Peregrine Falcon Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N221-051

Description

Peregrine Falcon Corporation offers a common architecture fin and control surface with a 2,100°C design by substituting current state-of-the-art (SoA) stainless steel (SST) and Inconel materials with proven and production ready refractory alloy of C103 (niobium) and hafnium (Hf) with manufacturing and joining methods proven on aeroshell designs for hypersonic vehicles. The structure of the fin / control surface will be based upon conventional designs substituting C103 (Nb) as the primary building material. C103 has a similar density of 8.85 gm/cc as compared to SST at 7.93 gm/cc and Inconel at 8.19 gm/cc. Leading edges will be a thin “pre-oxidized” layer of Hf to provide high temperature protection; HfO2 has a melt temperature of 2,758°C (4,994°F). In response to this solicitation, Peregrine will apply its proven proprietary technology in solid-state bonding of Multi-Layer Metal Insulation (MLMI) utilizing refractory and high temperature alloys to meet the requirements of this solicitation. Currently, Peregrine has aeroshell designs that weigh 1.2 gm/cc (.043 lbs./in3) while being able to operate to 2,100°C based upon Liquid Interface Diffusion (LID) bonding that creates rigid monolithic structure that can withstand high axial and lateral accelerations allowing the control surfaces to handle launch loads, aerodynamic loads, and high lateral loads under maneuvers. C103 is a domestically produced alloy of Nb / Hf / Ti.