Systems & Materials Research Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N192-098

Description

During Connected Underway Replenishment (CONREP) operations, Navy Combat Logistics Force (CLF) ships connect to the receiving ship with a 1” wire rope highline at each solid cargo transfer station. CLF ships employ a man-portable explosive emergency wire rope cutter at each solid cargo transfer station. The emergency wire rope cutter uses an explosive impulse cartridge to drive a cutting blade through a cable; however, there is no future acquisition of these cartridges planned. The Navy needs a new tool that will safely and reliably cut a 1” to 1-3/8” wire rope within one second in an emergency while simplifying operations by eliminating the need to store and handle explosive cartridges.Systems & Materials Research Corporation (SMRC) will develop their Stored Energy Velocity Actuated Release (SEVAR) tool, an energy-dense, spring-based, man-portable emergency wire rope cutter to meet the needs of the Navy during CONREP operations. SEVAR incorporates an energy-dense spring to deliver a burst of energy to the cutting mechanism, allowing for wire rope up to 1-3/8” in diameter to be safely and reliably cut in an instant. SEVAR is energized prior to CONREP operations so that it can be used in case of an emergency, and de-energized for safe storage.