Abstract
There is a need for a method to enable handling of cargo delivered by tactical airlifter aircrafts utilizing Roll on/Roll off(RO/RO) systems such as the Hercules C-130.When operating at austere locations that do not have any other infrastructure, it is required to rapidly offload and remove cargo from the limited ramp space. The need for this capability became readily apparent during the Indian Air Force(IAF) disaster relief operations to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake when the IAF’s C-130 aircraft immediately responded with aidbut were unable to readily offload their cargo due to lack of available infrastructure. As a solution to this and numerous other scenarios requiring material handling capability for an RO/RO infrastructure, a novel cargo handling vehicle concept named “Cargo Ground Buildup System(CGBS)” is proposed and presented here.
The CGBS is an air transportable, unmanned cargo handling vehicle designed for the Hercules C-130 aircraft to enable offloading of the cargo delivered by the aircraft at austere locations that do not have any other infrastructure to rapidly offload and to remove cargo from the limited ramp space of the aircraft. The CGBS can be transported by the aircraft without reducing the available space for the cargo carrying the reliefmaterial. Designed keeping in mind the requirements and constraints of the Hercules C-130*, the CGBS can operate over any terrain and under any weather that the Hercules C-130 can operate in.
Keywords: Material handling vehicle; Military vehicles; vehicle design; Roll on/Roll off