Hybrid Composite Nose Fairing Material

San Diego Composites (SDC) proposes to create a hybrid composite material nose fairing that meets all structural and RF requirements required to replace the existing Trident II D5 fairing. SDCs proposed solution consists of a hybrid sandwich construction that will have high strength and stiffness to withstand the lifting weight of the missile, flight loads, and missile egress environments while allowing for radio transmission through the structure at the required antenna locations. Materials selected for the nose fairing will have been extensively characterized (or will be in Phase II) to reduce risk in the extended life-time application. The nose fairing will be designed with a similar profile, weight, and center-of-gravity to the existing fairing in order to streamline integration into the Trident life-extension program.SDC will be teaming with Mentis Sciences, subject matter experts in RF materials development, design, and manufacturing and possessing in-house testing capabilities that will be leveraged to quantify radio transparency of candidate materials and the nose fairing design. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor on Trident missile, has technically reviewed SDCs approach, and provided their technical support of the Phase 1 program.