SBIR-STTR Award

NexGen Composites has teamed up with HDT Global to develop and demonstrate a lightweight, durable and rapidly deployable bridge decking system in this SBIR project. The bridge decking is designed to interface with an inflatable air beam structure that can support the passage of a medium unmanned ground vehicle weighing up to 3,500 lbs. over a minimum of twenty-eight feet span. The decking will also be capable of bridging short gaps up to five feet span without the inflatable air beam structure. NexGen will design, build and test several prototype decks using innovative composite panel designs and rapid deployment mechanisms.

The US Army has a need for gap-crossing equipment to support the movement of a medium unmanned ground vehicle and one soldier operator across a gap of at least 28 ft. span. Expeditionary bridges employing inflatable air-beam structures have been developed that can be rapidly deployed and can support a medium unmanned ground vehicle going over such a span. One example is the Lightweight Expeditionary Bridge (LEB), developed by HDT Global. The LEB featured aluminum decking which was considered too heavy, thus reducing the capacity of the inflatable structure and limiting the types of vehicles that can cross the LEB. The deck installation required significant time and effort, compromising the soldiers’ safety and mission-effectiveness. NexGen Composites has teamed with HDT Global to develop and demonstrate a lightweight, durable and rapidly deployable bridge decking system in this SBIR project. This project built upon the knowledge and experience gained in the LEB and related projects.