High Temperature, High Stress GPS Antenna Window

The development of guided munitions offers interesting challenges in system, component, and materials design. Indeed, system requirements drive component requirements which, in turn, drive material requirements. A prime example of this linkage may be seen in the component of focus for this proposed effort; a GPS antenna. The primary functionality of these components, EM transparency for tracking and guidance communications, is coupled with severe environmental and thermo-structural loading conditions. As a result, holistic material design is seen as an absolute necessity. In brief, this program proposes to advance antenna window materials technology for applicability to a new class of rapid launch munitions. The Phase I program will investigate the viability of select fibrous ceramic composites in meeting the defined requirements. To mitigate risk, an established antenna window material system is proposed as a baseline. Material property and performance enhancement schemes focus on fiber architecture, matrix composition, and densification approach. The material systems will utilize a tailored three-directional fiber architecture to help meet directional property requirements. The candidate material systems will be manufactured in plate form, with a thickness representative of the antenna window, and test samples extracted. Testing will include mechanical, thermal, and dielectric property evaluation, and inertial load performance.