Ammunition-Configured Loads
A Palletized Load System (PLS) shows up to a forward operating base with a flat rack of ammunition. The curious transporter turns to the ammunition specialist receiving the flat rack and asks, “what is this?” Of course, it is ammunition, but it looks ready-made to the driver. The munitions specialist quickly replies, “combat configured load.” As far as he knows, that is what he has been told and learned in his training.
A sergeant walks up and tells them not so fast. That’s a “Mission Configured Load.” Another supervisor disagrees and says it’s a “Unit Configured Load.”
Everyone is confused at this point, and it doesn’t get any better when one of the oldest members tells them they are all wrong. It’s “Strategic Configured Load.”
So who is right? It will depend on many factors based on the situation, the intended user, and where the ammunition configuration was completed.
We must first understand that a Configured Load (CL) is a preplanned load of supplies built to anticipated or actual needs and intended for maximum throughput with minimal reconfiguration. While this can apply to any supply class, the topic discussed here is class V, ammunition.
Current publications indicate that ammunition loads are a support package designed or tailored specifically for munitions operations. Ammunition loads typically contain only munitions and their associated materials and include two configured loads: combat-configured loads and mission-configured loads.
Combat Configured Load
A combat configured load is a mixed ammunition package designed to provide for the complete round concept, type of unit, type of vehicle, capacity of transporter, and weapons system. Contents of the package are predetermined and provide optimum quality and mix to support a particular weapon system or unit.
And are those ammunition loads configured to support specific combat units in a theater of operations based on task organization. Combat configured loads are built at the national-provider level based on known task organization and by request. Combat configured loads are re-configured in theater ASPs as required and delivered as far forward to the using unit as possible in a single lift.
Mission Configured Load
Mission configured load is an ammunition load configured to support specific mission requirements across task forces or organizations. Mission configured loads are built in theater at above-brigade level ammunition supply points and minimally reconfigured in supply points as required. Mission configured loads are delivered as far forward as possible to the using unit in a single lift.
The following configured loads are not found in munitions publications and require a bit of historical context.
Unit-Configured Load (UCL)
A Unit-Configured Load (UCL) is a load of supplies built to fill specific unit requirements and built forward of the corps to meet consuming unit specifications, targeted at the squadron and battalion-level sustainment.
Strategic Configured Load (SCL)
Strategic Configured Loads (SCL) are those assembled outside the theater of operations (United States) to minimize the logistical footprint. Built for specific unit types based on a standard requirements code (SRC) without regard for the mission at hand. Approved by a board and assigned a single SCL Drawing Number. That goes along with Strategic Configured Loads - Basic Procedures.
Regardless of the name, ammunition-configured loads are preplanned Class V supplies built for maximum distribution throughput. With soldiers having minimal handling and reconfiguration of containerized roll-in/out platforms (CROP).
References
Field Artillery cannon battalion combat configured loads – A sustainment perspective and best practices from JRTC
https://www.fieldartillery.org/news/field-artillery-cannon-battalion-combat-configured-loads--a-sustainment-perspective
Combat configured loads are the most efficient type of ammunition load
https://www.army.mil/article/219268/combat_configured_loads_are_the_most_efficient_type_of_ammunition_load
Urban Combat Service Support Operations
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1717.pdf