Advanced Composite Submarine Trunk and Fairing for the Universal Modular Mast

In Phase I KaZaK initiated preliminary design studies of the Advanced Composite Mast, comprised of two major parts, the Guide Trunk and Fairing Assembly of the Universal Modular Mast. These components comprise 80% of UMM weight and are excellent candidates for composite material replacement. By converting both parts from stainless steel weldments to composite designs, a considerable percentage of total UMM system weight can be eliminated. In Phase I KaZaK investigated design concepts meeting the baseline applied load and stiffness requirements for UMM, with emphasis on the guide trunk design. In Phase II work will continue with the development of a composite-optimized design for this component. Efforts will include refinement of the preliminary finite element analysis work initiated in Phase I, followed by design review, detail part fabrication and testing, full scale tooling design and fabrication, manufacturing process development, and production and testing of full scale prototype trunks. The fairing design will be similarly considered within the availability of Phase II and III funds. Testing will show that the composite components can meet mechanical requirements of the steel UMM baseline, including strength, stiffness, and straightness tolerances. Designing for manufacturability will keep cost of composite mast trunks competitive with steel.