TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. - Tobyhanna mechanics are repairing 12 off-road, multi-purpose military tactical vehicles (MTV) for use by Soldiers in the field.
The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Logistics Directorate is funding the repairs, which are scheduled for completion in August. The M1088A1 MTVs will be repaired to 10/20 standards, the Army Maintenance Standard, which ensures Army equipment is able to perform its wartime mission. All filters, fluids and oils will be replaced to include engine and transmission before a road test.
The THAAD program is managed by the Missile Defense Agency in Washington, D.C., and executed by the THAAD Project Office in Huntsville, Ala. "Two of the vehicles have been delivered and the depot has started on the next two," said Paul Boylan, general equipment mechanic, Industrial Services Division, System Integration and Support Directorate. "Despite being left to the elements, for a few years, they're (the M1088A1s) in pretty good shape."
Boylan explained that the mechanics are using diagnostic equipment to test what's wrong with the vehicles. The vehicles are considered rugged; however, the batteries and seals will probably need to be replaced on each vehicle, he said.
"When we first started the project, I changed out one of the batteries then took the tractor for a test drive," Boylan said. "Before I knew it, all the seals were leaking." The mechanic remarked that the vehicle has a large number of air lines, belts and hoses.
"These tractors are the most sophisticated vehicles of their kind in use today," said Michael Fisher, division chief. "Fortunately, Paul came to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience with these vehicles. The on-board diagnostic system provides for relatively simple field-level fault isolation, but at the depot, we used specialized test equipment to troubleshoot and repair the vehicles' electronics systems."
Last year THAAD officials toured Defense Distribution Depot Tobyhanna (DDTP) to identify the vehicles for inspection and road test. The tractors are TACOM Life Cycle Management Command assets being stored at DDTP. TACOM is formally known as Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, headquartered in Warren, Mich., and is part of Army Materiel Command.
Tobyhanna was chosen to perform the repairs because the vehicles were already here and depot mechanics were capable of meeting the needs of the customer.
The M1088A1 fulfills the Army's medium tactical-vehicle requirements for unit mobility and resupply, and transportation equipment and personnel. It entered Army service in 1996. The MTV has a 5-ton capacity (cargo and long-wheelbase cargo with and without materiel handling equipment, tractor, van, wrecker, and dump truck models). The A1 series includes an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified engine, upgraded transmission, an anti-lock brake system and interactive electronic technical manuals.
"The A1 version gets its 850 pound-feet of torque from an EPA certified power train controlled by state-of-the-art electronics, which include on-board diagnostics and four unique electronic control modules," Fisher said. The low density and high reliability of these assets results in a high operational availability to Soldiers."
The vehicles perform local and line haul, unit mobility, unit resupply, and other missions in combat, combat support and combat service support units. They are rapidly deployable worldwide and operate on primary and secondary roads, trails, and cross-country terrain, in all climatic conditions.
Key features of the M1088A1 include full-time all-wheel drive, certified 22-year corrosion protection and electronic Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS). Some organizations claim the tractor has the highest proven reliability of any tactical vehicle.
"We're confident that these vehicles will perform as intended," Boylan said, adding that the depot has been supportive of the project by making sure parts and test equipment were available.
In addition to providing valuable assets to Soldiers, Fisher said the workload provided an excellent training opportunity for the branch. He pointed out that by the time the last asset is completed, an additional four mechanics will be trained on the maintenance and repair of the tractor.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is the Defense Department's largest center for the repair, overhaul and fabrication of a wide variety of electronics systems and components, from tactical field radios to the ground terminals for the defense satellite communications network. Tobyhanna's missions support all branches of the Armed Forces.
About 5,600 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command. Headquartered at Fort Monmouth, N.J., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.
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