A-1. Ammunition resupply of MLRS units is a critical operation. Use of the CH-47D helicopter is 1 technique or capability available to support resupply of the 5,095-pound (2,311 kilograms) launch pod containers (LPC) or the 5,111-pound (2,318 kilogram) guided missile launch assemblies (GMLA). This appendix supplements the discussion of Class V operations in chapter 6.
A-2. The CH-47D has a load-carrying capacity of 25,000 pounds (11,340 kilograms). Loads can be carried internally or externally by using tables of organization and equipment (TOE) equipment, except for required external load slings.
I
NTERNALL
OADA-3. The CH-47D can carry up to 4 LPCs or GMLAs internally for a total of 24 rockets or 4 missiles.
Atmospheric or weather conditions in the area will dictate the load-carrying capacity of the CH-47D.
Equipment
A-4. The LPCs or GMLAs can be loaded using the following equipment:
• CH-47D onboard winch.
• 4 (1,000-pound [454-kilogram]) conveyor rollers, NSN 3910-0-903-1303.
• Twelve sheets of ¾-inch (19-millimeter) plywood.
Concept
A-5. The LPCs or GMLAs can be loaded 2 at a time stacked on top of each other. They should be pre- positioned (using the HEMTT crane) on top of conveyor rollers and 1 sheet of plywood. The onboard winch can be used to pull the load into the aircraft. Plywood shoring should be placed in the deck of the aircraft for the conveyor rollers to travel. The identical procedures are used to load the second 2 pods.
All LPCs or GMLAs are tied down with standard 10,000-pound (4,536 kilograms) cargo straps.
Off-Loading
A-6. Four soldiers can push the load down the ramp and use the onboard winch to help brake the load.
Loading Considerations
A-7. The following should be considered:
• On- or off-loading requires about 30 minutes.
• A level landing zone is required to ensure that the plywood shoring remains level.
• The winch should be hooked onto the aft end of the load to facilitate loading the second LPCs or GMLAs.
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XTERNALL
OADA-8. Current procedures permit up to 4 LPCs or GMLAs to be carried externally. Four 25,000-pound (11,340-kilogram) capacity slings are required. The front 2 are 10 feet (3 meters) long and the 2 in the
rear are 12 feet (4 meters) long. Although GMLAs may be carried externally, caution must be exercised because of the “no-drop tolerance restrictions.”
Table A-1. Transportability by Aircraft Aircraft
System/Missile C-130 C-17 C-5
M270 Launcher 0 2 3
M270A1 Launcher 0 2 3
M142 Launcher 1 3 4
Rocket Pod 4 pods 16 pods 22 pods
GMLA 4 pods 16 pods 22 pods
A-9. The following manuals provide sling load rigging procedures for the certified MLRS loads in various configurations:
• FM 10-450-3, Multiservice Helicopter Sling Load: Basic Operations and Equipment.
• FM 10-450-4, Multiservice Helicopter Sling Load: Single-Point Load Rigging Procedures.
• FM 10-450-5, Multiservice Helicopter Sling Load: Dual-Point Load Rigging Procedures.
Rigging Procedures for LPC or GMLA
A-10. Applicability. The following items in Table A-2 are certified for all helicopters with suitable lift capacity by the US Army Soldier Systems Center:
Table A-2. Launch Pod Container (LPC) with Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (G-MLRS) Rockets / Guided Missile Launch Assembly (GMLA) Pods with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Missiles, One Container Two Containers
NOMENCLATURE MAX Launch Pod Container with Multiple
Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets (with Six Rockets)
5,095 10K 3/3 90
Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles
5,111 10K 3/3 90
1. Materials. The following materials are required to rig this load:
• Sling set (10,000-pound capacity).
• Tape, adhesive, pressure-sensitive, 2- inch wide roll.
• Cord, nylon, Type III, 550-pound breaking strength.
• Webbing, cotton, 1/4-inch, 80- pound breaking strength.
2. Personnel. Two persons can prepare and rig this load in 15 minutes.
3. Procedures. The following procedures apply to this load:
NOTE: The firing end is considered to be the front of the load.
• Hookup. The hookup team stands on top of the pod. The static wand person discharges the static electricity with the static wand. The hookup person places the apex fitting onto the aircraft cargo hook.
The hookup team then moves clear of the load but remains close to the load as the helicopter removes slack from the sling legs. When successful hookup is assured, the hookup team quickly exits the area underneath the helicopter to the designated rendezvous point.
• Derigging. Derigging is the reverse of the preparation and rigging procedures in steps d (1) and d (2)
RIGGING STEPS for ONE LPC 1. Position apex fitting on top of the pod. Route outer sling
legs 1 and 2 to the front of the pod and inner sling legs 3 and 4 to the rear. Sling legs 1 and 3 must be on the left side of the load.
2. Loop the chain end of sling leg 1 through the left front lift provision. Place the correct link from Table A-3 in the grab hook. Repeat with sling leg 2 on the right front lift provision.
3. Loop the chain end of sling leg 3 through the left rear lift provision. Place the correct link from Table A-3 in the grab hook. Repeat with sling leg 4 on the right rear lift provision.
4. Cluster and tie or tape (breakaway technique) all sling legs together on top of the container to prevent entanglement during hookup and lift-off.
Figure A-1. Launch Pod Container with Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets / Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles, One Container.
Rigging Procedures for Two Stacked LPC or GMLA
Applicability. The following items in Table A-3 are certified for all helicopters with suitable lift capacity by the US Army Soldier Systems Center:
Table A-3. Launch Pod Container with Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets / Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles, Two Containers Launch Pod Container with Multiple
Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets (with Six Rockets)
10,190 25K 3/3 90
Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles
10,222 25K 3/3 90
1. Materials. The following materials are required to rig this load:
• Sling set (25,000-pound capacity).
• Tape, adhesive, pressure-sensitive, 2-inch wide roll.
• Cord, nylon, Type III, 550-pound breaking strength.
2. Personnel. Four persons can prepare and rig this load in 30 minutes.
3. Procedures. The following procedures apply to this load:
• Prepare the pods for travel in accordance with standard procedures.
• Stack the pods one on top of the other, with both pods facing the same direction.
CAUTION
Do not mix the LPCs and the GMLAs in the same load.
• Lash the stack of pods together using the CGU- 1/B tie-down straps. Two of the straps should run through both sets of lifting provisions on each end of the pods, to keep them aligned during flight. Evenly space the remaining two straps between the lifting provisions, running them around the pods.
Warning
: DO NOT ROUTE THE STRAPS OVER THE ROCKET TUBES. Pad all straps in the area where they contact the edges of the pods.• Rigging. Rig the load according to the steps in (Figure A-2)
NOTE: The firing end is considered the front of the load.
• Hookup. The hookup team stands on top of the pods. The static wand person discharges the static electricity with the static wand. The hookup person places the apex fitting onto the aircraft cargo hook. The hookup team then moves clear of the load but remains close to the load as the helicopter removes slack from the sling legs. When successful hookup is assured, the hookup team quickly exits the area underneath the helicopter to the designated rendezvous point.
• Derigging. Derigging is the reverse of the Preparation and rigging procedures in steps d (1) and d (2).
RIGGING STEPS for TWO LPCs 1. Position apex fitting on top of the pods. Route
outer sling legs 1 and 2 to the front of the pods and inner sling legs 3 and 4 to the rear. Sling legs 1 and 3 must be on the left side of the load.
2. Loop the chain end of sling leg 1 through the left front lift provision on the top pod and through the front lift provision on the bottom pod. Thread it back through the front lift provision on the top pod.
Place the correct link from Table A-4 in the grab hook. Repeat with sling leg 2 on the right front lift provision.
3. Loop the chain end of sling leg 3 through the left rear lift provision on the top pod and through the rear lift provision on the bottom pod. Thread it back through the rear lift provision on the top pod. Place the correct link from Table A-4 in the grab hook. Repeat with sling leg 4 on the right rear lift provision.
4. Cluster and tie or tape (breakaway technique) all sling legs together on top of the pod to prevent entanglement during hookup and lift-off.
Figure A-2 Launch Pod Container with Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets / Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles, Two Containers.
Rigging Procedures for Four LPC or GMLA
A-11. Applicability. The following items in (Table A-4) are certified for the helicopter(s) listed in the following table by the US Army Soldier Systems Center:
Table A-4. Launch Pod Container with Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets / Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles, Four Containers
NOMENCLATURE MAX
WEIGHT (POUNDS)
SLING SET LINK COUNT
FRONT/REAR RECOMMENDE D
AIRSPEED (KNOTS) Launch Pod Container with Multiple Launch
Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets (with Six Rockets)
20,380 25K 3/3 90
Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles
20,444 25K 3/3 90
1. Materials. The following materials are required to rig this load:
• Sling set (25,000-pound capacity) (2 each).
• Tape, adhesive, pressure-sensitive, 2-inch wide roll.
• Cord, nylon, Type III, 550-pound breaking strength.
• Webbing, cotton, 1/4-inch, 80-pound breaking strength.
• Strap, cargo, tie down, CGU-1/B (16 each).
• Lumber, 2 X 4 X 65-inches (4 each).
• Nails, eight penny (as required).
• Felt sheet, cattle hair, Type IV, 1/2-inch or suitable padding.
• Crane or forklift (15,000-pound capacity or
larger).
2. Personnel. Four persons can prepare and rig this load in 30 minutes.
3. Procedures. The following procedures apply to this load:
• Preparation. Prepare the load using the following steps:
• Prepare the pods for travel in accordance with
standard procedures.
• Prepare two pieces of dunnage to protect the
pods by nailing two pieces of 2 X 4 X 65-inch lumber together, wide side to wide side.
• Make two stacks of pods. Use the crane or
forklift to stack one stack of pods on top of the other with the projectiles facing the same direction. Label the stacks #1 and #2
. CAUTION
Do not mix the LPCs and the GMLAs in the same load.
• Lash stack #1 together using four tie down
straps. Route a tie down strap through both sets of lifting provisions on each end of the pods. Evenly space two tie down straps between the lifting provisions
evenly space two tiedown straps between the lifting provisions.
Warning
: Routing the straps around the pods. DO NOT ROUTE THE STRAPS OVER THE ROCKET TUBES.Pad the straps where they contact the edges of the EALP
• Lash stack #2 using the above procedures for stack #1.
• Position the two pieces of dunnage near the lifting provisions on each end of the pods. Secure the dunnage to the pods with Type III nylon cord.
• Position stack #1 against stack #2 using the crane or forklift. Ensure the dunnage is between the loads.
• Lash the top two pods together on each end.
Connect two tie down straps together to form each lashing.
• Lash the bottom two pods together on each end.
Connect two tie down straps together to form each lashing.
• Pad the straps where they contact the edges of
the pods
• Rigging. Rig the load according to the steps in
Figure A-4.
NOTE: The firing end is considered the front of the load.
• Hookup. Two hookup teams stand on top of container. The static discharge person discharges the static electricity. The forward hookup person places apex fitting 1 onto the forward cargo hook. The aft hookup person places apex fitting 2 onto the aft cargo hook. The hookup teams then carefully dismount the container and remain close to the load as the helicopter removes slack from the sling legs. When successful hookup is assured, the hookup teams quickly exit the area underneath the helicopter to the designated
rendezvous point.
• Derigging. Derigging is the reverse of the preparation and rigging procedures in steps d (1) and d (2).
RIGGING STEPS for Four LPCs 1. Position sling set number 1 on top of the forward
end of the pods.
2. Loop the chain end of outer sling legs 1 and 2 through their respective top front lift provisions of the top pods, through the front lifting provision on the bottom pods, and back through the front top lift provision on the top pods. Place the correct link from Table A-4 in the grab hook.
3. Loop the chain end of inner sling legs 3 and 4 through their respective top front lift provisions of the top , through the front lifting provision on the bottom pods, and back through the front top lift provision on the top pods. Place the correct link from Table A-4 in the grab hook. Secure the excess chain with tape or Type III nylon cord.
4. Position sling set number 2 on top of the aft end of the pods.
5. Loop the chain end of outer sling legs 1 and 2 through their respective top rear lift provisions of the top pods, through the rear lifting provision on the bottom pods, and back through the rear top lift provision on the top pods. Place the correct link from Table A-4 in the grab hook.
6. Loop the chain end of inner sling legs 3 and 4 through their respective top rear lift provisions of the top pods, through the rear lifting provision on the bottom pods, and back through the rear top lift provision on the top pods. Place the correct link from Table A-4 in the grab hook.
Secure the excess chain with tape or Type III nylon cord.
7. Raise the apex fittings above the container.
Cluster tape (breakaway technique) the sling legs in each sling set together to prevent entanglement during hookup and lift-off.
Figure A-3. Launch Pod Container with Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets or Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Rockets / Guided Missile Launch Assembly Pods with Army Tactical Missile System Missiles, Four Containers
TRANSPORTATION OF MLRS EQUIPMENT ON UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT
A-12. MLRS units deploying by airlift assets must coordinate with their commanding headquarters (refer to FM 55-1 and FM 4-01.30). Rigging procedures unique to MLRS equipment are contained in the respective
technical manuals for that piece of equipment. The unit movement officer and the aircraft loadmaster direct all other procedures pertinent to air movement.
CORPS
A-13. The tactical commander obtains airlift support from the Air Force using the airlift request system established in the area of operations. Within the Corps, three elements participate in this system. They are the Corps G-3 and the G-4 (who use the CTO) and the movement control center (MCC). An Air Force liaison officer assists the CTO.
A-14. The Corps G-3 provides the missions and the priority of support. The G-3 coordinates with the Corps G-4 to provide for logistics requirements. The G-3 then allocates the airframes to the COSCOM where the MCC enters them in the movement program.
DIVISION
A-16. A division obtains Air Force airlift support by entering the airlift request system. Within the division, the three key elements involved in this system are the division G-3, division G-4, and the division
transportation officer (DTO). An Air Force liaison officer collocates with and assists the DTO.
A-17. Airlift support requests pass between the requesting unit and the DTO. Requests require coordination with the G-3 and G-4 to ensure the validation of the requirement. The method of delivery is then coordinated with the receiving unit by the MCC.