The history of the PSP Landing Mat:
My favorite video about using PSP's:
The Pierced Steel Plank, or PSP Mat, was developed by the US Army Corp in anticipation of our involvement in World War II. The US Army Air Corps summoned representatives of America’s leading steel companies to help in this development:
“Gentlemen, we want you to build a good portable airport. It must be strong, light, simple, fool proof, safe and inexpensive. It must be so simple that it can be laid on any fairly level piece of land with a few days work. It must be so foolproof that if some parts are lost, it will still be useful. It must be safe for any type of airplane, under any weather conditions. It must be so light that it can be transported swiftly and easily to any spot.”
This sounded like a tall order, but American ingenuity persevered and within a short period of time, the US Pierced Steel Plank mat or PSP mat was in production. Many historians believe the Pierced Steel Planks were a primary tool in winning the war.
Over the years, there have been updates and changes, but the initial design for the Pierced Steel Planks or PSP mat is and has served our country quite well. These mats are still in use by the US Army Air Corps for temporary runways, storage and parking areas for heavy equipment.
The Pierced Steel Planks are 10′ long x 16″ Wide and made out of 10 gauge steel. The PSP mat was designed with holes to reduce the weight, improve aircraft traction and facilitate drainage. Flanging the holes kept the mat durable by compensating for the strength lost by removing a portion of the metal.
The planks joined together by a locking mechanism consisting of alternating rows of slots on one side and sliding interlocking projection on the other. The use of a spring clips lock the mats in place.
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