Modular cargo loading and unloading system

A modular cargo loading and unloading system for use in an elongate compartment, such as the lower lobe compartment of an aircraft, comprising:

• at least one removable doorway transfer unit including perpendicular conveyors for perpendicularly changing the direction of cargo movement at the entryway of an elongate compartment during cargo loading and unloading;
• a plurality of removable longitudinal units including belt conveyors for moving cargo between said doorway transfer unit and transportation positions in said elongate compartment, each of said plurality of longitudinal units including a pair of spaced apart belt conveyors and power means for powering said pair of spaced apart belt conveyors, said power means including electric motors having brakes that are engaged when said electric motors are de-energized to prevent the belt conveyors and cargo thereon from moving an brake release means for manually releasing the brakes of said electric motors to permit the belt conveyors and cargo thereon to be manually moved.
• tie-down means for attaching said doorway transfer and longitudinal units to the floor of said elongate compartment.