GLOBEMASTER REACHES FURTHER FASTER WITH DELIVERY OF CARGO LOADERS

[Guest Chainsaw]

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE

CPA 420/07

 

Ground support for the Air Force's C-17A Globemaster fleet has been

 

enhanced with the delivery of four Truck/Aircraft Loading Unloading

 

(TALU) units to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases across

 

Australia.

 

Adelaide-based company Static Engineering has produced four TALU's for

 

Air Force. The final unit was delivered to RAAF Base Townsville earlier

 

this month.

 

TALU's have also been delivered to RAAF bases Pearce, Amberley and

 

Darwin.

 

Each TALU has a platform that can carry a payload of 22.5 tonnes, and

 

hold up to five military pallets. These units greatly increase the ease

 

of loading and unloading the Globemaster by elevating the platform to

 

the height of the aircraft's cargo floor.

 

The Globemaster has a total payload capacity of 77 tonnes, making it one

 

of the most capable airlifters in the world today.

 

The Director of the Defence Materiel Organisation's (DMO) Aeronautical

 

Equipment Systems Support Office, Danny McGrath, said the TALU greatly

 

increases the effectiveness of ground support to the Globemaster fleet

 

for combat airlift operations.

 

"The Globemaster has brought a quantum leap in the RAAF's combat airlift

 

capability, and the TALU's will greatly assist the speed and efficiency

 

of loading and unloading operations for the aircraft," he said.

 

"These units were manufactured to specially meet the requirements of the

 

Globemaster fleet, but will also be compatible with the RAAF's other

 

airlift workhorse, the C-130 Hercules.

 

"Each TALU is self-propelled, and can be made air-transportable for

 

loading on board a Hercules or Globemaster in just minutes."

 

The RAAF currently operates two C-17A Globemasters with Number 36

 

Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley. Another two C-17As will be delivered to

 

36 Squadron in 2008.

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