There is a great need for advanced structural materials for a wide range of strategic defense applications such as prime power systems, antennae, tracking and pointing systems, solar collectors, and pressure vessels. Each of these structures pose unique sets of problems but at the same time present a number of generic requirements. These requirements include: lightweight, high stiffness, high strength, dimensional stability, long life expectancy in the space environment, cost effectiveness, impact resistance, and high temperature resistance. This effort is expected to provide the strategic defense designer with a reinforcement system, which is in itself advanced and which can be used to reinforce a range of matrices. The fiber involved is the ultra-high modulus, pitch-based, graphite fiber (modulus - 120 million psi). A unique weaving system is being adapted to handle fibers considered by many as unweavable to the production of fabrics and preforms using the ultra-high modulus graphite fiber. This cost effective technique would provide a whole family of materials capable of meeting strategic defense needs. In the commercial arena, there could be interest in advanced turbine engine design for aircraft and land based power generation.
