ATN aids French defence

ATN is supplying scissor lifts to the French Ministry of Defence and more specifically to the GAAO (Operatinal Air Support Group). The main assignment of the GAAO is to prepare the operational facilities necessary for initial deployment of air forces on an external theatre of operations (OPEX).

The ministry launched a tender process in April 2012 and until today an undisclosed number of CX15’s are working for the GAAO. The CX 15 supplied are all terrain diesel-powered scissor platforms with a working height of 15 m. With its 16 square metre platform and its 700kg capacity, it has a wide range of applications.

The platforms will be used in internal (OPINT) and external (OPEX) operations and will require specific features. As this equipment will be deployed in different countries around the world, the platforms and their accessories had to be adapted to suit tropical conditions. To do so, ATN integrated stainless steel fittings and hydraulic connectors. A cyclonic filter was needed to filter the engine oil and so withstand extreme dust conditions. To remedy all risks of corrosion and deterioration caused by use in tropical environments, ATN applied reinforced protection to the whole of the platform before the finish coat in NATO Green colours. One of the applications will include the assembly of aircraft buildings during external and internal operations.