Vertical replenishment

Vertical replenishment, or VERTREP is a method of supply of seaborne vessels by helicopter. The United States Department of Defense defines VERTREP as:

...the transfer of cargo between ships using helicopters. VERTREP is often used to supplement connected replenishment. Weapons loads, generally limited to 1,800 kg (4,000 pounds), are transferred from the supply ship to the flight deck of the amphibious ship. The decided advantage of a VERTREP is that it can effect replenishment without ship-to-ship connection.

The United States Sixth Fleet had developed VERTREP routines in 1962 with SH-3 Sea King helicopters operating from USS  Mississinewa and USS Altair. Each ship carried one SH-3. At that time, there was some anticipation that nuclear-powered ships might reduce the need for alongside refueling. Altair performed the first night VERTREP to an aircraft carrier in 1965.

Modern United States Navy VERTREP procedures were initiated from USS Sacramento in November 1964.Sacramento embarked two CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters to enable simultaneous transfer of ammunition by helicopter while petroleum fuels were pumped through conventional alongside-hose connections. Ammunition could be delivered to other ships up to 100 miles from Sacramento. Receiving ships have greater freedom of maneuver during VERTREP than conventional alongside transfers; and time loss is minimal in comparison to maneuvering alongside and rigging transfer lines. One Cold War VERTREP was accomplished while the receiving United States destroyer maintained contact with a Soviet submarine.

VERTREP helicopters are equipped with a cargo hook from which may be suspended either special ordnance slings or conventional cargo nets for less sensitive loads. A normal load is two to four pallets, depending on weight. The load is placed in position on the deck of the receiving ship by lowering the helicopter slowly from a high hover, and the load can be released manually by a helicopter crewman positioned to watch the load.

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Wikipedia