Structural Nuclear Effect Mitigation of Composite Aeroshells for Munitions for Air Platforms and Cruise Missile Systems

Next generation munition systems must be capable of mitigating a multitude of threats including ionizing nuclear radiation (i.e. X-ray, gamma, and neutron), electromagnetic threats, high-temperature environments, and other countermeasures such as high-power microwave (HPM). Conductive Composites Company (CCC) has a unique understanding of the problem and has spent the past three decades developing and manufacturing a suite of multifunctional composite materials to meet demanding requirements. Our approach employs a ceramic honeycomb core panel with a small amount of ceramic fiber in the honeycomb cells for thermal buffering. In addition, we propose using Gadolinium(III) oxide as an inorganic compound as a material to block nuclear particles such as neutrons and x-rays. A layer of electromagnetic protection will be applied and co-cured to the back of the panel, using high temperature soluble thermoplastic polyimide with our highly conductive materials dispersed within. This Phase I effort will result in a 12" by 12" flat panel coupon capable of meeting MIL-STD-416, 464, and 3023 that will be tested in accordance with "The Nuclear Matters Handbook, Expanded Edition" Appendix G4.1.