U.S. Air Force Funds Tunner Loader Support in $12.6M deal
DRS Sustainment Systems has been awarded a $12.6 million delivery order to provide engineering, logistics, and parts support for the Tunner aircraft cargo loader, a key asset in U.S. Air Force global mobility operations.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, has awarded DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., based in Bridgeton, Missouri, a $12,693,852 fixed-price-incentive delivery order. The award supports contractor logistics services for the Tunner aircraft cargo loader (ACL) under a broader indefinite delivery requirements contract.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the contract includes material management infrastructure, parts support, and engineering services for continued operation of the Tunner ACL fleet. The Air Force said in a release that the work will be performed in West Plains, Missouri, with an expected completion date of November 21, 2026.
Fiscal Year 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the full contract amount are being obligated at the time of award. The contracting activity was listed under agreement numbers FA8534-26-F-0002 and FA8534-25-D-0001.
The Tunner aircraft cargo loader, manufactured by DRS Sustainment Systems and operated by the U.S. Air Force, is a high-capacity platform used to load and unload military and commercial aircraft. It is compatible with multiple airframes including the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 747, Lockheed L-1011, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10.
The loader’s deck can be adjusted in pitch, roll, side shift, and yaw. It also features powered deck conveyors that move cargo efficiently into aircraft holds. The system has 180-degree wheel rotation, allowing the vehicle to reduce width for air transport.
Powered by a 350-horsepower V-6 turbocharged diesel engine, the Tunner employs a four-wheel hydrostatic drive system and advanced automation. The deck elevates from 39 inches to 18.5 feet, enabling versatile loading and offloading operations at various aircraft door heights. All deck operations can be performed directly from the operator’s cab.
The contract ensures that deployed and stateside forces will continue to receive the support necessary to keep these critical platforms mission-ready.
The Tunner platform is used extensively across Air Mobility Command and is also deployed in joint and coalition operations, providing cargo handling capability under high-tempo and austere conditions. The loader’s ability to transport palletized cargo in both tactical and strategic environments makes it a core component of the U.S. military’s expeditionary logistics strategy.