The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), has been tasked to design a shielded enclosure to be incorporated in an enclosed mast made of compos materials. This enclosure will house processing equipment which is known to be susceptible to electromagnetic energy. In addition to electromagnetic considerations, the design must accommodate the structural, fire prevention/control, signature, ballistics, and weight requirements which have been developed for the composite mast.

Some preliminary work has ready been done by NSWCDD and other supporting organizations. Studies to determine the electromagnetic environment, lightning and erostatic discharge requirements, and available shielding materials are being conducted by NSWCDD and contractor personnel. Preliminary design requirements for the shielded room were developed based on these studies.

During this project, systems engineering principles were applied to ion of shielding materials for the shielded room. The previously developed requirements as well as system performance, cost, maintenance, and other life cycle issues were considered during the selection process.