Military

AERIAL TRANSPORT OF MLRS AMMUNITION
AND EQUIPMENT

Aerial Ammunition Resupply

Ammunition resupply of MLRS units is a critical operation. A technique or capability available to support resupply of the 5,005 pound LPC or the 4,609 pound GMLA is the use of the CH-47D helicopter. This appendix supplements the discussion of Class V operations in Chapter 6.

The CH-47D has a load-carrying capacity of 25,000 pounds. Loads can be carried internally or externally by using TOE equipment except for required external load slings.

The CH-47D can carry up to four LPCs or GMLAs internally for a total of 24 rockets or four missiles. Atmospheric or weather conditions in the area will dictate the load-carrying capacity of the CH-47D.

Equipment. The LPCs or GMLAs can be loaded by use of the following equipment:

• CH-47D on-board winch.
• Four (1,000) conveyor rollers, NSN 3910-0-903-1303.
• Twelve sheets of 3/4 inch plywood.

Concept. The LPCs or GMLAs can be loaded two at a time stacked on top of each other. They should be prepositioned (by using the HEMTT crane) on top of conveyor rollers and one sheet of plywood. The on-board winch can then be used to pull the load into the aircraft. Plywood shoring should be placed down in the deck of the aircraft for the conveyor rollers to travel. The identical procedures are used to load the second two pods. Then all LPCs or GMLAs are tied down with standard 10,000-pound cargo straps.

Off-Loading. Four soldiers can push the load down the ramp and use the on-board winch to help brake the load.

Loading Considerations. The following should be considered:

• On- or off-loading requires about 30 minutes.
• A level landing zone is required to ensure the plywood shoring remains level.
• The winch should be hooked onto the aft end of the load to facilitate loading of the second LPCs or G/MLAs.

Current procedures permit only one LPC to be carried. Four 25 ton slings are required. The front two are 10 feet in length, and the rear two are 12 feet in length. Procedures to carry four LPCs will substantially expedite helicopter resupply when developed. The GMLA no-tolerance drop restrictions preclude external transport.

Aerial movement of MLRS ammunition is feasible and, given the limited assets of the COSCOM to move LPCs or GMLAs to the ASP, this is a potential solution. Availability of aircraft and the criticality of the mission will be the determinants in the execution of this operation.

Transportation of MLRS Equipment on United States Air Force Aircraft

The following procedures will aid MLRS units deploying by C141-B aircraft.

Loading and off-loading operations require a wood block ramp brace 20 by 11 by 10.5 inches and stair-stepped plywood approach shoring, seven pieces on each side. Air Force publications state and expand on these requirements. Wood should be precut and on hand for each vehicle.

The HEMTT must be backed into the aircraft. Minimal clearance requires skilled and experienced drivers in the HEMTTs.

All LPCs or GMLAs and the HEMTT spare tire must be removed for up-loading.

The M270 hatch cover and antennas must be removed, and the driver's louver must be down over the windshield.

The launcher is driven forward onto the aircraft with C14lB winch assistance.

Plywood matting is required on the tarmac (approach to aircraft) and within the aircraft.

Each type of transport aircraft has a specific manifest form which must be completed for transporting MLRS cargo. (See the sample MAC Form 749 [C-5A Passenger/Cargo Manifest] Figure A-2.)