The Palletized Loading System (PLS)
Information & photos courtesy U.S. Army
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The Palletized Loading System has grown out of the Army's very successful "HEMTT", or High Extended Mobility Tactical Truck (pronounced "Hemmet") 10-ton truck system. A third axle and specialized trailer were added to support an extended cargo bed(s), and a crane was added to allow the PLS to pick up and deliver a wide variety of payloads. Details of several of the available platforms are listed below. The concept is to provide transportation for a series of "modules" to meet specific battlefield and support needs, without requiring the prime mover to remain on site along with that module. For example, the PLS could act as a dump truck in the morning, drop off that module to pick up a fuel pump module for transport to a logistics point in the afternoon, and pick up a THAAD module in the evening. The PLS is already in service with the 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery, headquartered in OIympia, WA. The PLS is particularly well suited to disaster response because it is able to fulfill such a wide variety of roles.
Characteristics
- Enhanced PLS Chassis with CTI and Independent Suspension
- Crane Lifting Capacity 11,000 pounds @ 11 feet and 43 Degree Boom Angle
- Towing Capability for the M1073 FUPP trailer, or the M1076 PLS Trailer
- On Board Electrical Power, Compressed Air with Pneumatic Tools, Welder/Gas Cutter, and Improved Hand Tools
- Equipped with SINGCARS, GPS, Digital TMDE, and computer
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| Theater High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) |
Utilizes the Palletized Load System (PLS) truck platform as a transporter and launcher. While the system does not utilize the versatility of the Load Handling System (LHS) in a conventional manner, it does provide exceptional mobility and commonality with the existing Army PLS inventory and increases reload flexibility in the field. The use of the PLS platform also allows for personnel and equipment force structure savings. THAAD launchers are transportable on C-141 aircraft and can be quickly deployed to regions where they are needed, satisfying THAAD's requirement for rapid set-up, launch and reload. The system utilizes a 10 missile canister launcher and was first fielded to early user testing in March, 1996.
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| Dump Body Module |
Still in the prototype phase, this module is a flatrack mounted dump body weighing in at 8,800 pounds empty, with a payload capacity of 27,380 pounds. It has a 12 cubic yard capacity and is fully integrated with existing PLS controls. In addition, the dump body has an automatically deployed tarp, an air actuated tailgate and can be loaded onto the PLS trailer to double the payload capacity of the system. This versatility allows a PLS truck and trailer, with two dump body flatracks, to transport 24 cubic yards of material weighing in excess of 54,000 pounds over all types of terrain.
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| Fuel Tank and Pump Module |
This variant of the PLS is a flatrack mounted, fully contained, 3000 gallon tank and pump unit. The Fuel Tank and Pump Module consists of a 3000 gallon tank unit, and a tank pump unit used for simultaneous fueling or defueling of multiple vehicles. The unit can be downloaded and continue to conduct fueling operations allowing the PLS chassis to be used for another mission, if required.
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| Forward Repair System - Heavy (FRS-H) |
The FRS-H is a key maintenance enabler designed to provide enhanced diagnostic and repair capability to units in any location. The flatrack based FRS-H system can provide on-site unit level or direct support maintenance either as a mounted system or removed from the PLS. The FRS-H is a completely self-contained, highly mobile maintenance system capable of providing support wherever it's needed. The on-board equipment includes tool sets, power tools, electrical power, compressed air, computers, digital diagnostic and communication capabilities.
Bituminous Distributor Module
A dismountable unit capable of repeated use with the PLS. When loaded on a PLS truck, the Bituminous Distributor Module will provide a means of spreading measured amounts of bituminous materials (asphalt) for road preparation and repair and other engineer applications.
Concrete Mobile Mixer Module
A dismountable unit, with a self-contained power supply, capable of repeated use with the PLS. The Concrete Mobile Mixer Module is also operable as a stand alone unit without assistance from the PLS. The Concrete Mobile Mixer Module will provide a means to carry raw materials for concrete in separate compartments for mixing on the job site.
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