Crashworthy Ballistic Tolerant Fuel Tank Weight Reduction

Production Products and the University of Delaware - Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) will develop a 200-gallon fuel tank design concept that will be 50% less parasitic weight than the current lowest weight crashworthy, ballistically tolerant, self-sealing (Type I) tank construction at 0.9 lb/ft2. This design will meet the requirements of MIL-DTS-27422C and withstand the threshold threat of 0.50 Caliber and objective threat of 14.5mm AP projectiles. The program will be based upon our expertise in filament winding and capabilities in modeling/analysis of composite structures and ballistic materials. In Phase I we will conduct an analytical and experimental engineering evaluation of the design concept for a lighter weight 200-gallon fuel tank. We will down select materials that will make up a multi-layer fuel tank wall and will fully establish the feasibility of each layer to the function of the fuel tank. We will evaluate and down select alternate materials and processes, and establish firm design requirements for all parameters of the fuel tank system so as to meet the Army requirements defined for this program. The fuel tank designs will be considered by on weight, scalability, and cost. It will also be designed for ease of installation, operation, removal and replacement.