Alternative Materials for Tactical Vehicle Wheeled Hubs

More than 8900 MTVR"s are in service with the Marine Corps and with its proven off road performance and survivable armor package, the MTVR continues to be heavily used in theater for logistics and other missions. The MTVR currently uses mild to medium strength steel or ductile iron components in the TAK-4 suspension, which have not been optimized for weight. Reducing the weight of the un-sprung axle components would improve the vehicle handling, increase vehicle payload and improve fuel economy. GS Engineering proposes several concepts using existing technology to lightweight the wheel end of the MTVR. Target candidates include the hub, wheel and planet carrier housing. Using existing proven light weighting materials such as forged and cast aluminum and austempered ductile iron, these components present a significant light weighting opportunity of approximately 800 lbs for the full vehicle, which is a 48% weight savings of the replaced components. Improvements to the current Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) design at the wheel ends will be further investigated for additional weight reduction opportunities. GS Engineering has enlisted the expertise of Hutchinson Industries, an industry leader in lightweight wheel solutions to assist this effort.