Title: Approaches to improving the mobility of military tracked vehicles on soft terrain

Authors: J.Y. Wong, Wei Huang

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada. ' Vehicle Systems Development Corporation, 49 Fifeshire Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario K2E 7J7, Canada

Abstract: This paper describes an investigation into the approaches to improving the mobility of military tracked vehicles, through examining the effects of major vehicle design features on mobility. The investigation was carried out using a simulation model known as NTVPM. The results show that the road wheel-suspension system configuration, initial track tension, and track width have significant effects on soft ground mobility, particularly on highly compressible terrain where track sinkage exceeds vehicle ground clearance. Based on the results of this investigation, a conceptual high-mobility military tracked vehicle for operation on soft terrain is presented.

Keywords: design features; design evaluation; performance evaluation; military tracked vehicles; soft ground mobility; vehicle design; simulation; wheel-suspension system; initial track tension; track width; track sinkage; ground clearance; soft terrain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2008.022239

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2008 Vol.15 No.2/3/4, pp.127 - 151

Published online: 24 Dec 2008 *

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