COMPOSITE MATERIAL DESIGNS FOR ASROC LAUNCHER MK112

ADVANCED COMPOSITES HAVE POTENTIAL FOR EFFECTING WEIGHT SAVINGS AND PROVIDING CORROSION RESISTANCE TO A VARIETY OF MILTARY APPLICATIONS. THE MK112 ASROC LAUCHER MODS 1-8 AND GUIDE, ES114, HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING EXPERINECED CORROSION AND WEIGHT PROBLEMS. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF RESINS AND FIBERS AVAILABLE FOR USE AS STRUCTURAL MATERIALS THESE INCLUDE GLASS, KEVLAR & CARBON FIBERS,AND POLYESTER VINELESTER AND EPOXY THERMOSET SYSTEMS. THERE ARE SOME NEW THERMOPLASTIC RESINS SUCH AS PEEK, WHICH WHEN REENFORCED WITH GLASS OR CARBON FIBERS OFFER WEIGH, STRENGTH, REPAIRABILITY AND PRODUCTIBILITY ADVANTAGES. ALL OF THESE MATERIALS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY CORROSION FREE. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF MANUFACTURING METHODS, WET LAYUP, FILAMENT WINDING, ROOM TEMPERATURE OR OVEN CURVE, HIGH PRESSURE AUTO CLAVE, PRESS MOULDING ETC. THIS ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT WILL ANALYZE THE COMPONENTS OF THE ASROC LAUNCHER AND DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL & MANUFACTURING METHODS FOR SUBSTITUTION TO ACHIEVE WEIGHT REDUCTION & FREEDOM FROM CORROSION.