Palletized Load System: An Analysis of Alternative Flatrack Acquisition Strategies.
Abstract
A key element of the Army's future battlefield distribution system is the Palletized Load System (PLS), comprised of highly mobile trucks, trailers, and flatracks. The system features demountable flatracks to quickly pick up and drop off loads of ammunition using an on-board load handling system. This system speeds ammunition delivery and reduces handling and congestion in forward areas. The Army has identified some 3,000 trucks and trailers and 50,000 flatracks to meet its ammunition distribution needs. Improvements to the flatrack to allow preparation of combat loads to occur in the stateside depots and be transported to the using units have been suggested. These modifications add to the weight and cost of the flatracks and a cost-benefit analysis was performed to examine the tradeoffs between cost and design features. The report simulated distribution activities on a major regional contingency battlefield and analyzed the fleet costs for various flatrack alternatives. The comparison of benefits to costs resulted in recommendations to examine commercial variants of the flatrack before proceeding with a costly unique design of the flatrack and to modify the PLS truck for these commercial flatrack variants. Potential cost savings of over $160 million are associated with the LMI recommendation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA306570
Entities
People
- Raymond Schaible
- Ronald Bailey
Organizations
- LMI