Durable Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Screens for Air Cushion Vehicles

The Phase I Base effort will evaluate the replacement of the 316L CRES framing and the 316 CRES cable in the SSC FOD screen system. Studies have indicated the potential to reduce the overall weight of the FOD screen assembly by approximately 22% by replacing the metal cable. The replacement material will be investigated with respect to the material’s physical and mechanical properties, and response of the candidate replacement material to accelerated life testing for critical conditioning environments found on the SSC. Cable fittings and ends will be evaluated to determine the optimal configurations to use on the FOD screen. Additional efforts in the Phase I Base will investigate the use of alternate materials to reduce the weight of the framing system. A substitute material framing design will be evaluated analytically. The Phase I Base effort will result in a fully documented concept for a SSC FOD that meets the requirements of the solicitation. The concept will be demonstrated through laboratory testing and analytical modeling. A Phase II Program Plan will be developed. The Phase I Option includes developing the initial design and build plan and the identification, scheduling, or acquisition of the capabilities to build the proposed FOD screen.