Improved Portable Underway Replenishment (UNREP) Tester/Trainer

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
None
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Sustainment & Logistics
KEYWORDS
Underway Replenishment (UNREP); Pier side Training; Pier side Testing; Maintenance; Ship-to-ship Cargo Transfer; Tensioned Highline
OBJECTIVE
Develop a portable Underway Replenishment (UNREP) Tester/Trainer to be used pier side to replace legacy in-port Shipboard Qualifications Testing that requires a supply ship and pier space for the two ships.
ITAR
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
DESCRIPTION
Underway Replenishment (UNREP) systems are used to transfer cargo and liquid (i.e., fuel, water) at sea between U.S. Navy ships. A tensioned line is rigged between the two ships, and the cargo/liquid is transferred along the highline between the ships. Delivery ships (i.e., T-AKE, T-AO, and T-AOE) have the equipment used to transfer the cargo and fuel, while the receiving ships (i.e., combatants, carriers, amphibious) have a simple connection point to connect the line from the delivery ship and then receive the cargo/liquids.
The Navy requires in-port testing to verify the installation and training of the fleet on how to operate the UNREP systems. Currently this testing requires the delivery ship to connect their cargo and fuel systems to the receiving ship in addition to the pier space for the receiving and delivery ships. Delays in testing often occur due to limited pier space and delivery ships not being readily available. This has increasingly become an issue as the fleet increases their size, placing a greater demand for pier space availability. There is currently no commercial technology that can meet this need.
The Navy seeks a portable UNREP Tester/Trainer System that will test the current design and use innovative power and controls to meet the Navy's needs. The new trailer should be able to test the UNREP stations on a receiving ship and provide training opportunities for the fleet while in-port. The proposed solution can be self-propelled or towable to allow use in various locations. It must be self-powered for UNREP testing/training. The trainer/tester will need to be fixed to the pier to allow all required testing. The testing/training will be for both cargo and liquid systems. Currently, cargo transfer uses a trolley that is pulled back and forth on the tensioned highline, while the liquid transfer uses a hose hanging from the tensioned highline. No fuel would be transferred; all liquid training and testing will be dry. The tensioned highline testing will include pulling at different angles including above and below the horizon and fore and aft of the station. The Navy UNREP testing requirements are further defined in NWP 4-01.4 [Ref 1].
PHASE I
Develop a concept for an UNREP tester/trainer that meets the requirements outlined in the Description. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept in meeting Navy requirements and establish that the concept can be developed into a useful product for the Navy. Feasibility will be established via computer modeling or other means deemed appropriate. The Phase I Option, if exercised, include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in a Phase II plan.
PHASE II
Develop and deliver a prototype for an UNREP tester/trainer system. The prototype will be evaluated and tested to determine capability in meeting the defined performance goals. Product performance will be demonstrated through prototype evaluation, modeling, and demonstration over the required range of parameters. An extended pier side test with an active/available ship will be used to refine the prototypes into a design that will meet Navy requirements. Prepare a Phase III manufacturing and development plan to transition the UNREP tester/trainer system to Navy use.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
Support the Navy in transitioning the portable UNREP tester/trainer to Navy use. Develop installation, maintenance, and operations manuals for the UNREP tester/trainer to support transition to the fleet.
Additionally, the finished product has applications for the Military Sealift Command Fleet in qualifying mariners to operate with Navy Ships at sea. There is potential use as a test fixture for commercial companies that are trying to get into the UNREP business and are building their own UNREP systems that will need to meet the same requirements as current Navy design.
REFERENCES
NAVAL WARFARE PUBLICATION UNDERWAYREPLENISHMENT NWP4-01.4 (Formerly NWP 14 (Rev. E)), March 2001. https://www.maritime.dot.gov/sites/marad.dot.gov/files/2023-01/unrep-nwp04-01.pdf
Sch ning, Julius. "AI for Closed-Loop Control Systems: New Opportunities for Modeling, Designing, and Tuning Control Systems." 18 Jan 2022. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2201.06961
Nikishechkin, P. A. "Practical Aspects of Constructing a Specialized Control System for Compact Machines." IOP Science 2020, January 2025. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/971/4/042085/pdf