Radome Materials & Process for Long Flight Duration-High Speed Missiles

The Navy submarine force needs the ability stand and fight in the littorals against ASW helicopters. This can be accomplished by modifying VLS tubes to launch modified AAW weapons, UAVs, and surveillance systems from submerged submarines. A major cost driver associated with submerged encapsulated devices is the launch tubes. The tubes must meet submarine operating loads associated with gas generated launches, shock requirements and have long service life. Advances in materials and processes for carbon and glass fibers, polymers and nano-composite re-enforcements provide an opportunity to evaluate the current Tomahawk Composite Capsule Launch System for process, cost reduction and performance improvements. The Mentis Sciences team will take advantage of there expertise with the current CCLS design and production and these material advances to re-design lower costs high performance composite launch tubes for submarine systems.