Supacat Air Transportation And Mechanical Handling

Air transportation

A number of schemes have been approved for Supacat. Full details of schemes are issued by JATE. These include:

1. Single Supacat underslung
   JATE/062/87 HELS. USLC 5711. Confirms that Supacat is cleared to be flown underslung by capable helicopters including Chinook, Puma, Sea King.
2. Two Supacats side by side underslungJATE/073/88/HELS. USLC 5713. Confirms twinned (side by side) Supacats can be flown underslung by Chinook and Blackhawk. Also that two pairs of Supacats can be flown on front and rear hooks of Chinook.
3. Four Supacats side by side underslungJATE/070/92/HELS. USLC 5727. Chinook scheme which allows four Supacats in a row to be underslung under the centre hook.
4. Chinook tie down scheme71288/TDS 46A. Identifies tie down points on the Supacat for Chinook as an internal load. Two Supacats can be carried internally by Chinook.
5. Hercules C130 Supacats double stackedJATE/064/87 for C Mk1 and C Mk3 aircraft. Confirms that Supacats can be transported double stacked in C130 aircraft.
6. Air Drop of Supacat(s)JATE/063/87. Supacats are cleared for air drop on an MSP (Medium Stressed Platform) as a pair of vehicles (MPC 6815) or as a single vehicle and trailer (MPC 6912).
7. Air Drop of single SupacatA JATE scheme has been developed for `oversill' delivery of a single Supacat on a simple platform. Trials are complete and confirmation of approval is awaited. The scheme allows for the Supacat to be part loaded with weapons and stores.
8. Air drop of Supacat `FLPT' trailerJATE/111/90/AD. Air drop feasibility study.

Air transport

Supacats can be transported in C130 Hercules individually or stacked, up to 6 or 8 depending on the Mk of the aircraft. Supacats have been transported in a variety of other aircraft. Chinook CH46 can take two Supacats as an internal load without lowering the load restraint frame. Supacats are known to have been flown in CH53 helicopter, C141, Belfast, Guppy, BA 146, various unspecified civilian aircraft. Successful loading trials have been conducted for Casa 235. Notable air moves by Supacats were to the Gulf conflict when many of the specially converted vehicles were airlifted by C130, Guppy and Belfast to Saudi Arabia. Supacats were also airlifted to Turkey for Operation Safe Haven. These were flown, stacked in C130 on pallets in groups of six, complete with spares and stores. A Supacat completed a World demonstration tour with the BA 146 STA as the aircraft's demonstration load. Two Supacats were flown to Zimbabwe double stacked by C130. A Supacat was flown from South America to UK and two were flown out to the Middle East in civilian aircraft. Two Supacats were flown out to central America on standard pallets in a normal 747 - 400 passenger Jumbo jet.

Air Drop

Two principal schemes have been approved. MSP (Medium Stressed Platform) and `Oversill'. MSP allows for two Supacats and some stores or a single Supacat and other equipment. Oversill is for one vehicle only on a simple platform (pallet), probably with some stores or weapon system. With this scheme the vehicle crew normally follow their vehicle from the same aircraft. Supacat has been accessed for air drop from the Casa 235 and C 130 US spec and considered acceptable. Many successful air deliveries of Supacats have been achieved. On only one occasion has any serious damage was reported following a parachute failure.

Helicopter underslung

Supacats can be slung individually, in pairs side by side or as a `line abreast four' and JATE schemes have been approved for these. Examples are one under Puma, Super Puma and Sea King, two under Black Hawk, four under Chinook CH46. All of these have been flown on many occasions. Supacats underslung in any of these schemes are considered to be very stable loads.

Various combinations loads have also been flown but are not officially approved. These These include:

• Supacat and FLPT as a netted load, loaded and unladen
• Paired Supacats and FLPTs both loaded as a netted load
• Supacats as a combination load under Chinook with other vehicles / trailers

Mechanical Handling

1. Fork lift. It is possible, with a suitable fork lift truck, to place the forks either between the wheels, the forks either side of the centre axle or from behind between the wheels. The forks acting on the bellyplate. For example the UK MOD's RTFL the JCB 410M -1C is able to handle a Supacat. For air transport two Supacats stacked and palleted may be fork lifted for C 130 loading.
2. a. Craning / lifting. The load restraint frame of the Supacat is exactly on the line of the C of G. Each top corner of the frame is braced and this allows the Supacat to be lifted by two slings from the frame.
   b. At the front and rear of the Supacat are two lifting / towing eyes. These may be used to sling, lift and secure the vehicle.
3. Stacking. Supacats may be stacked one on the other for road or air transport. The load restraint frame and winch assembly has to be folded, first removing any additional equipment such as jerrycan brackets. It may be more convenient to remove the frame complete and transport separately. The Supacats can be stacked using the vehicles own ramps. Note. Supacats cannot be driven when stacked.
4. The Supacat's ramps may be used to load it onto other vehicles. GREAT CARE should be exercised during these operations as it is unlikely that the ramps will be secured. It is preferable to make use of a bank or other high ground to reduce the angle of the ramps as much as possible. If it is required to load the Supacat onto a very high bed vehicle it may be possible to load onto a lower one and then onto the high one - again using the ramps. Certain aircraft have rear loading ramps but are not equipped with vehicle loading ramps. An example is the Casa 235. The Supacat's ramps can be used in this situation to supplement the aircraft's ramps. The same applies to some landing craft, especially on difficult beaches or when loads or trailed equipment make it undesirable to climb up a step.

Transport

DROPS

Supacats can be transported on DROPS or other demountable flatrack systems. It is possible to do this in a number of ways. Important. Whichever method is used make sure the vehicle(s) are well secured to the rack as the loading angle is steep. Place oblique lateral tie downs to ensure the vehicles cannot move forward or rearward.

1. Single unit. This is a straight forward load and can be a combined load with other material. No preparation of the Supacat is required other than to secure any loose items.
2. Tandem. Two Supacats can be loaded one behind the other. Drive the first unit on as close to the front of the flatrack as possible. Reverse the second unit on, slightly to one side of the first so that the tow hitches are side by side. This will just allow the front wheels of the rear Supacat to be on the flatrack bed. This must be done with care as there is only just enough space.
3. Stacked. Position the first Supacat as for a. Remove or lower the Load Restraint Frame. Using the Supacat's ramps drive the second Supacat onto the first (see Stacking Procedure).
4. It is possible to load a third Supacat behind a stacked pair as a combination of c.and a.

General

The Supacat may be secured in a number of ways. The front and rear lifting / towing eyes and rear tow hook being the principal ones. Along each side of the Supacat are vertical members of the ramp stowage boxes. These may be used as attachment points to secure loads or the vehicle and are the approved securing points for JATE internal load flying schemes.

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