Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N143-130

Description

To address the Navy need for replacement missile nose fairings, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new radio frequency RF Transparent Ceramic Composite for Missile Nose Fairings (CERFAIR) material and fabrication process. This composite will allow, for the first time, low-cost, scalable manufacturing of complex shapes for use as missile nose cone fairings. The proposed material is based on a ceramic coated polymer composite that is RF transparent and has a long, 50 yr lifetime. A unique fabrication method allows the material to be used for the production of complex geometries, an innovation that can be applied to private industry. The CERFAIR process results in a material with high fracture toughness, low brittleness, high resistance to thermal shock, and formability, directly addressing the Navy requirements for replacement nose fairing materials. The production method uses simplified and low cost reusable tooling and will provide not only new technology for the Navy but also profitable technology for the private sector. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of CERFAIR by fabricating and testing a subscale fairing shaped part. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a prototype consisting of subscale fairings and test samples.