Composite Designs for the V-22 Cockpit Cage

The opportunity represented by this proposal is to reduce the weight and fabrication costs of the V-22 Osprey cockpit cage by introducing weight efficient composites into the design of this component. As the trend towards advanced aircraft continues, weight savings becomes a critical parameter in the design of aircraft components. Many of these components are currently fabricated utilizing metallic materials which enable the design goals of the component to be achieved, but at a substantial weight penalty. The cockpit cage in the V-22 Osprey is currently fabricated from titanium to provide for meeting the structural requirements. As with any flight hardware, weight is critical, and the current cockpit cage design carries a significant weight penalty. The selection of titanium results in a heavy structure which is expensive to fabricate. The introduction of more weight efficient composite material designs into this component offers the opportunity to produce a more acceptable flight-weight system. The proposed program will identify composite designs and fabrication procedures for the V-22 cockpit cage which meet the design goals of the current cockpit cage, and provide significant weight savings at a reduced cost.