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Aerodynamic Dome Manufacturing Cost Reduction
Navy SBIR FY2013.2
| Sol No.: |
Navy SBIR FY2013.2 |
| Topic No.: |
N132-121 |
| Topic Title: |
Aerodynamic Dome Manufacturing Cost Reduction |
| Proposal No.: |
N132-121-0864 |
| Firm: |
OptiPro Systems LLC
6368 Dean Parkway
Ontario, New York 14519 |
| Contact: |
Ed Fess |
| Phone: |
(585) 265-0160 |
| Web Site: |
www.OptiPro.com |
| Abstract: |
Future missile systems will abandon the traditional hemi-spherical shape for shapes resembling a tangent Ogive. An ogive shaped dome has better aerodynamic capabilities than its spherical counterpart. This enables the missile to fly faster, farther, and with more accuracy while also increasing its payload capacity. The optical material of choice is polycrystalline alumina, PCA, which is a hard ceramic material that OptiPro has extensive experience with. OptiPro has a unique opportunity to create the manufacturing solution by combining its UltraSurf, a newly developed non-contact measurement solution for the Navy's ogive SBIR metrology program, its extensive knowledge of CAD/CAM, and freeform capable computer numerically controlled precision optical grinding and polishing products. OptiPro's technologically advanced optical manufacturing capabilities along with a support partnership with the Penn State University Electro Optics Center, gives us a very strong team and, clear path towards solving the difficult problems associated with, grinding, finishing, and measuring of PCA ogive domes. |
| Benefits: |
The anticipated benefits are numerous for low-drag infrared domes as they provide better aerodynamic characteristics for future military aircraft and missile applications. Conformal corrector optics will allow for the possibility to utilize more aerodynamic ogive shaped missiles in the future. NASA is currently working on projects for next generation space telescopes, which will require large quantities of lightweight freeform mirrors. Finally OptiPro is working with several medical, imaging systems, with applications for these difficult to fabricate optical shapes that will satisfy their optical transmission, weight and size requirements.
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