Feasibility of Overland Traverse to Re-Supply Summit Camp: Fleet Configuration and Economic Analysis

• Main Authors: Lever, James H., Weale, Jason C.
• Other Authors: ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER HANOVER NH COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Economics and Cost Analysis; Test Facilities; Equipment and Methods; *FEASIBILITY STUDIES; *RESEARCH FACILITIES; *ECONOMIC ANALYSIS; WEIGHT; CARGO; TABLES(DATA); SUPPLIES; TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT; LOGISTICS PLANNING; TRACTORS; GREENLAND; ICE CAPS; FUELS; COSTS; SLEDS; EFFICIENCY; CARGO SLEDS; ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY; ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; GREENLAND ICE CAP; OVERLAND TRAVERSE; LC130 AIRCRAFT; RESUPPLYING SUMMIT CAMP; TRACTOR FLEETS; SPT(SOUTH POLE TRAVERSE); CEE(COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION); Greenland; South Pole; Summit Camp; Ice cap; South pole; Thule
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA539292; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA539292

The feasibility of re-supplying Summit Camp on the Greenland ice cap from Thule AFB via a 1200-mile (round trip) overland traverse was examined. The assessment focused on the delivery capabilities of tractor fleets consisting of 2-4 prime movers and their economics compared with re-supply by LC130 aircraft. Initiating a Thule-Summit traverse using a three-tractor fleet conducting one round trip per season can deliver most of the fuel (37,000 gal.) and durable cargo (160,000 lb) needed annually at Summit. A two-tractor fleet conducting two round trips per season would offset ~21 LC130 flights (45,000 gal. fuel, 160,000 lb cargo). The delivery capacity of a four-tractor fleet (47,000 gal. fuel, 240,000 lb cargo) exceeds the present needs at Summit but could service cargo needs for U.S. and international science camps operating along or near the traverse route and it would offset 25 LC130 flights. These results indicate that an overland traverse to re-supply Summit Camp is feasible on delivery efficiency and economic grounds. It would also buffer the program against increases in fuel and flight costs for LC130s. Additional work is needed to prove a safe route onto the ice cap from Thule AFB and to develop an efficient cargo sled based on experience with fuel bladder sleds. Preliminary work suggests that solutions for these issues are straightforward. The original document contains color images.