Defense - Fraunhofer EMI

Future-proof systems for land, air, sea and space

Fraunhofer EMI is researching scientific and technological issues in the areas of armor and anti-armor as well as safety and security of military systems.

Using measurement technology, some of which is unique in the world, it investigates issues from the fields of Impact and shock wave physics, ballistics, laser effects, blast effects and blast physics.

Service portfolio

Detailed Service portfolio

Vehicle protection against ballistic threats and detonations
Transparent protective systems (armored and safety glass)
Personal protective equipment (protective vests, helmets, etc.)
Protection of camps and ammunition depots
Vulnerability of airplane components regarding their ballistic protection performance

Visualization techniques for transient processes: high-speed photography and high-speed videography, schlieren photography; flash X-ray photography, X-ray tomography and X-ray cinematography
Analysis of ballistic threats, detonations and other extreme events
Ballistic analysis in different areas of application
Laboratory acceleration facilities for attaining impact velocities ranging from 10 meters per second to 10,000 meters per second
Use of modern measurement techniques such as high-speed cameras and flash X-ray tomograph
Development of modern measurement techniques and diagnostics
Application and development for highly dynamic and transient processes as well as harsh environments; distance, speed, acceleration, impact load and pressure; EMC (electromagentic compatibility) analyses

Simulation and modeling of high-dynamic events
Use of the in-house computer cluster to conduct high-performance simulations
Recording, description and modeling of the physical processes observed during impact, shock-wave and laser effects
Creation of material models and numerical simulations to analyze material behavior under high-dynamic loading conditions

Modeling of high-speed dynamic processes and high-dynamic loads
Multi-scale modeling and multi-physical processes

Pressure and acceleration sensors for measurement of high-speed processes
Sensors to record and evaluate detonation effects
Diagnostics developments such as optical and laser-based techniques intended for temperature and velocity of (combustion) gases and high-dynamic surfaces (VISAR and PDV)

Consulting regarding the development of defense-related technology systems
Simulation of physical system behavior and system components
Semi-formal modeling of system requirements
Methods such as hazard analysis, FTA, FMEA (qualitatively and quantitatively)

Battery firing

© Fraunhofer EMI
The institute carries out propagation tests on battery modules and systems in a fire and explosion-proof bunker.

Profile

The business unit Defense focusses on the areas of protection and effectiveness. Modern protection concepts and new materials are analyzed with regard to high-dynamic loading, sensor systems are developed for their application in ballistics as well as practice-oriented engineering software. Furthermore, analyses concerning the technical safety and reliability of defense-related technology systems are included in our portfolio.

For experimental investigations, acceleration facilities for a large parameter range concerning masses and velocities are available which enable the investigation of terminal ballistic mechanisms on impact. Laser effects can also be investigated in this context. For the investigation of detonations under laboratory conditions, EMI features various laboratories, some of them equipped with unique measurement technology. Imaging techniques such as flash X-ray and high-speed cameras are used. For special requirements, high-speed measurement methods and sensor technology are adapted or autonomously developed.

The theoretical analysis of impact and shock-wave processes is based on numerical simulation. The simulations, conducted in the in-house computer cluster, are computed using material models which are created at the institute. At EMI, the characteristic values are measured under high-dynamic loading conditions. This additionally forms the basis for engineering software developed for practical usage under realistic conditions.

The methods described are available for experimental and simulation-based analyses for the development of new technologies for the army, air force and navy.

For automotive protection, the effects of shoulder weapons, mines and improvised explosive devices are analyzed, and new approaches for defense against threats are developed. For protection against small-caliber threats, transparent armor systems for viewing panels as well as personal protective equipment are optimized. Methods known from the field of protective structures are used for the protection of camps.

The experimental illustration of mechanical material load under realistic, operation-oriented conditions is deployed, for example, to analyze the vulnerability of airplane components or to evaluate the combination of materials regarding their ballistic protection performance. On this basis, EMI develops new concepts for optimized armored structures.

Current research at Fraunhofer EMI

NEWHEAT — European defense research

Warhead experts from seven European nations.

Generative engineering: design optimization of energy-absorbing lattice structures

Ballistic protection with additively manufactured titanium perturbation structures

ARTUS – Autonomous Rough-terrain Transport UGV Swarm

In the future, autonomously navigating robotic systems will make it possible to support soldiers directly in the field. Fraunhofer EMI has participated in and coordinated the international ARTUS research project.

Business unit Defense