Consolidation, Functional Integration, and Optimization of Composite Missile Structures

The primary focus of the Phase I effort will be the Path Finder Study for the development of a Proof-Of-Concept (POC) weight reduction effort to support simultaneous materials & processes selections, parts consolidation, and functional integration. Advatech will perform the POC study on a representative missile configuration to be determined in cooperation with the sponsoring organization. Substantial weight savings can be realized by eliminating joints and consolidating the individual parts of a structural assembly into a single unified structure. Significant gains can also be realized through the integration of the functions of peripheral hardware into the structure. The key tenets of the approach are the use of trade studies, identification of key parametric sensitivities and interactions using Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques; with robust optimization of the consolidated and functionally integrated structures as the Phase I Option Task. In doing so, we will satisfy the objectives of the program to provide solutions to reduce weight, reduce procurement cost; lower life cycle cost; lower operational maintenance; reduce lead times; enhance mission reliability; and improve manufacturability for low-rate, non-labor intensive production for BMD systems.