ATLAS 60' Fording Study
Abstract
The All-Terrain, Articulated Lift System (ATLAS) is the next generation of rough-terrain, shooting boom, fork-lift trucks. ATLAS operational requirements call for a dash speed of 50 mph, 60 inches of seawater fording capability for Logistics-Over-the-Shore (LOTS) operations, 10,000 lbs lift capacity at 4 feet and 4,000 lbs lift capacity at 21.5 feet and enhanced operator controls. For ATLAS to reach the procurement phase, production and operating costs must be managed wisely. Machine requirements beyond those available on commercial rough-terrain folk-lifts must be weighed against their incremental costs. The ATLAS's 60 in. fording requirement is substantially beyond commercial vehicle capability and was thought to be a major cost driver. To address this issue, BRDEC awarded Caterpillar a contract to study the impact of adding the 60 in. fording capability to a commercial machine conceptually altered to fulfill the operational requirements of ATLAS. As a result of this study, the total technical and costs risks were substantially reduced without compromising ATLAS operational requirements. The RFP and the work plan submitted in the Caterpillar proposal was heavily focused on the impact of saltwater corrosion. The concern was that protecting the vehicle from saltwater corrosion would require extreme measures (like the use of stainless steel materials, etc). That would drive procurement and operating costs, and adversely impact maintainability, reliability, and overall machine life. The impact of the 60 in. fording requirement on ATLAS operational performance was also investigated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA262408
Entities
Organizations
- Caterpillar Inc.