Very Large Array

On 30 January 1974, following several years of discussion on transporter requirements and possible designs (both within NRAO and with outside firms), E-Systems Inc. was awarded the contract for design and fabrication of transporter #1 for the VLA. The transporter was crucial to making the VLA a flexible instrument that could operate in multiple configurations. An 11 February 1977 memo states, "We tend to underestimate the complexity of the design and construction of the vehicle, which picks up 220-ton antennas and transports them through 90[deg] intersections. That it works as well as it does is an engineering achievement of the first order...." Transporter #1 was named Hein's Trein, honoring long-time NRAO Associate Director Hein Hvatum.

Records of the NRAO

NRAO/AUI/NSF

Still Image

1979-03-12

GB79-17135

Photographs Series

VLA Unit

2A