Improved Cargo Door Actuator

SBIR · Phase: BOTH · Topic DON27BZ01-NV003 · Solicitation 27.BZ

The U.S. Navy’s DDG-51 Class Destroyers routinely require large volumes of cargo to be loaded and unloaded during port operations. To properly operate the cargo doors, which weigh ~2500 pounds, destroyers use actuators to safely open and close the doors. These actuators are exposed to a harsh maritime environment including sea spray during normal shipboard operations. The corrosive nature of the saltwater environment routinely causes extensive corrosion and premature failure of the cargo door actuator. When this failure occurs, shipboard personnel must hand-carry cargo, adding significant time and cost to port operations. The Navy requires an improved, corrosion-resistant cargo door actuator to reduce the burden on ship’s crew and maintain safe operations. To meet the Navy’s needs, the improved cargo door must meet environmental, maintenance, and cost requirements. First, the improved actuator must be able to withstand a corrosive maritime environment. While saltwater is of primary concern, equipment can also be exposed to marine fuel or other chemicals can also damage the equipment and parts. Second, the improved actuator assembly should be as close to a form and fit replacement as possible. Minimizing the shipboard installation and integration impacts from a new equipment design will make for an easier transition. Third, the design must be cost-effective. Any cost increase must be offset by improved life-cycle cost. Fourth, the improved actuator must be able to meet the mechanical requirements. Cargo doors are heavy, and the destroyers will require them to be held open for extended periods of time during port operations. They must not fail, as any sudden closure of the cargo door poses an extreme risk to shipboard personnel. Finally, the new design should allow for easy maintenance and removal. An improved actuator should allow for easy repair or replacement by Navy personnel. While there are many avenues to develop a product to fulfil the Navy need, including design improvements, research into corrosion-resistant materials has revealed several avenues that could potentially meet the Navy’s need. There have been numerous advances with corrosion-resistant steel and Inconel alloys but many of them are cost-prohibitive or have not been proven for Navy use. Nanomaterials have also been proven to improve corrosion resistance but might not have the mechanical properties needed for a corrosion-resistant actuator. Further innovation is needed to reduce acquisition costs and provide a viable design for the Navy.

SBIR/STTR 은 미국 중소기업만 지원할 수 있습니다(Small Business Act 법정 요건). • 계열사를 포함해 상시 종업원 500명 이하 • 미국 시민 또는 영주권자 1인 이상이 50%를 초과해 직접 소유·지배 • 미국 내 사업장을 두고 주로 미국 내에서 사업을 영위할 것 • 수행책임자(PI)의 주된 근무처가 신청 기업일 것 출처: https://www.sbir.gov/faq/eligibility-requirements

Primary country

🇺🇸 United States

Also eligible

None

Foreign companies

No

Local entity

Required

Location condition

미국 내 사업장을 두고 미국 시민·영주권자가 50%를 초과해 소유한 중소기업만 신청할 수 있습니다(법정 요건).

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Official URL

https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/

Application URL

https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/

Last fetched

2026.10.07

Human review

Not reviewed — check the official announcement

First seen

2026.10.07

Data status

Auto-collected, not reviewed

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