The Tank Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) of the US Army has placed a USD50 million order for 93 rough-terrain container handlers with the Kalmar RT Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Kalmar has already delivered more than 160 machines to the US Army; the 100th was delivered last August.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) has taken delivery of 10 rough-terrain container handlers and is currently exercising an option for another 10 machines. The MOD contract and an Australian Army contract last year were made possible because TACOM, which has sole rights to the Kalmar machine, approved re-sale.

TACOM and Kalmar signed a four-year, 500-machine contract in April 2000, which included a 15-year parts and service agreement. The first 16 machines were delivered in June and July 2001, and Kalmar has delivered between eight and 10 machines a month since then.

The military version of Kalmar's RT series has several unique features. It has a moving cab and a folding boom assembly that reduces transport height, enabling transport by aircraft, ship, rail or road without requiring disassembly.