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Re: Опознайте машину
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Дaк откудa, ДОД вaш, родимый ;) тaм вeдь eсли порыться... Нa Интeрнeтe, конeчно, никaкиx пaнимaишь подxодцeв. ;)
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The First DEUCEs are "On the Ground"
By Jeffrey Klein
On 29 January 1999, the U.S. Army Engineer School received the first two production deployable universal combat earthmovers (DEUCEs). This highly anticipated earthmover, which will soon be in the Army construction equipment inventory, will provide light infantry and airborne combat engineers with an unprecedented self-deploy capability. The Engineer School's two DEUCEs will supplement the school's training mission by providing advanced technologies and will help define future mission doctrine.
In addition to receiving the equipment, Engineer School instructors, maintainers, and operators received instructor and key personnel training. These critical personnel will train future Army soldiers in the correct operation and maintenance of the tractors. They are at the top of a teaching pyramid that will rapidly multiply the number of properly trained engineer soldiers.
Description
The DEUCE is the result of an ongoing partnership between the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), in Warren, Michigan, and the contractor, Caterpillar Inc., Defense and Federal Products Department. A contract awarded to Caterpillar in 1995 is managed by TACOM's project manager for Tank-Automotive Weapon Systems (PM TAWS) and the product manager for Construction Equipment/Material Handling Equipment (PM CE/MHE). Representatives from both TACOM and Caterpillar attended the DEUCE hand-off at Fort Leonard Wood.
The DEUCE's engine, transmission, and suspension configuration combine to allow it to travel in the self-deploy mode at speeds up to 30 mph. It has an automatic 6-speed transmission and a fully suspended undercarriage. The rubber track is lighter and less damaging to road surfaces than a traditional steel-track design. This configuration allows for a safe and comfortable ride and eliminates the need for additional hauling assets between job sites.
The flip of a switch engages the earthmoving mode. The DEUCE operates with a standard power-shift transmission, a locked-out suspension for a rigid dozing platform, and a dozing capability comparable to the D5 dozer currently authorized to some 18th Airborne engineer units. The DEUCE is designed for driving on and off C-130, C-141, C-5, and C-17 aircraft and is undergoing certification testing for C-130 airdrops.
The DEUCE will be used primarily to prepare airstrips, roads, and protective positions. To increase its effectiveness, the operator may communicate from within the DEUCE with the single-channel, ground-to-air radio system (SINCGARS) and precise light-weight GPS (global positioning system) receivers (PLGR). The DEUCE uses a six-way hydraulic power-angle-tilt blade and a rear-mounted 22,000-pound hydraulic winch. The Caterpillar 3126 Hydraulic Electronic Unit Injector engine has dual power settings, which produce 185 hp in the earthmoving mode and 265 hp in the self-deploy mode. The DEUCE is equipped with an enclosed, climate-controlled cab that allows optimal performance from a less-fatigued operator. The engine, as well as 75 percent of about 3,000 serviceable DEUCE components, has proven its durability through Caterpillar's extensive commercial experience.
Testing
Initial testing indicated that the undercarriage design, although adequate for commercial applications, was not sufficient for rigorous military operations. After consulting with all appropriate commands, including U.S. Army Forces Command and the Engineer School, the PM CE/MHE initiated a nine-month testing and redesign period with the goal of improving the future readiness of the machines. The result is a much improved undercarriage design.
According to the assistant product manager for the DEUCE, the rubber track technology has been proven over the years on Caterpillar's Challenger series of agricultural tractor. The entire undercarriage, including the steel-reinforced solid rubber track, has undergone extensive testing across the country. Testing conditions included knee-deep mud and clay at Aberdeen Proving Grounds; frozen soil (sand, gravel, and clay) at Caterpillar's Minneapolis facility; desert rock and sand at Caterpillar's Arizona Proving Grounds; and a Midwest mix of clay, sand, gravel, and mud at Caterpillar's proving grounds in Peoria, Illinois. All of this data was incorporated in the final undercarriage design that soldiers will receive. Sharp volcanic rock in Hawaii and Fort Lewis, Washington, will undoubtedly increase the grouser wear rate, similar to the experiences of rubber-tired vehicles, but the transportability advantages of this type of track are necessary to meet the quick-strike capabilities of light and airborne engineers.
Fielding
Before delivering these machines, unit personnel will receive three days of operator training and five days of maintenance training. The advanced design of the operator's compartment, along with the ergonomically designed operator controls, allow for these minimal operator-training requirements. For example, the automotive-type steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal typically are not associated with tracked construction equipment.
The 10th Mountain Division (Light) at Fort Drum, New York, is scheduled to receive the first DEUCE in May 1999. The 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will be outfitted with the DEUCE in June, followed by the 20th Engineer Brigade at Fort Bragg. Fielding the acquisition objective of 160 DEUCEs will continue through 2002.
The coming months will be busy as product managers from both TACOM and Caterpillar's Defense and Federal Products Department prepare for the initial fieldings. At that time, TACOM and all of the DEUCE team members will have achieved their goal of fielding a capable, reliable, and supportable piece of equipment to the soldiers of the 21st century.
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Mr. Klein is the DEUCE project engineer and works on the Construction Equipment Team at TARDEC. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.
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Вот eшe, с сaйтa US Enviromental Protection Agency
Federal Register Document
[Federal Register: August 20, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 161)]
[Notices]
[Page 44261]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20au97-47]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Deployable Universal Combat Earthmover (DEUCE)
AGENCY: U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Army.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Product Manager, Construction Equipment/Material Handling
Equipment (PM CE/MHE) has prepared a Life-Cycle Environmental
Assessment (LCEA) which examines the potential impacts to the natural
and human environment from the life cycle activities of the Deployable
Universal Combat Earthmover (DEUCE). Based on the LCEA, PM CE/MHE has
determined that the proposed action is not a major Federal action
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, within
the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not
required and the Army is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI).
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to, U.S. Army Tank-
automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), ATTN: AMSTA-DSA-TA-CE
(DEUCE), Warren, MI 48397-5000
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For further information, or to obtain a copy of the Deuce Life-Cycle
Environmental Assessment contact Mr. Jeff Klein, Assistant Product
Manager (810) 574-6217.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Proposed Action: This LCEA examines the potential impacts to the
natural and human environment from the procurement of the DEUCE to
satisfy the Army's need for a high-speed earthmoving capability, which
can deploy with Light and Airborne units. The DEUCE will have
earthmoving capabilities comparable to the D5B dozer, the ability to
travel at 30 MPH, and be C-130 air transportable. The DEUCE is designed
to improve the Army's ability to deploy with supported units, and
provide mobility, countermobility, and survivability tasks as required.
A minimum quantity of 67 bulldozers is required to fill the Army's
Force Package One contingency requirements.
The DEUCE will replace existing D5B dozers in selected units. The
current earthmoving system does not meet the changing Army role to
become a Rapid Power Projection type force.
b. Environmental Impacts: The DEUCE life-cycle includes the
transport of vehicles to test sites, testing, vehicle production,
deployment and operation of production vehicles and their eventual
demilitarization. Potential environmental impacts of these life-cycle
stages may include Air Quality, Noise, Water, Soil and Groundwater,
Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Wastes, and Flora, Fauna and
Threatened or Endangered Species at each of these life-cycle phases.
c. Additional Findings: Impacts from the proposed action would be
minimal and not significant for the following reasons:
(1) The DEUCE will be used in its intended environment. This
intended environment includes vehicle production and some testing at
the Contractor's facility, and the remainder of life-cycle activities
at Army installations and facilities.
(2) The DEUCE is very similar to vehicles produced commercially and
vehicles already in the Army inventory. It is being produced in low to
moderate quantities and will not significantly increase the vehicle
population at Army installations and facilities.
(3) The overall environmental risk associated with the DEUCE is
low. It does not introduce any new technologies or processes. Vehicle
life cycle activities do not introduce any potential environmental
impacts that are not already currently mitigated by Army policy and
procedures.
(4) The DEUCE Product Manager has ensured that the Contractor
producing the vehicle is environmentally complaint, has no permit
violations, and has commercial practices for Hazardous Material
Management and Pollution Prevention in production of the DEUCE.
(5) The DEUCE Product Manager recognizes that Army installations
and facilities have environmental plans and measures in place to
address vehicle life cycle activities very similar to that of the DEUCE
to prevent, mitigate and remediate environmental damage caused by
vehicle operation. Vehicle operations at these Army installations and
facilities are in conjunction with normal activities that are already
addressed in their site specific environmental impact statements.
d. Determination: It is therefore concluded that this program:
(1) Is not a major federal action significantly affecting the
quality of human environment.
(2) Will not have a significant impact on the environment.
(3) Is not likely to be environmentally controversial.
(4) Will not likely result in litigation based on environmental
quality issues.
(5) Does not require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Harry W. McClellan, Jr.,
Product Manager, Construction Equipment/Materials Handling Equipment.
[FR Doc. 97-22011 Filed 8-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M