RE: Army Moves To Change Vehicle Underbody Blast TI think this has more to do with politics and protecting a previous programming request in the 2012 budget which focus is to improve soldier protection and reduce injuries, which involves updating technology/field testing of underbody threats to address the many types of injuries that are imerging such as Tramatic Brain Injuiries (TBI) etc.
Besides, $2.7 million is a drop in the bucket, perhaps to update modelling simulation for characteristics of homemade explosives, effects on Brain injuries etc. Would not make sense to delay an RFP for $2.7M when soldier protection is the main driver of the upgraded HMMWV and funds have been reprogrammed.
The main FY12 request is for $2.3Billion, which will expand and improve the current technology and protection possibilities which is a longer time horizon (years with funding in place), than delay an RFP. Besides, Cymat SmartMetal (TM) has a TRL 9 rating which takes time and testing to accomplish. The 2012 budget programming request is looking at technology that can deliver a TRL level of at least 6.
Here is a speech by ARL Deputy Assistant Secretary at a subcommittee meeting (March 1st), regarding the scheduled associated programming request which provides a lot of the background to this program and reasons to keep it in the 2012 budget request.
https://www.acq.osd.mil/ddre/publications/docs/ARMY_ST_Testimony_2011.PDF
Also note that awards were given out in Dec/10 to TARDEC for greatest inventions related to underbody blast events and modelling which they probably want to incorporate:
https://www.redorbit.com/news/politics/1958532/tardec_technologies_earn_two_army_greatest_invention_awards/
Landmine Blast Field Event Reconstruction Using Computational Modeling & Simulation
In 2009, TARDEC’s Concepts, Analysis, Systems Simulation and Integration Analytics Group developed a method to reconstruct an underbody blast field event using data gathered from theater.
The explicit finite-element modeling technique used in the full-vehicle system analysis included all key blast phenomenon elements – soil, charge, air, vehicle, and occupant – and analyzed the phenomena of charge detonation, blast wave propagation through soil and air, vehicle structural response, and crew injury and fatality risk probability. This model provides a better understanding and interpretation of collected field data that can then be translated to represent mathematical loading and boundary conditions for computational models.
The modeling and simulation method enables analysts to bridge the gap between controlled live-fire testing and actual field events for these complex and highly transient blast events. Additionally, it allows product development teams to consider real-world scenarios that may not be reflected in existing test and evaluation procedures, ultimately improving existing systems and enhancing warfighter survivability across the tactical and combat vehicle fleets.