Lightweight, Blast-Resistant Metal Matrix Track

"Air transportability, buoyancy and acoustic signature of future Army tracked vehicles such as the Crusader will be greatly enhanced if lightweight yet blast-resistant track components are developed to replace the existing forged, surface-hardened steelcomponents. Foster-Miller proposes to demonstrate an innovative tailored metal matrix composite (MMC) track component concept that uses materials with high energy absorption capability. Our track concept can match the wear and strength performance of thecurrent steel components at less than half their weight. Further, our MMC fabrication method (pressure casting) uses low-cost, nonstructural tooling, achieves net shape parts and is scaleable, which will produce high performance and cost-effective trackcomponents. The Foster-Miller team will include an Army vehicle prime contractor, track manufacturer, and a targeted component producer (beyond Phase II). In Phase I, Foster-Miller will produce MMC specimens for blast and mechanical testing and a scaled"show and tell" demonstration article to prove the shape capability. Foster-Miller will also conduct blast modeling based on specimen level results. In Phase II, Foster-Miller will optimize materials and processes involved, prove repeatability andconsistency in track component performance, and demonstrate cost, weight and performance benefits over the baseline components. (P-010792) Phase I will provide material property data and proj