Flight Deck Thermal Management

This research opportunity is soliciting alternatives to heat pipes for arresting the thermal impact from the exhaust plumes of new and impending aircraft on amphibious ships. Both above deck and below deck thermal management systems are being solicited. The objective is to develop systems that offer both above and below-deck options, are cost-effective to install or maintain, and last the service life of the ship. Deck thermal management systems should be capable of mitigating a heating rate of 16,000 to 24,000 BTU/minute and a total heat load capacity of 48,000 BTU to 2.2 MBTU over a time period. Critical thermal management technologies are to: spread, conduct, and/or dissipate heat with minimal thickness and minimal weight impact; comply within deck-height/flight operations constraints and horizontal configuration; carry structural load and meet survivability 4 requirements; integrate with ship structures; be installable in a shipyard environment; avoid generation of debris/products causing foreign object damage debris; and be compatible with Navy non-skid coatings. ONR anticipates making multiple contract and grant awards that total $12.5 million over a four year period, with $3 million available in FY2011, $4 million available in FY2012, $3.5 million in FY2013 and $2 million available in FY2014. The typical award amount will likely be in the range of $200,000 to $1 million per year. White papers for this BAA are due 06 AUG 2009 by 2:00PM Eastern Time, Full Proposals are due by 23 OCT 2009 at 2:00PM Eastern Time.