Integration of a MEMS based safe arm and fire device

The paper describes a new architecture of a Safe Arm and Fire device (SAF) that could constitute a real breakthrough for safe miniature fuzing device. On the one hand, it takes all the functions embodied in a conventional mechanical arm and fire system and integrates them in a single 1 cm(3) package made of assembly of different parts. On the other hand, for the first time, it combines a mechanical arming unit with electrical safety functionalities on the same silicon initiator's chip. It respects the STANAG 4187 norm (1 A/W during 5 min of not fire) and requires only 635 mW for ignition. The paper presents the design, fabrication and test of one miniature SAF device integrating a micropyrotechnical actuation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.