General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Inc.

Michael D Halsey

Milton Puriefoy

A method of manufacturing a hollow section grid-stiffened panel comprises providing a tool () having a surface (). The stiffened skin composite panel is preassembled comprising laminating a composite outer skin () on the surface, placing a separator outer layer () on the composite outer skin (), and laminating a composite stiffener () on the mandrel (), the mandrel being positioned on the separator layer (), wherein the separator layer () separates the stiffener () and the mandrel () from the outer composite skin (). The preassembled outer skin composite panel is cured on the tool. The separator layer () and mandrel () are removed from the preassembled stiffened skin composite panel. The stiffened skin composite panel is reassembled, comprising applying an adhesive between the composite outer skin () and the composite stiffener (). The reassembled stiffener skin composite panel is cured on the tool to bond the stiffener skin to the outer skin.

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Marion, VA, United States of America

Michael D Halsey