1. FSCS/TRACER Wheels v. Tracks 19 January 2000 LTC Jack Reiff DPM FSCS
DPA
FSCS/TRACER
Wheels v. Tracks
19 January 2000
LTC Jack Reiff
DPM FSCS

2. Concept Development Fundamental Requirement
DPA
Concept Development
Impact of C-130 Constraint On Concept Development
Fundamental Requirement
Height, Width, and Length Define a Specific vehicle Size and Weight.
The Challenge Is to Get As Much Mission Capability Into This Envelope.
Other Significant Less Obvious Impacts
Width Constrains Mobility (Ground Pressure)
Weight Constrains Ballistic Protection

3. FSCS/TRACER User Requirements
C-130 Envelope
L ”
W - 107” (above rails)
100” (across tracks)
H - 96” (above rails)
101.5” (minimum shoring on floor)
C-130 Dimensional Constraints Have
a Major Impact on Vehicle Design

4. Survivability (Non-Armor) - 1.08 tons
FSCS/TRACER User Requirements 30 20
Survivability (Non-Armor) tons 10
Weight (tons)

5. FSCS/TRACER User Requirements30 20
Crew tons 10
Weight (tons)

6. Mission Equipment - 1.08 tons
FSCS/TRACER User Requirements 30 20
Mission Equipment tons 10
Weight (tons)

7. FSCS/TRACER User Requirements30
Automotive -Tracked 9.02 tons
(Wheeled 7.28 tons) 20 10
Weight (tons)

8. FSCS/TRACER User Requirements30 20
Structure/Armor - Tracked 8.21 tons (Wheeled 8.98 tons) 10
Weight (tons)

9. FSCS/TRACER User Requirements30
Add-on Armor - Tracked 5.47 tons
(Wheeled 5.58 tons) 20 10
Weight (tons)

10. Total Weight at Armor Levels 0, 1 and 2
FSCS/TRACER User Requirements
AOA Tracked Concept AOA Wheeled Concept
21.3 tons Level tons
24.8 tons Level tons
26.7 tons Level tons
Total Weight at Armor Levels 0, 1 and 2

11. Weight/Volume Cost of User Requirements
DPA
Weight/Volume Cost of User Requirements

12. DPA
Concept Development
Need to Balance Mobility, Logistics, and Mission Capability.
Guidance Design: Six Concepts. Three Wheel and Three Track (One of Each for Each Approach.)
Three Approaches
1. All Mission Equipment Requirements, Trade off
5% No Go.
2. 5% No Go, Trade off Mission Equipment.
3. Best Mix of Mission Equipment and % No Go.
What Is the Acceptable Level of Ballistic Protection, Mission Equipment, vs Impact on Mobility & Logistics?

13. Wheeled and Tracked Options for Evaluation
DPA
Wheeled and Tracked Options for Evaluation

14. Wheeled and Tracked Options for Evaluation
DPA
Wheeled and Tracked Options for Evaluation

15. Minimal Tactical or Operational Difference on Dry Cross Country
DPA
Tactical and Operational Difference Between 4 and 11% NRMM No Go (West Germany Dry)
MTVL (4%)
14.6 Kilometers
21 Minutes
6.25 Gal Fuel
LAV III (11%)
14.9 Kilometers
23 Minutes
6.5 Gal Fuel
Surface Condition
Low Average Monthly (Mar) Rainfall and surface is dry (i.e. It has not rained within the past six hours).
Tactics
Cross Country and Trails.
Minimal Tactical or Operational Difference on Dry Cross Country

16. Significant Tactical and Operational Impact on Wet Terrain.
DPA
Tactical and Operational Difference Between 6 and 23% NRMM No Go (West Germany Wet)
MTVL (6%)
15.2 Kilometers
28 Minutes
5.6 Gal Fuel
LAV III (23%)
30.4 Kilometers
42 Minutes
5.02 Gal Fuel
Surface Condition
High Average Monthly (Mar) Rainfall and surface is slippery (i.e. it has rained within the past 6 hours)
Tactics
Cross Country, Trails, and Paved Roads. Paved Roads required since LAV III was Unable to complete the mission using only trails and cross country. The LAV III could not get to 4A and 6A.
Significant Tactical and Operational Impact on Wet Terrain.

17. Tactical and Operational Difference Between
DPA
Tactical and Operational Difference Between
MTVL and LAVIII Iran/Iraq Dry
MTVL
37.7Kilometers
4:41 Hours
16.18 Gal Fuel
LAV III
45.8Kilometers
3:38 Hours
20.94 Gal Fuel
Surface Condition
Low Average Monthly (Jan) Rainfall and surface is dry (i.e. it has not rained within the past 6 hours)
Tactics
Cross Country, Trails
Minor Tactical and Operational Impact.

18. Tactical and Operational Difference Between
DPA
Tactical and Operational Difference Between
MTVL and LAVIII Iran/Iraq Wet
MTVL
51.0Kilometers
7:45 Hours
18.4 Gal Fuel
LAV III
43.7Kilometers
63:36 Hours
14.93 Gal Fuel
Surface Condition
High Average Monthly (Jan) Rainfall and surface is Slippery (i.e. it has rained within the past 6 hours)
Tactics
Cross Country, Trails, Roads
Significant Tactical and Operational Impact

19. DPA
Summary
Survivability of Recon Soldiers Requires Ballistic Protection and Mobility in All Weather Conditions in the full range of combat.
Strategic Mobility Is Equal.
Tactical Mobility on Hard Dry Surfaces favors wheels.
Mobility off road favors tracks.
Survivability favors tracks.
Fuel and RAM Slightly favor Wheels.
CONCLUSION:
To Date Both Govt and Contractor Studies Indicate that the Ground Scout Platform Requirement is Best Met by a Tracked Solution.