Sandwich Structures for Light Turrets

Abstract

The development of sandwich turret structures for patrol boats is presented. Problems involving design compromise are discussed in the areas of high stiffness-to-weight ratio, corrosion control, damage tolerance, manufacturing methods, and cost control. The preliminary design of the turret is shown to involve predictions of performance through both analysis and testing. Design principles are seen to be different with material changes, which require a careful program for both analysis and test of a shipboard sandwich structure to guarantee the performance of a given design. However, it is seen that boat builder’s methods and materials can be used to construct a composite turret for a Gatling gun.