Extremely High Temperature EO/IR Aperture Materials Maturation and Manufacturing Development for High Speed Systems

The DoD is looking for high temperature IR aperture materials to operate on high speed missile platforms including hypersonic vehicles. Current boost-glide vehicles require forward looking sensors in mounted flush on a doubly curved surface and placed in a forward-looking location on a high L/D body. Temperatures may reach or exceed 1800°C for limited portions over the course of flight. Aperture materials are required to provide high transmissivity at temperature after having been exposed to highly transient aerothermal heat loads and requisite thermally induced stresses. To address the critical need for IR aperture materials, ReLogic proposes to improve an advanced monolithic ceramic material and to validate its improved performance through continued manufacturing process improvements and rigorous ground testing and evaluation in flight representative environments. Approved for Public Release | 22-MDA-11339 (13 Dec 22)