Continuous Fiber Reinforced Ultrahigh Temperature Composites for Cost-Effective KKV DACS Hardware

In light of MDA's stated requirement improve the affordability, maintainability and performance of propulsion system components, whether via refinement of existing products, or development of new products Exothermics is developing a new class of ultrahigh temperature (~ 3000°C) refractory composite materials for KKV SDACS applications. Ultrahigh temperature SDACS components would be extremely desirable, for example, on the SM-3 LEAP KKV and improved variants thereof. The precious metal rhenium is used quite extensively in current-generation SDACS systems, and a good case can be made to investigate more affordable and technically appealing materials options to either augment or substantially reduce the use of rhenium over the long term. The materials system we propose for examination in Phase 1 is a continuous fiber-reinforced, ductile phase toughened composite that could have potentially outstanding ultrahigh temperature (approaching 3000°C) performance potential. Our team member for the Phase 1 development efforts in Pratt and Whitney Space Propulsion, San Jose, CA.