Static Event Detection Initiative (SED)

NCMS Project #: 140388

Problem: DoD depots are not able to determine if/when a electrostatic event has occurred and damaged an electrical system.  The objective of this program is to develop a Static Event Detector (SED) Health Monitoring system that alerts inspectors or equipment operators to an ESD event that may have inflicted catastrophic damage resulting in degraded weapon systems performance.  A Magneto-Optic Static Event Detector (MOSED) will be developed compatible with a novel optical reader device to remotely interrogate individual SEDs strategically placed within an electrostatic sensitive system and to identify the modules or components potentially damaged.

Benefit: Confirmation of a static discharge event would trigger special actions or tests to rapidly verify operational integrity of the weapons system under evaluation.  Additional devices and test circuits will be developed to demonstrate the efficacy of this new Health Monitoring System.

Solution/Approach: WP-ARL will perform the initial device characterization. Proof of concept for this feasibility effort will be conducted at Tobyhanna for potential application.  Evaluation on legacy equipment will be the first potential application for this technology.

Impact on Warfighter: Improved repair cycle time with materiel returned to ready status and availability for field use.

DOD Participation:

  • U.S. Army (Tobyhanna)
  • U.S. Air Force (WP-ARL)

Industry Participation:

  • VCD Technologies
  • Pukoa Scientific
  • NCMS

Final Report