MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N221-008
MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
- Amount
- $238,860
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Navy
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- N221-008
- Solicitation
- 22.1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- FL
- Period
- 2022-06-29 → 2023-09-06
Description
The Navy currently utilize an unreliable linkless ammunition loading system (LALS) for servicing aircraft resulting in considerable downtime that hinders mission readiness. This system up- and downloads 20 mm ammunition for the M61A1 and M61A2 gun systems installed in Navy operated F/A-18 aircraft. In order to improve system reliability and availability, Mainstream proposes to develop drop-in replacement components for high failure rate LALS component assemblies. These new assemblies will prioritize simplicity and reducing moving parts to improve system reliability. During the Phase I effort Mainstream will analyze the current system, develop designs for drop-in replacement components, and test prototype features from the new designs. In Phase II, a full-scale prototype of each replacement component will be fabricated for integration and testing in the LALS.