Naval Surface Warfare Center

About: Naval Surface Warfare Center is a facility organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Sonar & Radar. The organization has 2855 authors who have published 3697 publications receiving 83518 citations. The organization is also known as: NSWC.

Target State Estimation for Integrated Guidance-Control of Missiles

Abstract: An extended Kalman filter for estimating the states and parameters of a target undergoing spiraling motions is discussed. The research is motivated by the target state information requirements for implementing integrated guidance-control systems. Nonlinear point-mass model of the target including gravitational and aerodynamic forces is considered in the formulation. The spiraling target motions are modeled by a second-order oscillator dynamics modulating the aerodynamic normal force, together with aerodynamic drag and the acceleration due to gravity. Based on an error analysis, line-of-sight angles, line-of-sight rates, range and range rate measurements are then chosen for the implementation of the estimator. Target interception results with an integrated guidance-control law employing the filter estimates are given.

Workflow reengineering: a methodology for business process reengineering using workflow management technology

Abstract: The workflow reengineering methodology (WRM) is a proposed methodology that uses workflow management automation to enable business process reengineering (BPR). Unlike published BPR methodologies that use historical and estimated process data gathered from workflow participants, WRM uses the more accurate, real-time process measurements, gathered by the workflow tool, to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility of the workflow. The methodology consists of five phases and 32 component steps, together with associated data collection forms to facilitate its implementation. Using the proposed methodology, a case study was conducted to improve the processing of on-line equipment manuals and electronic discrepancy reports for a Naval organization. Preliminary results indicate significant reduction in cycle time, costs as well as personnel required to manage the process.

Hydrogen Spark Gap For High Repetition Rates

Abstract: The Pulsed Power Technology Branch at NAVSWC is investigating high-power switch technologies. In- house efforts have concentrated on spark-gap switches because of their high-voltage and high-current capabilities in single-shot devices and because of their simplicity and low cost. We have found that using hydrogen gas, with its high thermal diffusivity, allows an order-of-magnitude improvement in the recovery time (and, therefore, repetition rate) of an unblown spark-gap switch. Recovery of the switch can be made even faster by triggering the switch well below its self-break voltage, allowing voltage to be reapplied while the gas is still hot. Tests have shown that recovery times (to the operating voltage) can be reduced an order-of-magnitude when the gap is undervolted by approximately 50%. Recent tests have demonstrated 100-microsecond recovery of an undervolted hydrogen spark gap at voltages up to 120 kV, peak currents up to 170 kA, and energies up to 12 kJ. Plans are underway to test the switch to 500 kV.

Fiber optic pressure sensor

Abstract: This paper highlights the efforts of the Naval Surface Warfare Center to develop a fiber optic pressure transducer. The initial application for this fiber optic sensor is to monitor the pressure in the sonar dome of a surface ship. This required a 0 - 100 pounds per square inch (gage) sensor. This sensor, developed by Luxtron, Incorporated, under a Small Business Innovative Research contract, utilizes a vibrating quartz crystal as the transduction mechanism. Changes in the resonant frequency of the quartz crystal as a result of force applied to the crystal is monitored using a simple fiber optic link. This paper discusses the principal of operation and design of the sensor, advantages and disadvantages of this type of sensor, development results to date, and future development plans. Portions of this paper have been presented previously in a paper entitled “Fiberoptic pressure sensor based on vibrating quartz crystal technology” presented at the International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, The Hague, Netherlands, March, 1990.