DON27BZ01-NV003 TITLE: Improved Cargo Door Actuator

COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY PRIORITY AREA(S): Advanced Materials;Sustainment

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT: Level 2 (Self)

OBJECTIVE: Develop an improved, corrosion-resistant cargo door actuator capable of withstanding the mechanical and environment demands of DDG-51 Class ships.

DESCRIPTION: 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.

PHASE I: Develop a concept for an improved cargo door actuator. Demonstrate the feasibility of the concept in meeting the corrosion resistance, mechanical performance, fit form and function, maintainability, and life-cycle requirements as identified in the Description and that the concept can be developed into a useful product for the Navy. Establish feasibility of the improved corrosion-resistant cargo door actuator via small scale test, modeling, and/or simulation. If the Phase I Option is exercised, include the initial design specifications and a capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop and deliver a prototype improved cargo door actuator for evaluation. (Note: The prototype will be evaluated to determine capability in meeting the performance goals defined in the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW).) Demonstrate product performance via prototype evaluation, modeling, and demonstration over the required range of parameters. Participate in an extended test in a maritime environment to refine the prototype into a design that will meet Navy requirements. Prepare a Phase II manufacturing and development plan to transition the improved cargo door actuator for Navy use.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in transitioning the improved cargo door actuator. Develop installation, maintenance, and operations manuals for the improved cargo door actuator to support transition to the fleet.

There are potential commercial applications for an improved corrosion-resistant cargo door actuator including commercial shipping, offshore extraction, and advanced industrial processes.

REFERENCES:

1. Hill, Richard, and Perez, Aquiles. "New Steels and Corrosion-Resistant Alloys." Sci-Hub, 2017. Microalloying International, January 26, 2026. https://sci-hub.red/10.1016/B978-0-08-101105-8.00026-7
2. Muijib, Shakir Bin; Mukherjee, Santanu; Ren, Zhongkan and Singh, Gurpreet. "Assessing Corrosion Resistance of Two-Dimensional Nanomaterial-Based Coatings on Stainless Steel Substrates." Royal Society Publishing, 2020. Kansas State University, January 26, 2026. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.200214
3. "Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests." MIL STD 810. Army Test and Evaluation Command, 2022. Department of Defense, June 2, 2026. https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=35978

KEYWORDS: Nanocoatings; Saltwater Corrosion; Corrosion Resistant Materials; Actuator; Improved Materials; Reliability & Maintainability

TPOC 1 : Devin Burke
(202) 486-8482
devin.c.burke.civ@us.navy.mil

TPOC 2 : Gordon McCoy
(202) 781-1666
gordon.mccoy@navy.mil