TCB-M
Medium Transportable Collapsible Bladder
The TCB-M (Medium Transportable Collapsible Bladder) is designed to support maneuver sustainment and extended operational reach when fixed fuel infrastructure is unavailable, degraded, or impractical. This size class typically supports bulk fuel volumes up to 1,000 gal and is intended to move with the force across air, ground, and maritime lines of communication.
TCB-M is executed in two established configurations (same capacity class, different footprints) to align with load planning, handling, and platform interfaces:
• TCB-M1, 1,000 gal class, long footprint (pallet-focused)
• TCB-M2, 1,000 gal class, wide footprint (container-focused)
At a planning level, TCB-M is defined by the following physical and load characteristics (M1 and M2):
• Storage capacity: Up to 1,000 gal (TCB-M1 and TCB-M2)
• Approximate operating dimensions:
- TCB-M1: ~14 ft × 4 ft × 3 to 4 ft
- TCB-M2: ~7 ft × 8 ft × 3 to 4 ft
• 463L pallet compatibility: - TCB-M1: (2) married half pallets
- TCB-M2: (1) full pallet
• ISO container compatibility: - TCB-M1: N/A
- TCB-M2: BICON
These characteristics support integration across air, ground, and maritime platforms, enabling TCB-M to be positioned, moved, staged, and redeployed in support of distributed and expeditionary operations.
Mission Application
TCB-M is employed to sustain maneuver forces with increased endurance versus TCB-S while retaining transport flexibility. It supports mobile refuel operations, forward staging, and distributed sustainment where commanders and logisticians must adapt fuel distribution methods to the platform mix, terrain, threat, and operational tempo.
Typical Military Use
TCB-M is commonly used for:
• Mobile refuel support to maneuver formations and distributed elements
• Forward staging at logistics nodes and refuel points
• Extended-duration sustainment where repositioning and redeployment are required
• Air-ground interface operations requiring 463L pallet compatibility (M1)
• Container-supported staging and movement using BICON systems (M2)
Access, Availability & Engineering Support
Certain TCB-M configurations and variants are restricted to U.S. Government and approved allied use. Detailed specifications, approvals, and platform-specific integrations are provided through direct engagement and end-user validation.
TCB-M – AIR Transportation Table
(Representative examples only)
| Platform Type | Representative Platforms (Examples) | Recommended TCB-M Configuration | Pallet / Interface | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPADS | JPADS Medium (30K), JPADS Heavy (60K) | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 (mission-dependent) | Rigged per load plan | Quantity and rigging depend on mission profile |
| Rotary-Wing Heavy Lift | CH-47, CH-53 | TCB-M1 preferred | External / internal per mission | Load planning and restraint requirements apply |
| Tiltrotor | MV-22 | TCB-M1 (mission-dependent) | Pallet / internal | Final load plan governs |
| Fixed-Wing Tactical Airlift | C-130 | TCB-M1 | 463L pallet workflow | Optimized for air-ground interface |
| Fixed-Wing Strategic Airlift | C-17 | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | 463L pallet workflow | Palletized movement and staging |
Air-enabled fuel configurations restricted to U.S. Government and approved allies. Detailed configurations provided through direct engagement.
TCB-M – GROUND Transportation Table
(Representative examples only)
| Platform Type | Representative Platforms (Examples) | Recommended TCB-M Configuration | Mounting / Interface | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tactical Vehicles | LMTV, MTVR | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | Bed / flatbed / trailer | Primary employment method |
| Heavy Tactical Vehicles | LVSR, HEMTT variants | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | Bed / flatbed / trailer | Mission-dependent tie-down approach |
| Trailers / Flatbeds | Flatbeds, tactical trailers | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | Strapped / secured | Enables mobile refuel distribution |
| Commercial Vehicles | Commercial flatbeds and trucks | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | Secured per load plan | Used when contracted support is available |
| Material Handling Interface | Forklift / MHE operations | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | Pallet / container handling | Supports staging and rapid movement |
Detailed configurations provided through direct engagement and end-user validation.
TCB-M – MARITIME Transportation Table
(Representative examples only)
| Platform Type | Representative Platforms (Examples) | Recommended TCB-M Configuration | Deck / Handling Interface | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship-to-Shore Craft | LCUs | TCB-M1 / TCB-M2 | Deck tie-down | Mission-dependent deck handling |
| Amphib / Utility Craft | LARC-V, utility boats | TCB-M1 preferred | Deck tie-down | Tactical distribution and support |
| Small Craft | RHIBs, small-deck vessels | TCB-M1 (mission-dependent) | Limited deck space | Capacity and deck limits apply |
| Maritime Logistics Nodes | Small-deck vessels | TCB-M2 (BICON) | Container handling | Supports staged sustainment and deck efficiency |
Employment driven by deck handling, tie-down method, and mission profile. Detailed configurations provided through direct engagement.