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Project
Profile
Electrically Active Structures |
Customer:
U.S. Navy
Engineering
Services: Software development, material property prediction
and synthesis, knowledge base development.
Project Dates:
1995 - present
Summary:
MSC has been a team member on major Navy programs involving large
composite structures with that have demanding electromagnetic (EM)
characteristics. These structures require the structural engineer
to have a deep understanding of EM transmission requirements, and
an appreciation of low-observables design. The structure must be
optimized for the traditional structural requirements of strength,
stiffness and durability simultaneously with the constraints imposed
by the EM requirements. The ability of MSC engineers to go beyond
handbook formulations and use physics based reasoning and modeling
allows us to positively respond to the rapidly evolving world of
enclosed and embedded antenna structures.
MSC
supported the Advanced Enclosed Mast/Sensor System (AEM/S) that
was placed on the USS Radford. This 90ft tall, all-composite structure
enclosed all of the electrical systems on a traditional pole mast.
MSC's role was to support the development of materials allowables,
perform structural analyses, provide joining details, and review
all of the composite structural design. In addition, MSC was able
to perform numerous quick-response studies to address many of the
novel structural issues that arose during the program.
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U.S.S.
Radford with AEM/S Technology Demonstration Mast
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The technology
demonstrated on the USS Radford evolved to the enclosed masts currently
being built for the LPD-17 Amphibious Assault Ship. The LPD-17 uses
two enclosed composite masts. Again, MSC was an integral part of
the design team, with primary responsibility for structural joint
design, and overall determination of structural margins. As with
the Radford AEM/S, MSC's ability to use physical understanding of
composite materials and structural response allowed us to support
this fast-paced development program.
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LPD-17, U.S.S. San Antonio, with Two Enclosed
Masts
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