combatreform.org/WHEELSVSTRACKS Our book, "Air-Mech-Strike: Asymmetric Maneuver Warfare for the 21st Century" is now ONLINE for FREE: http://books.google.com/books?id=RCWtHnYZ0LMC&pg

1. Tracks versus Wheels
Drivetrain Comparison
Tracks Wheels
Examples: M113A3 stretch MTVL Tracked Vehicle and LAV-III Wheeled Vehicle Drive line
& Suspension
Increased Complexity reduces Reliability

2. TRACKS: M113A3 “stretch” MTVL Drivetrain

3. Wheels: LAV-III type Drivetrain
Tracks: 28% more propulsion weight/space efficient--wheeled drivetrain
complexity adds LAV-III’s 6+ tons extra weight to deliver same internal
volume as a 11-ton M113A3 stretch MTVL type-tracked armored vehicle

4. Wheels: Water Jet for Swim Mode
Moot point: LAV-IIIs for Army IAV program have no
waterjets or props/rudders and cannot swim

5. Tracks swim by their…tracks!

6. Wheels: Central Tire Inflation System to reduce 40 PSI
ground pressures to attempt off-road travel
Only small area in
ground contact =
high ground
pressures
Off-road mobility failure

7. Tracks: do not have air-filled tires, have low 9 PSI ground
pressures and are cross-country-mobile
Large surface area in
ground contact = low
ground pressure and
excellent off-road
mobility

8. Tracks remain mission-capable against small-arms fire;
Wheels deflated by gunfire/shrapnel to so-called “run-flats”
limp home at best 5 mph for 5 miles--if tires catch fire--
vehicle cannot move.

9. Tracks: lighter, C-130 transportable (under 16 tons),
more compact, amphibious and fully cross-country-mobile!

10. Tracks are simpler, thus more reliable---can be more
heavily armed and armored while remaining cross-country
mobile due to low-ground pressure, and higher power-to-weight
ratios than wheels...
Powerful
Weapons
stations with
room for full
infantry
squad
space...

11. Tracks proven in combat; on
duty today all over the world by
free world armies...
Palestine/Lebanon
Panama
East Timor
Vietnam
Iraq

12. Wheels in combat?
?