Universal sling is a pioneer

Brian M Walters

Wednesday, 9 September, 2009

Strong chains cannot usually attract attention, but if you need to simplify AFV maintenance tasks, drop by RUD Chains on Stand 1153.

Easier maintenance is what the US Army has in mind as it evaluates a Universal Sling Combat System (USCS) prototype supplied by the German company and based on a proven system in service with the Canadian Army.

The strength of a chain cannot be judged simply by its appearance, and RUD has demonstrated that two identical chains can have very different break points. RUD is known to be a technological innovator, drawing on its own R&D, as well as that resulting from alliances with universities, research institutes and others. This has resulted in the production of a single lifting system that is capable of performing numerous hoists on several different vehicles, where previously several sling systems would have been necessary.

The US Army SKOTS project manager has been made aware that the proposed USCS could provide a single sling system that can remove the deck plates, powerpacks, transmissions and engines of AFVs including the M1 MBT, the M2 Bradley IFV, the M109 SPH and the M113 APC.

The US Army currently uses up to eight different sling systems supplied by a number of different manufacturers and this has resulted in several logistic and safety issues, not the least of which is that some systems are too large and too heavy to be carried by certain maintenance contact vehicles. Indeed, some lifting devices need five men to carry and manoeuvre them.

By contrast, the RUD Chain USCS is capable of performing at least 18 different lifts on seven different vehicles. Moreover, it can be easily loaded into FRSH, M88 and maintenance contact vehicles and the sling set consists of Grade 10 chain technology, making it stronger and lighter than current systems in US Army use.