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

This Phase I program will provide the NAVY with advanced composite materials and automated manufacturing processes for missile canisters that will reduce weight and cost and improve the performance of launch canisters for future generations of missiles. SDC will utilize our detailed knowledge of launch canisters and composites expertise to develop an outer shell design that meets the harsh 100 PSI pressure requirement for the Mk 41 and Mk 57 Vertical Launching System (VLS). The most efficient, automated and cost effective method of producing canister outer shells to meet this requirement is filament winding. In addition to producing the best weight to pressure ratio, SDC has several proprietary methods pertaining to filament winding of canister outer shells that greatly improves the performance of the canister for other requirements such as drop, shock, permeability and EMI protection.