SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Seam failures of flexible inflatable hulls is the primary reason for failures of military RHIBS and CRCs.These failures are a result of the current manufacturing methods being used, and which have been in place for over fifty years.Whats more, the manufacturing methods and fragmented supply chain of these hulls result in very long and unreliable lead times.These shortcomings impact the survivability of thee crafts, and are impacting a DoD supply chain currently valued at $35 million annually.Response Technologies is bringing to bear its innovative and novel additive manufacturing process to solve these costly mission-impacting issues.Response Technologies is leveraging its technology, by partnering with Wing Inflatables, who is a market leading prime manufacturer.RTs novel process is anticipated to improve the total ownership cost of this product line for the DoD and its OEMs by 20%, which when successful would translate to annual savings of nearly $10M.RT uses a proprietary additive manufacturing process that it projects will result in:1) Increase the survivability of RHIBS and CRRCs2) Extend the service life of military sponsons by at least 20%3) Reduction in the lead time from 14-weeks, to a more reliable and repeatable 8-weeks.
