D.O.D. Composite High Pressure Vessels

 

Our vast knowledge of composite materials allows us to design and fabricate pressure vessels with a variety of liner materials and a variety of composite material overwraps (in an epoxy resin) including:

  • fiberglass
  • aramid (Kevlar®)
  • carbon fiber

In addition, we offer high pressure designs using thermoplastic liner materials and other super alloys (titanium, inconel, etc).

 

BAC is a certified supplier to Raytheon Missile Systems.  We use the highest strength materials to produce the lightest weight pressure vessels.  

 

 

JAVELIN MISSILE

Over the years, we have manufactured over 50,000 high pressure, nitrogen cylinders.  These cylinders are used as coolant reservoirs for the laser guidance system of the Javelin heat-seeking, anti-tank missile shown here. This anti-tank missile is key to Marines fighting on the ground.  In fact, after firing the Javelin, Marines can begin moving to a different area before the missile even reaches its target, preventing the enemy from discovering their position.  The Javelin "Top Attack" flight path hits tanks where they're most vulnerable.  It can also be fired in direct-attack mode for use against helicopters. The Javelin is a lightweight, portable system carried by two Marines and can detect infrared radiation to reveal troops and vehicles at night.  It has a 4x magnification day or night view with a minimal backblast area and reduced launch footprint.  The Javelin has a range of approximately 2,500 meters.

  

 

                                             

 

 


EXOATMOSPHERIC KILL VEHICLE  (EKV)

 


BAC also designed and manufactures this toroidal high-pressure vessel that is part of the Raytheon EKV shown below.  This cylinder is a titanium shell with a custom carbon fiber wrap. Raytheon’s Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) stands ready to defend the United States against intercontinental ballistic missiles as a mission-critical component of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system (GMD).  EKV represents the centerpiece for the Missile Defense Agency's GMD as the intercept component of the Ground Based Interceptor, also known as GBI, which is designed to engage high-speed ballistic missile warheads in space. The EKV is designed to destroy incoming ballistic missile threats by colliding with them, a concept often described as "hit to kill."  EKV has an advanced multi-color sensor that is used to detect and discriminate incoming warheads from other objects. The EKV also has its own propulsion, communications link, discrimination algorithms, guidance and control system and computers to support target selection and intercept. EKV is deployed and operational today. EKV has had eight successful intercepts throughout the life of the program.

 

 

                                 

 

Let us know your composite, lightweight, high pressure vessel needs and we would be happy to provide a quotation.  No concept is impossible (reference the toroid above).  We enjoy a challenge!