A pneumatic telescopic column assembly for supporting and moving military equipment, communication equipment, lighting equipment and/or surveillance equipment is provided. The pneumatic telescopic column assembly extends along an axis and has a plurality of tube groups telescopically configurable between a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The plurality of tube groups has a base tube group, an intermediate tube group and a head tube group. The base tube group has a base tube element and a base locking ring that has at least one horizontal latch, at least one actuator and at least one vertical latch. The intermediate tube group has an intermediate tubular element and an intermediate locking ring that has at least one horizontal intermediate latch. The tubular head group has a tubular head element.

An extension boom system for heavy equipment having, the extension boom system including a first actuator mounted on a base, and connecting a second stage, a second actuator mounted on the second stage and connecting the second stage to a third stage, a third actuator mounted on the third stage and connecting the third stage to an extendable portion, and a controller configured to control the first actuator, the second actuator, and the third actuator so as to selectively operate in a first operation mode and a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the first actuator, the second actuator, and the third actuator are operated substantially simultaneously, and wherein in the second operation mode, two of the first actuator, the second actuator, and the third actuator are actuated substantially simultaneously, while another of the first actuator, the second actuator, and the third actuator is not actuated.

A coupling e.g. for an actuator, comprises a housing which is preferably in the form of a ring mounted around the end of the outer rod and which can be mounted to a component e.g. a cowl being deployed. Within the housing of the coupling is provided a ring disk. This is sized and arranged within the housing such that there is some clearance between the ring disk and the housing so as to permit some eccentric movement.

A pneumatic telescopic column assembly for supporting and moving military equipment, communication equipment, lighting equipment and/or surveillance equipment is provided. The pneumatic telescopic column assembly extends along an axis and has a plurality of tube groups telescopically configurable between a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The plurality of tube groups has a base tube group, an intermediate tube group and a head tube group. The base tube group has a base tube element and a base locking ring that has at least one horizontal latch, at least one actuator and at least one vertical latch. The intermediate tube group has an intermediate tubular element and an intermediate locking ring that has at least one horizontal intermediate latch. The tubular head group has a tubular head element.

A coupling e.g. for an actuator, comprises a housing which is preferably in the form of a ring mounted around the end of the outer rod and which can be mounted to a component e.g. a cowl being deployed. Within the housing of the coupling is provided a ring disk. This is sized and arranged within the housing such that there is some clearance between the ring disk and the housing so as to permit some eccentric movement.