EPP designs and fabricates low observable ship intake louvers that incorporate radar absorbing technologies to provide excellent signature reduction capabilities.

Radar Absorbing

We develop and produce the only qualified, non-corrosive, radar absorbing, composite louvers for the LPD 17 and DDG 51 class of ships for the U.S. Navy. Low observable properties are obtained by incorporating the radar absorbing material into the louver base structure rather than the use of the more typical surface coatings methods which are more costly and less durable. Radar absorbing intake structures can be designed to absorb electromagnetic energy over multiple bandwidths.

Moisture Separators

Ships of all types have numerous air inlets for gas turbine and diesel engines and ventilation needs. Ingestion of rain and seawater are concerns for the performance and life of ship systems. EPP has developed and manufactured a new louver system that functions as a moisture separator to minimize water intake for shipboard engines and HVAC systems. In addition to moisture and particulate removal, composite designs allow the flexibility to incorporate additional functionality such as radar absorbing. These structures can be designed to meet designated shock ratings as well. 

Lightweight, Corrosion Resistant

In addition to the low maintenance advantage of non-corrosive composites compared to metal louvers, our construction greatly reduces a ship's topside weight. In the case of the LPD-17 class, a savings of over 40 tons per ship is achieved with the improved strength-to-weight ratios of our proprietary material systems.