The US Navy has received a test article ship-to-ship vehicle transfer system from cargo handling systems and services company Cargotec.

Based on the MacGregor technology the test article vehicle transfer system (TAVTS) was built as part of the US Navy’s sea base plan to support army and marine corps land forces.

The system can transfer marine corps vehicles and personnel from a large medium-speed roll-on / roll-off (LMSR) cargo vessels to a mobile landing platform at sea in sea state 3.

TAVTS features two primary components – a self-deploying ramp and a self-deploying sideport platform system equipped to the LMSR ship, USNS Soderman.

TAVTS has successfully completed rigorous harbour test procedures and will now undergo full-scale testing by the US Navy’s PEO ships / PMS 385.