ICMH

US Navy (ONR)

The US Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) is an amphibious craft used by the Navy to transport vehicles from ship to shore.  The vehicles (Humvees, tanks) must be secured to withstand NATO Sea State 4. Shifting cargo and/or flat tires can create loosened preloads on existing tie-downs. Cooper Perkins proposed a concept design in a Phase I development effort demonstrating automatic tensioning of a tie-down. Developed and tested in Phase II, the design features remote controlled release of the cargo hooks restraining the vehicles, thereby completely eliminating the need for LCAC crew on the deck when landed and discharging vehicles. The device, which employs state-of-the-art webbing rated for 35,000-pound loads, is controlled wirelessly and features a separable, environmentally-sealed battery/drive module.