Airless Composite Tire System with Active Traction Control

The proposed approach will develop an innovative lightweight non-pneumatic tire that can be used in the aggressive environment anticipated by the Army for Objective Force. This tire system will combine durable, tough thermoplastic materials with modifiedtread concepts to offer a ballistically tolerant tire with active traction control.The Phase I program will begin the development of the tire system. Materials and processes will be selected appropriate for production. The design and analysis will be conducted for selected maneuvers and a scaled tire will be fabricated. The Optionprogram will test that tire both statically and in fatigue, while monitoring temperatures and strains. The tests will be correlated to analysis and will form the basis of a Phase II program. The Phase II program will emphasize producibility anddurability through extensive testing, both in the laboratory and in the field. (P-010767) The proposed system will develop a unique tire system that is nearly impervious to the typical road damage found by commercial vehicles. The development for a rigorous Army application will enable a rapid transition to the commercial market for the nextgeneration of tire technology.