AZAK, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: X224-ODCSO1

Description

Based on recent engagements with the Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) 724th Special Tactics Group (STG) Combat Development Directorate (CDD) a requirement for a durable electric mobility platform to support their missions was identified and served as the basis for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) supporting this proposal.  Such a system is expected to haul equipment, munitions, or other heavy loads and, when needed, a means to secure and transport a wounded warfighter.  Supporting dismounted personnel across the spectrum of Special Operations Forces (SOF) missions, the mobility platform must be lightweight, silent, durable, and air droppable to enable operators to rapidly move to and from objective positions across varied and austere terrain while providing sufficient load carrying to enable mission success. AZAK proposes to meet the 724th’s specified requirements through the development of the Deployable, Adaptable, Rechargeable, Transportation (DART) System, using AZAK S30 wheels with AZAK quick connects as the foundation for this solution.  DART is a modular cargo carrying vehicle enabled by quickly attachable and detachable individual wheels containing full drive trains. DART will provide an electric cargo carrying platform with the potential for employment in virtually every environment SOF operators may find themselves in and fully capable of accompanying a team from infiltration through exfiltration.  At the end of Phase II, AZAK will provide the warfighter with vehicles that have performance capabilities exceeding those currently available. AZAK climbs better than tracked vehicles, but with greater fuel efficiency and less noise. AZAK’s distributed in-wheel drive train means multiple hits would be required to disable an AZAK vehicle.  The AZAK technology will meet the load carrying applications envisioned by the 724th to be used to mobilize a stretcher for medical evacuation or carry soldiers’ gear, however, the flexibility of the quick swap design may allow the same set of wheels to break down into a motorcycle which can provide even greater operational benefit. While AFSOC, the MOU signer, and the wider U.S. Special Operations Command represent the immediate transition targets, the Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, the Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, and the Department of Homeland Security all represent additional transition opportunities.  AZAK’s patented technology places all the drive components needed to operate an electric vehicle not only inside the wheel but below the center point of the wheel. This simple mechanical innovation will initially be applied within the DART system, however, the same technology and products are being vetted by leaders in the last mile of delivery (LMOD), Space, Agriculture, logistics, and heavy machinery industries.