Innovative&Lightweight Cargo/Personnel Handling System (1001-953)

The US Navy seeks to simplify loading, unloading and reconfiguring (between cargo & passenger missions) the C-2A aircraft with a view to reducing both operator stress and deck residence time during carrier flight operations. Triton Systems, Inc, proposes to meet this requirement using a combination of proven cargo/seat handling equipment designs and lightweight materials to offset any weight increase associated with the new cargo/seat handling hardware. A roller system will be used to load both cargo and seats including a removable roller system with quick-release attachment hardware for the ramp. The roller system design will be compatible with existing C-2 seat and floor tracks. This provides the Navy the option to avoid a costly requalification program for a new seat design (mindful of the fact that the C-2 seating must withstand catapults and traps) while leaving the door open for a possible new seat design in the future. A new cargo cage design will be explored that will a) take fuller advantage of the available cargo space (particularly overhead) than the current design , and b) include consideration of various options to reduce cage weight through the use of lightweight composite materials and/or parts consolidation.