Surface Combatant Composite Mid-Frequency Sonar Dome (MSC P4063) Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.1 Topic No.: N121-058 Topic Title: Surface Combatant Composite Mid-Frequency Sonar Dome (MSC P4063) Proposal No.: N121-058-0042 Firm: Materials Sciences Corporation 135 Rock Road Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044 Contact: Anthnoy Caiazzo Phone: (215) 542-8400 Web Site: www.materials-sciences.com Abstract: In this proposal, Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) and its manufacturing partner Seemann Composites Inc. (SCI) have defined several synergistic material science innovations that have the potential to lower the cost, or increase the performance at the current cost, of surface combatant sonar domes. Material configurations (lamination sequence and thickness) that are sufficiently acoustically transparent in the frequency range of interest for the sonar system will be evaluated simultaneously with mechanical (structural) properties required to resist operational loads. MSC will conduct material and structural analyses and manufacture special purpose hybrid materials as required. SCI will provide inputs on manufacturing concepts for the dome and fabricate any needed test panels. A preliminary dome to ship hull joint design will be developed to support manufacturing engineering studies and cost estimates. The Phase I program will produce results needed for the government to assess cost versus performance trades for sonar windows used on many surface combatants, including DDG-1000. Benefits: Successful development and demonstration of the materials technology proposed here has the potential to significantly reduce the acquisition and maintenance cost of sonar domes used by the US Navy. It is projected that SBIR and Phase III transition investment dollars could be recovered after procurement of as few as three or four low-cost domes for US Navy destroyers and cruisers. In addition to these direct applications, MSC/SCI will pursue application of the products of this SBIR to commercial sectors that transmit acoustic signals through materials, including those in the fishing industry, the oil exploration industry, and the medical industry. Return