NPK’s DURA-BASE® Advanced Composite Mat System recently supported a world-first military engineering assessment during Exercise Bronze Croc 26 at RAAF Base Tindal in Australia.
Military engineers successfully constructed an expedient aircraft movement surface using DURA-BASE matting, which was then traversed by a P-8A Poseidon. The taxiway was delivered in approximately 12 hours after the team pivoted to a new location, with no ground preparation required. The successful trial demonstrated the potential of DURA-BASE as a rapidly deployable surface solution for aircraft operations in austere and challenging environments.
The assessment brought together Australian and U.S. military personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. The project was supported in Australia by JWA Composite Matting, NPK’s partner specializing in composite matting solutions for the Australian market.
The P-8A assessment builds on an earlier RAAF milestone involving the operation of a fifth-generation fighter over DURA-BASE matting, further demonstrating the system’s potential for flexible and rapidly deployable airfield applications.
For the full story, including details on the engineering assessment and Exercise Bronze Croc 26, read the Royal Australian Air Force article, “Paving the Way to Success”.
ABOUT NPK INTERNATIONAL
NPK International Inc. is a temporary worksite access solutions company that manufactures, sells, and rents recyclable composite matting products, along with a full suite of services, including planning, logistics, and site restoration. The Company delivers superior quality and reliability across critical infrastructure markets, including electrical power transmission, oil and gas exploration, pipeline, renewable energy, petrochemical, construction, and other industries. For more information, visit our website at www.npki.com.
