N102-108 TITLE: Modular Lightweight External Fuel Tank System

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Advanced Amphibious Assault - ACAT I

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Research, develop and build a survivable lightweight modular external fuel tank.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps EFV is a 78,200 lb armored, tracked troop carrier designed to operate over harsh off-road terrain and in oceans and rivers. The EFV design space is limited due to competing requirements: 1) high water speed, 2) combat effectiveness and carrying capacity, and 3) survivability. The external fuel tanks meet functional requirements through a combination of currently available fuel system technologies; weight however is critical to an amphibious vehicle, therefore a lighter solution is beneficial. The current external tank system consists of two 134 gallon tanks that weigh a total of 980 lbs. A weight savings of up to 360 lbs is desired. The external tank system shall be self sealing against 14.5mm API threats.

The modular fuel tank system shall reduce the effects of hydraulic ram and fire produced by impacts from RPG type munitions, larger API projectiles and fragmenting munitions. The selected external tank system must demonstrate the ability to function in extreme operating environments which include but are not limited to -25�F to +125�F, hot dessert blowing sand, full salt water immersion and immersion in petroleum based liquids. Ideally the design should incorporate a self-sealing polymeric material, for example polyurea. The construction materials should be compatible with an aluminum structure in a salt water environment (aluminum, plastic, composite, titanium, etc.). Bladder technology is not an option and will not be considered. The fuel tank system must be able to be integrated into the existing EFV design with consideration given to other external tanked vehicles such as tactical vehicles and trucks.

PHASE I: The contractor shall conduct research and generate options for lightweight modular external tank systems for use on the EFV, keeping in mind the environment when selected. The contractor shall down select to one approach and create a conceptual design including estimated weight, cost and performance characteristics.

PHASE II: The contractor shall manufacture test articles representative of the external tank and conduct ballistic testing to validate their design meets the EFV specified performance level and characterizes the performance.

PHASE III: Transition technology into EFV for Low Rate Initial Production. Private Sector Use of Technology: Successful development and characterization of lightweight modular fuel tank systems has direct application to a wide variety of protective requirements for uses in various military and commercial land, sea, and airbased vehicles. This technology is also applicable to the protection of storage containers. This technology is directly applicable to large military vehicles such as the Army�s BCT Modernization, USMC MPC and retrofits to fielded ground combat and tactical vehicles, such as, the MRAP family of vehicles.

REFERENCES:
1. EFV S/SS Specification Rev P. dated 09 March, 2009 (available upon request)

2. MIL-STD-810F Environmental Test Methods and Engineering Guidelines

3. MIL-STD-889B Dissimilar Metals

4. MIL-STD-662F V50 Ballistic Test for Armor

5. AR 70-75 Survivability of Army Personnel and Materials

6. STANAG 4569

KEYWORDS: Materials; Fuel Tanks; Fire Prevention; Survivability

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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