This manual, “Military Petroleum Pipeline Systems (FM 5-482),” provides the fundamentals of planning and construction of military petroleum pipelines. The manual also provided detailed information for construction personnel on the installation and repair of military pipeline systems. It delineates unit responsibilities, whenever possible, due to the large number of unites with specialized skills required to establish a bulk-fuel distribution system. This manual can be used by any planner at company level and above. However, it was developed primarily for engineer commanders and staff to design petroleum pipeline distribution systems. Use of this manual is also applicable to quartermaster commanders and staff for the operation of these bulk Class III systems.

The present Army capability to install, operate, and maintain petroleum product pipelines is examined in light of current commercial pipeline technology and projections of fuel consumption for combat units in the event of future hostilities. The objective of this investigation is to provide a measure of effectiveness for and determine the technical feasibility of alternative pipeline systems operating as subsystems in a large logistical system for distribution of fuels in a theater of operations during wartime conditions. A broad array of pipe materials, pipe joining techniques, pumping equipment, ancillary pipeline components, and system designs are evaluated. The findings indicate that substantive improvement in the operational effectiveness of military pipeline can be achieved using aluminum pipe and self-latching mechanical couplings in lieu of the existing military standard lightweight steel pipe joined by grooved-end, split-ring mechanical couplings. High-speed, medium- duty, diesel-engine-driven pump units are recommended for all pipeline pump station applications. Flexible hoselines are not an efficient or cost effective means for transporting large volumes of fuel over long distances.