Results of Traction and Slope Climbing Tests with Selected Military Vehicles andRetrofit Tires in Support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm

摘要

Thirty six vehicle/tire configurations (thirty five commercial tires and onemilitary tire) involving eight manufacturers were tested. The tests were conducted with a group of eight wheeled military support vehicles in a single loose sandy soil condition at YPG that was somewhat analogous to loose sandy soils in ME desert terrain. The loose, low strength sand was considered to be a worst case trafficability condition. Several tire pressures were used on the same vehicle/tire/soil configuration to allow mobility comparisons of tire/pressure variations during expected off road missions of the vehicles. Several tires of each size tested by WES were selectd for thermal profile tests conducted by NATC. Results of these tests and their subsequent effects on mobility will ultimately lead to the selection/recommendation of commercial replacement radials for use on wheeled support vehicles operating in ME terrains.