Low Cost Composite Reconfigurable Stern Launch/Recovery System

KaZaK Composites will conduct design, materials, manufacturing, and experimental studies supporting the eventual production of a reconfigurable stern ramp that allows a single system to be quickly and automatically adapted to launch and recovery of anextremely wide range of vessels. KCI's composite material design will be optimized for low cost production using pultrusion-based processing technology. Research will extend and apply KCI's work with a unique flexible macro-composites composite laminatearchitecture and active control of ramp end depth. KCI will work closely with Bath Iron Works to ensure that the system solution evolved during Phase I and II is compatible with demanding and diverse needs associated with Naval operations in Sea State 5.Phase I work falls into five general categories: 1) Development of alternative system design concepts meeting weight, cost and performance requirements, 2) Identification of composite materials compatible with goals for cost, structural requirements andlow cost production, 3) Design refinement and verification using 3D CAD and finite element analysis, 4) Fabrication and testing macro-composite samples to measure relative axial and torsional stiffness and demonstrate reconfigurability, and 5) Projectionof cost and weight of the proposed RO/RO ramp system. A wide variety of commercial and military vessels launch and recover smaller utility and support craft. Once proven in this SBIR, the technology to be developed here should be generally applicable to avery wide range of situations. Initial sales will probably be to military vessels. However, there will also be a market with commercial fishing and other working vessels, as well as pleasure craft. A rapidly reconfigurable ramp could also serve as adefensive