The US Department of Defense is partnering with industry and academia on an initiative to test and demonstrate novel AM solutions for a more durable and safer tire and track solution that would improve the mobility of both wheel-based and track-based vehicles.

To improve mobility of wheel-based vehicles, a non-pneumatic tire solution will be developed with highly durable thermoset materials. The first step will be material formulation development to ensure the material solution can satisfy the physical properties required for tire application; for example, load deflection, abrasion resistance, and coefficient of friction. Once material solutions are developed, part designs will be created to minimize weight and maximize performance.

To address tracked vehicles, a multi-material AM solution will be investigated. Like the non-pneumatic tire solution, base material formulations will first be developed to match the physical properties of existing benchmark materials. As a next step, multi-material solutions will be designed with a combination of rigid and flexible materials. Rigid and stiff materials will be implemented as the internal core components to provide structural strength and durability. Flexible materials will be used for the external layer to provide enhanced wearability, good grip to tracks, and maximum shock absorption.

The project team will develop, refine, document, demonstrate, and validate the AM processes to address how to efficiently use this technology to meet the specifications of improving the mobility of wheel based and track based vehicles.

If you feel your organization has the technical capabilities and would like to be considered for this project, please complete the form below and upload your organization’s technical capabilities statement.

Interested Submissions Due by 8/22/2023.

We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).