U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 509th Weapons Squadron recently conducted integration training at Hurlburt Field, where they tested a groundbreaking prototype known as the Pack and Transport Reloader (PATR) crane. Developed in collaboration with Fairchild Air Force Base’s innovation cell, this crane aims to enhance the capabilities of the KC-135 Stratotanker in terms of cargo loading and unloading. By retrofitting the fleet of KC-135s with the PATR crane, the Air Force can expand their operational reach while maintaining a smaller footprint.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lawrence Sena
The KC-135 traditionally relied on K-loaders or forklifts for cargo handling. However, with the introduction of the PATR crane, Airmen will now have the ability to transport cargo to locations that previously lacked support infrastructure. This groundbreaking solution allows the service’s fleet of tankers to swiftly move cargo and equipment to various locations worldwide.
Beyond cargo handling, the PATR crane offers additional benefits to the KC-135 Stratotanker. One notable advantage is its potential to revolutionize aeromedical evacuation missions. By incorporating the crane into the aircraft’s operations, it becomes possible to load patients using a litter, streamlining the evacuation process and improving efficiency.
The PATR crane, currently in its stage one prototype, boasts an impressive loading capacity of nearly 2,000 pounds. It is designed to be portable and adaptable, catering to the specific needs of each mission. Sgt. Sowder emphasizes that the integration of the crane onto the KC-135 could play a crucial role in Agile Combat Employment, enabling the tanker crew to operate with minimal support in diverse locations around the globe.
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