Energetic materials and systems icon: black and white silhouette of a spark blasting.

Energetic Materials & Systems

Always Targeting the Best Solutions

An aerial shot of the Opelika test range showing several sections and buildings.

Safe. Cost-Effective. Flexible. Efficient.

The IS4S integrated test range and technical development centers are uniquely capable of providing the creativity, value, and efficiency necessary to execute multifaceted explosive and ballistic development and testing services. We offer a variety of capabilities designed to directly support the DOD, DOE and commercial test requirements for rapid turnaround of proof-of-concept and prototype systems.

Our ballistics and explosive test ranges provide a “one-stop” facility with superior customer service that is safe, cost effective, flexible, and efficient. IS4S specializes in all phases of development, including conceptual design, fabrication, prototyping, execution, novel data collection, and data analysis. Our approach is to complete all aspects of the test process in-house, including test design, modeling & simulation, data acquisition, and data reduction and analysis.

We focus on high efficiency and low-cost, allowing us to rapidly iterate through emerging technologies to identify the most promising options for future efforts.

An aerial shot of an explosion on the ground, some equipment in the area.
A large testing arena with a lot of vehicle tracks in the dirt of the base and surrounded by rocky cliffs and trees.

The Opelika facility has a Secret level clearance, which allows for classified work on site. All staff members are US citizens and possess a minimum of Secret level clearance. 

Capabilities

  • 150-Acre Range

    – <5lb new detonations

    – 1,300-ft quantity-distance (QD)

    – Small arms, contained explosives, fabrication

  • 1,800-Acre Range

    – <30lb new detonations 

    – 750m gun range 

  • 3,400-Acre Range

    – 100-200lb new detonations 

    – 8,000-ft inhabited building distance (IBD) 

  • Storage & Testing

    – All sites built to DCMA 4145.26M requirements

  • Explosives Mixing

    – Remotely operated and on-site processing lab

  • Explosives Prototyping

    – Acoustic mixer, press, and ovens

  • Inventory of Precursor Chemicals

    – Rapid production and prototyping

  • Commercial Pilots

    – FAA certified class 1 UAS

  • Manufacturing

    – ATF Type 20: explosives

    – Type 10 Federal Firearms License (FFL): destructive devices

  • Licensed Blasters

    – On-site and on-staff

  • Ballistics, Solid Mechanics, & Penetration Modeling

Firing Range

Both the IS4S Opelika test facility and North Alabama Range are particularly adept at development and testing of novel munitions and payloads.

Our firing range on-site has been the location for hundreds of live-fire tests and demonstrations of novel, unique prototypes, including a suite of electronic 40mm munitions, “smart” munitions, sensors, 3D-printed configurations, new energetic payloads, and more.

Close-up of a munition in an arena.

Munitions Testing 

We have the necessary hardware to execute a variety of tests, including on-site cartridge pressing and crimping, remotely fired M203 and MK19 grenade launcher platforms, and various single-shot launchers for shoulder firing. We have multiple 40mm launchers (both high and low velocity) as well as a range of small arms in various calibers (including suppressors) for development and testing of prototypes on-site. Additionally, our Type 10 Federal Firearm License (FFL) enables us to acquire a variety of test platforms as needed. 

We have personnel experienced in designing and implementing advanced diagnostics such as flash X-ray systems, high-speed cameras, and thermal imaging as well as new, novel implementations of alternative diagnostics (fast thermocouples, ultra-fast pressure capture, etc.) depending on test data requirement needs. These tools are utilized to provide advanced data that can be fed into our in-house modeling and simulation capabilities, including penetration mechanics and multi-physics modeling codes.

A man sits at a desk wearing latex gloves, apparently building something from the metal pieces on the table.

Fabrication

IS4S has designed, fabricated, populated, and tested numerous 40mm circuit concepts, including power generation, signal conditioning, jamming, PNT, and others.

Additionally, on-site explosive/energetic mixing facilities allow for formulation and fabrication of various explosive payloads. This greatly reduces development time due to the reduction in logistics of shipping and receiving explosive materials.

Let’s talk Energetics.

We offer energetics solutions primarily out of our Opelika and Northern Alabama Range sites. From design to development to testing, we can create solutions for any part of the process.

Contact the experts to find out more!