Many logistics folks (myself included) have struggled with the challenge of trying to devise an effective palletized system that is compatible with the HMMWV. Many of these have included some form of PLS to make loading and unloading easier. Others have proposed going with a 2-ton limit that could be carried by the Heavy Hummer variant. My 4 years as a full time mechanic on HMMWVs and 4 additional years as a professional civilian truck mechanic have led me to a different system.
Because the HMMWV body is made of aluminum, carrying larger weights can be a challenge. The shape of the rear bed also poses problems, as we either have to remain between the wheel wells, above the wheel wells, or devise a really odd shape for the pallet. PLS realistically cannot be incorporated into the HMMWV because of these requirements. We can’t completely eliminate the need for MHE in the field because of the need to move and replace engines, transmissions, and power packs. Because of these realities, I propose a 1-ton pallet.
This pallet could be carried between the wheel wells of any HMMWV so we maximize on the existing investment in trucks. The bottom of the pallet will feature raised nubs that lift the pallet high enough for the forks of a forklift to fit underneath. The nubs will also be rounded allowing for the pallet to be slid on smooth, even surfaces (like the floor of a helicopter). The pallet should also be made of a high-strength, lightweight composite material but it needs to remain very cheap, as we will be using these for purposes other than material transport. It will also need to be airdroppable and the pallets should be capable of being interlocked to form a larger pallet for more efficient sling loading and air transport.
Most HMMWV cargo can still be carried more efficiently in a non-palletized arrangement. Where this system would be effective is in offering a modular palletized system that supply assets can break down in the support area for rapid and efficient delivery to forward units. These pallets would be deliverable by HMMWV or M113 (carried internally). They could also be direct delivered via the Fast-rope Delivery System.
The pallets themselves would be of an ideal dimension to fill some additional roles. For example, troop-carrying HMMWVs can hang two pallets from each side for basic fragmentation protection. The pallets could be used on other platforms as spaced armor for improved protection against shaped charges. The dimensions of this pallet would be ideal as overhead cover for fighting positions. You could also link them together to form a floor in larger tents that require one to prevent items from being exposed to water intrusion (med tents, command tents with commo and computer gear, etc.). While the nubs on the bottom will tend to cause the platform to dig in when airdropped, this is nothing that a capable forklift operator cannot account for.
This system would offer the flexibility of either linking the pallets together for forming larger pallets for air transport or they could be carried on 7.5-ton or 15-ton PLS pallets. It should be very cheap to develop and field and can fill a variety of badly needed roles within the current force.
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