Aks Replenishment Capability; Evaluation of Materials Handling Equipment and Determinations of Cargo Handling and Stowage Requirements Aboard the USS Altair (Aks-32) During Mediterranean Logreps, June, July 1957

摘要

A program was undertaken with the USS ALTAIR (AKS-32), a converted victory ship, to improve its replenishment-at-sea capability. The study particularly stressed equipment and methods to accomplish this objective without major modification to the ship's physical characteristics. The results of a survey conducted aboard ship established the requirements for the types and amounts of materials handling equipment for a system of improved cargo handling. The items were developed and successfully installed at an overseas port without interrupting the ALTAIR's operating schedule as a support vessel for the Sixth Fleet. The equipment was subsequently evaluated during a Mediterranean Logistic Replenishment, in which the ALTAIR participated with units of the Sixth Fleet. Utilization of the materials handling equipment resulted in a new and improved concept of cargo handling aboard the ALTAIR. It greatly increased the ship's efficiency as a logistic support vessel. The data accumulated in this project provided important design criteria in the layout of storage spaces and selection of materials handling systems to be considered in future conversions or new construction of stores issue ships (AKS).