Composite structures / propulsion programs
Composite Rocket Motor Casings & Tubes
Lightweight filament-wound composite structures developed for propulsion programs where structural efficiency, repeatable manufacturing and qualification support matter.
- Engineering & winding
- Prototype & build-to-print
- Qualification support
Composite Structures Built Around the Program
Steelhead applies composite design, material selection, winding-process development, tooling, manufacturing and test experience to rocket motor casings and cylindrical composite structures. Engagement can begin with an early concept, a defined performance envelope or a build-to-print requirement.
- Composite structural designEngineering support for the program’s structural and integration requirements.
- Process developmentFilament winding and manufacturability reviews connected to the design.
- Development hardwarePrototype and build-to-print manufacturing support.
- InspectionDimensional and structural inspection of the hardware.
- QualificationQualification and production acceptance test support.
- Production transitionLow-rate through scalable manufacturing pathways.
Engineering + filament winding
Design and Manufacturing, Developed Together
Rocket motor casing development brings design and manufacturing together. Steelhead can support laminate and winding strategy, manufacturability reviews, process development, prototype hardware and the transition to repeatable production.
Composite hardware
Composite Tubes & Cylindrical Structures
Steelhead designs and manufactures high-performance composite tubes, pressure-containing structures, and cylindrical assemblies for aerospace, defense, and space applications. Our expertise includes integrated metallic hardware, bonded and co-cured interfaces, pressure liners, and structural load paths, enabling lightweight, high-reliability solutions tailored to mission requirements.
Applications / mission requirements
Structures for Propulsion & Aerospace Programs
Steelhead develops lightweight composite structures for launch vehicles, tactical and strategic defense systems, interceptor programs, missile systems, experimental propulsion platforms, pressure vessels, rocket motor casings, and other mission-critical aerospace hardware. Our expertise spans integrated metallic fittings, bonded and co-cured interfaces, pressure liners, and filament-wound composite structures engineered for demanding environments.
Launch Vehicles
Pressure vessels, rocket motor casings, and composite structures for orbital and suborbital launch systems.
Defense & Missile Systems
Composite structures, motor casings, pressure vessels, and propulsion hardware for missile, interceptor, tactical, and strategic defense programs.
Spacecraft & Satellites
Pressure storage, fluid management, propulsion tanks, and structural components for commercial, civil, and defense spacecraft.
Experimental & Emerging Programs
Rapid-development hardware, prototype structures, and next-generation propulsion systems supporting advanced aerospace programs.
Start with the requirement
Start With the Program Requirement
Bring an early concept, build-to-print requirement or development objective. Share only nonrestricted information through the public inquiry form.