Automated Highline/ Spanwire Engagement

This proposal is to reduce the manning of DD(X)Standard Tenesion Replenishment Alongside Method (STREAM)fuel rig to a maximum of three people. SYS will work with D&K Engineering to thoroughly analyze requirements and conduct research and development on an innovative approach for a powered and automated DD(X) STREAM fuel rigging system. Phase I will develop and evaluate concepts to install a new specialized winch on DD(X)to power over fuel rigs, concepts to automate the connection of the spanwire to the probe receiver and concepts to eliminate the need to cut lashings. Minor changes to the probe receiver will be needed for automated connect-up. Minor changes to the method of attaching the spanwire to the messenger will be needed to eliminate the need to cut lashings. An Option to Phase I to develop and evaluate a concept to use existing messenger return gypsies on STREAM fuel delivery stations to power over the the rig is also proposed. Direct applications and benefits of these concepts beyond the DD(X) program include all ships worldwide with single probe receivers. Extended applications would include cargo rig automated highline attachment and elimination of need to cut highline lashings.