SBIR-STTR Award

Documented "lessons learned" and investigation reports from naval shipboard disasters have cited needs for improved protection for damage control/firefighter (dc/ff.) personnel. Improvements recommended generally have addressed single items and Incremental changes to meet a specific performance shortfall. It is proposed that a systems approach be utilized to upgrade individual protection and dc/ff. capability with a shipboard individual protection system (sips). Future ships because of reduced manning will require more efficient and effective dc/ff. performance. The sips will protect the individual against multiple hazards, will reduce fatigue and will permit a longer stay at the fire site while enhancing functional capability through human Engineering. Phase I will define the system architecture and provide subsystem and component functional descriptions.