Because of Art Anderson Associates' investigation of innovative technologies, the Navy Sealift Support Program Office, (i.e., the INLS Acquisition Program Management Office) elected to co-sponsor our Phase II and III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts, so that we could produce a prototype Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) composite module. We put together an Integrated Product Team (IPT) consisting of composite manufacturers, Navy operators, the Navy sponsor, and ourselves as the designer. We often use an IPT approach to ensure that our designs are as producible as they are functional. The 40-ft. long x 24-ft. wide x 8-ft. high prototype was completed and tested at sea by the Navy, who determined that composite materials were a viable competitor to steel design for this system.

The military's Seabasing vision (as described in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense For Acquisition, Technology and Logistics August 2003 report) requires the Maritime Pre-positioning Fleet of the Future (MPFF) to eventually be located as far as 200 miles offshore, while demanding increased throughput and sea state requirements that are beyond the capabilities of the current INLS. Art Anderson Associates is currently designing the next version of the high-speed, transport module called the High Speed Lighterage Assault Connector (HSLAC), that will provide a platform from which the naval services will be able to operate with tactical superiority.

Detail Design for Marinette Marine

Art Anderson Associates provided detailed design support for the construction of the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) at Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin. Prior to this construction award, Art Anderson Associates was heavily involved in the research and development efforts for designing the new INLS prototypes to assist the Navy in evaluating the Lighterage program and its solicitation requirements.

Marinette Marine contracted Art Anderson Associates to provide naval architecture and marine engineering services in support of the design and construction of 29 powered and non-powered modules (floating barges). Altogether, there are six different module types in the system. These modules can be assembled into floating platforms, such as a Floating Causeway, Roll-on/Roll-off ship Discharge Facility or a Ferry, to transport heavy materials such as tanks, trucks, and cargo between ship and shore. As part of this detail design we provided engineering, life cycle management analysis and design for the following:

• Intact and Damage Stability Calculations
• Piping system requirements for tank stowages and preliminary layout of tank(s)
• Lighting, navigational and electrical requirements for system mast(s) and preliminary layout
  
• Drawings for overflows, air escapes, sounding tubes, and spill containment requirements for tanks containing flammable liquids, oily waste, and ballast water
• Fendering requirements inclusive of materials, location and arrangement
• Floor plates and grating