N092-130 TITLE: Advanced Shock Mitigating Materials

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: LCS Program, PMS 501, ACAT 1

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate advanced shock mitigating material technology that minimizes loading imparted on the seaframe and mission package; thereby reducing overall weight of support structure.

DESCRIPTION: The next generation of Navy combatants will utilize light-weight, high-speed, focused-mission ships to execute a variety of missions. Mission packages will include mission modules up to 20 metric tons in weight typically comprised of ISO-standard support containers and off-board vehicles (11m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), Remote Mine-hunting Vehicle (RMV), Vertical Take-off Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV), MH-60R/S helicopter, etc.). Currently, the seaframe�s structure is robustly designed to support the shock loading impact of the mission modules. The mission modules are also robustly designed to survive Grade "B" shock and transfer the shock loading through the module structure away from the sensitive cargo inside. The modules are stacked in a single layer and are connected to the seaframe through rigid, commercial grade, twist-lock connectors. These connectors are fairly small relative to the module. During shock, this rigid connection between the seaframe and mission module transfers maximum load from the seaframe to the mission module(s), and vice versa.

This topic seeks innovative methods of incorporating mechanisms and/or materials that will reduce the shock impact loads experienced by both the seaframe and the mission module at the points of contact made by the twist-lock connectors. This in turn will result in the need for reduced seaframe support structure (weight) and will enable a reduction in the tare-weight ratio (ratio of the structure weight to total system weight, payload and structure) for mission modules alone, currently as high as

36% for commercial technologies and

30% for military "high strength" technologies. A key challenge is going to be the incorporation of shock mitigating material in a manner that will provide shock damping resistance to the entire module, within the

1-inch commercial interface height allowance (see Ref. 1). General requirements for an advanced shock mitigating material include: a) ability to absorb and dissipate energy, b) ability to minimize shock loads imparted on modules/seaframe c) ability to interface with current commercial connection architecture, and d) compatible with applicable Navy material requirements (marine environment, fire, etc). Ref. 1 provides information on the existing twist-lock connector design as well as the mission module to seaframe attachment details.

PHASE I: Identify advanced shock mitigating material technologies. Evaluate technologies ability to meet requirements listed in description, including modeling and simulation. Determine advanced shock mitigating material technology, which best meets requirements, and is feasible for implementation. Develop prototype design and plan for implementing advanced shock mitigating material technology.

PHASE II: Review technology/design against existing shipboard installation. Develop a prototype device utilizing advanced shock mitigating material technology. Demonstrate operation of advanced shock mitigating material technology through shock test(s) and shipboard demonstration, incorporating prototype device with full or scaled module.

PHASE III: Working with the Navy, develop transition plans and demonstrate the commercial and shipboard uses of the shock mitigating material technology. Coordinate with the Navy to develop and execute plans for shipboard installation in a suitable application in conjunction with a Navy ship acquisition program.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The advanced shock mitigating material would be applicable to commercial industries using vessels that experience high-wave impacts during the course of operation. An example of this would be high-speed ferries that transport cargo containers as well as passengers.

REFERENCES:
1. Overview of Interface Control Document (ICD) for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Flight Zero Reconfigurable Mission Systems - 11 May 2006, Available at http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/

2. MIL-S-901D Requirements for Shipboard Machinery, Equipment, and Systems H.I. (High-Impact) Shock Tests.

3. MIL-HDBK-729 Corrosion & Corrosion Prevention Metals.

4. DDS-078-1 Composite Materials, Surface Ships, Topside Structural And Other Topside Applications � Fire Performance Requirements.

KEYWORDS: shock; mission module; seaframe; energy; materials; damping

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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