Abstract: A launching device carrier (14) has fuselage supports (24, 44) and ground engaging wheels (18). A pair of outrigger assemblies (84, 122) are spaced laterally from the carrier (14) on opposite sides of the carrier (14). Each assembly includes a ground-engaging wheel truck (122) and a wing support (84) spaced laterally outwardly from the truck (122). The assemblies (84, 122) are connected to the carrier (14) by connector structures that permit relative vertical movement between the assemblies (84, 122) and the carrier (14). The carrier wheels (18) react centerline vertical loads to the ground. The outrigger wheels (126) independently react wing weight vertical loads to the ground. The connector structure preferably includes a main boom (64,64') hingedly connected to the carrier (14), and an outer boom (82, 132) pivotally attached to the outer end of the main boom (64, 64'). The outer end boom (82, 132) pivots to move the wing support (84) between an upper support position and a lower release position.

Abstract: An inclined ramp, for loading and unloading rolling cargo between ground level and a cargo bay of an air transport, incorporates a stowable lift for handling palletized cargo which is deployable into an operative position providing a horizontal pallet receiving platform and which is retractable into a collapsed, stowed position nested in an elongate recess between treadways of the ramp. The platform of the lift is supportively mounted on a carriage which rides up and down the ramp on tracks mounted within the recess. The rolling-cargo ramp, with the pallet lift stowed therein, is retractable into the cargo bay for on-board transit and is deployable from the cargo bay for use at airfields where specialized, ground-based cargo-handling equipment is unavailable and when a mix of both rolling and palletized cargo is involved.