Regan Brown
The US military has a vast array of vehicles at its disposal, including ground vehicles, armoured vehicles, and tanks. The Pentagon alone operates over 420,000 ground vehicles, with about 170,000 of those being non-combat vehicles such as staff cars, delivery vans, and fuel trucks. The US military has been using trucks tactically since 1915, and since 1940, they have ordered over 3,000,000 tactical trucks. Military trucks are often designed for both military and commercial use, but later military-specific designs were built. One way that the military transports its trucks is by using flatcars. Flatcars are used to ship freight that is too heavy or large to be shipped on other rail cars, and they are especially useful for transporting military equipment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flatcar rail types | Plain, Specialized, Bulkhead, 89-Foot Log |
| Flatcar lengths | 60-foot, 62-foot, 89-foot |
| Flatcar load capacity | 71-105 tons |
| Military vehicles transported on flatcars | Military vehicles, military equipment, farm equipment, heavy construction equipment |
| Examples of US Army trucks | M520 Goer, M35 "Deuce and a Half", M54, M809, M939, M915, M123A1C, M127A1C, M422, M274, M977, M978, M984, M113, M1076 |
| US Army truck manufacturers | Freightliner Corporation, Willys-Overland, American Motors Corporation, Oshkosh Truck Corporation, Oshkosh Defense, GM Defense, BAE Systems, GDLS |
| US Army truck numbers | Over 3,000,000 tactical trucks since 1940 |
| US Army ground vehicles | Over 420,000, including 170,000 non-combat vehicles and 250,000 armored or weaponized vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
- Flatcar rail cars are used to ship military vehicles that are too heavy for other rail cars
- Cranes and forklifts are used to load and unload military vehicles onto flatcars
- The US Army has used tactical trucks since 1915
- The M520 Goer was a fuel servicing tanker truck used by the US military
- The US military is interested in autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels
Flatcar rail cars are used to ship military vehicles that are too heavy for other rail cars
Flatcar rail cars are used to transport military vehicles and equipment that are too heavy or large to be shipped on other rail cars. Flatcars are simple in design, consisting of a flat, horizontal floor or deck mounted on a pair of trucks. They are open to the elements and do not have sides or a roof. This makes them ideal for transporting large or heavy cargo that would not fit in enclosed rail cars.
Flatcars come in various lengths, typically 60 or 89 feet, and can carry loads ranging from 145,000 to 202,000 lbs (or 72.5 to 101 tons). They feature tie-down points, such as chains or stakes, to secure loads. Specialized flatcars are used for shipping tractors, military vehicles, steel plates, and steel beams. These flatcars have chain tie-down devices running along the channels on both sides of the car to securely transport heavy cargo.
The use of flatcars to ship military vehicles and equipment is common. For example, the United States military has utilized flatcars to transport various trucks, such as the M35 "Deuce and a Half" cargo truck, the M520 Goer, and the M915 series of heavy-duty trucks. The M520 and M915 series include fuel servicing tanker trucks, highlighting their role in fuel transportation. Additionally, the M977 HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) is a tactical truck used by the US Army for transporting fuel and other critical supplies.
The process of loading and unloading flatcars depends on the type of freight. Cranes and forklifts are commonly used for loading, while military and heavy construction equipment can be driven onto the flatcars. When trailers ride on flatcars, this configuration is known as "piggybacks." Flatcars played a significant role in shipping trailers following World War II, marking the "piggyback revolution."
Flatcars are essential in military logistics, enabling the transport of heavy and oversized military vehicles and equipment. They offer flexibility in terms of cargo size and weight, making them a valuable asset for military transportation needs.
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Cranes and forklifts are used to load and unload military vehicles onto flatcars
Flatcars are used to transport freight that is too large or heavy for other rail cars, including military equipment. They are large, flat, horizontal platforms with no sides or roof. They come in 60- and 89-foot lengths and can carry loads of up to 202,000 lbs.
Flatcars are particularly useful for transporting military vehicles and equipment due to their large size and weight capacity. They can accommodate the varying dimensions of military vehicles, from the smaller Jeep M715 to the larger M939 series of cargo trucks. Flatcars can also be used to transport fuel trucks, which are essential for supplying fuel to remote locations and combat zones.
The use of flatcars for military transportation is widespread, with Union Pacific serving over 25 military facilities and using flatcars to move military equipment. Flatcars played a significant role following World War II, when they were used extensively to ship trailers, an era known as the "piggyback revolution." Today, flatcars continue to be a vital mode of transportation for military equipment and vehicles, facilitating their movement across long distances.
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The US Army has used tactical trucks since 1915
Flatcars are used to transport freight that is too heavy or large to fit on other rail cars. They are open to the elements and consist of a flat, horizontal floor or deck mounted on a pair of trucks. They are used to ship military equipment, including vehicles, and heavy construction machinery.
The next generation of tactical trucks was developed in 1950, with sizes rationalized to 1⁄4 and 3⁄4-ton 4x4s and 2 1⁄2, 5, and 10-ton 6x6s. The US military's truck fleet played a critical role in supporting its Cold War operations, allowing for the rapid transport of troops and supplies across large distances and difficult terrain.
One of the most iconic trucks used by the US military during the Cold War was the M35 "Deuce and a Half" truck, a two-and-a-half-ton cargo truck used extensively by the US Army from the 1950s to the 1990s. The M35 was highly reliable and capable of operating in a variety of environments, including extreme cold weather conditions. The M422, manufactured by American Motors Corporation (AMC), was the last "classic" open light general-purpose vehicle of the US Army before the new armored standard of the Hummer or HMMV. It was an airborne, lightweight version of the Jeep, mostly used by the US Marines.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Freightliner Corporation produced the M915 series of heavy-duty trucks for the US military. The M915 tractor truck, for instance, was designed to haul semi-trailers, while the M916 light equipment transporter was designed to carry heavy equipment and supplies on a flatbed trailer. The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) is another example of a tactical truck used by the US Army, with the M977 HEMTT entering service in 1982 as a replacement for the M520 Goer.
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The M520 Goer was a fuel servicing tanker truck used by the US military
Military fuel trucks are often shipped on flatcars, which are used to transport freight that is too heavy or large to be shipped on other rail cars. Flatcars are open to the elements and consist of a flat, horizontal floor or deck mounted on a pair of trucks. They come in 60- and 89-foot lengths and can carry loads of up to 100 tons.
The M520 Goer, also known as the "Truck, Cargo, 8-ton, 4x4", was formerly the US Army's standard heavy tactical truck. It was produced by Caterpillar and stood out due to its articulation, amphibious capabilities, wide body, and lack of suspension on its wheels. The M520 was in use from 1972 until the 1980s when it was replaced by the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck series (HEMTT).
The M520 Goer was unique in its design, with an oscillating cab and oversized dimensions. While this made it a capable off-road vehicle, it also proved to be dangerous in certain situations. The lack of suspension on the wheels and the size of the vehicle made it awkward to drive on regular roads. Despite its advantages in extreme off-road conditions, the M520 Goer was eventually replaced by newer military vehicles that offered better on-road performance while still maintaining adequate off-road capabilities.
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The US military is interested in autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels
Military equipment, including fuel trucks, is often transported on flatcars, which are open rail cars with a flat, horizontal floor. Flatcars are used to ship freight that is too large or heavy for other rail cars.
The US military has been testing autonomous vehicles with a view to deploying self-driving convoys of trucks to deliver troops and supplies in conflict zones. The aim is to reduce casualties from roadside explosions and free up soldiers from driving supply convoys. The technology could also offer economic advantages, with self-driving vehicles able to communicate with each other more quickly and accurately than humans. The US Army has also expressed interest in the potential for autonomous vehicles to enhance operational effectiveness by increasing endurance and enabling greater distances and volumes of materiel.
The British Army has also been testing Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT) Robotic Platoon Vehicles, which can be configured to travel semi-autonomously or by remote operation. Meanwhile, the Australian Army has been supplied with two fully autonomous vehicles for a 'battlefield simulation' demonstration.
In addition to their interest in autonomous vehicles, the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force have all established programs aimed at reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. However, some sources argue that there is no direct military benefit to the armed forces in increasing the use of alternative fuels, and that the military should instead focus on using energy more efficiently. Nevertheless, the rise of renewable fuels means it is critical for producers and receivers to have a supply chain in place to meet upcoming fuel demand.
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Frequently asked questions
Flatcars are used to ship freight that is too heavy or large to be shipped on another rail car type. This includes military equipment, heavy construction machinery, farm equipment, and industrial parts.
Army fuel trucks can be driven on and off of flatcars. Cranes and forklifts are also used to load and unload heavy cargo.
The M520 Goer was a fuel servicing tanker truck used by the US Army until the 1980s. The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) is another example of a fuel tanker truck used by the US Army.
Flatcars are useful for transporting large and heavy cargo that would not fit on other rail cars. They are also used to transport freight that needs to be driven on and off, such as military vehicles.
The US Army has used a variety of trucks, including the M35 "Deuce and a Half" truck, the M915 series of heavy-duty trucks, and the Jeep M715. The US Army also plans to purchase Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISVs) and Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPVs).
