Radio Frequency Transparent, Nanoporous Ceramic Matrix Composite TPS Materials for Missile Radomes

Through the proposed MDA SBIR program, NanoSonic will design and empirically optimize radio frequency (RF) transparent polymer derived ceramic matrix composite (CMC) thermal protection system (TPS) materials for missile antenna radomes. The signature characteristics of NanoSonics radome materials will be selectively tuned through the covalent integration of inner multiband frequency selective surfaces containing platinum patch elements. This effort will leverage NanoSonics rapidly evolving polymer derived ceramic HybridSil nanotechnology, which has demonstrated thermo-oxidative durability > 2000 oC, thermal conductivity as low as 30 mW/mK, and exceptional rain erosion resistance. Further, NanoSonic has previously tailored this technology to develop lightweight (d=0.37) HybridSil ceramic dielectric foamswith dielectric constants as low as 1.2 and loss tangents less than 0.001 at X-band frequencies of 8-12 GHz. During the Phase I base, NanoSonic will empirically optimize the RF, thermal / insulative, and mechanical properties of its CMC TPS radome materials. Upon advancement into the Phase I option, NanoSonic will produce component scale radome structures using its in-house filament winding assembly to demonstrate near-term manufacturing capability. NanoSonic has generated significant defense prime interest in the proposed radome technology and has an established pilot scale manufacturing infrastructure that may transition down-selected resins to 55-gallon batch production quantities.Approved for Public Release | 17-MDA-9395(24 Oct 17)