Inflatable composite structures enable lightweight transportable buildings

A project on a large shelter called the Transportable Helicopter Enclosure led to the Chemically and Biologically Protected Shelter System, which was fielded in 2003. The low-pressure system deploys connected to a Humvee and is equipped to treat contaminated patients.

Other medical shelters in development are the Future Medical Shelter System and 21st Century Military Hospital System, both designed for pre-operative and post-operative care in an environment protected against chemical and biological agents.

After a successful demonstration of the Future Medical Shelter System, the Future Combat System Medical Vehicle Treatment will be demonstrated, according to Leighton.

“Unlike how the (Chemically and Biologically Protected Shelter) is connected to a Humvee, the new system could be self-sustaining so it can be separated from the vehicle,” she said. “With photovoltaics, it could provide its own generator power to fill up with the air compressor.”

Units from Fort Riley, Kan., and Fort Bliss, Texas, are helping evaluate another type of shelter, the Small Tactical Airbeam Tent, for rapid transition of airbeam-supported shelters to the field. The Standard Integrated Command Post System also could become an airbeam-supported tent.

Similar designs were used in an exercise by the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense to protect people and unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Border Patrol, Leighton said.

The larger the scale, the larger the payoff over conventional structures, she said. The Air Force has cashed in by awarding a contract to Vertigo last June to develop the Large Shelter System, which will serve as an aircraft hangar as part of an expeditionary base.

Although shelters remain a major market for inflatable structures, airbeams are spreading into ship fenders, ejection seat stabilizers, high-glide deployable parachute wings, inflatable ladders, pollution containment booms and fuel bladders.

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