ADVANCED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE SHIPS

New high performance surface ships are weight critical, and the application of lightweight materials in the structures of these ships provides significant potential for reducing weight. A long range program has been planned for the development of advanced composite structural components of high performance surface ships. The program will address the potential advantages of composites in the strut/foil systems of advanced hydrofoil ships. "Trade-off" studies for hydrofoil ships have demonstrated the potential for weight reduction of foil systems and structural validation of some representative foil elements has been initiated. Similar "trade-off" studies are proposed to address other applications of composites. Supporting materials programs have been oriented to address environmental and fabrication problems associated with high performance ship structures.