Undersea Weaponry NNR
Presented to the National Academy of Sciences
5 May 2010
Program Officers:
Ray Soukup-- G&C
Dr. Ng/Dr. Hassan--MSDO
Dan Tam--Warheads
Dr. Teresa McMullen—CW & CM
Dr. Kam Ng--Supercav
Maria Medeiros—P&E, ULI
Undersea Weaponry
1
Presenter:
Dr. Kam Ng
Deputy Director of Research
Office of Naval Research
1
Vision & Challenges
D&I Vision:
Provide affordable technologies that enable control of the undersea
battlespace by increasing weapon effectiveness against evolving threats
S&T Challenges:
• Sensors, signal processing, and tactical improvements to address countered
engagements in challenging acoustic environments
• Reliable, stealthy, and wakeless propulsion systems
• Compact energy dense sources, with low turn-around costs, for long endurance
missions
• High-speed supercavitating weapons with a capable search,
detection/classification/localization, and homing capability
• Rapid reaction approach to mitigate incoming weapons
• Improvements in pre and post-launch weapon connectivity with launch platform and
other weapons
• High energy insensitive explosive compliant warheads to increase torpedo lethality
• Affordability of undersea weaponry technologies applied to tactical vehicle systems and
sub-systems
Undersea Weaponry
2
Time Phased Investment Strategy
How Undersea Weapons S&T Coordinates with Acquisition
Today
Prior Years
06
Next
07
08
09
10
After Next
11
2012 - 2030
Weapons & CMs Modernization (APB and Technology Insertion)
Future
USW
Acquisition
Science and Technology
LASW FNC Enabling Capabilities (6.2/6.3)
Future Weapons & Countermeasures 6.2/6.3
Swampworks HWT & LWT (6.2/6.3)
National Naval Responsibility (NNR) D&I Investment (6.1/6.2)
Naval Power 21 Enablers
Future Naval Capabilities
Lightweight Torpedo (FY06 – 10)
 Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (FY07 – 11)
 Anti-Torpedo Torpedo Salvo (FY08 – FY12)
 Torpedo Hybrid Fuzing (FY11 – FY15)

Leap Ahead Innovations
Swampworks
• Innovative Naval Prototypes
•
Present . . .
Undersea Weaponry
Discovery and Invention (D&I)
Guidance &
Control
Undersea
Warheads
Counterweapons &
Countermeasures
Supercavitating
Weapons
Multidisciplinary
Systems Design &
Optimization
Power & Energy
and University Lab
Initiative
5 Years . . .
25 Years . . .
3
Undersea Weapons (NNR)
Naval Capabilities:
Power Projection
 Survivability & Self-Defense
 Assure Access & Hold at Risk

Warfighter Payoffs:
 Improved G&C capabilities for quiet diesel
submarines in littoral environment
Funding ($K)
FY07
FY08
FY09
FY10
PE 0601153N
5,180
5,686
5,636
7,180
PE 0602747N
Related
12,268 13,670 13,457 14,051
2,800
3,000
3,000
3,100
 Improved Pk & Pck
 Increased weapons load-out
 Reduced Total Owner Cost
Naval Customers:
 NAVSEA PEO SUB– PMS 404, PMS 415, PMS 403
Thrust Areas:
Key Leveraging Activities:
 Guidance & Control: R. Soukup
 MURI, e.g., Bio-Inspired Sea Vehicles
 Multidisciplinary Systems Design & Optimization:
 ONR YIP
K. Ng/S. Hassan
 DARPA, e.g., Underwater Express, Tango Bravo
 Undersea Warheads: D. Tam
 SBIR/STTR
 Power & Energy: M. Medeiros
 Congressional Interested Programs
 Counterweapons & Countermeasures: T.
McMullen
 Supercavitating Weapons: K. Ng
 University Laboratory Initiative (ULI): M. Medeiros
Undersea Weaponry
4
Undersea Weapons Guidance & Control
Major Challenge:
Objectives:
• Provide new, fundamental guidance and
control (G&C) technology for next
generation weapons
• Determine configurations and enabling
technologies for these new weapons, i.e.,
Weaponization of UUV
• Preserve the “Torpedo Enterprise” and
laboratory “Knowledge Base” for
undersea weapons
Undersea Weaponry
Poor acoustic environment with
countermeasures
Research Approach:
Develop new signal processing and G&C
concepts for next-generation undersea
weapons
Research Outcomes:
• Innovative Sensors & Signal Processing
Algorithms
• Guidance Algorithms
• Modeling and Simulation Capability
5
Multidisciplinary Systems Design & Optimization
(MSDO)
MSDO – Combined Sensitivity Analysis
UUV (SS0)
OD
Speed
Depth
Mission time
RPM
Turn AOA
OD
Max depth
WHD length
WHD type
ID
TS
Tgt beam width
Desired FOV
dI
Beam width
GNC mass
GNC length
GNC Power
GNC (SS1)
ID
Mission time
Available power
GNC Power
ID
Speed
Thrust power
ID
Slow speed
Range
Thrust
Drag
Total mass
Total length
Pk|hit
OD
RPM
Prop Type
Major Challenges
• Multi-objective optimization of weapon systems with
parameter uncertainties and coupled subsystems
• Development and integration of realistic cost estimating
models
• Consistent fidelity of subsystem models
WHD feasibility
WHD Pk
WHD mass
Warhead (SS2)
PWR mass
PWR length
Thrust power
Power (SS3)
Machinery length
Machinery mass
Max thrust
Machinery (SS4)
Pc
PcAOA
Prop length
Prop mass
Propulsor (SS5)
Objectives
• Develop multidisciplinary simulation-based
methods and models to optimize undersea
weapon system designs with respect to
performance & cost
• Research and develop innovative approaches
to reduce the acoustic signature of undersea
weapon systems
• Modeling of noise sources associated with electric
propulsion systems
• Broadband and narrowband propulsor noise reduction
Research Approach
• MSDO with emphasis on probabilistic methods,
parameter uncertainties, and multi-objectives including
cost
• Electric and hybrid propulsion system modeling
• Physics based models/meta-models of vehicle
subsystems
• Innovative noise mitigation and control technologies
• Support the Undersea Weaponry National
Naval Responsibility at ONR
• Develop undersea weapons knowledge base
to support other programs (FNCs) and
organizations (NAVSEA, DARPA)
Undersea Weaponry
• Propulsor noise modeling, silencing, and bio-inspired
concepts
• Weapon launcher system (internal and external) noise
modeling
• Leverage ULI and SBIR programs
6
Undersea Warheads
Objectives:
Major Challenges:
• Develop undersea warhead constituents,
configurations, and blast control mechanisms
that provide increased torpedo lethality and/or
reduced volumetric requirements
• Improve the understanding of the energy release
and energy coupling mechanisms of underwater
explosions to enable improved warhead design
• Increasing the
available energy
within warhead
constituents
• Optimizing energy
release existing
warhead constituents
Research Approach:
•
•
•
•
•
• Maximizing the explosive energy coupling to the
target
Investigate and develop new fuels, oxidizers, and
reactive materials to increase the energy release
• Reducing the size of undersea warheads without
capacity of warhead constituents
reducing lethality
Develop the diagnostic capabilities to enable accurate
• Reducing the susceptibility of explosive
determination of time/temperature for hydroreactive
formulations to external stimuli, such as
energy release
mechanical shock
Investigate and develop warhead configuration and
• Increasing the fidelity of models used to analyze
initiation concepts to increase warhead performance and
the effect of under water explosions
target damage effects, such as detonation merging,
Research Outcomes:
directed blast, and reactive components
• Advanced Warhead Concepts that enable
Investigate the potential mechanisms available for
increased lethality, reduced susceptibility to
reducing the sensitivity of explosives used in undersea
countermeasures and reduced sensitivity to
warhead configurations
externally produced stimuli
Develop physics based coupled Euler/Lagrange end-to• Higher Energy Warhead Constituents
end modeling capability with increased computational
speed without sacrificing fidelity
• Validated Code for Hull & Equipment Response to
Underwater Explosions
Undersea Weaponry
7
Undersea Weapons Propulsion and
Air-Independent Energy Program
Objectives:
• Investigate energy and propulsion technologies for
both undersea weapons and unmanned vehicles
Near Term:
• Reduce maintenance and turn around costs for current
•
•
Research Approach:
Investigate and develop new energy and
propulsion technologies for undersea
weapons and vehicles.
•
•
Mid Term:
•
•
•
Research Outcomes:
fleet systems (LWT & HWT) while maintaining performance
Provide multi-run capability
Investigate fuels and oxidizer sources for air-independent
operation.
increase endurance (>40 hrs) and produce efficient
operation
Investigate Hybrid systems
Demonstrate cleaner fuels (monopropellants, bipropellants) operation
Investigate wakeless (closed cycle) propulsion concepts
Increase power/speed and Provide “Gas and Go”
capability
Far Term:
• More environmentally friendly fuels and
•
•
oxidizers
•
• Multi-use and gas-and-go mission capability •
•
of vehicles
• Increase underwater vehicle endurance
Investigate wakeless (open cycle) propulsion concepts
Investigate propulsion concepts for disposable weapons
Evaluate Half-length torpedo propulsion system concepts
In-water vehicle demonstrations
Provide longer endurance (30 days) operation
• Higher efficiency, and reduced weight, volume and
signature
Undersea Weaponry
8
Power and Energy Program Impact
The Undersea Power and Energy Program Impacts:
• PMS 404’s S&T Roadmap:
- New Propulsion Weapon Systems
- Improved Fuels
- Reduce operation/turn around cost
- Increase weapon performance
• PMS 403’s and PMS 399’s S&T Roadmap:
- Long endurance operation of unmanned/manned vehicles
Multi-mission capability
• Support Navy’s UUV Master Plan
• Leveraging OSD, DOE and DARPA P&E Programs
Addresses the following Naval S&T Areas:
• Power and Energy
• Provide long endurance and efficient energy sources for UUVs
• Hybrid propulsion options for multi-mission operation of weapons
• Assure Access and Hold at Risk
• Low noise/stealth operation
• Total Ownership Cost
• Cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuels
• Multi-use operation
Undersea Weaponry
9
USW
Counterweapons/Countermeasures
Major Challenge
• Develop methods for Rapid Reaction Terminal Defense Scenarios
• Supercavitating Weapon Attack (200 knots)
• Close-in attack
• Weapons that penetrate outer layers
Research Approach
• Rapid Underwater Threat Neutralization
• Develop Fast reaction approach to destroy or incapacitate
incoming threat weapon.
• Close-in gun-launched supercavitating projectiles
• Cavity disruption techniques to destabilize supercavitating
weapon with UNDEX
• Rapid Underwater Threat Sensing
• Develop Sensors, algorithms to detect, classify, and track the
threat with adequate accuracy and speed
• High speed weapon signature
• Non-acoustic sensing (LIDAR, magnetic)
Undersea Weaponry
•Acoustic
•Homer
10
Supercavitating Weapons
Objectives:
Ventilation
Propulsion & Ventilation Systems
Warhead
• Understand physics of supercavitating flows
• Develop vehicle control & guidance methodology
for maneuvering & homing
• Design & build a test vehicle to evaluate candidate
control & homing concepts
Major Challenges:
Guidance
Cavitating Control Fins
Cavitator
Research Approach:
• Hydrodynamic & Control - Cavity Control & Control
Surfaces
• Vehicle Guidance - Guidance Law & Homing
Sensors
• Propulsion
• Vehicle Guidance & Homing
– Acoustic approach - sensor self noise & data
rate
– Signal processing techniques
– Waveform design
– Auto pilot & command
• Vehicle Control & Maneuvering
– Supercavitating bubble (cavity) instability
– Vehicle control, planing & tail slap
– Interaction between cavity & propulsion
exhaust
– Propulsion transient & startup
Research Outcomes:
•
•
•
•
•
Undersea Weaponry
Understanding of supercavitation physics
Vehicle control
Homing sensor
Quick-Reaction weaponry
Supercavitation & vehicle control technology to
support DARPA’s Underwater Express Program
11
University Laboratory Initiative (ULI) Program
Participants
21 students
Attendees at the 2007 ULI Review- NUWC Keyport Division
Objectives
• Increase the number of engineers and
scientists in Navy laboratories developing
undersea weapon and vehicle technology
• Contribute to the revitalization of the
laboratories
• Build connections between laboratories and
academia
• Technology Areas: Guidance and Control,
Weapon and Vehicle Energy Conversion,
Hydrodynamics, Warheads, Underwater Vehicle
Technologies (corrosion/anti-fouling, gas-n-go
concepts, hybrids)
Undersea Weaponry
ARL/PSU
Brown
BU
NUWC
NSWC
MIT
MSU
Penn State
RPI
Stevens
VA Tech
UCONN
UIUC
Univ. MD
UMASS
URI
WPI
Wright State
Approach
•
Each project includes the student (US
Citizen), academic advisor and Navy
laboratory mentor
•
Students work at mentor’s laboratory
during summer (min 10 weeks)
•
Board of Visitors reviews projects at
annual review
12
ULI Leveraging / Collaborations
Collaborations include:
Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs)  NUWC-NPT
 NSWC-IH
• Brown Univ
 ARL
• Stevens Institute
 Univ of Connecticut
• WPI
 Georgia Tech
 Univ of Maine
• UConn
 Stevens Institute
• UMASS- Dartmouth
 WPI
• MIT
 RPI
• Michigan State Univ
 PSU
• Wright State University
 UMASS- Dartmouth
 Univ of Maryland
 Michigan State
MOA:
 MIT
• NUWC and UMASS-Dartmouth
 Wright State
 Princeton
 Boston Univ
 Brown University
 Baylor University
 NRL
 University of Florida
 Southern Mississippi
University
 UIUC
Undersea Weaponry
13
Power and Energy
Microplasma Reforming of Acetylene
for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) Aboard UUVs
Fuel Cell Performance using Hydrogen
Peroxide Reformate as the Oxidant
e-
External Load
Ms. Elizabeth Lennon
Dr. Ron Besser
Dr. A. Burke
Mr. John Izzo
Dr. Wilson Chiu
Dr. Louis Carreiro
Objectives:
• Determine if microplasma reforming of acetylene
(C2H2) is a viable fuel processing option for H2
delivery to UUV SOFC
• Determine under what conditions microplasma
reforming of acetylene (C2H2) offers best fuel
processing option for H2 delivery to UUV SOFC
considering full energy cycle
• Compare microplasma fuel reforming for UUVs
to existing reforming technologies
Research Approach:
• Characterize VI behaviors of micro-plasmas to determine
device efficiencies under various geometries & settings.
• Design next generation flow-thru micro-plasma
• Assess H2 generation from C2H2 micro-plasma chips- to
measure conversion, yield, selectivity, & process
efficiencies
Undersea Weaponry
Anode
Electrolyte
Cathode
Modeling
Domain
L
x
e-
Objectives:
• Understand behavior of air-independent fuel cells
• Effect of a reacted H2O2 stream on cell
performance
• Development of SOFC system model and
experimental setup for validation
Research Approach:
• Develop model to predict SOFC performance
• Validate model via cathode polarization tests
• Characterize H2O2 to identify impurities
• Determine extent of LSM cathode degradation
• Couple fuel cell with H2O2 microchemical reactor
and optimize cathode for the oxidant feed stream
14
Corrosion and Anti-fouling Coatings
High Thermal Conductivity
Nanocomposite Encapsulants
New Coating Concepts for Corrosion and
Anti-Fouling Protection of UUVs
Mr. John Costa
Dr. Vijaya Chalivendra
Mr. Thomas Ramotowski
Ms. Nicole Mackey,
Dr. J Paige Phillips,
Dr. James Wynne
10 microns
BN microparticles in PU
Objectives:
•
Fabricate high-quality boron nitride (BN) and polyurethane
(PU) nanocomposites for torpedo nose arrays and high
power/duty cycle acoustic sources
• Obtain PU/BN composite thermal conductivity
value of 2.0W/mK, approximately that of piezo-ceramics, and
an order of magnitude above PU itself
• Use low particulate loadings (ca. < 5% by weight) to
preserve desirable PU acoustic properties
Research Approach:
• Functionalize BN nano-particles using saline coupling agents
• Verify functionalized BN nano-particles using chemical
analysis tools
• Fabricate nanocomposites using controlled process for better
dispersion of BN particles in the polyurethane matrix
• Prepare test samples for measurement of thermal conductivity
and acoustic property measurements
Undersea Weaponry
Objectives:
Develop an optically transparent, vibration dampening
and self-polishing coating capable of resisting marine fouling:
>1 year life-cycle
optically transparent in desired window
possess vibrational dampening properties
controlled rate of hydrolysis leading to self-polishing surface
Research Approach:
• Design/synthesize a series of OH-functionalized active system
components having a range of MWs and chemical structures
• Prepare polyurethane networks containing active system
components via reaction with a base isocyante resin
• Prepare multi-functional coatings using active agents in
combinations and fine-tune formulations to maintain desired
coating mechanical properties, optical characteristics, and
maximize vibrational damping
15
Energetic Projects
Enhanced Blast Underwater
Explosives
Real Time Determination of
Lattice Deformation Due to
Shock Wave Compression
Characterization of Ignition
Behavior of Organic-Inorganic
Composites
Mr. Patrick Snow
Dr. Gwo-Ching Wang
Dr. Ray Gamache
Mr. Lance Kingston
Drs. Krier and Glumac
Dr. Joel Carney
Objectives and Approach:
• Apply advanced diagnostics at
NSWC-IH & UIUC to probe metallized
underwater explosions
• Investigate innovative strategies to
promote metal water reactions
• Develop and test novel casing
designs that transport reactive case
metals outside the main HE bubble.
• Investigate reactive metal casings
with indentations designed to create
jetting of material to 1) react with
ambient water, increasing blast yield,
and 2) enhance bubble size and thus
violence upon collapse
Undersea Weaponry
Objectives and Approach:
• Design a self-contained powder gun
system that is capable of launching a
Cu flyer plate at velocities up to 1.7
km/s to induce shock waves in
selected targets.
• Perform real time x-ray diffraction
(XRD) during short (ns) intervals using
synchrotron radiation to determine the
shock wave induced lattice
deformations in inert (LiF) and
explosive (RDX) crystalline materials.
• Assembled new multi dimension
camera stand to be remotely operated
providing positional control of camera
relative to diffracted synchrotron beam.
• Use LabVIEW programs to
determine the impact obliquity of the
projectile, and control the stepper
motors used to position the powder
gun and streak camera
Mr. Nicholas Piekiel
Dr. Michael Zachariah
Dr. Jason Jouet
Objectives and Approach:
• Investigate ignition characteristics of
specific organic and inorganic energetic
materials to answer the following:
• How do nano thermites initiate
• What is the mechanism of combustion
propagation
• How can traditional organic systems be
integrated into the nanothermites and
what are the characteristics of
combustion
• Developed a time resolved mass
spectrometer capable of a time resolution
of as small ~ 60 us, with heating rates of
~106 K/sec
• The method enables the first ever time
resolved measurement of a thermite type
energetic material
16
ULI Accomplishments
Program Status:
 9 MS and 12 Ph.D. students
Recent Hires:
 4 ULI graduates accepted positions at NUWC
 1 ULI graduate accepted a position at ARL/PSU

2 US Navy Patent Applications submitted

9 Referred Journal Publications

15 Conference Proceeding Publications

19 Conference Presentations

10 Invited Presentations

9 Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

1 MOA

21 Navy Lab/Academia collaborations
Undersea Weaponry
17
ULI Program Impact
ULI Program supports several 6.1 Core Technologies including:
- Guidance and Control
- Power and Energy
- Energetics
- MSDO and Supercavitating Vehicles
- Corrosion and Anti-fouling Coatings
Addresses the following Naval S&T Technology Areas:
- Power and Energy
- Undersea Weaponry
Naval Impacts/Outcomes:
- Increase S&E at Navy Labs conducting S&T research in undersea weapon/
vehicle technologies
- Increase Navy Labs and academia collaborations
- Increase basic understanding/principles of electrochemistry, new coating
materials, understand properties/characteristics of energetic materials, control
algorithms, low-cost single crystal sensor approaches, to further develop
these technological tools to support programs at 6.2, INP, FNC level
- Support ONR’s National Naval Responsibility for Undersea Weaponry
Undersea Weaponry
18
Collaborations & Partnerships
 Germany – Project Agreements:
 1) Enhanced Undersea Weapons Effectiveness & Ship Survivability










through the Application of Validated Computer Codes;
 2) Vulnerability of Torpedoes to Underwater Explosions
Singapore – DEA: Underwater Explosion Technology
NATO Research & Technology Organization:
 1) AVT-119 (Task Group in Health Monitoring of Munitions);
 2) AVT-093 (Task Group in Integration of Tools & Processes for
Affordable Vehicles/Weapons)
 3) AVT-173 (Task Group in Virtual Prototyping of Affordable Military
Vehicles Using Advanced MDO)
Navy Enterprise for M&S to support ship shock testing
Bureau of Reclamation (Dept of Interior): DYSMAS
Army Engineering Research & Development Center: DYSMAS
NASA: Vehicle Design & Optimization
NSF: Adaptive Control, Smart Materials & Structures
DARPA: Power & Energy
DOE: Fuel Cell & Power
TTCP: Torpedo Noise, UUV Power & Energy
Undersea Weaponry
19
Issues

Transition S&T products to PMS-404 Torpedo
Program Office and PMS 403 UUV Program Office is
a challenge

Employment of ULI graduate students—lack of Navy
Labs billets
Undersea Weaponry
20
Executive Summary
S&T Quality
 Transitioned Supercavitation S&T to DARPA’s Underwater Express Vehicle
 Successfully demonstrated a novel warhead configuration and explosive chain
to produce robust warhead lethality
Naval Impact
 Transitioned 112-element Torpedo Sonar Array to PMS 404 Torpedo Program
Office
 Developed a new class of algorithms that enables groups of mobile acoustic
countermeasures to collaborate for localization and tracking of an acoustic
homing torpedo target
Program Plan
 Well integrated Undersea Weaponry S&T and transitioned technology products
to Program Executive Offices on time
 Fully coordinated and leveraged with other D&I (internal & external)
 Mission-driven and science relevant with excellent transition record
 Quality people are making it work
Undersea Weaponry
21
Backup Slides
Undersea Weaponry
22
Undersea Weapons S&T
Vision
CONOPS
Transformation
Variable Targeting Precision
Tactical Anti-Submarine &
Standoff Anti-Surface Warfare
Increase
Legacy System
Performance
Future Missions,
Threats & Platforms
Insensitive Munitions
Electric Propulsion
Layered Defense
Key Performance Parameters
Offense - Probability of Kill
Defense - Ship Survivability
Assured
Assured joint
joint force
force access
access to
to the
the battle-space
battle-space will
will be
be enabled
enabled by
by increased
increased
mobility
mobility and
and survivability,
survivability, modular
modular payloads,
payloads, off-board
off-board systems
systems and
and reduced
reduced
sized
sized weapons
weapons to
to deliver
deliver extended
extended range,
range, scalable
scalable &
& lethal
lethal effects
effects at
at reduced
reduced cost
cost
Undersea Weaponry
23