Multifunctional Hybrid Textiles for Integrated Heat Shield/Airframe Structures(MSC P6037)

Advanced missile defense interceptors will require improved solutions for integrating thermal protection systems and high strength composite airframe structures to meet the performance goals for lightweight, low cost, ablative/insulation performance, lightning strike protection, resistance to degradation or damage from adverse weather conditions and structural integrity at elevated temperatures. Improvements in manufacturing processes are also desired to reduce costs associated with current labor intensive heatshield manufacturing and assembly procedures. In order to meet the multifunctional performance goals, an integrated heatshield/airframe structure material system employing hybrid fiber bundles, advanced textile preforms and nanoparticle reinforcements is proposed. Candidate fiber and resin material systems and functionally gradient composite constructions will be identified and evaluated. Analytical material models will be developed and thermostructural analyses will be performed to evaluate candidate heatshield/airframe material combinations. The innovation involves the integration of functional material characteristics at the constituent level to provide design tailorability and compatibility with manufacturing process methods. Alternate manufacturing approaches for integrating the hybrid textile pre-forms will be evaluated. A final prototype hybridized material system for the integrated heatshield/airframe will be down-selected for Phase II manufacturing scale-up and performance demonstration.