Cockpit-programmed sensing fuze for deeply buried targets to be developed by ATK

Posted by John McHale
MINNEAPOLIS, 6 April 2011. The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and ATK are developing a cockpit-programmable fuze that provides the capability to destroy deeply-buried targets not reachable by other fuzing options. It is called the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF) program.
The HTVSF will provide multiple delay arming and detonation times, as well as a void sensing function which allows precision activation of the fuze. The HTVSF is intended to be used with all current and future families of 2,000 and 5,000 pound air delivered, deep-penetrating weapon systems. ATK developed the all-electronic HTVSF, which incorporates advanced sensors, algorithms, and hardened electronics technology.
ATK won a $35.8 million contract for the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program. The 37-month EMD contract begins in March 2011 and will allow ATK to further refine the HTVSF design and perform all qualification testing necessary to move into production. The EMD contract was awarded by the Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Upon completion of EMD, ATK expects to transition into low rate initial production (LRIP) in April 2014.