The U.S. Air Force has selected WebCore Technologies Inc. (Miamisburg, Ohio) to develop USAF’s next generation of rapid-assembly, energy-efficient composite shelters under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. WebCore has teamed with Gichner Shelter Systems (Dallastown, Pa.) for Phase I of the project. WebCore’s trademarked TYCOR G fiber-reinforced composite cores, which feature advanced three-dimensional fiber architecture and are produced by cost-effective automated manufacturing processes, will be used to create the lightweight, high-strength, robust sandwich structures.
According to the USAF’s SBIR contract, the goal is to develop energy-efficient tactical shelters for future major deployments. The shelters will house command and control centers, communications equipment, hospitals and personnel quarters, and they also will accommodate aircraft and weapons. Because of recent concerns in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) about refueling during deployments, the program will focus on significant reductions in energy requirements for such shelters. The expandable structures, according to WebCore, will be built in standard sizes that will include fixed-site versions to meet DoD’s intermodal transportability requirements for land, sea and air.
Reportedly, the use of TYCOR G provides performance advantages, including lighter weight for increased payload capacity and corrosion resistance, which eliminates rust and the need to repaint. TYCOR G also provides thermal insulation, which keeps heat-sensitive equipment cool and reduces fuel use. WebCore also is working to create shelters in versions that have higher expansion ratios — up to 20:1 — to help reduce shipping costs. The project’s first phase should be complete in December. Under Phase II, a prototype will be built, deployed and tested under realistic military conditions, says the Air Force. Eventually the shelters could aid operations, natural disaster relief efforts or homeland defense.
