Composite Structures for Missile Systems

The objective of this Phase II task is to develop materials and an uptake hatch for use in topside missile launch systems that will reduce costs and increasing ship availability.   In this project, PEI a develop a new missile cell hatch using composite materials that will reduce life cycle costs while meeting all performance requirements.  The hatch panel design will utilize state-of-the-art materials that are corrosion resistant, heat resistant, durable and low maintenance.  The design, analysis, fabrication and evaluation of the uptake hatch will meet ship structural components and environmental requirements. PEI hatches will have improved performance and a lower rate of corrosion from the marine environment and the missile exhaust gas products. The overall objective of this Phase II project is to develop a corrosion-resistant uptake hatch.  PEI will develop composite materials that have performance characteristics of toughness, high temperature capability and corrosion resistance. PEI will focus on developing a corrosion-resistant uptake hatch that will significantly reduce costs associated with maintenance and refurbishment, as well as improve system availability.  The CR Uptake Hatch design will utilize PEI developed materials that will be combined in a design to meet the following performance characteristics, tough and durable to mitigate erosion due to the missile plume, able to resist degradation due to high temperatures (500-600 ºF), and inherently corrosion resistant to the marine environment. PEI will build and perform in house testing prototypes at our facility in Lincoln NE. Additional prototypes will be delivered to the Navy for testing at NSWC-PHD and at the USS Desert Ship (LSS-1) Test Facility, White Sands,in live-fire missile tests.