Military Load Classification

Load-carrying capacity is shown in whole numbers for vehicles, bridges, roads, and routes.

Bridges, roads, and routes are classified by physical characteristics, type and flow of traffic, effects of weather, and other special conditions.

Vehicles having higher load classifications than a particular route are sometimes able to use that route if a recon overlay or a special recon[clarification needed] shows that a change in traffic control, such as making a bridge a single-flow crossing, would permit use of the route by heavier traffic.

Standard wheeled vehicles are designated by the same MLC numbers (4 through 150), which correspond to about 85% of the gross weight in short tons.

[3] In addition to the standard hypothetical wheeled vehicles, a maximum single-axle load is specified for each MLC.