Weapons Development, Testing, and Effects

From penetration and detonation underground, to air-blast, to a nuclear attack against U.S. satellites in space, ARA scientists and engineers understand the range of complex physics associated with weapons effects. ARA specializes in accurate, validated modeling and simulation tools to provide systems evaluation and operational decision support.

ARA-developed models simulate the extreme environments created by conventional blasts and chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. We model the physics of the weapon, the environments created by the weapon, and the effect of these environments on humans and man-made objects. Our deep understanding of physical laws is applied to developing high-fidelity, first-principles simulations of these abnormal environments.

Our multi-disciplinary staff integrates weapons and advanced robotic systems that can maximize the reach of our warfighters. We develop and analyze weapons and effects for electromagnetic pulse, directed energy, and electronic warfare. These, along with cyber, kinetic-lite, and functional defeat options, are providing new ways to defeat enemy targets.

ARA designs weapon systems with enhanced survivability, penetration depth, range, and explosive performance. We also develop advanced nonlethal and lethal concepts and designs that make weapon systems smarter and limit collateral damage. ARA’s long history in offensive counter-WMD weapon system development and testing provides warfighter confidence in system capabilities.

ARA assists military contractors in ensuring that aircraft weaponry operates as designed by manufacturing munitions fuzing antennas that control the detonation of missiles, and our expertise in low observability and counter surveillance enables our military to protect its personnel and equipment from a variety of threats, including ground control intercept radars, surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and airborne interceptors.