Technology Improvements to Lower the Cost of the 11-Round Guide Housing by at Least $800K

The objective of this Composites Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC) project is to develop an updated 11-Round Guide design incorporating current state-of-the-art composite materials technology in order to achieve a more costeffective and lighter weight SeaRAM 11-Round Guide. An acquisition cost savings target of 50 percent has been established by PEO-IWS Close in Weapons System (CIWS) Program Office. Appropriate consideration will be given throughout the project to ensure that the lessons learned on the 11-Round Guide housing will be directly applicable to the 21-Round Guide. Phase 1 gathered the existing requirements and Technical Data Package, conducted a manufacturing trade study and evolved and down selected to one conceptual design for the 11-Round Guide housing that is lower in cost and lighter in weight. Phase 1 culminated in a Preliminary Design Review that also served as the gate for Phase 2. Phase 2 consists of Manufacturing Risk Reduction Testing, Final Design and Tooling Design. Phase 2 will complete upon successfully passing a Critical Design Review. Finally, Phase 3 will consist of building 3 SeaRAM 11- Round Guides and using those guides to execute the qualification test plan.

Based on cost estimates to date, this project will lower the unit cost of the 11-Round Guide housing by at least $800K and as much as $1,200K while reducing the weight by 10-25 percent. Additional benefits to be realized include: (1) a parts count reduction, (2) lower maintenance cost through a reduction in aluminum parts and (3) an improvement to the permeability characteristics of the guide. Improvements to the 11-Round Guide will be applicable to the 21-Round Guide as well.

This project is anticipated to occur over three phases. Phase 2 commenced upon successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review in Phase 1. Phase 2 includes the Risk Reduction Testing, Final Design, Tooling Design, Tooling Fabrication and the Critical Design Review. Phase 3 includes the fabrication of three complete guides, all qualification testing and will culminate in a Production Readiness Review. Phase 3 of this project is expected to complete in time for a 2017 implementation.

*Prepared under ONR Contract xxxxxx-xx-x-xxxx as part of the Navy ManTech Program.

*DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. DCN# xxxx-xxx-xx