Advanced Synergistic Structures for Interceptor Kill Vehicles

As part of the Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR) policy, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has enacted a Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for BMD interceptors over the next 10 years. Phase 4 of the PAA will include the deployment in 2020 of a land based Aegis missile to provide early intercept capability. MDA has identified several technology needs for meeting the next generation requirements. One of the technology needs is a higher performing Liquid Divert and Attitude Control System (LDACS) through lower inert weight of the structural components. To address SM3 Blk 2B"s need for higher performing LDACS, San Diego Composites, Inc. (SDC) is proposing a Phase II SBIR program to demonstrate a lower weight LDACS structure with application to the SM3 Blk 2B LDACS. The goal is to show a weight reduction compared to an all metal structure and to achieve TRL/MRL 6 at end of Phase II. The scope of work to achieve the TRL maturation in the Phase II project is to: develop the synergistic LDACS Structure, fabricate a synergistic fuel tank at component level and test for burst pressure capability, fabricate the full scale synergistic LDACS structural assembly and measure its response in relevant environments such as modal, shock and vibration under staging event and thruster firing. SDC has teamed with an SM3 Blk 2B LDACS supplier to meet the objectives of the proposed program.