Structural Health Monitoring System for Rocket Motor Cases

Filament wound fiber reinforced composite rocket motor cases are widely used on MDA missile systems. However, significant performance and behavior characteristics of the composite structure can be affected by degradation resulting from exposure to environmental conditions or damage resulting from handling conditions. Fueling of the rocket motor adds an additional complexity in that inspection of the interior becomes impossible while creating the possibility of disbonds between the case and fuel. These factors can have potentially catastrophic consequences for the missile performance. The primary focus of this project will be the application of Acellent's SMART Layer technology to rocket motor case structural health monitoring. Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion, located in San Jose, CA has agreed to be the OEM application. The project will develop and test a structural health monitoring system for the Pratt & Whitney the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) or Ground Based, Mid-Course Defense (GMD) rocket motor cases.