Innovative CH-53K Cargo Floor System Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-103 Topic Title: Innovative CH-53K Cargo Floor System Proposal No.: N142-103-0660 Firm: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation 519 West Second Street P.O. Box 360 Essington, Pennsylvania 19029-0360 Contact: Seth Kovnat Phone: (610) 521-5700 Web Site: www.piasecki.com Abstract: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) proposes to develop an innovative cargo floor of Aluminum Isogrid construction that maintains durability while cutting the weight by a third from 1500lb to 1030lb. This design cuts floor panel numbers from 54 to 24, resulting in reduced maintenance labor. The design allows a multitude of customization opportunities to be chosen at the discretion of the US military. PiAC's Isogrid Floor provides attachment points at each naturally occurring node throughout the floor thus allowing unlimited access holes without weight penalty. These features in composites would require special processes and build-ups carrying significant weight consequences. Inspection is simplified with open triangular cells leaving no hidden elements within the panels. Isogrid is a naturally fail-safe design. Even if a crack occurs on the surface, it is contained within its triangular section, preventing crack propagation. PiAC will incorporate design attributes required to interface with the CH-53K airframe while presenting options for additional features that further improve the floor. Final design will undergo complete structural assessment per military specifications. Design for Manufacture Ability (DFMA) will explore Near-Net Forging and Additive Manufacturing to determine the most efficient fabrication process. Benefits: PiAC proposes to use Aluminum Isogrid construction as a means of designing a more weight efficient CH-53K cargo floor. By using Isogrid construction, PiAC has a design that has the potential to dramatically reduce weight while maintaining the current durability and surface properties, an advantage over composite or thermoplastic designs. The Aluminum Isogrid design provides all of the benefits of the current floor with the benefit of a greatly reduced weight to allow for more cargo or passenger capacity. Return