Transtainer

Transtainers (transporter-containers) for SM-68 [Titan ICBM] are of novel design, with a structure of aluminium alloy.

In the factory, each stage of the missile is placed on an individual transtainer — or missile trailer. From this point on, transtainers will carry the missile stages wherever they go.

Because the Atlas must be substantially complete when transported (the nose cones originate and usually are transported from another point to Cape Canaveral, and in some instances the guidance system is separate from the body of the missile in transit) and because it must be retained under pressure until fueled, a specially constructed trailer, called a transtainer, is necessary for the over-the-road movement.

The orifice controlled the flow of oil during strut retraction and extension, which in turn determined the load factor in the transtainer and missile.

The transtainers (system A) are all assumed to have a 62ft span and to straddle a five wide stack.

Other parameters, such as the number of transtainers and portainers, have been found to be of secondary influence.

Containers are then removed from the train by a transtainer and placed on truck chassis attached to a tractor and hauled to container storage areas or ship departure areas.