Air Mobility Command officials say the current patient loading system—a specially designed ramp—used to load patients on high-deck aircraft like the KC-135 is suffering from overuse and parts shortages. The service started using KC-135 tankers, in addition to C-17 and C-130 airlifters, for medical evacuation flights when it retired the dedicated medevac platform, the C-9. The airlifters have ramps, so they don’t need the PLS. AMC plans to replace the PLS with new High Deck Patient Loading Platform vehicles. The HDPLPs will not expose medics and patients to the elements or the traverse of a very long and high ramp. Instead, the vehicle will rise from ground level to the aircraft’s deck level.
Space Force Adds Unit Tying Acquisition to Test and Training
Sept. 18, 2025
The Space Force has introduced a host of new and revamped deltas in recent months to tighten the ties between acquisition and operations. Now, a new unit is adding training to the mix.
