Navy Tests New Ramp Technologies

The Interface Ramp Technologies project is a Future Naval Capability product developed by the Office of Naval Research. The ramp is intended to enable the transfer of vehicles between a Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) and a Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), as well as the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS). It is designed to work in conditions up to Sea State 3 (waves up to 4 feet, 1 inch) by flexing in response to ship motions-a significant improvement over current JHSV ramp capabilities. The ramp would allow transfers without the need for a pier or protected port. By providing this ability to interoperate and exchange materials, personnel and equipment between the JHSV, MLP and INLS, the flexibility and speed of the JHSV could be more fully realized. A full-scale land based demonstration of the developed technologies has been conducted using a high performance motion platform.