Very Lightweight High Tenacity Fabric for High Altitude Airships (MSC P1F46-446)

Improved lightweight fabric materials and constructions are needed to meet the multifunctional performance requirements (e.g., high tensile strength, fatigue strength, durability, environmental resistance) for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) High Altitude Airship (HAA). The proposed research program will develop and demonstrate the manufacturing feasibility and performance of lightweight, multifunctional hybrid fabrics to provide the optimal combination of performance characteristics for the HAA skins. The use of hybrid fiber and fabric constructions provides the opportunity for achieving multifunctional performance at reduced weight and potentially reduced cost compared to current fabric designs. This will provide the capability for longer duration missions and reduced maintenance. Advanced lightweight fiber materials will be considered in combination with other fiber materials as part of a comprehensive trade study. Innovative fabric constructions will be developed using improved textile modeling tools to predict fabric properties for a variety of materials and fabric architectures. A minimum of three fabric constructions will be designed and evaluated in terms of performance, manufacturability, and cost. The influence of constituent fiber/yarn properties (e.g., density, denier, twist) and weave construction on fabric properties will be evaluated. Selected fabric constructions will be produced and tested to provide an initial demonstration of manufacturing feasibility and performance.