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Fuze Air-To-Surface Technology
Engineers successfully test ground-profiling fuze sensor for unitary warheads
by Lt. Fernando Cruz
U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate

February 2005

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) scientists assigned to the Fuze Air-to-Surface Technology (FAST) program are developing the next-generation fuze sensor for use with blast/fragment, penetrating, low-collateral-damage, and agent-defeat unitary warheads. They designed the FAST fuze sensor with the capability to determine its height above the ground contour regardless of the target and background structure in order to minimize error from the height-of-burst (HOB) selection.

The goal of the FAST program is to provide the warfighter with a precision HOB ground-profiling and foliage-penetrating fuze sensor in two distinct and versatile forms:

(1) an upgrade for the DSU-33B/B proximity fuze sensor in a nose-mounted configuration, to support the Targets Under Trees program

(2) a tail-mounted configuration for other program programs.

The modes of operation for the FAST sensor are selectable HOB, near-surface burst, and ground impact initial condition (impact time and velocity) indication. The fuze sensor will accurately operate in weapon systems with 50-2500 m/s closing velocities. Scientists also designed the FAST sensor to resist electromagnetic counter-measures and electromagnetic interference environments and to operate in adverse weather and under other battlefield-obscuring conditions, yet still be affordable.

They used commercial, off-the-shelf components in designing the wideband radio frequency (RF) transceiver to keep costs low.
Test aircraft with sensor installed in nose headlamp

The laboratory recently evaluated the FAST proximity sensor breadboard in real-world conditions using tower tests and low-speed captive flight tests (CFf). Engineers performed the tests to qualitatively assess launch-to-burst simulation validity and design location parameters, and to identify any necessary system changes prior to building the first electronics boards for the DSU-33 B/B upgrade. The test team chose a Beechcraft Baron (at right) twin-engine aircraft for the CFT platform. The nose headlamp proved to be the ideal location for mounting the FAST nose-mount antenna. The team cabled the antenna to the breadboard electronics (RF and digital) in the aircraft and used a portable computer to control the fuze and collect data (see below).
FAST breadboard electronics during CFT

They conducted the CFTs with FAST operating in various modes and over a variety of terrain (including foliage and water). The test results indicated a good match between the CFT data and high-fidelity simulations. Engineers will also use the test data to further develop the FAST proximity sensor algorithms.

With the successful completion of the CFTs, the FAST program took an important step towards transitioning the next generation of proximity fuze sensors.

Increased weapon lethality is required as weapons development moves towards smaller weapons and operations demand one weapon per target. FAST provides the precise sensing capabilities to significantly improve both the lethality and the versatility of air-to-surface weapons.

 

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