Reusable Composite Forward Closure System for Submarine Launched Missile Applications

Forward closure systems must protect submarine missiles from the surrounding underwater environment during storage, and allow for unabated missile egress during launch. The goal of this program is to design a fully reusable, composite forward closure system for use on submarine launch canisters that is capable of withstanding harsh submarine environments, will reduce material and labor costs, and will eliminate harmful launch debris. The system's primary mode of operation shall be active operation, but will allow for passive missile egress should failure of the active system occur during launch. Composite materials are unique in their ability be tailored for individual applications, making them the ideal candidate for a system that requires high strength, while imparting minimal load on an egressing missile. During this project, San Diego Composites will design a completely reusable forward closure system capable of withstanding a 150 PSI underwater environment that can operate in a timeframe on the order of milliseconds. SDC plans to meet the goals of this project by utilizing our extensive design and analysis knowledge, advanced composite manufacturing techniques, and highly detailed testing experience.