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Army Develops Inflatable Innovation
NATICK SOLDIER SYSTEMS CENTER Media Source: Federal Laboratory Tech Transfer 2006
 
About the Technology:
Click to View Full Size ImageThe U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC) has developed and transferred a flexible composite textile technology that provides for the building of extremely lightweight and rapidly deployable structures.

The technology has led to products that weigh 66% less than conventional metal items, take up less than 25% of the volume when packed, and cut setup time by 60%.

Flexible composite structures, also called airbeams, have extremely broad applications, including arches to support tents, inflatable antennas and booms for space applications, fins for aircraft ejection seats, and fenders for use in sea basing operations.

Specialized design optimization tools have been implemented to take into account the complexity of inflation pressures and nonlinear fabric material kinematics. In addition, improved manufacturing technologies have been developed to optimize structural design and provide a competitive industrial base.
 
Applications:   Military and Commercial Significance:
The technology was transferred from the NSC to other Army agencies, the Air Force, the Navy, and NASA through both government and industry interaction. Each recipient required economical, high strength, lightweight, low bulk, rapidly deployable structural members for a broad array of applications ranging from small and large shelters to fenders for sea basing, and their performance requirements were beyond those of commercially available items.   Through strategic relationships, the transitioning of this technology has continued to expand to new partners. NASA applied this technology for use in an extension boom for a shuttle remote manipulator system to enable astronauts to perform external, in-orbit inspection and repair.

Partnerships are emerging with the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense to transition the technology into structures for use in rapid response shelters for civilians and emergency personnel, unmanned aerial vehicle protection, and Border Patrol activities.

The technology also is being transferred to commercial tent designers and manufacturers to enhance and upgrade product lines.
 
Industry Contact:   Government Contact:
L’Garde, Inc.
15181 Woodlawn Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780

E-Mail: anthony_long@lgarde.com
Telephone: (714) 259-0771
Ext: 237
Country: USA
   U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center

Natick, MA 01760-5015

Telephone: (508) 233-4928
 


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