Natural Aging Characteristics of Electro-Mechanical Arm Fire Device

This investigation undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the life extension and performance attributes of Electro-Mechanical Arm Fire Device(AFD) systems, manufactured between 2002 and 2006, that have undergone a natural aging process spanning approximately two decades.Aging characteristics were meticulously evaluated through a series of environmental tests, Closed Boom Tests(CBT), and Electromagnetic Compatibility(EMC) tests, all conducted in adherence to US military standards.Following disassembly, a thorough examination of internal components for aging and corrosion was performed.The combustion performance test, particularly the CBT, indicated that 90% of the targeted devices demonstrated passable performance.The system achieved certification for compliance in accidental ignition scenarios during EMC testing.Upon post-disassembly analysis, no evidence pertaining to moisture penetration was observed, and all AFDs exhibited normal operational functionality.Nevertheless, a subset of AFDs manifested component defects during a 30-day high-temperature storage test, specifically designed for accelerated aging simulations.While the Electro-Mechanical AFD showed no defects after its natural aging over two decades, minor discrepancies surfaced during additional accelerated aging tests.These discrepancies did not compromise arming and ignition performance, affirming the feasibility of extending the life extension by an additional three years.