Thin-Ply Composite Missile Structures

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has multiple system platforms to defeat an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).The MDAs solution for defeating a midcourse threat is the Ground-Based Midcourse Interceptor (GMI).The GMI is comprised of the Orbital Boost Vehicle (OBV) and an Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), developed by Orbital ATK and Raytheon respectively.The OBV carries the EKV to the ICBM and destroys the incoming threat with kinetic energy alone, also known as hit-to-kill.In an effort to increase range and maneuverability, MDA is seeking alternative structural solutions to lighten the GMI.Composites offer increased specific strength over aluminum making them a candidate replacement material for missile structures.When compared to traditional composites, thin-ply composites possess improved damage tolerance, greater resistance to microcracking, improved fatigue resistance, reduced minimum gage thickness, and increased scalability. For these reasons, thin-ply composites hold the potential for reducing the structural mass of the GMI interstages through increased structural efficiency.In the proposed effort, Materials Research & Design (MR&D) will team with Southern Research Institute (SR) and Orbital ATK to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing the current interstages of the GMI with a thin-ply composite.Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)