Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of Missile Launcher Ablatives

MK-41 VLS exhaust paths are lined with ablative insulation that chars and ablates with each missile firing. There is no way to inspect, in-situ, chemical and physical changes to the ablatives. Such measurements are complicated because ablative materials: vary with location, are low density, and degrade non-linearly with firings.Failure of VLS insulation is not an option – but the usage life of these large, complex, expensive structures must be maximized.In Phase I, the research team demonstrated ability to use a small, rugged NDE system to assess variations in new and as-fired ablatives. In Phase II we propose to significantly expand lab and field experiments to expand correlations between NDT data and properties of ablatives such as thickness and thermal damage levels. We will use these measurements to estimate remaining safe firings based on ablative condition.We will also build, field test and deliver to the Navy a rugged, handheld NDT system for sailors to use to collect ablative condition data.