SBIR-STTR Award

Direct to Phase II

Navatek proposes to develop an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Sabot System (UUVSS) designed to deploy underwater payloads of varying diameters, lengths, and appendage configurations from a standard 21-inch naval submarine torpedo tube. The system is predicated on the use of "on-demand" structures. "On-demand" structures notionally refer to high-pressure inflatable structures, pressurized with seawater, to provide a deployed rigid structure with high strength-to-weight and high deployed-to-stowed volume ratios. The UUVSS is self-propelled by the UUV, utilizing an expendable sabot structure, designed around low-cost components, and a reusable infrastructure system.Navatek is a leader in the design, analysis, testing and operational implementation of inflatable structures for the Department of Defense. Navatek has developed leading design and analysis techniques for fabric-based inflatable structures, as well as innovative manufacturing and fabrication methods due to extensive research and development efforts. Navatek has successfully implemented inflatable-based structures in multiple Naval programs and will leverage our developed capabilities and experience to provide the Navy with an operationally ready UUV Sabot System.