Raytheon completes preliminary design phase of TEMP programme

Raytheon has successfully completed the preliminary design phase of the Tactically Expandable Maritime Platform (TEMP) programme for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The TEMP programme is part of the DARPA’s project to develop modular solutions that can transform commercial container ships into floating supply bases during disaster relief operations, without the need of port infrastructure.

Raytheon will develop systems with modular technologies such as air and sea cargo transport, cargo transfer and onboard support resources for the container ship, under the TEMP programme.

The modular solutions will also enable the ship to be deployed with limited manpower in less than a day to conduct missions for more than 30 days.

Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business Advanced Technology vice president Joe Biondi said: "With the TEMP system, Raytheon hopes to provide the U.S. Navy with the ability to both address humanitarian aid requirements and keep core naval assets focused on primary warfighting and training missions."

Designed to achieve the goal of transforming a commercial shipping vessel into a platform, the key technologies include ParaFoil Air Delivery System, Motion Stabilized Cranes and Mission Management Modules.

DARPA has designed a low-cost, propeller-driven unmanned air-delivery system, Parafoil which uses a parachute for lift and carries urgent supplies from the container ship to stricken areas on shore.

Development of a motion-stabilised crane to enable transfer of cargo containers at sea from the ship deck over the side and onto a sea-delivery vehicle is also a part of the TEMP programme.

Raytheon has delivered a series of mission management modules as part of the TEMP programme to meet the requirements of the humanitarian missions including mission planning, communications, control of air and sea assets, tracking deliveries and maintaining safe operations.