Conformable Lightweight Toughened Composite Unmanned Vehicle Ramps

KaZaK Composites and our program partner MacGregor Group proposes to develop a conformable unmanned vehicle ramp that will employ COTS equipment for low cost mechanical components and significantly reduced program risk, in combination with highly damage resistant composite structure for light weight and corrosion resistance. The innovative ramp storage concept will compact to preserve critical onboard space during ramp stowage. Proper laminate and system design will provide added ramp support during launching and retrieving. The proposed ramp design will insure the safety of personnel, ship and UUVs; minimize ship impact cost; launch and recover unmanned vehicles from 10 to 36 feet in length and 21 inches to 12 feet in width, and provide safe and efficient operation in a variety of sea states. KCI specializes in development of automated manufacturing technology for advanced composite structures, with particular emphasis on pultrusion. We will develop designs using KCI's unique capability to pultrude damage resistant composite structures, a technology developed to reduce impact damage related maintenance for Navy landing craft and carrier stanchions. A system optimized for pultrusion production will reduce the cost of the system components to an absolute minimum, approaching raw material cost, if sufficient quantities of similar items are purchased.