DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR HELICOPTER PALLETS AND GONDOLAS

摘要

This report presents the results of the design concepts investigation and preliminary design of externally suspended cargo pallets and/or gondolas to be utilized with the CH-47, CH-54, and HLH helicopters. Results of the investigation demonstrated that gondolas of two sizes could be coupled to develop full payload capacity of any of the three helicopters. The basic gondola was right rectangular to accommodate vehicles and equipment or break-bulk cargo if required. The investigation and supporting analyses eliminated pallets with lifting points at the base which make it both unstable and structurally inefficient. Therefore, pallets were not considered as a viable design concept. The gondola provides compatibility with ANSI/ISO geometry and can be transported with slings or other load acquisition equipment.