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Northern
Arizona Progressive Design |
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Phone:
520-518-0049 |
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Project Description |
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Team Leader—L. Rus Payne Lead Design Engineer—Daniel Cole Design Process Coordinator—Rick
Huisman Communications Officer—Beau Wilson Financial
Officer—Jason Mendoza |
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J-9 Umbilical
Connector Failure For: Raytheon Missile Systems 1151 E. Hermans Road Tucson, AZ 85706 |
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The J-9 electrical connector transmits information
and electrical power from the guidance computer in the airplane to the
missile. The missile is attached to the airplane wing or fuselage via the
missile rail. The missile rail secures the missile in flight and houses the
electrical umbilical retraction assembly. The umbilical is attached to the
missile with a buffer connector that protects the J-9 umbilical during
missile firing. Milliseconds prior to the missile firing, the J-9 umbilical
with the buffer connector attached is retracted into the rail. The buffer is a sacrificial part and is
disposed of after each missile is unloaded. If the missile is not attached to
the rail, the J-9 connector is protected with a dust cap that screws into the
center of the connector. Two models of the dust cap exist. The first model is
a cap with a ratcheting screw mechanism to prevent over torquing, and a
standard cap that is to be installed with a torque wrench. The second cap has
been phased out because of the ability to over torque the dielectric
material. The
insulating portion of the J-9 connector is cracking, leading to a shorting of
the electrical system. This is a
costly malfunction that leads to the failure of the missile and destruction
of the missile guidance system. Currently there is not a definitive cause of
failure. However, it is implied to be
the result of excessive loading in the insulating portion of the J-9
connector. NAPD is to eliminate the insulating material from the load path or
otherwise prevent the cracking and shorting of the J-9 connector. For logistics and cost benefits it is
desired to create a retrofit that will be easy to implement in the field. |
