PacMar Technologies LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N172-124

PacMar Technologies LLC — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.

Amount
$223,118
Agency
Department of Defense · Navy
Program / Phase
SBIR · Phase I
Topic
N172-124
Solicitation
2017.2
NAICS
Place of performance
HI
Period
2017-09-26 → 2018-12-21

Description

The SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) and the Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS) are swimmer delivery vehicles used by Naval Special Warfare. When a malfunction disables one of these submersibles, under certain scenarios it can be recovered by towing, using a rigid sled for support. The current sled is large and heavy: too large to be carried aboard a small craft like a Navy RHIB, and too large to be carried aboard a larger ship as standard equipment. A lightweight, inflatable sled that could facilitate high-speed surface towing of a disabled SDV or SWCS would improve the Navys ability to effect recovery over a broader range of circumstances. We propose to use lightweight drop-stitch inflatable panels, combined with an inflatable RHIB-style collar tube, to develop such a sled that would provide the stability and hydrodynamic shape required to safely support a disabled submersible while towing at speeds up to 20 knots.