FA564121SC001 - Barless Tug - AOI 1.pdf

AREA OF INTEREST

Unit: 100 MXG, RAF MILDENHALL, UK

Mission statement: Ensure that RAF Mildenhall has the ability to conduct combat missions away from home station.

Mission Background: To provide lethal, agile, highly respected, dominant global power, defend US interests, demonstrate combat readiness, by creating a more independent fleet.

Operational Gap: Currently, the KC-135 fleet lacks towing capability in forward operating locations without required equipment for support. The amount of coordination it requires to deploy a tow package is extensive and takes a considerable amount of time. That coordination involves identifying required equipment, teaming with other units for aircraft support to transport equipment, personnel to prep tow vehicles, and tow bars for movement. As an alternative, in the past personnel have spent immeasurable amounts of time creating engineering requests to utilize host nation equipment for support which is not always approved. While the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept in USAFE-AFAFRICA is evolving, we hope to broaden 100 ARW capabilities by providing an easily deployable “tow barless (TBL)” vehicle to support operating locations with limited or no support equipment.

End State: 100 ARW can execute the ACE concept by being more self-sustaining while keeping our footprint small enough to move to and from multiple operating locations. In particular, a compact, minimal manning TBL vehicle that can be loaded on a KC-135/C-130 and deployed with ease to provide tow capabilities across the AOR. To be a viable solution, it is imperative for the TBL to meet some specific specifications. The unit would need to be able to tow 190,000 pounds. The unit must be small enough to fit on a typical aircraft pallet (108 inches by 88 inches). The total weight of the unit cannot exceed 6,000 pounds. There is no specific height requirement but for practical purposes the unit would be most useful if no taller than 24 inches.

The ideal unit is designed to maximize ease of use and mobility in a forward operating location, such as easily removable batteries with handles and other features that simplify usage and reduce overall size and weight down to the maximum extent practicable. Strap down attach points on the frame to allow for floor loading on a C-130 is also needed.

Need Date: ASAP

Anticipated Funds Availability: $240,000