Industry
Military and aviation
Italian Air Force 72nd Wing: MAXIᴸ for secure helicopter blade storage
- Military & aviation
- MAXI L
- Long items
Helicopter blades: from floor storage to an enclosed system that keeps them secure
For the Italian Air Force, helicopter blades are far more than simple components: high-value, strategically critical, heavy and bulky, their integrity directly affects aircraft operational readiness.
Floor pallet storage could guarantee neither the preservation conditions nor the operational safety required in a military aviation context. ICAM installed a MAXIᴸ with a fixed work station and trays with dedicated load stabilization supports, enabling controlled storage and safe handling with zero manual effort.
Product
MAXIᴸ
Key result
180 helicopter blades in 13.95 m²
Key feature
Trays equipped with dedicated supports for blade stabilization during handling.
Italian Air Force 72nd Wing: flight operations and strategic component management
The Italian Air Force is one of Italy’s four armed forces, dedicated to air operations. The 72nd Wing in Frosinone operates in a context where the availability and integrity of aircraft components have direct implications on operational readiness.
Helicopter blades are items of high unit and strategic value requiring specific storage conditions: protection from impacts and damage, controlled access and safe handling for both operators and materials.
Helicopter blades are items of high unit and strategic value requiring specific storage conditions: protection from impacts and damage, controlled access and safe handling for both operators and materials.
The logistical challenges
Before the MAXIᴸ installation, helicopter blades were stored on pallets placed directly on the floor.
The key challenges were:
• Unprotected storage: high strategic-value blades exposed to damage risks, with no containment or structured protection system
• Hazardous manual handling: heavy and bulky items requiring manual lifting and moving, causing operational delays and safety risks for operators
• Wasted floor space: floor pallets occupied valuable floor area without making use of the available height
• Limited accessibility: reaching a specific blade often required moving other materials, increasing both time and risk of damage
Vertical storage for helicopter blades: MAXIᴸ with 1,000 kg capacity trays
The MAXIᴸ vertical automated storage system is configured with a fixed station: 4.1 m high, 4.62 m wide, with large-format trays rated at a maximum of 1,000 kg each. Each tray houses up to 10 helicopter blades, 180 blades in total, concentrated in just 13.95 m² of floor space, with an integrated loading area of an additional 4.62 m².
The trays are fitted with dedicated supports that stabilize the blades throughout every handling operation preventing slippage and preserving the integrity of each component. The fixed station enables ergonomic retrieval and deposit: operators access the blades without unsafe manual lifting, under fully controlled safety conditions.
The trays are fitted with dedicated supports that stabilize the blades throughout every handling operation preventing slippage and preserving the integrity of each component. The fixed station enables ergonomic retrieval and deposit: operators access the blades without unsafe manual lifting, under fully controlled safety conditions.
Key results
Strategic assets protected, organised and accessible, no compromise on safety or space.
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180 helicopter blades in 13.95 m²
From floor pallets to a compact vertical system: same capacity, drastically reduced footprint.
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Trays with dedicated supports
Blades are stabilized throughout every handling operation: zero slippage risk, material integrity guaranteed.
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Ergonomic retrieval with zero manual effort
The fixed station delivers the requested tray directly to the operator, eliminating unnecessary movement and improper lifting of heavy loads
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Strategic assets protected
Blades are stored in the proper position, shielded from accidental impacts and damage that could compromise their operational readiness
Discover the solution chosen by the Italian Air Force
MAXIᴸ : the vertical storage system for long materials
Automated storage system for bars, tubes, profiles and semi-finished goods, with drawers up to 7 metres long and load capacity up to 3,000 kg. Indoor or outdoor installation, with motorized shuttle equipped with automatic load ejectors
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