Power Transmission Shafting for Air Cushion Vehicles (MSC P7001)

The goal of this SBIR project is to develop and demonstrate lightweight, low cost, drive shaft concepts for use in high performance rotating engine drive systems, with specific focus on the power transmission system of the Land Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) and future air cushion vehicles, such as the Joint Maritime Assault Connector (JMAC). The product of Phase I of the SBIR program outlined in this proposal will be a series of lightweight graphite fiber reinforced composite drive shafts and end fitting designs that meets the structural requirements of the system while increasing corrosion resistance and fatigue performance. The Phase I study will establish manufacturing feasibility, provide weight estimates and support cost studies. The design concept and manufacturing approach builds on previous research that successfully demonstrated the structural robustness and weight and cost competitiveness of a Materials Sciences Corporation design developed for the V-22 Osprey wing drive and JSF lift fan drive systems.