Lightweight Materials for the Expeditionary Fuel System (EFS)

The Expeditiary Fuel System (EFS) concept was designed to be a modular fuel tank system capable of deployment aboard a multitude of ships, ground vehicles and aircraft. The EFS is comprised of individual tank modules mounted to a unique transport pallet. While the concept was successfully demonstrated in FY 2001, the prototype tanks were too heavy to meet requirements for production. The Marine Corps needs a system comprised of individual tank modules that can break down for transport aboard amphibious ships. The fuel tank modules must be affordable, lighter and more robust than the current aluminum EFS tank modules. Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. proposes to develop a cost effective, lightweight, durable, modular, composite EFS fuel tank that will be man portable, easy to assemble and disassemble, and corrosion resistant, significantly reducing maintenance and repair costs. The composite EFS tank module will be constructed from composite materials that will meet all U.S. Navy shipboard requirements, operational loads and environmental exposures. The use of composite materials will provide a low cost, lightweight EFS tank module that will have a long, corrosion free, damage tolerant service life.