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C-17 Support  –  CF Procurement  –  Industry News Release  –  November 2008 CC-177  Cargo Loading System – News Release: Halvorsen 44K Loader  or  the  TASLU (Truck Aircraft Side Load/Unload Loader) The Canadian Forces is to receive four so-called Halvorsen 44K Loaders. These cargo handling vehicles are better-known as the third-generation TASLU – or Truck Aircraft Side Load/Unload Loader  (the military equivalent of cargo lift-trucks used by airlines). There is an option on a purchase of  a further  four  TASLU / Halvorsen 44K  Loaders. The TASLU design originated with Australia's Static Engineering of Elizabeth, SA. The design was built, under license,  in the US  by FMC  – now JBT AeroTech. [1]  This 25K Loader went into US service as the Halvorsen.  'Static'  then evolved a 'Phase 3' TASLU for the RAAF with 18,000 kg (40,000 lbs) capacity.  JBT AeroTech tweaked the enlarged TASLU to take 20,000 kg (44,000 lbs) of cargo as their 44K Loader. This is the Halvorsen 44K being bought for the CF. As can be seen, the TASLU 44K is a scissor-lift vehicle (right). It also has a rough-terrain ability – at least  as compared  to tarmac- only airline loaders. The TASLU 44K can also tilt  its loading bed, 3° roll  and  4° pitch, to align  the TASLU 44K on  uneven ground. The TASLU 44K is low enough to slide under the tail of rear ramp-loaded aircraft like the CC-177. But the scissor jacks also allow side-loaded aircraft  like CC-150 Polaris to be loaded. The Canadian loading approach will differ from USAF methods – where a mixed fleet of Halvorsen 25Ks (left), older 40K loaders, and Tunner 60Ks (below, left) are employed.  The TASLU 44K will be the sole CF rough field loader.  No doubt,  most TASLU 44Ks will be airlifted out for use overseas. The contents of the 30 October 2008 44K Loader purchase news release follows below. [1]  JBT AeroTech was formerly FMC's Orlando unit which developed  the TASLU for NGSL (Next Generation Small Loader), which entered US service as the Halvorsen 25K in June of 2001. The 'Phase 3' TASLU (in service with Australia, New Zealand, Kuwait, and Iran as a 41K/18,784 kg loader) was tweaked to provide the CF with extra capacity. PR News Wire Release (search: Halvorsen) JBT Corporation [ JBT AeroTech ] Wins Order From the Canadian Government for New High Capacity Military Aircraft Cargo Loader [ TASLU Halvorsen 44K ] Thursday October 30, 4:15 pm ET CHICAGO, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- JBT Corporation announced today that its JBT AeroTech business has been awarded a contract from the Canadian Govern- ment to supply four of the newly designed high capacity Halvorsen 44K Loaders to the Canadian Forces. The 44K Loader is a next generation version of the Halvorsen 25K Loader, capable of  lifting 44,000 pounds of cargo within the same footprint. The contract for these first four [44K] loaders also includes options to purchase an additional four units as well as logistics support. Delivery is expected in Dec[.] 2008. Halvorsen Loaders are used by ... air forces to load, unload and transport palletized cargo on both military and commercial cargo aircraft.  More than 400 ... 25K Loaders have been delivered, mainly to the United States military. The new 44K Loader, like the 25K Loader, can be quickly reconfigured for shipment and driven into cargo aircraft, a requirement of the contract. "This new loader will be critical to military air mobility operations given its ability to be prepared in less than 30 minutes [ for deployment ] to small airfields with limited infra- structure. Its compact size makes the loader easily transportable to remote areas and highly [manoeuverable]," said John Lee,  Vice President and  Division Manager, JBT AeroTech.  "The Halvorsen 44K Loader's ruggedness and adaptability to the harsh environment also make it a very reliable and low-maintenance military asset."