Advanced Littoral Combat Ship Common Mission Module Handling Device

ATR proposes development of a Robotic Mission Module Handling System (RMMHS) to provide a highly adaptable and mobile handling device that is common to both LCS seaframes. The new system will serve as a replacement for the existing handling equipment for Mission Modules (MMs). The conceptual system takes advantage of ATR"s recent work in robotic material handling and automation. The RMMHS is designed to address the challenges and limitations of existing handling equipment aboard the Freedom and Independence variants seaframes. This modular approach takes advantage of the structural strength of the TEU or flat rack to eliminate excess equipment weight while minimizing the deck space taken up by the handling system when not in use. The small size of the RMMHS allows the operator to address and transfer a MM from any deck arrangement with minimal clearance between neighboring modules or ship structure. The intuitive remote control operation of the RMMHS is expected to reduce crew training requirements. The RMMHS is also more cost-effective to operate compared to the existing material handling equipment on both LCS seaframes.