Low Cost, Toughened Composite Antenna Enclosure

The AN/SLQ-32 Electronics Enclosure is used on a number of Navel vessels, including DDG. The enclosure is no longer in production. Current needs are met by reworking existing enclosures. The supply of reworkable enclosures is insufficient to meet demands for future DDG production, so a new source is required. KaZaK Composites proposes to develop a more modern enclosure, improving the current AN/SLQ-32 enclosure by lowering production costs, increasing durability and lowering lifecycle costs through the use of proven materials and up-to-date composites processing methods. The proposed re-design effort will allow electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding issues to be addressed, and will provide a means to evaluate improvements in radar cross section performance. The proposed Phase II effort will continue and extend the conceptual design work begun in Phase I, with emphasis in four major areas: enclosure design and analysis, production process / tooling development, prototype fabrication and comprehensive testing. Through use of proven materials, our design will significantly lower lifecycle maintenance costs by eliminating galvanic corrosion, reducing maintenance and providing a more durable, impact resistant surface. At the conclusion of the proposed effort, a proven, tested full scale prototype will be ready to transition to low rate production and sea trials.