Advanced Shelter Technology

Current permanent shelters for forward base operations are heavy, bulky, labor intensive, and don’t fully the needs of advanced weapon systems. A light weight state-of-the-art, self deployable, low maintenance, permanent shelter is desired. A fabric shelter, supported using AirBeams satisfies the requirements of protecting modern aircraft and personnel. AirBeam supported shelters are designed for quick and easy deployment, and strike, making them ideal for deployment at forward locations. They are considered temporary structures. It is desired to utilize the rapid deployment characteristics of an AirBeam shelter, then transform it into a reliable long term use item by rigidizing the AirBeam frame work freeing it from the need to remain inflated. Two rigidizing methods have been identified, filling the AirBeams with a structural rigid foam, and/or applying a rigid fiberglass-epoxy composite over the AirFrame. The Phase II will address further testing and evaluations of scaled (solid and annular foam filled, as well as reinforced epoxy coated) and full sized (using the best scaled options) rigidized AirBeams. At least 3 full sized rigidized AirBeams will be load tested. In addition, a 1:2.6 (36/14) scaled prototype rigidified AirBeam shelter will be produced and evaluated.