Composite DACS Nozzle for Next Generation Interceptor

Fiber Materials Inc. (FMI) has developed and delivered carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (C-SiC) composite nozzles and thrust chambers for solid and liquid/gel fueled divert and attitude control systems (DACS) to Aerojet. The C-SiC material system has been validated with 3700 degrees F solid propellant. The proposed program will address identified barriers to transition of the material system and position C-SiC composite material technology for use with the emerging next generation SM-3 Block IIB interceptor. The C-SiC system will facilitate a shift from current refractory metal construction technology to a ceramic matrix composite design with increased pressure capability with lower mass. This added capability will enable higher performance DACS designs and is applicable to other interceptor systems. In Phase I, FMI teamed with a prime contractor, will review the thermal-mechanical database. The critical component design properties with the lowest margins will be identified. FMI will build C-SiC materials from the current baseline carbon fiber as well as from a domestic source to assess the viability of replacing fiber type at the beginning of the Phase II program. Phase II will complete the building of a statistical database with multiple sample lots tested and fabricate Block IIB components for hot gas demonstration.