The management of cargo onboard whilst underway, for replenishment and operational use, is historically a labourintensive activity. Moving and securing of cargo and the management of inventory lists is time-consuming and hazardous. The process can be made much simpler and more efficient through the use of automated cargo handling solutions. With shore-based warehousing now utilising all-electric systems, commercial equipment can now be integrated to deliver on-board automated systems with the convenience of all-electric control. The first application of this approach is planned for the Royal Navy's Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF), yielding an estimated 65% reduction in manpower required to manage the process, and associated reductions in through-life cost. It has also been recognised as a step change in improving on-board safety where manual handling represents a major safety risk. This paper will describe the process carried out to evolve the solution from initial concept to industry-accepted prototype, identifying some of the key hurdles that needed to be overcome. A description is given of potential future applications followed by the possibilities for technological advancement of systems in the future.
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