Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Diver Thermal Human Interface Navy STTR FY2015.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2015.A Topic No.: N15A-T012 Topic Title: Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Diver Thermal Human Interface Proposal No.: N15A-012-0044 Firm: Boston Engineering Corporation 300 Bear Hill Rd Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 Contact: Michael Rufo Phone: (781) 466-8010 Web Site: www.boston-engineering.com Abstract: Navy Special Warfare needs to improve the thermal control subsystems on the SEAL Delivery Vehicle to provide heated or cooled water to the operators during transit in water temperatures from approximately 35�F or above 95�F. Unprotected operation in these environments, and the resulting core body temperature change of more than ~5�F risk serious injury, and lasting muscular-skeletal damage. The current approaches do not meet requirements. Boston proposes specifically, 1) to improve the dive suit including maximizing the thermal transfer method to the body, selecting the best insulation materials and multi-layer design, and developing a suit design that is comfortable and maneuverable, 2) designing the circulating water quick disconnect system to improve the operator's ability to connect and disconnect using the best location of the penetration on the suit, and thermo-mechanical properties of the materials, and 3) improve the thermal properties of the fluid delivery lines from the heating/cooling source to the operators including minimizing heat loss, improving manufacturability, and reducing cost. Benefits: The improvements to the diver interface with the SEAL Delivery Vehicle will provide benefits to the operators by making long transits more comfortable, which will improve their ability and maximize mission performance. Controlling dive suit comfort and thermal control is also beneficial to divers working on offshore platforms, as well as other commercial and recreational divers that want the ability to dive in extreme conditions. Non-dive applications such as hazmat suits and bomb technician suits will benefit from increased maneuverability, lighter weight and more comfortable personal protective gear. The components for fluid delivery lines and quick connect-disconnect devices should provide performance benefits in ground vehicles and aircraft where extreme temperatures are encountered. Return