Composite Airframes based on Structural Ceramics

Midé is proposing to develop an innovative airframe that will result in a low-cost, high-performance hypersonic airframe with an integrated thermal protection system. Hypersonic launch and flight of projectiles subjects their airframes to severe in-bore launch dynamics followed by thermal shock and loading. Recognizing these challenges, the proposed effort will investigate novel methods for fabricating a composite airframe using one or more of the following materials, maraging steel, aerogel, structural ceramics and carbon/carbon composites. Structural ceramics were identified as a class of materials that satisfy most of the airframe requirements. Midé will work with Astro Met to explore the properties of these materials and how they can be combined with carbon-carbon composites, aerogel and mMaraging Steel to satisfy all airframe requirements. For example, a thin layer of aerogel on the inside of the airframe can reduce temperatures in the electronics bay to levels where off-the-shelf low temperature electronics can be used to significantly reduce cost and risk. Phase I will develop an airframe that is inexpensive to produce, launch survivable, thermally viable, and of relatively low density. Material behavior will be verified through sample testing. In Phase II full-scale airframes will be built and tested.