N251-002 TITLE: Amphibious Combat Vehicle Weight Reduction

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Materials

OBJECTIVE: Develop lightweight components using advanced materials or innovative design to replace heavier components on the ACV that can withstand the harsh environmental conditions of use in the littorals.

DESCRIPTION: The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is an amphibious armored vehicle designed to transport Marines on land and in the water. There are several versions of the vehicle. The ACV – Personnel (ACV-P), ACV Command and Control (ACV-C), the ACV Medium Caliber Cannon (ACV-30), and the ACV Maintenance and Recovery (ACV-R). The ACV-30 and ACV-R are the heaviest variants but all variants would see performance improvements by reducing weight. Components identified as having potential for weight reduction include engine access covers, drive shafts, ramp door, ramp, hatches, external fuel tanks, external metallic and metallic/composite add-on-armor components, suspension, turret exterior panels, and bow plane. Proposed material changes must address corrosion issues expected from use in and around salt water. Weight reduction will improve fuel efficiency and can lower the Center of Gravity and Center of Buoyancy. Reduction of un-sprung mass will improve ride quality. Weight reduction without loss of performance also enables trades in other ACV performance areas to increase readiness or capabilities. The Program Office has set a goal of no more than $20 (production cost) per pound of weight savings and a minimum threshold of 2000lbs total reduction.

PHASE I: Review the vehicle drawings to identify components for potential weight reduction. Produce a preliminary conceptual design to evaluate weight savings and potential cost of production and installation. Use Finite Element Analysis (FEA), as appropriate, to confirm design parameters. Provide the following required Phase I deliverables: a report on the results of modeling and simulation and an initial proposal for a Phase II effort.

PHASE II: Using results from Phase I, fabricate and validate prototypes. Demonstrate the prototypes’ ability to meet requirements in the Description through lab testing. Evaluate the results of the demonstration and refine the design as necessary. Conduct on-vehicle testing in a relevant environment. Evaluate and compare the results to Marine Corps requirements. Prepare a Phase III development plan to transition the technology for Marine Corps use. Deliver the prototypes at the end of Phase II.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Provide support to the Marine Corps in transitioning the technology to the ACV through an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) process. Refine the system for further evaluation and determine its effectiveness in an operationally relevant environment. Support the Marine Corps test and evaluation program to qualify the system for Marine Corps use.

Commercial applications include combat vehicles used by other services and other countries. The developed technology could also be used in the Commercial Truck Industry and Recreational Vehicle (RV) market.

REFERENCES:

1. "Combat Vehicle Weight Reduction by Materials Substitution." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2018. Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/23562. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23562/combat-vehicle-weight-reduction-by-materials-substitution-proceedings-of-a

2. "Lightweight Materials for Cars and Trucks."

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office. https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/lightweight-materials-cars-and-trucks

KEYWORDS: Amphibious Combat Vehicle; ACV; Weight Reduction; Advanced Materials; Composites; Corrosion Resistant; Armored Vehicle

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