South Australian motion technology company, Supashock, has received an award from the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) for its innovative Advanced Load Handling System (ALHS) technology – developed specifically for military vehicles.
Adelaide-based Supashock received the DTC award for “Outstanding Collaboration” for the development of the ALHS 17 technology for heavy logistics trucks alongside South Australian manufacturer Century Engineering and major defence prime Rheinmetall Defence.
The Supashock team, based at Edinburgh Park in Adelaide, designed and developed the ALHS 17 technology to reduce the risk to soldiers by automating the loading and unloading of ISO containers, modules and STANAG compliant flat racks of up to 17 tonnes from within a highly protected truck cabin.
The traditional loading and unloading of containers and equipment from military logistics vehicles requires the use of multiple personnel, diverting resources away from other tasks, reducing operator situational awareness, and exposing several individuals in a potentially hostile environment – ALHS17 only requires a single operator.
Read: SA company Supashock unveils new military load handling system
ALHS 17 significantly reduces the time for distribution of military supplies in demanding battlefield environments – the loading cycle time is only 25 per cent of existing systems. The safety is also improved – the system is operated within the protection provided by the integrated armoured cab of the Rheinmetall HX 8×8 truck.
ALHS was officially unveiled at Eurosatory 2018 by Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne in June.
Supashock managing director Oscar Fiorinotto paid tribute to his team of engineers – each recruited from South Australia’s three universities – for their skill in developing the ALHS 17 technology.
“The ALHS 17 concept came about to provide defence forces with greater operational flexibility, efficiency and sustainment by providing a completely protected environment, and the ability to load and unload a container in varied terrain,” Fiorinotto said.
Fiorinotto said Century was critical to the successful execution of the ALHS 17 product.
“Century Engineering provided specialist fabrication and manufacturing services for the development of ALHS 17 and, from a collaboration perspective, they opened up their business and worked with our team to provide support in the areas where it was required,” he said.
“The combination of Century Engineering’s manufacturing support, Rheinmetall’s experience in the defence sector and Supashock’s expertise in motion technology facilitated the creation of a technology and end product that has life-saving benefits in combat environments.”
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