Innovative Manufacturing of Novel, High-Performance Composites for Propulsion Components

"Improving performance while reducing cost and weight of kinetic energy kill vehicles and components will require the development of several innovative improvements in materials, processing and manufacturing technologies. For example, many accepted rocketnozzle-manufacturing processes are labor intensive, consume excessive amounts of energy and time, and force engineering tradeoffs involving geometry and efficiency. Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. (CRG) proposes to develop new, high-performance propulsioncomponents and sub-components based on the combination of advanced composite technology and innovative processing techniques. The result is multilayer, organic- and inorganic-matrix-composite propulsion components that are capable of achieving the desiredperformance while dramatically reducing cost. CRG has assembled a highly-qualified team of consultants to ensure the viability of transitioning and implementing the materials and process technology in propulsion components and sub-components. The teamconsists of Edison Materials Technology Center (EMTEC), who will provide technical support and consulting services; Alliant Techsystems (ATK), who will provide technical support on the design of propulsion components; and Goodrich Aerospace Corporation(formerly BF Goodrich), who will provide engineering support and manufacturing expertise to assist in integrating their proprietary polymer systems into the composite end product. The propo