New Palletized System Transforms Cargo Aircraft for Passengers

Collins Aerospace has joined forces with Knight Aerospace, a provider of modular and palletized systems for aircraft, to develop a unique product that can quickly transform military cargo aircraft with customized galleys and lavatories. The Air Transportable Galley/Lavatory System (ATGL) can be rolled on and off an aircraft in less than 30 mins., which the companies say make it possible to rapidly replace systems that are costly to maintain.

The ATGL is targeted toward use cases serving military personnel during long missions in which the aircraft do not feature a galley and lavatory or only have a single lavatory and small galley for the crew. It is a universal system that features a full-service galley and two lavatories mounted on a customized pallet that can be loaded on board any cargo aircraft, such as the C-130, C-17 and KC-46. It can interface to the aircraft cargo handling system without needing additional tie-downs or attachment points.

Customers can choose between various options for the ATGL’s galley, such as different combinations of refrigerators, coffee makers, ovens and microwaves. The solution features two lavatories, which are equipped with Collins’ advanced vacuum wastewater system and Agile toilet. It says the products increase sanitary measures onboard the aircraft and eliminate the usage of blue water systems, which rely on special service trucks to pump out waste after each flight.

Knight Aerospace will support servicing on all International ATGLs while Collins will service the units in the contiguous U.S. and provide all global spares support. The companies say the plan is to have strategically located facilities to support overhaul for customers worldwide.

“The current solutions flying today are well past their obsolescence age and finding the correct parts to fix what’s currently available is becoming increasingly difficult,” says Bianca Rhodes, president and CEO, Knight Aerospace. “The ATGL solution is not only a more practical and cost-effective solution, it’s also representative of the most technologically advanced and airworthy solutions available today.”

The companies say several countries are in the final stages of procuring the ATGL and its design is 90% complete. Once the first ATGL and the line are established, the companies say they will be able to produce more than 10 units per month. The majority of its parts are based on previous palletized designs by Knight Aerospace, such as its transport pallets and modules. The company also provides medical modules that have seen increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.