grenades, mortars, and generators.

References:

1. Dr. Janon Embury, Maximizing Infrared Extinction Coefficients for Metal Discs, Rods, and Sphere", ECBC -TR-226, February 2002. 2. Batishko, C.R. ; Craig, R.A. ; Stahl, K.A. ; Salomon, L.L. ; Bodrero, D., An infrared simulator for testing electro-optical systems against smoke and obscurants, PNL-SA-15738;CONF-880489-1, January 1988. 3. Richard E. Hayes & Ronald C. Passmore, Perspective on Multispectral Missile Seekers, GACIAC Bulletin Volume 19 No. 2, June 1996.

STTR Keywords

obscuration, infrared screening, visible smokes

TechMatch Keyword(s):

Chemistry

Detection and Countermeasures

Infrared and Ultraviolet Detection

Optical Detection

Manufacturing Technology

Materials

Physics and Physical Science

Camouflage

Active

Passive

Obscurants

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