SYSTEM-OPTIMIZPD, ULTRA LOW-COST, HIGH-STRENGTH FUEL TANKAGE FOR LONG-RANGE MISSILES

AN ULTRA LOW-COST FUEL TANKAGE FOR EXPENDABLE TURBOJET PROPULSION SYSTEMS TO BE USED IN THE LONGFOG MISSILE IS PROPOSED. DESIGN CRITERIA AND TECHICAL OBJECTIVES BASED ON MISSION REQUIREMENTS AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS ARE PRESENTED. TWO CANDIDATE SYSTEMS ARE PROPOSED: ONE FEATURING COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE BLEED AIR FOR FUEL TANK PRESSURIZATION AND THE OTHER FEATURING A HIGH-PRESSURE BOTTLE OF INERT GAS FOR PRESSURIZATION PURPOSES. THE MISSION-SPECIFIC FEATURES DESIGNED INTO THE TANKAGE SYSTEM INCLUDE AN EXTERNAL PRESSURE VESSEL, INTERNAL FLEXIBLE FUEL BLADDER, SLOSH-MINIMIZING-INTEGRAL BAFFLES, VIBRATION-DAMPING SYSTEMS, STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENT AT CRITICAL POINTS, INSPECTION PORT AND BREATHER VALVE. DESIGN FACTORS AFFECTING RELIABILITY, FEASIBILITY, SAFETY, COST AND TOTAL SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION ARE DISCUSSED. THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IS A CYCLE OF INTERATIVE OPTIMIZATIONS BASED ON EXTENSIVE PURPOSE-DESIGNED TESTING AND APPROPRIATE SYSTEM MODIFICATION. THE CANDIDATE MATERIALS FOR THE PRESSURE VESSEL INCLUDE PLASTICS AND FRPS; AND FOR THE BLADDER INCLUDE MYLAR, TEFLON AND HIGH-ORTHOGONALITY COMPOSITES. THE CANDIDATE MANUFATURING PROCESSES WHICH INCLUDE INJECTION MOLDING, ROTATIONAL MOLDING, BLOW MOLDING, HAND LAY UP, SPRAY-UP, FILAMENT WINDING AND THERMALLY-ACTIVATED FILM SEALING ARE EVALUATED AND DISCUSSED. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS: - LOW COST AND LOW-WEIGHT FUEL TANKS FOR ALL CLASSES OF LAND, AIR AND SEA VEHICLES WITH ENHANCED SAFETY AND RELIABILITY (MILITARY & CIVILIAN) - REDUCED WEAPON SYSTEM ACQUISITION COST (FEDERAL GOVERNMENT) - APPLICATIONS FOR SPACE TRANSPORTATION AND SPACE STATION FREEDOM - SPIN OFFS FOR FOOD PACKAGING INDUSTRY - COMMERCIAL SPORTING APPLICATIONS