Today in WW II: 21 May 1942 Sinking of the Mexican tanker Faja de Oro by German submarine U-160, off Key West, precipitates Mexican declaration of war against Nazi Germany.

M-1070 Heavy Transporter Truck & M-1000 Trailer

The Heavy Equipment Transport System (HETS) consists of the M1070 Truck Tractor and the M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter Semi-trailer. The HETS transports payloads up to 70 tons – primarily M1 Abrams tanks.

HETS operates worldwide on highways worldwide, secondary roads, and cross-country. The HETS has a number of features that significantly improve the mobility and overall performance of the system in a tactical environment. The M1070 tractor has front- and rear-axle steering, a central tire-inflation system, and cab space for six personnel to accommodate the two HETS operators and four tank crewmen. The M1000 semi-trailer has automatically steerable axels and a load-leveling hydraulic suspension.

The Heavy Equipment Transport System (HETS) entered service in 1993.

Specifications:

Tractor length:	358 in
Tractor width:	102 in
Trailer length:	622 in
Trailer width (at rear bumper):	144.8 in
Tractor curb weight:	41,000 lbs
Trailor curb weight:	50,000 lbs
Payload:	140,000 lbs
Engine:	500 horsepower Detroit Diesel
Transmission:	5-speed automatic
Speed:	40-45 mph on highway (25-30 mph with 70 ton payload)
Range:	300 mi
Fording:	28 in
Air transportability:	C-5A and C-17
Tractor Manufacturer:	Oshkosh Truck - Oshkosh, WI
Semitrailer Manufacturer:	Systems & Electronics, Inc - St Louis, MO

M-1000 Semi-trailer w/70 ton MBT.

M-1070 HET.