Since the advent of cargo lifting operations suspended load motion control has traditionally been compensated for by use of tag lines via tag line handlers. The use of tag lines is inherently dangerous as they require people to be near the location of a moving load, in often hazardous settings. The fundamental problem of suspended load control exists for both crane and aircraft lifting operations. The issues from lack-of suspended load control are magnified for at-sea operations, including ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, at-sea replenishment, as well as aircraft-based vertical replenishment (VERTREP) missions. During these operations, suspended loads are subjected to often unpredictable, quasi-chaotic motion due to numerous factors, including environmental conditions such as sea state and high winds. Load characteristics such as drag characteristics, center of pressure, and the load's mass moment of inertia also influence the suspended loads dynamic motion. The culmination of these varying disturbances and load characteristics often makes suspended load control via traditional manned-powered methods, such as an attempted control via taglines, a cumbersome challenge, even in a controlled environment. Vita Inclinata Technologies, Inc, (VitaTech) has studied the complex problem of multi-degree of freedom (DOF) suspended load control for both aircraft and cranes for nearly a decade and has existing dual-use (military and commercial) products that provide on-demand, platform agnostic, autonomous load stabilization for crane and helicopter lifting applications. The solution developed by Vita is the autonomous Load Stability System (LSS) platform; a patented, novel autonomous load control system that: Is platform agnostic in design. I.e., no aircraft nor crane integration is necessary to perform precision load control at the push-of-a-button. Senses the environment, interprets data, and determines an optimal set of correction criteria, then controls a loads motion or position via actuation of high-performance electric propulsion units. Is scalable in configuration to meet a wide range of applications; from low-weight rescue stabilization to over 40 metric tons for crane, or aircraft, cargo stabilization. Under the scope of the Phase I effort, VitaTech will: Develop, and deliver results from, a model-based simulation study for an autonomous cargo stabilization system in a shipboard environment. Demonstrate the ability of Vitas Load Stabilization System platform to meet, or exceed, the performance objectives for the Navys Autonomous Cargo Stabilization System at a TRL 6-7. Demonstrating both through observation, as well as quantified results, the precision, accuracy, and adaptability of Vitas Load Stability Systems. NOTE: In the Technical Volume (Volume 2), VitaTech proposes an accelerated schedule to perform both the Phase I, and Phase I OPTION within a 6-month timeframe. Given the Navy SBIR BAA requirements, this election is at the Navy's discretion.
