Lockheed Martin demonstrates low-cost method for manufacturing large, complex composite structures in Advanced Fleet Ballistic Missile Project
SUNNYVALE, CA, March 14th, 2001 -- Lockheed Martin Space Systems operations Advanced Technology Center, working with the structural design engineers from the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program, successfully demonstrated use of a low-cost, vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process to manufacture a large, complex structure integral to the TRIDENT II D5 fleet ballistic missile. The VARTM project began in 1996 and is one of several independent research and development (IRAD) technology evaluation projects conducted since 1994 to demonstrate advanced material, designs and manufacturing methods/technologies that will significantly reduce the cost of components for future generations of submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
"This VARTM demonstration is a major step forward in advancing the producibility of large, complex-shaped, high-performance, integral composite structures," said Allan Chan, manager, FBM Mechanical Product Support. "These advances in composites will enable us to provide our customers with affordable, low-cost and high performance structural components at a significantly reduced cost in the future.''
The large structure fabricated to demonstrate the technology was derived from a one-quarter section of the D5 equipment section, consolidating multiple major graphite/epoxy composite parts and forged metal fittings, numerous clips and metallic stiffeners, and thousands of fasteners using integral structural design concepts and VARTM manufacturing methods. The equipment section accounts for more than half of the total structure cost of the D5 missile.
Compared to traditional aerospace composite fabrication methods, the VARTM process allows integration of parts and can be cured "out-of-autoclave" as a single component. The VARTM demonstration article reduced the part count from 61 to one and eliminated more than 376 fasteners. The corresponding manufacturing costs were reduced by approximately 75 percent while maintaining the structure's weight and achieving higher structural efficiency. These savings came from eliminating the substantial labor, material, tooling and equipment costs in the present, built-up, design.
The project also demonstrated various infusion techniques to assure uniform resin flow/penetration/distribution even in complex geometry. Material testing of coupons showed mechanical properties similar to those produced using the conventional autoclave method.
The one-quarter equipment section is one of the largest and most complex composite components ever produced using the VARTM manufacturing method.
In 1955, the Navy selected Lockheed Martin Space Systems operations in Sunnyvale, Calif. as its prime missile contractor and missile system manager. Since then, the Lockheed Martin team has designed, developed, produced and supported six successive generations of FBM- POLARIS (A1), POLARIS (A2), POLARIS (A3), POSEIDON (C3), TRIDENT I (C4) and TRIDENT II (D5).
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo., is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include space launch and ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.
Steve Tatum
Phone: (408) 742-7531
Pager: (888) 926-2912
stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com
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