MSI supports the Aerospace and Defense industries in the areas of machinery for air breathing and space-based systems, munitions, rotating machinery, and innovative internal combustion engines.  MSI uses its analysis capability to help the military and military suppliers to develop advanced non-lethal munitions, and aircraft components including, but not limited to, aircraft gas turbines, pumps, compressors, expanders, and helicopter hoists.  Rocket engine turbo pump and UAV propulsion system development are very active areas.

Munitions development:

MSI utilizes state of the art design and analysis software coupled with testing in MSI labs and nearby firing ranges to develop prototype non-lethal munitions for government and industrial clients.  Value is achieved by eliminating time consuming and costly trial and error development approaches.  Technology is developed on behalf of the manufacturer or is ultimately transitioned to the manufacturer.  The same methodology is used to resolve problems in fielded systems.  MSI’s experience and advanced software and lab capabilities make it unique among product development and engineering service providers.

MSI is a member of National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).

General

• Animation File Creation of Deformation, Stress, Failure, and Penetration
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis
• Failure Analysis
• Field and Laboratory Testing Services
• Field Modal Analysis to Support Troubleshooting
• Friction and Wear Experts
• Less-than-Lethal Design, Analysis, and Test Expertise
• Non-linear and Linear Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Penetration Analysis using the CTH Hydrocode and LS-Dyna
• Shock and Vibration Analysis
• Solid Modeling and Design
• Strain Gage and Telemetry
• Transient Heat Transfer Analysis

Past and Present Projects

• Cartridge Casing and Seal Analysis
• Compact Electric Power Generation Development
• Less-Than-Lethal Breaching Munitions
• Less-Than-Lethal Door Buster Munitions
• Lightweight Active Armor
• Nonlethal Munitions Design, Analysis, and Testing
• RPG Defense
• Super Elastic “Smart” Fins
• Test Rig Development and Operation

Projectile design projects involve the accurate simulation and the subsequent optimization of the projectiles’ parameters prior to conducting rigorous testing. MSI has combined experience with the proficient application of Pro/Engineer, ANSYS/LS-Dyna, and CTH Hydrocode software to meet the challenges of projectile design.  MSI models the target and projectile geometries, and then translates the solid models into the LS-Dyna or CTH software to perform extensive analysis of the designs.

The simulation that is depicted in the figure illustrates a non-lethal projectile which has impacted a target at one of many different velocities. MSI predicted the deformations of the projectile and the target over a wide range of terminal velocities, and hence improved the accuracy and effectiveness of the projectile at distances far in excess of competing designs, yet the projectile remained non-lethal at close ranges. The analytical results guided the design process, which drastically reduced the project’s development schedule and costs.