New crane purchased to support national defense mission

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
A large crane has been purchased to help maintain the national defense mission at Arnold Air Force Base.

According to Mark Grantham, maintaining these facilities is an important task because it ensures infrastructure is working as needed to perform the day to day test operations of the base.

“The Grove GMK5200-1 Hydraulic All Terrain Mobile Crane will be used for routine, planned maintenance and repair of Arnold AFB test support assets,” he said. “The complex operates 28 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units [at Arnold]. Many of the complex's test units have capabilities unmatched elsewhere in the United States, and some are unique in the world. A heavy lift capability with the appropriate capacity and reach is required to maintain these facilities.”

The new crane is 54 feet long, 10 feet wide or 26 feet wide with outriggers extended, and 13 feet high, weighing 132,000 pounds. It is also capable of lifting 240 tons and has a reach of 210 feet.

Grantham added that the new crane has been needed at Arnold for a while because the crane being used was experiencing wear and has limited capabilities.

“During spring and summer 2016, AEDC experienced multiple problems with our Manitowoc 3900T crane, which was manufactured in 1978,” he said. “AEDC purchased the 3900T in 1985 from the Tennessee Valley Authority. This crane was the workhorse for long reach and heavy lifts. The 3900T was rated at 140 tons but was very time consuming to configure the lattice boom structure for the intended lift.”

The older crane also had to be repaired multiple times, and during this time would be out of service, so cranes were being rented to perform maintenance jobs.

Grantham said he was later tasked with researching the pros and cons of purchasing a crane, leasing a crane or continuing to rent cranes, and find which would better benefit Arnold.

“The business case that I proposed found that the most beneficial option would be purchasing a new crane,” he said. “This was confirmed by a second, independent business case and was presented to leadership who approved funding for the purchase in early October 2016.”

During the research stage, supported by Dave Simmons, manufacturing branch manager for the Test Operations Sustainment contractor, the requirements and specifications for the new crane were also being developed.

“Within two months of approval to purchase, the team, which consisted of the Test Systems Sustainment Division, the Test Support Division Logistics Office, Installation Contracting office and the TOS contractor, received local purchase authority from Warner Robins; issued the solicitation; received proposals; evaluated proposals for lowest-price, technically acceptable; and awarded the contract on Dec. 9, 2016,” Grantham said. “There was great commitment and dedication provided to the team by Miriam James and Kelly Pitts, with the Installation Contracting Office, and Capt. Mike Saltzman, with the Logistics Office.”

The award was made to Federal Contracts Corp, of Tampa, Florida. The crane arrived at Arnold April 28 and has since been assembled and is ready to be used.