AeroGo Moves 747-400 Within an Inch

SI Technologies, Inc. (which designs, manufactures and markets high-performance, industrial sensors, weighing and factory automation equipment and systems) just highlighted a contract with Boeing as an example of the precise moving and positioning capabilities of its AeroGo, Inc. subsidiary.

The recently-completed contract required AeroGo to move a specially modified 747-400F airframe weighing 675,000 pounds approximately 300 feet, from the tarmac into an existing hangar facility at Edwards Air Force Base (CA). The hangar was marginally large enough to handle the aircraft, but required very precise positioning (to within +/- 1 inch) at the nose and 3-foot clearance at each wingtip. To facilitate this relocation, the airframe needed to be "side-shifted" at 45 degrees into the hangar.

Bumpy concrete was another obstacle...

The move was accomplished by the use of a unique pallet and traction drive system designed by AeroGo engineers. AeroGo's totally self-contained and battery-powered drives allowed the operators to slowly move, rotate and position the aircraft maintaining the tight clearances. In addition, due to the porous and rutted nature of the tarmac, the entire relocation was conducted on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) overlay. This overlay material provided a smooth, sealed surface for drive system operation.

"This represented one of the most challenging assignments ever received by AeroGo," noted Hal Williams, General Manager of the SI Technologies subsidiary. "In light of the tight constraints involved and the nature of the payload, it was truly amazing to accomplish this move in a single day."

The project is being directed by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. The U.S. Air Force leads the prime contractor team, consisting of Boeing, TRW and Lockheed Martin.

FMI: www.sitechnologies.com