Development of Low-Cost Fiber Reinforced Materials for Sonar Domes (MSC P5027) Navy SBIR FY2005.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.2 Topic No.: N05-126 Topic Title: Development of Low-Cost Fiber Reinforced Materials for Sonar Domes (MSC P5027) Proposal No.: N052-126-0409 Firm: Materials Sciences Corporation 181 Gibraltar Road Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044 Contact: Anthony Caiazzo Phone: (215) 542-8400 Web Site: www.materials-sciences.com Abstract: Legacy material systems (e.g., steel reinforced rubber) that meet the insertion loss (IL) requirements of current acoustic windows have been shown to have difficulty meeting the structural and damage tolerance goals associated with U.S. Navy undersea operations. Newer tuned core sandwich concepts, while showing promise to improve overall reliability, are markedly more expensive than the simpler reinforced rubber domes. In this proposal, Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) outlines a plan to develop and demonstrate an innovative fiber reinforced composite material sonar dome for the SQS-53C system used on destroyers and cruisers. During the Phase I study MSC, its manufacturing partner Seemann Composites Inc., and Applied Physical Sciences Corporation, will conduct design studies, perform panel tests and manufacturing engineering studies, and conduct acoustic analyses to establish the technical and cost feasibility of using a specialized fiber reinforced composite material to meet the structural and IL requirements of a SQS-53C sonar dome. Benefits: Successful development and demonstration of the materials technology proposed here has the potential to significantly reduce the acquisition and maintenance cost of a SQS-53C sonar dome. 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 U.S. 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