Advanced Combatant Craft for Increased Affordability and Mission Performance Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2009.1 Topic No.: N091-049 Topic Title: Advanced Combatant Craft for Increased Affordability and Mission Performance Proposal No.: N091-049-0483 Firm: Structural Composites, Inc. 7705 Technology Drive W. Melbourne, Florida 32904 Contact: Scott Lewit Phone: (321) 951-9464 Web Site: structuralcomposites.com Abstract: As low intensity conflicts increase on a global basis, our Armed forces are becoming increasingly dependent on small combatant craft. These high-speed platforms are improving mission capabilities and helping to reduce risk for all of our armed forces. The demands on combatant craft are ever increasing. The increased capabilities and scope of missions create challenges. One principal challenge is to reduce the structural weight of the platform. We will reduce the weight of combatant craft by blending the approaches from both the aerospace and recreational marine industries and add in a healthy batch of innovation. In this proposal we present an affordable, durable, lightweight structural approach that can be applied to a broad class of combatant craft and boats. Following the approach discussed in the proposal we will work to achieve a structural weight savings of 40% or greater over current construction methods Benefits: This effort will provide a breakthrough in low cost lightweight boat structures. The proposed concept is a paradigm shift from the current construction method used in small craft. Rather then the conventional approach of rigid sandwich construction we will advance a new lightweight hull and deck construction that will allow the structure to transition from flexure to membrane tension. Other military programs are expected to be able to leverage benefit from the technology developed in this project. Platforms such as the LCS, DD-1000 and the Coast Guard Deep Water project would benefit from the low cost construction methods and increased ruggedness we will develop for the USV. Other branches of the military, government and commercial industry use small boats extensively. In many cases weight is an issue. Many of these applications place the vessel in situations that can result in groundings or impact damage to the craft. Increasing the toughness of these smaller platforms will help improve the survivability of the craft, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the longevity of the platforms. For manned craft the inherent shock mitigation characteristics of the approach can be a great benefit to the welfare of passengers and crew. Our commercialization strategy during Phase I will focus on several target markets. These include the emerging fast ferry market, commercial craft, special use craft (military and police), and recreational craft. Applicability of the ultra-tough composite construction to each of these markets will be assessed and benchmarked against the current composite technologies being used. We intend to further our competitive advantage through the increased value of the Sharkskin trademark and the Prisma patented technology. Return