Innovative tie down Navy SBIR FY2011.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.3 Topic No.: N113-172 Topic Title: Innovative tie down Proposal No.: N113-172-0073 Firm: NextGen Aeronautics 2780 Skypark Drive Suite 400 Torrance, California 90505 Contact: GABRIEL MOLINA Phone: (310) 626-8383 Web Site: www.nextgenaero.com Abstract: Current naval tie-down systems inhibit optimal use of deck space in Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU) which limit vehicle and cargo able to be transported, thus affecting our warfighters. The tie downs are limited in the range of placement from deck fitting to vehicle tie-down provision due to current hook deck attachment and lashing weight. Our proposed solution lowers broken stow by allowing more freedom of placement of vehicles and cargo regardless of size, while meeting heavy weather requirements. One innovation in our solution lies in the Deck Fitting Adapter which attaches to the deck without modifying attachment points in such a way as to prevent detachment due to any combination of operating loads and user handling. Another innovation in our solution is the Intelligent Tensioning Module which greatly increases operational ease even in the close vehicle proximity of a low broken stow deck arrangement. Benefits:   Reduced broken stow as a result of utilizing new tie down system that attaches to deck fittings underneath vehicles (Broken stow target of 20%)  New system will meet heavy weather requirement and withstand a saltwater environment (Load factors: Vertical: 3.44G, Lateral: 2.88G, Longitudinal: 1.35G)  New tie down system will match or lower current tie down system weight and will be easy to use  Applications include, but are not limited to heavy vehicle/cargo tie-down on ships, airplanes, as well as land transports such as trailers and trains Return