Army Oshkosh PLS Can Load Heavy Cargo in Minutes From the Safety of Its Cabin

Oshkosh's Heavy Tactical Vehicles have made a lasting impression on US Army's higher-ups ever since they were introduced. Thanks to their remarkable capabilities, the Army ordered over the years some 70,000 of these vehicles. Most recently, the United States Army Contracting Command ordered a bunch more to add to the inventory.

The Heavy Tactical Vehicles lineup Oshkosh makes consists of the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4, the Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET), the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR), the Palletized Load System (PLS), and the infamous Wheeled Tanker.

The almighty PLS truck comes fitted with a monster Caterpillar C15 diesel powerplant that takes advantage of its 15.2 liters of displacement and inline-six-cylinder construction to develop around 600 hp. It runs with an equally tough Allison 4500SP 5-speed automatic transmission and Oshkosh 36000 Series 2 speed transfer case, designed for extreme off-road performance. The powerplant can propel this massive truck to up to 62 mph (100 kph), disregarding the terrain it eats up.

It is no small machine—quite the opposite. It weighs around 53,000 lbs (24,000 kg) unladen with its flatrack, and at maximum capacity, including its trailer, can tip the scale at over 134,500 lbs (61,000 kg). Speaking of payload, the PLS truck can self unload and load its 16,5-ton flatrack using a hydraulic load handling system. No additional manhandling or materials are required for this procedure, and it works with both flatrack systems or ISO containers.

Its impressive off-road capabilities are, of course, aided by the vehicle's TAK-4 independent suspension system, which combines standard coil springs with hydro-pneumatic and high-pressure gas spring technology. It offers up to 16 inches (40.6 cm) of wheel travel and excellent handling during the most extreme off-road endeavors. Furthermore, the PLS can climb a 30 percent grade slope in a maximum payload loadout, truck and trailer in tow. No an easy feat, considering its vast weight and large dimensions.

Talking about dimensions, the PLS is quite a monster. It measures around 36 feet (11 m) in length, more than 8,2 feet (2,5 m) in width, and up to 11 feet (3,3 m) in height.

The ace up its sleeve comes in the form of the Long-Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) system, Oshkosh's solution for high-grade personnel protection. Besides featuring modular armor attachments and integrated under cab protection, it also boasts a special Gunner Protection Kit (GPK) and a much-needed machine gun mount for when the situation becomes tricky.

The Palletized Load System comes in two variants: the PLS A1, which represents the main tractor truck, and the PLS trailer assembly.

The PLS A1 sets out to be an indispensable war machine and it can undergo the most challenging transport missions. Assisting its operator in loading and unloading the cargo without leaving the highly protected cab setting, the Load Handling System (LHS) proves to be indispensable in a war zone environment. Operations can be performed in minutes to increase efficiency and spend as little time as possible in a critical and exposed area.

The PLS Trailer, designed explicitly to work with the PLS, brings to the table a three-axle construction and the capacity to sustain 8×20 foot (2.44x6.1 m) flatracks with a 16.5-ton payload limit. The parking and emergency braking systems take advantage of every axle to ensure full cargo and operating crew safety in critical circumstances. Moreover, the PLS trailer comes equipped from the factory with self-adjusting slacks, and two-position drawbar and inter-vehicular connecting cables.

An extremely capable heavy-duty war machine, Oshkosh's PLS offers 100 percent operation from inside the armor-protected cabin, making this machine a worthy asset in any hostile conditions. Dependable, safe, and efficient, the PLS truck is a true army workhorse that can go anywhere and deliver anything.