Lightweight, Low Cost Missile Canister Shell Solution for Future Surface Ship VLS Applications

Missile canisters are often an overlooked aspect of missile launch systems and there is a push to increase technology in this area, specifically to decrease weight and cost as well as increase performance. SDC was awarded a Phase I program to provide the NAVY with advanced composite materials and automated manufacturing processes for large missile canisters that will reduce weight, cost and improve the performance of launch canisters for future generations of missiles in the VLS family. Through this effort SDC has pioneered a new manufacturing method which combines highly automated and low cost filament winding with high tech stitched composites typically used in aircraft applications. SDC's detailed knowledge of launch canisters and composites expertise helped to develop this technology solution. SDC successfully applied this technology to manufacture a composite VLS outer shell design that was pressure tested to 140 Psi with no catastrophic failure. Cost analysis also showed that using filament winding with stitched composites helped reduce production costs significantly for VLS tubes and also added performance. SDC will optimize its technology in the Phase II and show 100% compliance to all requirements.