TOPIC NUMBER:

DLA181-009

TOPIC TITLE:

Reverse Engineering 

Technical Data 

Packages for 

Development of 

Alternate Sources of 

Supply for DLA 

Nuclear Enterprise 

Support Office 

(NESO)

CONTRACT 

NUMBER:

SP4701-18-P-0087

SBIP COMPANY 

NAME:

Parts Life, Inc.

Moorestown, NJ

TECHNICAL 

PROJECT 

OFFICE:

DLA J68 SBIP

PUBLISHED:

2021

Defense Logistics Agency

The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency

Small Business Innovation Programs

Explored Innovations

Securing Resources for US Defense & Commercial Industries 

The Elevon Barrel Seal is small, complex and essential component used in the Air 

Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) platform. In partnership with the DLA and the U.S. 

Air Force, Parts Life, Inc. manufactured these seals ensuring availability for the life 

of the asset and supporting mission readiness of DLA’s top priority weapon’s 

system.

Made in the USA

In under a year, Parts 

Life quoted the seals, 

modernized the 

technical data package, 

manufactured 

prototypes, produced 

first articles, and filled 

two contracts with a 

total quantity of 415 

units delivered to DLA. 

The Elevon Barrel Seal is 

a stainless-steel bracket 

designed from high 

strength, corrosion 

resistant stainless steel.

A specialized silicon rubber sealing is affixed to the bracket in position using a 

specially designed, 3D printed assembly template. Using the Original Equipment 

Manufacturer’s (OEM) partial technical data, Parts Life converted the documents 

to modernized material and finished the specifications. The drawings were recreated in Solidworks 3D modeling software and new drawings were produced 

with modernized specifications, improving both tolerancing and clarity for 

manufacturability. During prototyping, Parts Life used its X-Ray Fluoresce and 

Fourier Transform Infrared material scanners to verify the chemical composition 

of both the acquired metal and rubber samples before assembly could take 

place.

Specialized bending equipment and dies were required to produce the complex

PARTS LIFE QUALIFIES AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE FOR 

MODERNIZED MISSILE COMPONENTS

NUCLEAR ENTERPRISE SUPPORT

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited

BACK: 3D printed precision assembly fixture used to position the rubber 

seal into place before adhesion IAW the drawing specifications. FRONT: 

Assembled seals demonstrating the rubber adhered into position IAW 

the drawing. Images provided by Parts Life, 2021.
Defense Logistics Agency

The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency

Small Business Innovation Programs

Explored Innovations

Securing Resources for US Defense & Commercial Industries 

Made in the USA

radii defined in the part drawings. First samples were produced before the pieces 

were inspected for adherence to drawing dimensioning and tolerancing. This was 

completed using a Keyence 3D Optical Measurement Machine to inspect the first 

pieces for increased accuracy over hand measuring tools. 

Parts Life produced first articles for testing and modified the drawings based on 

Engineering Support Activity (ESA) requirements. 3D samples were printed 

throughout this process to validate all changes made in the 3D models and 2D 

drawings.

Following these engineering changes, Parts Life carried out the full production of 

the elevon seals. This included the forming of the metal bracket portion of the 

seal, the passivation of the stainless-steel component, the adhesion of the 

specialized silicon rubber onto the assembly, the part marking, and the custom 

packaging of all 415 units required. Parts Life fulfilled two acquisitions contracts 

within the year and resolved another DLA obsolescence limited source 

requirement.

For more information, please contact DLASBIR2@dla.mil

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited

TOPIC NUMBER:

DLA181-009

TOPIC TITLE:

Reverse Engineering 

Technical Data 

Packages for 

Development of 

Alternate Sources of 

Supply for DLA 

Nuclear Enterprise 

Support Office 

(NESO)

CONTRACT 

NUMBER:

SP4701-18-P-0087

SBIP COMPANY 

NAME:

Parts Life, Inc.

Moorestown, NJ

TECHNICAL 

PROJECT 

OFFICE:

DLA J68 SBIP

PUBLISHED:

2021