Lightweight, Cost Effective and Durable Metal Matrix Composite Track Components

Air transportability, buoyancy and acoustic signature of future USMC/Navy 16 and 30 ton class tracked vehicles such as the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) will be greatly enhanced if lightweight track shoes are developed to replace the existing forged, surface hardened steel components. Foster-Miller proposes to develop a tailored metal matrix composite (MMC) track shoe/pin component that will match the wear and strength performance of the current steel shoe at less than half its 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 components. The Foster-Miller team will include a major foundary who is responsible for the design of track components for the AAAV, and a targeted component producer (beyond Phase II). In Phase I, Foster-Miller will produce MMC specimens for mechanical and tribological testing, and a scaled pability. In Phase II, Foster-Miller will optimize materials and processes involved, prove repeatability and consistency in track component performance, and demonstrate cost, weight and performance benefits over the baseline component(s).