SBIR-STTR Award

During Connected Underway Replenishment (CONREP) operations, Navy Combat Logistics Force (CLF) ships connect to the receiving ship with a 1 wire rope highline at each solid cargo transfer station. CLF ships employ a man-portable explosive emergency wire rope cutter at each solid cargo transfer station. The emergency wire rope cutter uses an explosive impulse cartridge to drive a cutting blade through a cable; however, there is no future acquisition of these cartridges planned. The Navy needs a new tool that will safely and reliably cut a 1 to 1-3/8 wire rope within one second in an emergency while simplifying operations by eliminating the need to store and handle explosive cartridges. Systems & Materials Research Corporation (SMRC) will develop their Stored Energy Velocity Actuated Release (SEVAR) tool, an energy-dense, spring-based, man-portable emergency wire rope cutter to meet the needs of the Navy during CONREP operations. SEVAR incorporates an energy-dense spring to deliver a burst of energy to the cutting mechanism, allowing for wire rope up to 1-3/8 in diameter to be safely and reliably cut in an instant. SEVAR is energized prior to CONREP operations so that it can be used in case of an emergency, and de-energized for safe storage.

Benefit:
SMRCs innovative Stored Energy Velocity Actuated Release (SEVAR) man-portable emergency wire rope cutter will benefit Navy Combat Logistics Force (CLF) ships during Connected Underway Replenishment (CONREP) operations by providing a solution that is 1) functional cut wire rope and cable up to 1-3/8 diameter; 2) fast perform cutting operations within a second of triggering the tool; 3) reliable be able to reliably sever 50 ropes without failure in marine environments; 4) safe incorporate redundant safety mechanisms to prevent premature cutting; 5) lightweight be man-portable and weigh no more than 35 lbs; and 6) cost effective show a positive ROI by keeping acquisition and integration costs below $20,000 per UNREP station. SMRC will initially transition SEVAR to the Navy through Military Sealift Command to support CONREP operations aboard CLF ships. SMRC will also market SEVAR to other potential military and commercial customers who would benefit from rapidly severing wire rope or cable such as the oil and gas industry as well as the crane and towing industries.

Keywords:
Heavy Underway Replenishment (UNREP), Heavy Underway Replenishment (UNREP), 6 X 37 Independent Wire Rope Core, Emergency Wire Rope Cutter, Energy-Dense Spring, Military Sealift Command, Urethane Spring, Connected Underway Replenishment (CONREP), Combat Logistics Force (CLF) Ships