Flexible Aerogel Insulation System for Rapidly Deployable Army Shelters

Rapidly deployable shelters for military use demand high performance materials that can withstand extreme requirements. In order to advance the performance of these systems, the Army must improve the thermal insulation layer that is often included in the shelters. Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (AAI) proposes to team with Johnson Outdoors incorporate their flexible aerogel blanket into a high performance shelter insulation for the Army. Phase I successfully identified aerogel material stackups to reduce weight, cube, and cost, while increasing thermal performance over the current system. Phase II will transition the materials to a system level, such that the insulation is designed for overall tent performance. Key features will include optimum packaging, adjacent panel attachment, frame attachments, and advanced concepts, such as highly insulating floors. The Phase II program will culminate in a full scale demonstrator at Johnson Outdoors. At the end of the program, the technology will be ready for commercial transition such that it is readily available to the military community.