Technology Assessment of the DACS/MERADCOM Prestaged Ammunition Loading System (PALS) Concept Study.
Abstract
This report presents a systems analysis approach and evaluation of: (1) Review and critique of existing documentation on the two proposed PALS concepts - (a) the PALS low lift truck and platform concept, and (b) the ATS (cable bed transfer vehicle and dock-mounted roller mat container loader) concept with the baseline system, namely, the existing approved wooden dunnage system; (2) Identify voids, questionable analytical techniques or methodologies; (3) Visit to Defense Ammunition Center School (DACS) at the Savanna Army Depot, Illinois, and witness outloading ammunition using the wooden dunnage system; and (4) Visit to Automatic Truckloading Systems, Inc., Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Abbott Laboratories, Waukegan, Illinois, to witness the dock-mounted roller bed loader and the cable bed conveyor system for trucks. The study concluded that of the two concepts compared with baseline wooden system for outloading ammunition in commercial ISO containers the prestaged platform concept is not cost effective compared with the baseline system. The ATS concept is both cost effective and in commercial use on a daily basis exhibiting acceptable RAM characteristics. Other PALS improvements, not necessarily related to the ATS concept, offer additional significant savings through improved material handling in the igloo cycle and cost savings through improved materials and productivity in the dunnage cycle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA092668
Entities
People
- John S. Howland
- Robert H. Bode
Organizations
- Arthur D. Little