High Temperature Third Stage Rocket Motor Case for Advanced Interceptors

Phase 4 of the Missile Defense Agency"s Phased Adaptive Approach will include the deployment in 2021 of a land based Aegis missile to provide early intercept capability. The third stage rocket motor (TSRM) case in the interceptor payload has been identified as an excellent component for weight reduction through the use of high temperature composite materials to reduce the amount of internal insulation and external thermal protection material. Also, a potential configuration of the TSRM employs a flattened spherical shape propellant case. San Diego Composites, Inc. (SDC) is proposing a program to demonstrate a high temperature Composite TSRM casewith a low aspect ratio propellant tank with application to the SM3 Blk IIB LDACS. The goal is to show a weight reduction and increase propellant volume compared to traditional cases and to achieve TRL 6/MRL 7 at end of Phase II. In the Phase II project, SDC will develop the design, perform analysis, build test articles, burst test articles and correlate test results with predictions. The goal is to transfer the technology to the propulsion contractors for evaluation during the Production Development phase of the SM3 Blk 2B program.