Rapid Assembly, Energy Efficient Composite Shelter

WebCore Technologies, LLC, Miamisburg, Ohio, is the developer and manufacturer of the TYCOR® family of fiber-reinforced core materials used in composite sandwich construction. TYCOR is manufactured using novel, patented fiber placement processes and equipment, which can be tailored to meet various design, manufacturing and performance requirements. Because of the unique ability to tailor the material, architecture, design and manufacturing processes to obtain the optimum performance, TYCOR has become the leading solution for composite tactical shelters. Since 2003, WebCore has received over $4.6 million from the U.S. Air Force and Navy SBIR Phase II programs to develop composite shelters for telecommunications and other uses. The proof-of concept is well established and prototype shelters have been built, tested, qualified and have passed field testing. WebCore has also entered into a business relationship with Gichner Shelter Systems (Dallastown, PA), one of the leading manufacturers of military shelters in the world, to commercialize composite shelters. The performance and benefits of the composite shelters have been successfully demonstrated and the cost of the composite shelters has been documented. To date, all WebCore certified composite shelters were manufactured at Gichner. Due to the size of the shelters, transportation thus becomes an issue. The ability to deploy shelter structures that can be rapidly assembled on site would reduce costs as well as provide greater mobility and safety during and after mobile base deployment. The purpose of this proposal is to determine the feasibility of constructing a composite tactical shelter using rapid deployment/assembly methodologies. Successful completion of the proposed project would lead to significant improvements in composite tactical and ISO shelters through the development of novel joint, seal, and quick connection technologies. BENEFIT: Improved mobility, reliability, and safety in energy and cost efficient transportable shelters