ACQUISITION AT SPEED
RAIL can also be used at a fixed facility as an additional offload point to give increased throughput.
A team of 16 people can set the system up by hand, and it provides flexibility to offload on a variety of terrains. Other inno- vations designed into the system include adjustable heights and man portability, and the ability to transport in 20-foot Conex containers. It’s also small enough that it can be airdropped from a C-17 or C-130, or even transported by helicopter sling load to a location where it is needed.
“We now have one system that offers three capabilities versus having three unique systems that only do one thing.”
Te system has no electronic or hydraulic parts, meaning it requires little maintenance, Strickler said. It is designed for a 20-year life cycle.
ERDC and GVSC developed the prototype through a joint research and development program by leveraging past science and technology investments and the Army labs’ expertise in military bridging, structural engineering and military rail oper- ations. Te ERDC and GVSC team rapidly adopted technology it had previously developed together for offloading battle tanks at damaged seaport facilities to enable rail offloading at austere locations, away from easily targeted railhead yards.
At the request of the 21st Teater Sustainment Command (TSC), ERDC sent two prototype RAIL systems to U.S. European Command to support real-world operations. Soldiers trained on the capability at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany, from May 3 through May 10 and gave developers feedback for future iterations that will incorporate unique flexibility require- ments for European operations.
WEIGHING THE BENEFITS “Te RAIL system provides the European theater a 21st century capability to improvise and build a railhead off-load [and] on-load capability at nonstandard locations,” said John M. Gallagher, a
PRIMED FOR TRANSPORT
Soldiers at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany, demonstrated how the ramp system is configured for storage and shipping in May. The entire system fits inside a standard 20-foot container. (Photo courtesy of ERDC)
supervisory traffic management specialist with the 21st Teater Sustainment Command. “Tis provides us a level of flexibility to adapt operational plans to enable freedom of movement and ensure speed of assembly for U.S. forces.”
Te two prototype systems will stay in Europe for training, and the 21st Teater Sustainment Command has procured funds for eight additional kits—containing the panels and beams used to construct the ramps as well as the tools that are needed to assemble them into three unique configurations—that will create operational flexibility and provide deterrence through logistical capability. Several NATO members have also expressed inter- est in the kits, and Latvia sent two soldiers to participate in the training.
https://asc.ar my.mil 51
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
