New Army trucks provide increased safety, storage capacity

Courtesy Photo | The second fielding of the new M915A5 Truck Tractor to the Army Reserve began here Oct. 29 with Reserve units learning about the new features available to them. The M915A5 is a semi-tractor, usually used for line haul missions. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan E. Hall, 369th Transportation Company)  

FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

10.29.2010

Courtesy Story

363rd Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan E. Hall

FORT RILEY, Kan. – The second fielding of M915A5 Truck Tractor to the Army Reserve began here, Oct. 29, with Reserve units learning about the new features available to them.

The 369th and 425th Transportation Companies, 821st Transportation Battalion, conducted training on the new M915A5 Truck Tractor, fielded by the Honeywell Fielding Group. Training consisted of 16 hours of operator training and 24 hours of maintenance training and included presentations on new features of the truck, including collision avoidance systems, and the controls in the 60 new trucks they received.

The M915A5 is a semi-tractor, usually used for line haul missions. A line haul mission is when you attach a "line" to another piece of inoperable equipment and move it.

“The A5 series offer more torque for heavier loads and much needed room in the cab for storing equipment and supplies with the extended cab,” said Staff Sgt. Rafael Alarcon, 369th TC.

The trucks’ features include a two-passenger cab which is 10 inches wider than previous models and extends 34 inches behind the drivers and passenger seats, a 500 horse power diesel engine, as well as a front and rear suspension system weight rated at 120,000 pounds.

“The new trucks ride smoother than previous models of the Freightliner M915 series,” said Staff Sgt. Chad Dester, 425th TC .

It also has a roll stability control system, which is a new feature that activates when the truck is turning at a speed that might cause a roll-over. The system causes the engine power to temporarily shut down until a safe speed is attained, then engine power is restored said Dester.

Many of the Soldiers attending the training said the new trucks will increase or add new abilities to the 369th and 425th to help with additional workloads the units may have over time. They said these new trucks will further enhance the abilities of the 821st Trans. Bn. to move equipment and supplies to where they are needed.

• Date Taken: 10.29.2010
• Date Posted: 11.08.2010 15:54
• Story ID: 59675
• Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US