On the Move—Rapid Deployment and Mobilizers
By Robert C. Wareham
The state of current worldwide conditions and fast paced events make the ability to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment a critical element in the success of any modern military mission. A fast response, no matter what the needproviding emergency aid and relief supplies in times of natural disasters, to reestablishing civil obedience and security in peacekeeping missions, or to resist and quash armed conflicts. A fast response, no matter where the presence is requireda few hundred miles down the interstate, to half way around the world, or to the most remote lands, difficult terrains and harsh environments.
And, just as important to marshaling the troops, is the need to provide the logistics to quickly and efficiently mobilize the support equipment and supplies required to complete the mission. Today, a major portion of mobility technology is in the use of transportable containers and shelter systems. The containers can be used to safely transport supplies of all kinds, while the shelters offer strategic facilities deployment capabilities. The shelters can be pre-staged with, for example, the tools and equipment necessary for vehicle maintenance; with the communications equipment for setting up command and briefing stations; with the sophisticated electronics for weapons, radar and UAV guidance systems; and with the medical supplies to provide close support first aid and triage centers. Upon reaching its destination, a container or shelter provides virtually instantaneous operational status with minimal preparations and setup.
Then rapid deployment to the destination becomes the operative process, and why most shelters and containers are sized for internal airlift within cargo aircraft. But, ground transportation is also critical, for the shelters and containers have to be moved over various terrains, from smooth highways to the most rigorous trails, not to mention the need to be easily moved into and out of the aircraft. For that, many military units are now relying on the new generation of mobilizers, or wheel sets, to efficiently move shelters.
The mobilizer concept, a technology thats been used for nearly 50 years by the military, is simply to use two sets of wheels that are attached to the front and rear ends of the shelter, becoming the front and rear axles of the container and, thus, convert the unit into a moveable vehicle. The early generations of mobilizers have now reached the end of their useful lives. Efforts to rebuild, repair and modify these older designs have been met with limited successful results. Corrosion, cracked welds, low capacity and manual operations will continue to give mobilizers a bad name and limit operations. Modern mobilizer units, unlike their predecessors, are proving to be the single, flexible option to handle all types of mobility conditions, including stable, high speed highway travel, the agility to roll and fit into aircraft with limited vertical clearance, and the toughness for off-road maneuvers.
Why mobilizers?
Todays mobilizers are for the most part self-sufficient units that make the conversion process easy. First, when not in use with a container, the two wheel sets attach to one another to create a compact, four-wheeled unit for trailering or storage. When needed, the two ends are separated and then maneuvered into position at the ends of the shelter where, depending upon the interface connection platform of locking twist pins, bolts or other clamping devices that may be used, the wheel sets are secured to the container ends.
Once secured, a current mobilizer model, with individual onboard power units for each axle unit, will use hydraulic cylinders to pivot the wheel sets and lift the container off the ground. There is no need for additional loading equipment such as fork trucks or hoists, and the push button operation replaces antiquated manual hydraulic jack-like pump technology, of older model mobilizers. Then too, the onboard hydraulic pumps, typically driven by 24V DC operating system and batteries, eliminates the need for auxiliary equipment such as generators or power take-offs from vehicles to operate the mobilizers.
Self-contained, extendable heavy duty trailer wiring and brake hoses for connection between the two axles, plus links to the towing vehicle and waterproof junction boxes are provided for brake and lights operation.
Once a shelter or container has reached its desired location, the process is reversed, and the unit is detached from the wheel setsor it may remain attached to the mobilizer if further relocations is necessary.
Essentially, the main advantage of mobilizer-type transportation modules is their ability to be used in conjunction with standard containers to easily load and unload into aircraft such as the C-130 transport plane. This is due to the fact that, while the hydraulics are used to secure and lift the container off the ground, the system also allows for independent adjustment of the front and rear clearance heights. The ground clearance may be adjustable from 0″ up to 24″, depending upon the model and size requirements of the mobilizer. So, for safe highway travel and maximum stability, a height of 20″ may be recommended. When loading an aircraft, this height may be lowered to provided clearance for ramp openings, then each axles height independently raised or lowered as the unit rolls up the ramp and into the plane to prevent the underside from bottoming out.
Additional improvements that have been incorporated into the newer mobilizer designs include automotive style knuckle steering components that make todays wheel sets more stable during highway travel, where current models are tested to and certified for speeds of up to 55 mph. Each axle set has its own service brakes for greater stopping ability and safety, and just recently, the CIGNYS Ground Support products group has developed an optional anti-lock braking system (ABS) into its ISO style mobilizers to prevent wheel lock and to establish a safer transportation system for inclement weather and hazardous road conditions.
Further technologies that are making mobilizers the optimum transportation tool for container and shelter mobilization are four heavy duty shock absorbers and transverse stabilizer bar components to help limit sway, and an air ride suspension system, including automatic self leveling valves, that both assist in stability of the unit during travel and to minimize jarring motions in off-road conditions to help protect sensitive equipment and supplies.
Mobilizer styles available today from CIGNYS include a high speed (55 mph) ISO compatible unit that can handle both 10 or 20-foot length containers with containers of up to 24,000 lbs., and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 30,000 lbs or 15,000 lbs. per axle. A new low profile (in the stowed position) high-speed mobilizer, developed first for radar systems transport, features handling capacities similar to the ISO unit and can be outfitted with container interface connections for each specific application. A third style of high speed mobilizer is engineered for use with S-280 size shelters and pallets, with capacity for shelter weights of up to 12,000 lbs, and a GVWR of 15,600 lbs. and 8,000 lbs per axle limits. All three configurations are certified for travel speeds of up to 55 mph, are suitable for all-terrain operations, and provide for aircraft loading. The mobilizers are designed with an open deck design that allows access to and full operation of entrance doors while the shelter is attached to the mobilizer unit.
Editors Note: Robert C. Wareham is Vice President, Ground Support Equipment, CIGNYS
For more information on CIGNYS, visit: http://www.CIGNYS.com/