Hypersonic vehicles and weapons systems offer the ability to quickly strike across the globe and are essential for the future of the U.S. armed forces. Operating these systems at hypersonic speeds presents new engineering challenges. Current high temperature RF cables are limited to 1000C operation and RF connectors to 600C. In this proposed phase I effort, GTL will leverage current developments in a funded DARPA effort as well as in-house production methods to develop high temperature RF cables and connections capable of 1200-1500C operation. Evaluation samples will be produced and tested in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the methods.
Benefit: At the conclusion of Phase II, GTL anticipates having validated the concepts for high-temperature RF cables and connectors by fabricating operational test articles and testing them in a representative ground environment. This will significantly expand the temperature operating envelope for hypersonic vehicle RF communications. Commercial applications include hypersonic systems, propulsion systems and other high-temperature systems. Robust, high temperature cables are useful in many engineering applications including energy production, aircraft systems, and spaceflight and re-entry vehicles. In hypersonic systems, the improved temperature capability of RF cables will enable critical instrumentation and communication technologies. This will aid existing system operation, as well as the development of new systems. Furthermore, improved robustness will reduce costly and difficult cable replacement in reusable systems.
Keywords: Propulsion, Propulsion, hypersonic, RF, connectors, cable, High Temperature
