Manufacturer The Heil Company | Production 1985 or earlier | |
 | ||
Layout Over and Underwing Refueling | ||
The M-970 Semi-Trailer Refueler is a 5,000-U.S.-gallon (19,000 L; 4,200 imp gal) fuel dispensing tanker designed for under/overwing refueling of aircraft. It is equipped with a filter/separator, recirculation system and two refueling systems, one for underwing and one for overwing servicing. The tanker is designed to be towed by a 5-ton, 6x6 truck tractor or similar vehicle equipped with a fifth wheel. The M-970 can be loaded through the bottom or through the top fill openings. A ladder is provided at the front of the semitrailer for access to the top manhole, and a 4-cylinder diesel engine and pump assembly provides self load/unload capability. The body of the refueler is a 5,000-U.S.-gallon, single compartment, stainless steel tank. The chassis is of welded steel construction and is equipped with full floating tandem axles and a manually operated landing gear. There has been talk of retiring the M-970, but a suitable off-road replacement has not been found. The Marine Corps also uses R-9 and R-10 tankers, but they are not capable of off road use. The M-970 is a part of the "United States Marine Corps Maintenance Center - Albany, Georgia, USA - An Integrated Enterprise Scheduling Case Study" which is working to upgrade the Semitrailer for future use.
Contents
Utilization
The M-970 can be used as a stand-alone fuel tanker, delivering fuel directly to aircraft on a flight line. The Semitrailer is also used in Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) delivering fuel to multiple nozzles for quick fueling operations at the front lines or beyond. This is generally used for helicopters, but can also be utilized with AV-8B Harrier II or with an Expeditionary Airfield (EAF). M-970's were used to assist in loading the bladders for the Tactical Airfield Fuel Dispensing Systems (TAFDS) in the field as well.
Specifications
All models of the M-970 share a common basic chassis, motors, etc. The basic tank is a 5,000-US-gallon (19,000 L) baffled tank.
BASIC DIMENSIONS:
FUEL CAPACITY:
FUEL DATA FOR 4-CYLINDER ENGINE TYPE : Diesel
GALLONS PER HOUR: 1.5 U.S. gallons (5.7 L; 1.2 imp gal)
FORDING CAPABILITY: Can ford hard, flat bottoms. Depth depends on prime mover and semitrailer payload (fuel is lighter than water and will float) Without a fording kit the tanker can enter 24 in (610 mm) of water safely.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 24 volt, negative ground, powered by prime mover; pump motor, 12 volt, negative ground, 65 amperes
BRAKES: Air, powered by prime mover
EQUIPMENT OPTIONS: Kits: Vapor Recovery, Recirculation System, Two Refueling Systems - for Underwing and Overwing Servicing
Engine
The M-970 and M-970A1 models use a Cummins Onan four-cylinder inline diesel engine with air cooled compression ignition, producing 27.5 hp (20.5 kW). It has a fuel tank of 3.2 us gal.
Tires
The M-970 uses 11:00 R20 tires with two tires per side per axle in the rear
Models
The M-970 series includes the following base models:
The M-970 is towed by the following Prime Movers:
Safety
Equipped with Filter Separator System which removes water and sediment from fuel; has emergency cut off valve for fuel dispensing; has shear pins and a spring valve in the underwing refuel hose should the hose separate from the hose reel while in use, preventing fuel from spilling into the deck; equipped with Purple-K fire extinguishers.