Surface Combatant Composite Mid-Frequency Sonar Dome (MSC P4063)

In this proposal, Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) and its manufacturing partner Seemann Composites Inc. (SCI) have defined several synergistic material science innovations that have the potential to lower the cost, or increase the performance at the current cost, of surface combatant sonar domes. Material configurations (lamination sequence and thickness) that are sufficiently acoustically transparent in the frequency range of interest for the sonar system will be evaluated simultaneously with mechanical (structural) properties required to resist operational loads. MSC will conduct material and structural analyses and manufacture special purpose hybrid materials as required. SCI will provide inputs on manufacturing concepts for the dome and fabricate any needed test panels. A preliminary dome to ship hull joint design will be developed to support manufacturing engineering studies and cost estimates. The Phase I program will produce results needed for the government to assess cost versus performance trades for sonar windows used on many surface combatants, including DDG-1000.