Utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly on an amphibious air-cushion vehicle

A multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end, the multi-track cargo handling assembly comprising:

• a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle;
• and
• a set of guide rails coupled with the framework, the set of guide rails defining the parallel tracks and being constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks;
• wherein the set of guide rails includes:
• an inner guide rail, a portside guide rail, and a starboard side guide rail;
• wherein the inner guide rail and the portside guide rail are parallel to each other to constrain a first set of cargo items within a first cargo track;
• wherein the inner guide rail and the starboard side guide rail are parallel to each other to constrain a second set of cargo items within a second cargo track that is parallel to the first cargo track;
• wherein the amphibious air cushion vehicle further comprises:
• a stern ramp that defines a ramp surface and that is coupled with the aft end of the deck;
• and
• a stern ramp framework coupled with the stern ramp, the stern ramp framework being constructed and arranged to, while the amphibious air cushion vehicle is moving, (i) receive sets of cargo items sliding from the multi-track cargo handling assembly and (ii) unload the sets of cargo items off the amphibious air cushion vehicle at a landing location;
• and
• wherein the multi-track cargo handling assembly further includes:
• a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to (i) lock the first and second sets of cargo items in position on the amphibious air cushion vehicle, (ii) while the amphibious air cushion vehicle is moving, unlock the first set of cargo items to enable the first set of cargo items to slide along the first cargo track, onto the stern ramp framework, and off the amphibious air cushion vehicle separately from the second set of cargo items, and (iii) while the amphibious air cushion vehicle is moving, unlock the second set of cargo items to enable the second set of cargo items to slide along the second cargo track, onto the stern ramp framework, and off the amphibious air cushion vehicle separately from the first set of cargo items.

A method of operating an amphibious air cushion vehicle having (i) an air cushion hull configured for travel on water and land, and (ii) a deck supported by the hull, the method comprising:

• loading individual cargo items onto a multi-track cargo handling assembly coupled with the deck, the multi-track cargo handling assembly being constructed and arranged to guide the cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of the deck for unloading from the aft end;
• moving the amphibious air cushion vehicle from the water onto a landing location on the land;
• and
• from the multi-track cargo handling assembly, dropping the cargo items off the aft end of the deck onto the landing location;
• wherein the multi-track cargo handling assembly includes:
• a framework coupled with the deck, and
• a set of guide rails coupled with the framework, the set of guide rails defining the parallel tracks and being constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks;
• wherein the set of guide rails includes:
• an inner guide rail, a portside guide rail, and a starboard side guide rail;
• wherein the inner guide rail and the portside guide rail are parallel to each other to constrain a first set of cargo items within a first cargo track;
• wherein the inner guide rail and the starboard side guide rail are parallel to each other to constrain a second set of cargo items within a second cargo track that is parallel to the first cargo track;
• wherein the amphibious air cushion vehicle further comprises:
• a stern ramp that defines a ramp surface and that is coupled with the aft end of the deck;
• and
• a stern ramp framework coupled with the stern ramp, the stern ramp framework being constructed and arranged to, while the amphibious air cushion vehicle is moving, (i) receive sets of cargo items sliding from the multi-track cargo handling assembly and (ii) unload the sets of cargo items off the amphibious air cushion vehicle at a landing location;
• and
• wherein the multi-track cargo handling assembly further includes:
• a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to (i) lock the first and second sets of cargo items in position on the amphibious air cushion vehicle, (ii) while the amphibious air cushion vehicle is moving, unlock the first set of cargo items to enable the first set of cargo items to slide along the first cargo track, onto the stern ramp framework, and off the amphibious air cushion vehicle separately from the second set of cargo items, and (iii) while the amphibious air cushion vehicle is moving, unlock the second set of cargo items to enable the second set of cargo items to slide along the second cargo track, onto the stern ramp framework, and off the amphibious air cushion vehicle separately from the first set of cargo items.