For military operations, the transport vehicles used need to be both reliable and efficient. Solutions FTG is a leading distributor dedicated to providing the best military transport solutions. Through its partnership with Irish Dawg Industries (IDI), the company offers a comprehensive selection of vehicles designed to meet the demanding needs of the modern military. These vehicles are not just built for transport; they can be rapidly mobilized and integrated into operational environments worldwide.

The Importance of Intermodal Mobility Solutions in Military Goals

Intermodal mobility solutions are at the forefront of military logistics, as they enable the unrestricted movement of equipment across different transportation modes, such as land, sea, and air. In the context of military transport, intermodal mobility is important for making sure that equipment and supplies can be deployed rapidly and reliably across diverse geographical regions and challenging environments.

These are the benefits of intermodal mobility solutions in military operations:

  • Efficiency: They streamline the transportation process by minimizing handling and reducing the time needed to transfer goods between different modes of transport. This leads to faster delivery times and more efficient operations.
  • Cost Savings: Intermodal mobility solutions can significantly lower operational costs by reducing the need for manual handling. Utilizing the most cost-effective mode of transport for each leg of the journey helps maintain budget constraints without sacrificing performance.
  • Security: Standardized containers used in intermodal transport provide better security for military equipment and supplies. These containers are designed to be secure, reducing the risk of damage or theft during transit.
  • Flexibility: Military operations often require rapid response and adaptability to changing circumstances. Intermodal transport allows for quick adjustments in routing and mode selection, guaranteeing that equipment and supplies can be redirected as needed to meet mission objectives.

Several of Solutions FTG’s products are now intermodal, and other certifications have been achieved, such as:

  • US Patents (US Patents 11,034,511 – 11,254,494 – 11,167,915 – 11,767,152 -11,655,098 and Patents Pending).
  • Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) certification for all ISO container-based products.
  • Successful completion of military transportability testing.

What Is Military Transportability Testing?

Military transportability testing is a process designed to evaluate the capability of equipment to be transported efficiently and safely. It assesses factors such as weight, dimensions, and structural integrity of the items involved to guarantee that they can withstand transportation demands. This test aims to confirm that these items can be moved seamlessly by different transportation modes, like trucks, ships, and aircraft, without compromising their functionality or safety.

Military transportability testing involves both virtual simulations and live testing scenarios. These include road mobility evaluations, where equipment is subjected to various surfaces and speeds, and lift evaluations to make sure that there is no permanent deformation during handling. Detailed reports are generated from these tests and reviewed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to certify that the required standards are met.

The Difference Between Transportability and Deployability

While both terms are important in the scope of military logistics, transportability and deployability have distinct meanings. As discussed previously, transportability focuses on an item’s inherent ability to be moved efficiently across different transportation modes, considering factors such as weight, dimensions, and compatibility with transport vehicles.

Conversely, deployability encompasses a broader concept. It signifies an item’s readiness for immediate action upon arrival at its destination. This includes not just the physical ability to be transported but also factors like ease of assembly, operational functionality, and rapid integration into the deployment environment.

Military Transportability Testing for IDI’s Products

The military transportability testing for IDI’s products included a wide range of scenarios, such as the following:

  • Empty Testing: This assesses the equipment’s transportability, focusing only on its weight, dimensions, and interaction with transport vehicles.
  • Mission Configured Testing: Here, the equipment is outfitted with its typical operational components, simulating a real-world deployment scenario. This ensures the equipment can be transported while maintaining its functionality.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) with Ballast: This pushes the limits by loading the equipment to its maximum authorized weight capacity, including the use of additional ballast (weight) to represent the heaviest possible payload. This simulates the most demanding transport situations and guarantees the equipment can handle the stress.

Ground Mobility (Roadability) Evaluation

To guarantee that IDI’s products can handle the rigors of real-world travel, they undergo a comprehensive ground mobility evaluation. This evaluation is guided by industry standards like ASTM E1925-18 and AS8090 and involves a staggering 1,000 miles of road travel, simulating extensive deployment scenarios. The equipment must also tackle a series of 15-lap discrete courses designed to push its limits. To track performance, a sophisticated GPS system logs speed and distance traveled. Additionally, the entire evaluation is documented through digital recordings and photographs, providing a clear picture for everyone.

Most importantly, at varying speeds, roadability testing is done on different surfaces, such as high-quality pavement, secondary gravel, Perryman A and B simulators, and Belgian blocks. By utilizing the diversity of the terrain, Solutions FTG guarantees that its products can handle the realities of military deployments.

Post-Mobility Inspections

After the roadability evaluation, another set of comprehensive inspections was conducted to make sure the equipment was transportable.

Interior

All cabinets and drawers were inspected, and the doors and drawers were opened to their fullest extent. No binding or difficulty was noted when manipulating the cabinets and drawers. During the inspection, no deformation or buckling was noted in the cabinets, drawers, or interior walls. There was no deformation or damage to the main personnel doors, which opened, closed, and sealed properly.

Exterior

The exteriors were inspected, with no structural damage noted anywhere on the exteriors. There was no visible deformation, buckling, or cracking of any exterior walls or structure. The electrical box, ECU cover, and all other exterior components remained intact and without damage. The roof and walls showed no deformation or separation. All doors were opened to their fullest extent without restriction. The ECU was turned off and returned to the transport position without restriction.

Lift Evaluations

The lift evaluation was performed as described in ASTM E1925-18, Section 10.34 “Lift Test” 3.2G and the relative Test Plans. Post-test inspections revealed no visible evidence of permanent deformation of the lifting points or structures.

The detailed military transportability testing and post-mobility inspections underscore how, at Solutions FTG, we have a commitment to quality and reliability. We are committed to rigorous testing and continuous improvement to ensure that our equipment meets the highest standards of military transportability and intermodal mobility. For more information regarding the testing and inquiries, contact us today.