Lightweight Advanced Composite Mortar Barrels

Triton Systems Inc. proposes to design, develop the fabrication processes, and to test a full-bore subscale prototype composite 81-mm type M252 mortar barrel, to demonstrate a 30% weight reduction and advantageous thermal management in a full-sized Mortarbarrel. The Army's mission for this lightweight high thermal performance mortar is based on the company level requirement of high firepower, extended range and un-mounted infantry transport. The barrel section will be fabricated using either an aluminummatrix composite (AMC) structural jacket with a steel liner or a proprietary functionally graded metal ceramic matrix composite (MCMC) structure with a fully dense ceramic matrix composite liner. In either case, the structural jacket will be fabricatedfrom fiber-reinforced aluminum that has demonstrated excellent fatigue resistance at elevated temperature, a high tensile strength of 200 ksi, and a low density of 3.4 g/cc. At the conclusion of the proposed SBIR Phase I program the feasibility of usingthese high specific strength composite materials to achieve the required weight reduction and thermal management under the high firing rates in an 81-mm mortar will completed. The Advanced Composite Mortar proposed for development on this program isexpected to have a direct impact on the M252 mortar by reducing the overall weight and barrel soak temperature. Additional near term Army applications include the M224 mortar and other gun systems requiring light weight and high thermal energydissipation. Future systems applications include hydraulic actuators and pressure vessels for aerospace and commercial aircraft. Additional applications include bicycle frames and related components, automobile components such as drive shafts andpropeller hub assemblies and airframe components of all kinds.