The Large Land-Based Tow Tractor full rate production decision was signed July 15.
“The LLTT will be built by TLD America. The first production option is worth more than $19.1 million and will produce 119 tow tractors for our fleet Sailors and Marines,” said by Capt. Fred Hepler, program manager for the Aviation Support Equipment Program Office, PMA-260, here. “This firm, fixed price contract, including the two additional production options for Fiscal Year 2012 and 2013 is worth more than $33.1 million and will produce a total of 200 new tow tractors.”
The new LLTT is based on TLD’s TMX-250 commercial tow tractor modified to meet the Navy specification and will replace the fleet’s aging A/S32A-37 tow tractors, some of which are more than 20 years old. The LLTT will be used to tow aircraft weighing between 80,000 and 350,000 pounds on and around flight lines and hangars at shore installations.
“This program demonstrated how well industry and the Navy can work together designing a product for the fleet,” said Greg Bauer, the LLTT deputy program manager, PMA-260. “Several of the design changes made to meet the Navy’s specification are also being incorporated back into TLD’s commercial line of aircraft tow tractors.”
LLTT’s will begin coming off the production line in November 2012, with delivery to fleet activities beginning in December, added Bauer.
