• Extends Fuze Air-to-Surface Technology (FAST) to Urban Environments
  • Finely-selectable, precise height of burst (HOB)
  • Tracks the ground to prevent fuzing on discrete structures
  • Software-defined fuze radar for the 21st Century


THE PROBLEM

20th Century fuze sensor technology cannot reliably discriminate between the ground and buildings or other discrete structures in the scene.

THE SOLUTION

Mustang has developed algorithm upgrades to maintain FAST’s HOB performance even in urban canyon environments. These upgrades were implemented with only a software change, which leaves intact FAST’s other features, such as the following: low cost; wide bandwidth; active RF proximity sensor capable of providing accurate, selectable HOB in the presence of foliage, weather and battlefield obscurants; and support for NSB and penetrator operational modes.

THE APPROACH

Mustang updated the simulation and algorithms and, using our progressive simulation-based test approach, validated the changes through ground testing, low-speed captive flight tests (CFT), high-speed CFT and real-time drop tests.


THE TECHNOLOGIES

Low-cost, high-performance radar; digital electronics; real-time signal processing; advanced algorithms; progressive test approach; high-fidelity launch-to-burst simulation.

This material is based upon work supported by the United States Air Force under Contract No. FA8651-06-C-0117. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the United States Air Force.