Development of a Low Maintenance Composite Tower to Replace the AB-1368 Tower

Ebert Composites Corporation (Ebert) of Chula Vista, CA is a small business that has successfully executed and completed numerous SBIR Phase I, II, and IIIs for the US Air Force and Hill AFB. These have centered around new technologies for composite radar domes (radomes) and composite radar support towers. This proposal is a Phase II project, wherein Ebert will design an advanced composite tower for upgraded and heavier radar installations of the future. The tower will be corrosion-resistant and low maintenance and leverage the successful long-term exposure of a “like design” by Ebert, which remains installed at an extreme-salt-laden atmospheric location. Thus Ebert is confident this “Low Maintenance Composite Tower” will withstand all environments, with zero maintenance required, for a minimum of 20 years. The design effort will culminate in a prototype tower being manufactured, delivered, and installed an active US military location. The following proposal is presented in three sections. The first two sections provide informative background history on previous composite tower development contracts that have been successful, and continue to provide valuable long-term data. The third section provides details on the program, including deliverables and milestones.