Common Aero Vehicle Payload and Avionics Isolation

FMI proposes to develop an enabling technology for the Air Force's Common Aero Vehicle. This is comprised of an improved thermal insulation system for the exterior of the vehicle based on the goals of performance, cost, and weight. FMI will integrate theresults of recent and ongoing Air Force contracts to develop CAV insulation and an aeroshell for this proposed effort. This proposed effort will result in a Thermal Protection System stackup that will be constructed and thermo-mechanically tested atelevated temperature. The Phase II effort will include detailed characterization of the materials of choice for the TPS for mechanical, thermal, and physical properties, including variation between production lots. A pre-production TPS design could beestablished, manufactured, and qualified in government furnished arc-jet testing. Future hypersonic vehicles will also benefit from this TPS effort.