All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS)

The All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) is a 5-ton (10,000 pound) capacity, variable reach, rough terrain forklift. It is intended to perform the same type of cargo handling operations as earlier Army 10K capacity forklifts under a wide variety of conditions. The 528th Special Operations Support Battalion (Airborne), Army Special Operations Support Command, Fort Bragg, NC, the Army's only support battalion designed to support all special operations forces, was the first Army unit fielded with the new ATLAS forklifts, in the fall of 1998.

The ATLAS has a maximum lift capacity of 5 tons with a three-stage telescopic boom. At the vehicle's maximum reach of 21 feet 6 inches, it can lift 2 tons. At 15 feet, it can lift 3 tons, and at 4 feet, it can lift 5 tons. It has two sets of forks, one for a 3-ton carriage and the other for a 5-ton carriage. It is capable of forking depths up to 36 inches. The system also has the ability to tilt the frame up to 30 degrees to the left and right to ensure that the load is always level. With a 165-horsepower engine, the ATLAS has a maximum speed of 23 miles per hour on the road. There are three forward speeds and reverse.

For operator comfort, the ATLAS has an air-conditioned and heated cab and suspension seats. It can be configured for air movement on a C-130 cargo plane. The ATLAS has improved mobility, steering and comfort compared to previous 5-ton forklifts in U.S. military service.

Trak International, Inc. of Port Washington, WS built the ATLAS for the U.S. military.

On 15 August 2006, TACOM issued a Request for Proposal for an updated version of ATLAS, dubbed ATLAS II.

Thanks to Jim Winslow, Military Service Manager of JLG Industries Inc. for help with this page.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

AH-64 Apache helicopters, trucks, an ATLAS (All Terrain Lifter Army System), and support tent area during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Mosul Airport, 26 June 2003.

A forklift, issued by Army Field Support Battalion-Northeast Asia, cleans debris from Sendai Airport in northeast Japan as a part of tsunami relief efforts, April 2011. The forklift appears to be an All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS).

A 25th Transportation Battalion Soldier directs the download of an All-terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) forklift during operations at the Port of Gwangyang, South Korea, 7 December 2010. The ATLAS, from Army Field Support Battalion

Soldiers of the 1099th Transportation Detachment guide a forklift operator who places turrets for MRAP vehicles on the deck of an Army logistic support vessel as part of the first Middle East intra-theater transfer of MRAPs, 14 September 2008. The forklift appears to be an All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS).

Army forklifts wait to be turned in and replaced by newer All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) forklifts at the docks in Gwangyang, South Korea, 4 Dec 2010. The forklifts are being replaced to maintain mission readiness in the Army Prepositioned Stocks

US Army personnel use an ATLAS (All Terrain Lifter Army System) to move 55-gallon drums that will used as a ramp extension for USAF C-130 Hercules aircraft during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, 26 June 2003

All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) Photo Gallery

All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) in use to move 55-gALLon drums that will used as a ramp extension of a US Air Force (USAF) C-130 Hercules during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 26 June 2003.

All Terrain Lifter, Army System (ATLAS) on the Mosul Airport tarmac among other vehicles, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 26 June 2003.