Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Robins AFB remote control aircraft tug creates safer work environmentPublished Dec. 5, 2021
                    
                    By Joseph Mather
                    
                    
                    Robins Public Affairs
            **ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS)  --**Remote controlled tugs are being used to move **F-15 Eagles** around the flight line and through hangars at**Robins Air Force Base**.
F-15 aircraft maintenance workers with the **Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex** (WR-ALC) have 10 TowFLEXX 5.4 (TF-5), low profile aircraft tugs to move the aircraft around hangars where traditional tugs can’t maneuver.02:02
    
    

    
    
    VIDEO  | 02:02
            |






Carl Motter Jr., 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group (AMXG) TowFLEXX program manager, said they researched new technology that could turn an F-15 aircraft in a 65-foot circle inside the high bay area of Building 125.
“The conventional tug-and-tow bar configuration would not clear tight constraints inside of this building for turning and positioning aircraft,” he said. “With the TF-5, there is greater mobility and less repositioning involved to place an aircraft in a work stand, and it can handle any aircraft up to 120,000 pounds.”
Motter said the TF- 5 does not require fuel.
“It is powered by four 12-volt direct current, 200 AMP/hour batteries,” he said. “It meets the new regulations for all green procurement for the Department of Defense and the WR-ALC.”
Motter said safety comes first when using the TF-5.
“The TF-5 operator uses a remote control belly pack to control the tug while attaching, moving and releasing any aircraft with 360 degrees of walking around capability,” he said. “No one has to sit under the aircraft while positioning or moving the aircraft.
Also, there are no harmful exhaust fumes or loud engine noises while maneuvering an aircraft through a hangar,” he continued.A TowFLEXX 5.4, (TF-5), tug maneuvers through Building 125 at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 18, 2019. The TF-5 is a low profile aircraft positioner tug/tractor that can turn 360 degrees and is able to move an F-15 Eagle aircraft in a 65-foot circle.A TowFLEXX 5.4, (TF-5), tug maneuvers through Building 125 at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 18, 2019. The TF-5 is a low profile aircraft positioner tug/tractor that can turn 360 degrees and is able to move an F-15 Eagle aircraft in a 65-foot circle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rodney Speed)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    A TowFLEXX 5.4, (TF-5) tug is attached to the nose landing gear of an F-15 Eagle at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 18, 2021. A TF-5 tug is a radio remote-controlled tow-bar-less tug for moving any aircraft up to 120,000 pounds.A TowFLEXX 5.4, (TF-5) tug is attached to the nose landing gear of an F-15 Eagle at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 18, 2021. A TF-5 tug is a radio remote-controlled tow-bar-less tug for moving any aircraft up to 120,000 pounds. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Carl Motter Jr., 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group TowFLEXX program manager, maneuvers a TowFLEXX 5.4 (TF-5) tug as it tows an F-15 Eagle at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 18, 2021. The TF-5 is an electric aircraft towing tug that is powered by four 12-volt direct current, 200 AMP/hour batteries that meets the new regulations for all green procurement for the Department of Defense.Carl Motter Jr., 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group TowFLEXX program manager, maneuvers a TowFLEXX 5.4 (TF-5) tug as it tows an F-15 Eagle at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 18, 2021. The TF-5 is an electric aircraft towing tug that is powered by four 12-volt direct current, 200 AMP/hour batteries that meets the new regulations for all green procurement for the Department of Defense. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

In addition, there are cost savings while using the TF-5.
“Labor cost is reduced by $240 an hour per aircraft that needs to be positioned into the next workstation,” he said. “Its use increases production with reduced labor effort.”
Motter said around the WR-ALC ,the traditional tug will still be used.
“The TF-5 will be used to move F-15s and other aircraft under 120,000 pounds,” he said. “For long distances, a conventional tug-and-tow bar will be used.”
The personnel in the F-15 flights will have an opportunity to learn how to properly use and to set up the TF-5 on an F-15 before using them, Motter said.
“The 402nd AMXG worked with the Robins Air Force Base training group to develop courses for members in the F-15 squadrons,” he said. “Any mechanic that goes through the WR-ALC training course and acquires a certificate of completion after passing the course will be capable of operating the TF-5.”
The TF-5’s small size and capabilities allows the tug to be an easy item to deploy.
“The TF-5 can be loaded into any cargo plane and transported anywhere in the world where tugs and tow bars have not been shipped,” he said. “This will allow the advance-deployment personnel to move aircraft like the **A-10** (Thunderbolt II),**F-16**(Fighting Falcon), **F-22** (Raptor), **F-35** (Lightning II) aircraft into shelters for safety and protection with the ability to use the space more efficiently.”
Motter said the possibilities are endless for all the aircraft this equipment can be used on at Robins AFB and throughout the military.
“As workload demands increase and with the need to utilize existing hangar space, new technology will be required to maintain this country’s assets around the world,” he said.FS 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Robins AFB 



tugs 



F-15 Eagle 



TOWFLEXX 



TF-5 



electric 



green 



innovation 



402nd AMXG 



WR-ALC 



Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex 



technology 



remote control 



AFMC 



Air Force Materiel Command Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil