2015 03 wheels versus tracks

Wheels13 versus13 Tracks13

Reevaluating13 battle-ield13 mobility13 after13 the13 campaigns13 in13 Afghanistan13 and13 Iraq13

March13 201513

James13 M13 Hasık13 and13 Julian13 Eagle13 Platon13

Table of Contents

Introduction enduring question recent evidence 2

Methodology evaluating wheels versus tracks in the modern context 2

Case the Second Battle of Panjwarsquoi 4

Aftermath enthusiasm for tracks and the complication of a budget 5

Analysis the technical merits of wheeled and tracked armored vehicles 8

Mobility 8

Survivability 16

Supportability 22

Conclusion choosing your pace of operations 24

About the authors 26

Acknowledgements 27

Introduction enduring question recent evidence

Beginning13 in13 February13 200613 under13 the13 aegis13 of13 Operations13 ARCHER13 and13 ATHENA13 the13 Canadian13 Forces13 assumed13 a13 more13 kinetic13 role13 in13 the13 -ight13 for13 Kandahar13 Province13 the13 original13 home13 of13 the13 Taliban13 movement13 With13 just13 a13 battlegroup13 at13 its13 disposal13 Canadarsquos13 Task13 Force13 Afghanistan13 was13 rather13 stretched13 trying13 to13 pacify13 an13 area13 the13 size13 of13 New13 Brunswick 13 The13 de-ining13 engagements13 of13 that13 struggle13 were13 the13 First13 and13 Second13 Battles13 of13 1

Panjwarsquoi13 fought13 in13 the13 summer13 and13 fall13 of13 200613 primarily13 by13 the13 Canadian13 and13 Afghan13 National13 Armies13 supported13 by13 small13 elements13 of13 American13 British13 and13 Dutch13 troops13 The13 -irst13 battle13 subtitled13 Operation13 ZAHARA13 took13 place13 in13 July13 and13 August13 when13 Canadian13 troops13 primarily13 of13 the13 1st13 Battalion13 Princess13 Patriciarsquos13 Canadian13 Light13 Infantry13 (PPCLI)13 cleared13 Taliban13 troops13 from13 the13 Panjwarsquoi13 District13 sixty13 kilometers13 south13 of13 Kandahar13 City13 The13 battle13 was13 hard-shy‐fought13 with13 several13 Canadian13 fatalities13 and13 the13 loss13 of13 a13 Light13 Armored13 Vehicle13 (LAV)-shy‐III13 to13 rocket-shy‐propelled13 grenade13 (RPG)13 -ire 13 But13 after13 the13 initial13 success13 the13 2

Coalitionrsquos13 troops13 withdrew13 and13 the13 Taliban13 re-shy‐in-iltrated13 This13 time13 thousands13 of13 Taliban13 massed13 in13 the13 area13 and13 dug13 in13 for13 the13 repeat13 they13 knew13 would13 come13 13

The13 next13 battle13 would13 prove13 an13 important13 test13 of13 the13 LAV-shy‐IIIrsquos13 mobility13 survivability13 and13 supportability13 in13 the13 -ield13 That13 vehicle13 is13 almost13 iconic13 of13 the13 general13 shift13 from13 tracked13 to13 wheeled13 combat13 vehicles13 over13 the13 past13 several13 decades13 This13 question13 of13 drivetrain13 con-igurationmdashwhich13 is13 better13 wheels13 or13 tracksmdashis13 an13 essential13 and13 enduring13 issue13 of13 armored13 vehicle13 design13 The13 Canadian13 Armyrsquos13 experience13 in13 Afghanistan13 begs13 the13 question13 of13 how13 the13 comparative13 value13 of13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 armored13 vehicles13 may13 have13 changed13 over13 the13 past13 several13 decades13 of13 automotive13 technological13 development13 and13 what13 light13 experiences13 in13 recent13 campaigns13 can13 shed13 Much13 of13 the13 preference13 may13 be13 a13 matter13 of13 -ighting13 style13 and13 crucible13 experience13 Our13 approach13 and13 the13 detailed13 -indings13 it13 produced13 led13 us13 to13 a13 set13 of13 balanced13 and13 nuanced13 conclusions13 about13 the13 relative13 merits13 of13 wheels13 and13 tracks13

Methodology evaluating wheels versus tracks in the modern context

In13 pursuit13 of13 our13 answers13 we13 undertook13 four13 lines13 of13 analysis13

1 Literature13 surveys13 We13 surveyed13 the13 literature13 on13 the13 comparative13 technical13 merits13 of13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 armored13 vehicles13 drew13 out13 a13 framework13 for13 delineating13 the13 most13 important13 categories13 of13 evaluation13 and13 cataloged13 the13 theories13 We13 also13 searched13 for13 and13 considered13 written13 accounts13 by13 and13 of13 troops13 in13 Afghanistan13 and13 Iraq13 that13 provided13 -irst-shy‐hand13 evidence13 of13 how13 tracked13 and13 wheeled13 armored13 personnel13 carriers13 (APCs)13 and13 infantry13 -ighting13 vehicles13 (IFVs)13 performed13 in13 combat13 conditions13 While13 few13 authors13 directly13 address13 the13 issue13 the13 literature13 is13 already13 rich13 and13 extensive13 so13 we13 were13 able13 to13 pull13 insights13 from13 a13 variety13 of13 works13 We13 paid13 particular13 attention13 to13 a13 few13 articles13 by13 Danish13 of-icers13 on13 their13 experiences13 with13 the13 CV9013 in13 combat13 (see13 below)13 As13 popular13 as13

13 Matthew13 Fisher13 ldquoPanjwarsquoi13 handover13 to13 US13 marks13 page13 in13 Canadian13 historyrdquo13 Montreal13 Gazette13 513 July13 20111

13 Matthew13 Parsons13 ldquoThe13 Battle13 For13 Panjwai13 A13 Soldierrsquos13 Storyrdquo13 Legion13 Magazine13 2013 August13 20092

page of Wheels versus Tracks March 20152 27

the13 LAV13 family13 is13 worldwide13 we13 considered13 the13 type13 a13 solid13 point13 of13 departure13 for13 considering13 wheeled13 vehicles13

2 Interviews13 We13 identi-ied13 and13 interviewed13 senior13 non-shy‐commissioned13 of-icers13 (NCOs)13 and13 company-shy‐grade13 of-icers13 with13 experience13 in13 the13 LAV13 family13 of13 vehicles13 and13 in13 a13 variety13 of13 tracked13 IFVs13 We13 paid13 particular13 attention13 to13 testimonials13 from13 American13 troops13 who13 had13 experience13 with13 both13 the13 LAV13 or13 the13 Stryker13 (the13 American13 APC13 cousin13 to13 the13 LAV-shy‐III)13 and13 the13 Bradley13 (another13 IFV13 from13 BAE13 Systems)13 We13 even13 spoke13 perhaps13 remarkably13 with13 several13 veterans13 of13 Abrams13 tank13 units13 in13 the13 US13 Army13 who13 served13 alongside13 or13 within13 Stryker13 units13 and13 who13 roundly13 commended13 the13 eight-shy‐wheeled13 vehicle13 particularly13 for13 its13 capabilities13 in13 low-shy‐intensity13 and13 urban13 combat 13 The13 3

US13 and13 Royal13 Danish13 Armies13 are13 the13 only13 two13 in13 the13 world13 that13 operate13 signi-icant13 numbers13 of13 both13 LAVs13 and13 tracked13 -ighting13 vehicles13 so13 we13 made13 particular13 efforts13 to13 -ind13 troops13 in13 each13 with13 experience13 covering13 both13 types13 We13 also13 received13 very13 useful13 insights13 from13 of-icers13 in13 the13 Royal13 Norwegian13 and13 Swedish13 Armies13 who13 had13 taken13 the13 CV9013 into13 battle13 in13 Afghanistan13

3 Focus13 group13 We13 visited13 Fort13 Hood13 Texas13 in13 June13 201313 as13 guests13 of13 2nd13 Battalion13 3rd13 US13 Cavalry13 a13 Stryker13 unit13 and13 2nd13 Battalion13 5th13 US13 Cavalry13 a13 combined13 arms13 unit13 with13 both13 Abrams13 tanks13 and13 Bradley13 -ighting13 vehicles13 We13 were13 fortunate13 to13 spend13 three13 hours13 leading13 a13 stand-shy‐up13 focus13 group13 with13 over13 a13 dozen13 soldiers13 and13 NCOs13 all13 veterans13 of13 multiple13 combat13 tours13 in13 Afghanistan13 and13 Iraq13 We13 conducted13 a13 single13 discussion13 with13 all13 the13 participants13 simultaneously13 to13 draw13 out13 their13 compare-shy‐and-shy‐contrast13 experiences13 with13 both13 the13 wheeled13 APC13 and13 the13 tracked13 IFV13 We13 were13 pleased13 to13 learn13 that13 a13 few13 had13 moved13 between13 Stryker13 and13 Bradley13 units13 in13 their13 careers13 A13 few13 of13 the13 Stryker13 troopers13 had13 actually13 initially13 trained13 on13 the13 Canadian13 LAV-shy‐III13 one13 even13 called13 it13 ldquoan13 awesome13 vehiclerdquo 13 We13 were13 also13 almost13 surprised13 to13 hear13 how13 all13 in13 the13 collective13 interview13 from13 4

either13 battalion13 showed13 a13 great13 deal13 of13 respect13 for13 the13 capabilities13 of13 the13 vehicles13 in13 the13 other13 battalion13

4 Case13 study13 We13 analyzed13 in13 detail13 Operation13 MEDUSA13 the13 Second13 Battle13 of13 Panjwarsquoi13 which13 quickly13 became13 the13 largest13 battle13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 had13 fought13 since13 the13 end13 of13 the13 Korean13 War13 It13 was13 also13 a13 battle13 fought13 almost13 entirely13 with13 mechanized13 infantry13 in13 wheeled13 vehicles13 in13 a13 remote13 area13 over13 relatively13 rough13 terrain13 against13 an13 enemy13 plentifully-shy‐equipped13 with13 armor-shy‐defeating13 weapons13 Those13 conditions13 could13 be13 taken13 as13 a13 lsquoSinatra13 Testrsquomdashif13 the13 LAV13 could13 make13 it13 there13 it13 could13 make13 it13 anywhere 13 As13 described13 5

below13 Second13 Panjwarsquoi13 stressed13 the13 LAV-shy‐IIIrsquos13 capabilities13 to13 some13 extent13 in13

13 E-shy‐mail13 messages13 and13 interviews13 in13 May13 and13 June13 201313 with13 James13 R13 Black13 Sr13 retired13 from13 the13 1-shy‐14th13 3

Cavalry13 with13 service13 in13 Baghdad13 Mosul13 Tal13 Afar13 and13 Baqubah13 in13 200613 and13 200713 and13 Matt13 Guevara13 a13 former13 captain13 of13 the13 3-shy‐69th13 Armor13 and13 2-shy‐12th13 Cavalry13 who13 served13 in13 Baghdad13 Dhi13 Qar13 and13 Muthanna13 from13 200513 through13 2009

13 Comment13 from13 Staff13 Sergeant13 (SSG)13 Scott13 W13 Howard13 of13 2nd13 Battalion13 3rd13 US13 Cavalry13 (henceforth13 2-shy‐313 4

Cavalry13 as13 is13 the13 US13 Armyrsquos13 colloquial13 usage)

13 Jack13 S13 Levy13 ldquoQualitative13 Methods13 in13 International13 Relationsrdquo13 pp13 432ndash45413 in13 F13 P13 Harvey13 amp13 M13 Brecher13 5

editors13 Evaluating13 Methodology13 in13 International13 Studies13 (Ann13 Arbor13 University13 of13 Michigan13 Press13 2002)


supportability13 and13 to13 a13 greater13 extent13 in13 mobility13 and13 survivability13 Such13 a13 strong13 test13 cannot13 alone13 impeach13 the13 value13 of13 wheeled13 combat13 vehicles13 but13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 seemed13 afterwards13 to13 draw13 a13 lesson13 that13 the13 LAV13 should13 be13 at13 least13 supplemented13 with13 a13 heavier13 more13 mobile13 and13 better-shy‐protected13 platform 13 6

Case the Second Battle of Panjwarsquoi

The13 battle13 took13 place13 in13 September13 and13 October13 200613 when13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 resolved13 with13 its13 Afghan13 allies13 to13 -inish13 the13 job13 on13 the13 Taliban13 begun13 the13 preceding13 summer13 Two13 battalions13 provided13 the13 bulk13 of13 the13 ground13 troops13 in13 the13 beginning13 Lieutenant-shy‐Colonel13 Ian13 Hopes13 1st13 Battalion13 of13 the13 PPCLI13 and13 later13 Lieutenant-shy‐Colonel13 Omer13 Lavoies13 2nd13 Battalion13 of13 the13 Royal13 Canadian13 Regiment13 (RCR)mdashboth13 built13 around13 LAV-shy‐IIIs13 The13 Canadians13 and13 their13 allies13 surrounded13 the13 Taliban13 pressed13 in13 on13 the13 pocket13 and13 then13 began13 systematically13 killing13 the13 enemy13 with13 aerial13 bombardment13 artillery13 -ire13 the13 2513 mm13 chain13 guns13 of13 their13 LAVs13 and13 prodigious13 small13 arms13 -ire13 in13 close13 engagements13

While13 the13 normally13 insurgent13 Taliban13 conveniently13 chose13 to13 stand13 for13 a13 -ight13 they13 did13 so13 behind13 a13 maze13 of13 mud13 walls13 along13 irrigation13 ditches13 and13 within13 vineyards13 corn13 -ields13 and13 marijuana13 farms13 As13 one13 soldier13 wrote13 ldquothe13 vines13 are13 about13 six13 feet13 high13 and13 there13 are13 dipsmdashabout13 two13 feet13 deepmdashbetween13 the13 rows13 enemy13 -ighters13 can13 move13 freely13 through13 them13 without13 being13 seenrdquo 13 At13 points13 the13 height13 of13 the13 wheeled13 LAV-shy‐IIIs13 provided13 easy13 viewing13 7

into13 closed13 compounds13 But13 those13 ditches13 and13 walls13 prevented13 easy13 passage13 by13 the13 relatively13 light13 wheeled13 vehicles13 and13 large13 overhanging13 branches13 damaged13 topside13 equipment 13 Indeed13 as13 observed13 by13 then-shy‐Major13 Mark13 Gasparotto13 commander13 of13 2313 Field13 8

Squadron13 of13 the13 Royal13 Canadian13 Engineers13 the13 -inal13 stretch13 ldquofrom13 Objective13 Templar13 down13 to13 our13 -inal13 objective13 in13 Pashmulmdashknown13 as13 Objective13 Rugbymdashwas13 all13 vineyardsrdquo 13 9

From13 this13 degree13 of13 cover13 the13 otherwise13 outgunned13 Taliban13 scored13 some13 notable13 successes13 destroying13 several13 vehicles13 with13 a13 combination13 of13 RPGs13 and13 8213 mm13 SPG13 recoilless13 anti-shy‐tank13 guns13 During13 another13 -ight13 around13 the13 infamous13 White13 School13 ldquothe13 tactical13 situation13 at13 one13 point13 grew13 untenable13 and13 the13 local13 company13 commander13 recommended13 a13 withdrawalrdquo 13 In13 10

total13 three13 vehicles13 were13 eventually13 abandoned13 as13 losses13 in13 the13 enemy13 kill13 zone13 one13 of13 the13 engineersrsquo13 Zettelmeyer13 front13 loaders13 a13 Mercedes13 Gelaumlndewagen13 (G-shy‐Wagen)13 and13 a13 LAV-shy‐III13 The13 last13 a13 vehicle13 of13 2313 Field13 Squadron13 was13 struck13 in13 the13 turret13 ring13 by13 an13 antitank13 round13 Sergeant13 Shane13 Stachnik13 was13 killed13 instantly13 and13 Master13 Corporal13 Greg13 Murray13 was13

13 See13 John13 Gerring13 ldquoIs13 There13 a13 (Viable)13 Crucial-shy‐Case13 Methodrdquo13 Comparative13 Political13 Studies13 vol13 4013 no13 313 13 6

March13 200713 pp13 231-shy‐253

13 Parsons13 op13 cit7

13 Ian13 Hope13 Dancing13 with13 the13 Dushman13 Command13 Imperatives13 for13 the13 Counter-shy‐Insurgency13 Fight13 in13 Afghanistan13 8

(Canadian13 Defence13 Academy13 Press13 2008)13 pp13 2713 30

13 Mark13 Gasparotto13 Clearing13 the13 Way13 Combat13 Engineers13 in13 Kandahar13 Ardith13 Publishing13 201013 Kindle13 locations13 9

649-shy‐650

13 Gasparotto13 op13 cit13 Kindle13 location13 55610


wounded 13 Corporal13 Clinton13 Orr13 of13 the13 Engineers13 extracted13 one13 damaged13 LAV13 from13 a13 ditch13 11

with13 his13 bulldozer13 and13 then13 unsuccessfully13 tried13 to13 extricate13 one13 a13 second13 For13 this13 action13 he13 was13 later13 awarded13 the13 Medal13 of13 Military13 Valour13 Canadarsquos13 third-shy‐highest13 military13 award 13 12

The13 lost13 LAV13 was13 eventually13 destroyed13 by13 a13 Royal13 Air13 Force13 (RAF)13 Harrier13 with13 a13 500-shy‐pound13 bomb13 to13 prevent13 its13 residual13 value13 from13 falling13 into13 the13 hands13 of13 the13 enemy 13 13

Lavoie13 relied13 heavily13 on13 Gasparotto13 and13 his13 sappers13 to13 clear13 obstacles13 and13 mark13 passable13 routes13 into13 the13 Talibanrsquos13 strongholds13 Walls13 required13 repeated13 breaching13 with13 explosives13 The13 bulldozers13 leased13 on13 the13 -ly13 from13 Afghan13 suppliers13 and13 jury-shy‐rigged13 with13 makeshift13 armor13 drove13 through13 Taliban13 -ire13 to13 plow13 approach13 lanes13 through13 the13 labyrinths13 As13 an13 of-icer13 writing13 later13 in13 Canadian13 Army13 Journal13 approvingly13 observed13 about13 Lavoiersquos13 tactics13 ldquowithout13 armor13 at13 his13 disposalrdquo13 those13 ldquocivilian-shy‐pattern13 tracked13 dozersrdquo13 allowed13 troops13 ldquoto13 get13 lsquoup13 close13 and13 personalrsquo13 with13 the13 insurgentsrdquo13 and13 to13 ldquofacilitate13 the13 systematic13 clearance13 by13 dismounted13 soldiers13 of13 all13 compounds13 and13 infrastructurerdquo 13 That13 narrative13 however13 14

provides13 a13 curious13 description13 of13 the13 113 RCR13 battlegroup13 Lavoie13 had13 wheeled13 Light13 Armored13 Vehicles13 and13 Gasparotto13 had13 tracked13 bulldozers13 with13 makeshift13 lsquofarmer13 armorrsquo13 What13 both13 lacked13 was13 serious13 tracked13 armor13 suf-iciently13 heavy13 to13 break13 through13 the13 obstacles13 and13 defend13 themselves13 in13 the13 process13

Aftermath enthusiasm for tracks and the complication of a budget

Ultimately13 Second13 Panjwarsquoi13 proved13 another13 battle13 hard-shy‐won13 Canada13 suffered13 fourteen13 dead13 and13 forty13 wounded13 The13 Americans13 lost13 a13 SEAL13 and13 the13 British13 another13 fourteen13 men13 when13 the13 Taliban13 shot13 down13 an13 RAF13 Chinook13 helicopter13 It13 was13 also13 an13 overwhelming13 victory13 for13 at13 least13 a13 thousand13 Taliban13 were13 counted13 dead 13 and13 another13 40013 captured13 In13 the13 words13 of13 15

Afghan13 Brigadier13 General13 Ahmed13 Habibi13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 put13 the13 Taliban13 ldquoon13 its13 kneesrdquo 13 The13 Army13 would13 -ight13 again13 and13 again13 in13 Kandahar13 and13 in13 the13 end13 ldquoPanjwarsquoi13 was13 16

Stalingradrdquo13 For13 between13 that13 fateful13 summer13 and13 the13 withdrawal13 in13 July13 201113 ldquofewer13 than13 300013 Canadian13 soldiers13 kept13 the13 Taliban13 at13 bayrdquo 13 17

13 Bernd13 Horn13 No13 Lack13 of13 Courage13 Operation13 Medusa13 Afghanistan13 Dundurn13 201013 Kindle13 location13 101011

13 ldquoCombat13 bravery13 earns13 Orr13 a13 medalrdquo13 Chilliwack13 Times13 1213 October13 200713 and13 Gasparotto13 op13 cit13 Kindle13 12

locations13 562-shy‐564

13 For13 the13 importance13 of13 political13 importance13 of13 keeping13 damaged13 equipment13 from13 the13 enemy13 see13 Dancing13 13

with13 the13 Dushman13 pp13 6ndash713 For13 comments13 on13 his13 related13 views13 regarding13 casualties13 see13 John13 N13 Rickard13 ldquoMission13 PrimacymdashNegotiablerdquo13 Canadian13 Army13 Journal13 vol13 1413 no13 213 (Summer13 2012)13 pp13 6ndash7

13 Major13 Trevor13 Cadieu13 ldquoCanadian13 Armor13 in13 Afghanistanrdquo13 Canadian13 Army13 Journal13 Winter13 200813 p13 614

13 Matthew13 Fisher13 ldquoTaliban13 bloodied13 in13 Panjwarsquoi13 battlerdquo13 Vancouver13 Sun13 613 June13 201115

13 Matthew13 Fisher13 ldquoCanada13 left13 Taliban13 lsquoon13 its13 kneesrsquo13 Afghan13 commanderrdquo13 Canada13 Post13 813 November13 200816

13 See13 for13 example13 Steve13 Rennie13 ldquoCanadian13 troops13 join13 assault13 on13 Taliban13 territoryrdquo13 The13 Globe13 and13 Mail13 2313 17

August13 201213 and13 Terry13 Glavin13 ldquoHow13 will13 we13 be13 remembered13 in13 Afghanistanrdquo13 Metro13 Canada13 1013 November13 2011


For13 much13 of13 the13 campaign13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 was13 the13 primary13 instrument13 of13 the13 Talibanrsquos13 destruction13 With13 a13 balanced13 combination13 of13 mobility13 horsepower13 -irepower13 protection13 and13 sensors13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 served13 as13 a13 troop13 transport13 mobile13 cannon13 fall-shy‐back13 point13 convoy13 escort13 observation13 point13 command13 car13 and13 -ield13 engineering13 vehicle13 But13 while13 arguably13 ldquoCanadarsquos13 workhorse13 in13 Afghanistanrdquo13 throughout13 the13 war13 fully13 thirteen13 were13 destroyed13 and13 another13 15913 damaged 13 As13 the13 experience13 in13 Panjwarsquoi13 demonstrated13 to13 Army13 18

Headquarters13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 was13 not13 always13 enough13

Accordingly13 on13 313 December13 200613 B13 Squadron13 of13 Lord13 Strathconarsquos13 Horse13 (Royal13 Canadians)13 drove13 out13 of13 Kandahar13 International13 Airport13 headed13 for13 Panjwarsquoi13 with13 -ifteen13 Leopard13 1s13 Their13 10513 mm13 guns13 were13 loaded13 with13 high13 explosive13 and13 high-shy‐explosive13 squash-shy‐head13 rounds13 for13 engaging13 infantry13 and13 destroying13 structures 13 As13 Lt13 Benjamin13 19

Richard13 of13 the13 PPCLI13 put13 it13 later13 in13 Canadian13 Army13 Journal13 the13 deployment13 of13 the13 tanks13 would13 ldquocompensate13 for13 the13 LAVrsquos13 inability13 to13 drive13 past13 or13 breach13 certain13 obstacles13 In13 other13 words13 the13 dismounted13 infantry13 will13 now13 be13 able13 to13 pursue13 the13 enemy13 where13 the13 LAV13 cannot13 go13 because13 of13 continued13 intimate13 support13 from13 the13 Leopard13 tanksrdquo 13 20

This13 plan13 had13 at13 least13 one13 issue13 troops13 do13 not13 walk13 at13 the13 speed13 of13 tanks13 So13 while13 the13 Leopards13 would13 be13 able13 support13 the13 infantry13 as13 it13 advanced13 those13 dismounts13 would13 not13 so13 readily13 support13 the13 Canadian13 heavy13 cavalry13 when13 it13 took13 the13 lead13 Moreover13 the13 DND13 was13 already13 planning13 the13 eventual13 replacement13 of13 the13 Leopard13 1s13 and13 their13 105s13 with13 refurbished13 Leopard13 2s13 and13 12013 mm13 guns 13 Such13 an13 investment13 in13 and13 enduring13 21

commitment13 to13 Canadarsquos13 tank13 -leet13 suggested13 that13 a13 suitable13 consort13 vehicle13 should13 be13 found13 for13 the13 mechanized13 infantry13

In13 August13 200813 then-shy‐Chief13 of13 the13 Land13 Staff13 Lieutenant-shy‐General13 Andrew13 Leslie13 suggested13 that13 a13 small13 number13 of13 lsquoheavy13 infantry13 assault13 vehiclesrsquomdashold13 Leopard13 tanks13 remanufactured13 into13 APCsmdashmight13 be13 the13 right13 answer13 This13 concept13 was13 rather13 an13 intellectual13 offspring13 of13 the13 Canadian13 Armyrsquos13 Kangaroo13 APC13 of13 the13 Second13 World13 Warmdasha13 Ram13 tank13 with13 the13 turret13 pulled13 for13 passenger13 accommodation 13 While13 the13 idea13 would13 have13 22

been13 akin13 to13 the13 Israeli13 Armyrsquos13 new13 Namer13 and13 its13 long-shy‐serving13 Achzarit13 APCs13 it13 did13 not13 progress13 very13 far13 Instead13 by13 200913 the13 Army13 Staff13 had13 conceived13 another13 ideamdashthe13 Close13 Combat13 Vehicle13 (CCV)13 Envisioned13 ldquoas13 a13 medium13 armored13 capability13 (25-shy‐4513 tonnes)rdquo13 the13 CCVrsquos13 greater13 mass13 would13 allow13 for13 greater13 survivability13 ldquoproviding13 troops13 with13 the13

13 Lee13 Berthiaume13 ldquoCanadian13 military13 lost13 3413 vehicles13 in13 Afghanistan13 35913 damagedrdquo13 Postmedia13 News13 1913 July13 18

2012

13 Stephen13 Priestley13 ldquoPunching13 at13 PanjwarsquoimdashCanadian13 Leopard13 Tanks13 in13 Combatrdquo13 Canadian-shy‐American13 Security13 19

Review13 December13 2006

13 Lieutenant13 Benjamin13 Richard13 ldquoThe13 LAV-shy‐III13 in13 Counter-shy‐Insurgency13 WarfaremdashTactical13 Lessons13 Learnedrdquo13 20

Canadian13 Army13 Journal13 Spring13 200713 p13 51

13 ldquoTank13 Replacement13 ProjectmdashUpgrade13 and13 Conversion13 of13 up13 to13 10013 Used13 Leopard13 213 13 Tanks13 in13 Canadamdash21

MERX13 LOI13 Noticerdquo13 Canadian13 American13 Security13 Review13 March13 2008

13 ldquoBackground13 ndash13 Future13 Combat13 Systems13 Heavy13 Infantry13 Assault13 Vehiclerdquo13 Canadian13 American13 Security13 22

Review13 undated13 page


enhanced13 protection13 and13 mobility13 of13 a13 medium13 armored13 vehicle13 allowing13 them13 to13 effectively13 operate13 in13 intimate13 support13 of13 CF13 tanks13 in13 close13 combat13 with13 enemy13 forcesrdquo 13 23

In13 July13 of13 that13 year13 Minister13 of13 National13 Defence13 Peter13 McKay13 announced13 that13 over13 a13 billion13 dollars13 would13 be13 set13 aside13 in13 future13 budgets13 for13 the13 CCV 13 The13 program13 was13 rather13 widely13 24

anticipated13 Writing13 at13 roughly13 the13 same13 time13 in13 Canadian13 Military13 Journal13 Martin13 Shadwick13 of13 York13 University13 asserted13 it13 was13 already13 strongly13 supposed13 that13 the13 CCV13 would13 be13 ldquopresumably13 something13 along13 the13 lines13 of13 the13 BAE13 Systems13 Hagglunds13 CV90rdquo 13 After13 all13 the13 25

combination13 of13 the13 Leopard13 213 and13 the13 CV9013 has13 become13 something13 of13 an13 unof-icial13 European13 standard13 serving13 alongside13 one13 another13 in13 the13 armies13 of13 Finland13 Sweden13 Norway13 Denmark13 and13 Switzerland 13 26

But13 in13 April13 201213 all13 of13 the13 bids13 were13 rejected13 as13 somehow13 noncompliant13 with13 the13 request 13 The13 program13 was13 reset13 and13 a13 second13 RFP13 was13 then13 issued13 Three13 of13 the13 -ive13 pre-shy‐27

quali-ied13 bidders13 responded13 General13 Dynamics13 Land13 Systems13 with13 its13 LAV-shy‐V13 Nexter13 with13 its13 Veacutehicule13 Blindeacute13 de13 Combat13 dInfanterie13 (VBCI)13 and13 BAE13 Systems13 Hagglunds13 with13 its13 CV90-shy‐3513 Mark13 III13 Curiously13 only13 the13 CV9013 was13 tracked13 the13 German13 consortium13 PSM13 (a13 joint13 venture13 of13 Rheinmetall13 and13 Krauss13 Maffei13 Wegmann)13 had13 chosen13 not13 to13 offer13 its13 very13 heavy13 expensive13 and13 developmentally13 immature13 (but13 otherwise13 well-shy‐regarded)13 Puma13 tracked13 IFV13 The13 CV9013 Mark13 III13 by13 most13 accounts13 remained13 the13 odds-shy‐on13 favorite13

By13 the13 following13 spring13 a13 winner13 had13 been13 selectedmdashbut13 that13 winner13 was13 never13 actually13 announced13 As13 the13 Army13 found13 itself13 facing13 a13 mandate13 from13 the13 federal13 cabinet13 to13 cut13 its13 budget13 by13 2213 percent13 the13 program13 was13 terminated13 over13 the13 Christmas13 holidays13 of13 2013 13 28

The13 CCV13 was13 perceived13 by13 at13 least13 a13 few13 of-icers13 as13 a13 reasonable13 sacri-ice13 to13 maintain13 force13 structure13 or13 other13 preferred13 programs13 and13 they13 were13 asking13 challenging13 questions 13 The13 29

next13 year13 a13 large13 order13 from13 Saudi13 Arabia13 for13 a13 new13 LAV-shy‐6013 would13 provide13 the13 DND13 and13

13 See13 the13 DNDrsquos13 of-icial13 statement13 at13 httpwwwmaterielforcesgccaenccvppage23

13 ldquoMilitary13 to13 get13 $5B13 for13 armoured13 vehiclesrdquo13 CBC13 News13 713 July13 200924

13 Martin13 Shadwick13 ldquoRecapitalizing13 the13 Forcesrdquo13 Canadian13 Military13 Journal13 vol13 1013 no13 113 200913 p13 8725

13 At13 the13 time13 the13 Leopard-shy‐CV9013 combination13 was13 also13 serving13 in13 the13 Royal13 Netherlands13 Army13 As13 we13 discuss13 26

later13 on13 the13 Dutch13 tanks13 have13 since13 been13 retired13 for13 economy13 leaving13 the13 CV9013 as13 the13 heaviest13 vehicle13 in13 the13 Army

13 ldquoCCV13 ReduxmdashReset13 for13 the13 Canadian13 Armys13 Close13 Combat13 Vehiclersquo13 Canadian13 American13 Security13 Review13 27

May13 2012

13 David13 Pugliese13 ldquoCanada13 Budget13 Cuts13 Cleave13 Deepest13 in13 Armyrdquo13 Defense13 News13 3013 January13 201313 Murray13 28

Brewster13 and13 Steve13 Rennie13 ldquoMilitary13 scraps13 plans13 for13 new13 light-shy‐armoured13 combat13 vehiclesrdquo13 Canadian13 Press13 2013 December13 2013

13 David13 Pugliese13 ldquoArmy13 tried13 to13 scuttle13 combat13 vehicle13 purchase13 amid13 deep13 cutsrdquo13 Ottawa13 Citizen13 2113 May13 29

2013


General13 Dynamics13 with13 the13 funding13 they13 needed13 to13 roll13 those13 upgrades13 into13 the13 Armyrsquos13 armored13 vehicle13 -leetmdashjust13 still13 almost13 entirely13 on13 wheels 13 30

Analysis the technical merits of wheeled and tracked armored vehicles

The13 Canadian13 approach13 was13 unique13 amongst13 land13 forces13 building13 an13 army13 on13 wheels13 then13 choosing13 to13 supplement13 it13 with13 tracks13 before13 resolving13 to13 stick13 almost13 entirely13 with13 wheels13 That13 a13 military13 organization13 would13 follow13 either13 approach13 wholeheartedly13 at13 least13 for13 a13 time13 is13 understandable13 In13 the13 course13 of13 our13 research13 we13 found13 hard-shy‐core13 enthusiasts13 for13 vehicles13 both13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 APC13 or13 IFV13 But13 as13 design13 studies13 test13 data13 and13 recent13 operational13 experience13 in13 Afghanistan13 and13 Iraq13 all13 show13 the13 enduring13 answer13 to13 the13 debate13 is13 quite13 conditional13 it13 depends13 Wheels13 and13 tracks13 each13 offer13 advantages13 and13 while13 their13 ideal13 operating13 environments13 are13 divergent13 there13 is13 overlap13 For13 evaluating13 the13 importance13 of13 either13 type13 to13 any13 army13 the13 salient13 relative13 virtues13 fall13 under13 three13 broad13 categories13 mobility13 survivability13 and13 supportability13

Mobility

The13 mobility13 of13 an13 armored13 vehicle13 is13 a13 complex13 concept13 resulting13 from13 the13 interaction13 of13 the13 vehiclersquos13 running13 gear13 with13 the13 terrain13 The13 US13 Army13 de-ines13 mobility13 as13 ldquothe13 ability13 to13 move13 freely13 and13 rapidly13 over13 the13 terrain13 of13 interest13 to13 accomplish13 varied13 combat13 objectivesrdquo13 Any13 measure13 of13 mobility13 thus13 accounts13 for13 the13 percentage13 ldquoof13 the13 terrain13 over13 which13 the13 vehicle13 is13 mobile13 and13 its13 average13 speed13 or13 travel13 time13 over13 that13 terrainrdquo 13 To13 assess13 the13 31

mobility13 of13 an13 armored13 vehicle13 the13 servicersquos13 engineers13 calculate13 a13 Vehicle13 Cone13 Index13 (VCI)13 a13 parameter13 that13 accounts13 for13 different13 soil13 strengths13 and13 the13 characteristic13 ground13 pressures13 produced13 by13 the13 vehicle 13 Generally13 the13 VCI13 and13 its13 component13 ground13 pressure13 32

are13 inversely13 proportional13 to13 a13 platformrsquos13 mobility13 This13 is13 because13 as13 ground13 pressure13 increases13 so13 too13 does13 the13 percentage13 of13 terrain13 impassable13 to13 the13 vehicle13 due13 to13 losses13 in13 traction 13 On13 average13 the13 VCI13 ratings13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 are13 1013 to13 1513 points13 higher13 than13 33

13 James13 Cudmore13 ldquoGeneral13 Dynamics13 Canada13 wins13 $10B13 deal13 with13 Saudi13 Arabiardquo13 CBC13 News13 1413 February13 30

2014

13 Paul13 Hornback13 ldquoThe13 Wheel13 Versus13 Track13 Dilemmardquo13 Armor13 March-shy‐April13 199813 p13 3331

13 ldquoVCI13 is13 de-ined13 as13 the13 minimum13 soil13 strength13 necessary13 for13 a13 self-shy‐propelled13 vehicle13 to13 consistently13 make13 a13 32

prescribed13 number13 of13 passes13 in13 track13 without13 becoming13 immobilizedrdquo13 Jody13 D13 Priddy13 and13 William13 E13 Willoughby13 ldquoClari-ication13 of13 vehicle13 cone13 index13 with13 reference13 to13 mean13 maximum13 pressurerdquo13 Journal13 of13 Terramechanics13 vol13 4313 200613 p13 8613 The13 British13 Army13 bases13 mobility13 assessments13 on13 the13 mean13 maximum13 pressure13 produced13 by13 the13 armored13 vehicle13 However13 the13 Vehicle13 Cone13 Index13 ldquois13 a13 direct13 indicator13 of13 soft-shy‐soil13 performance13 capabilityrdquo13 while13 mean13 maximum13 pressure13 ldquois13 an13 indirect13 indicator13 of13 soft-shy‐soil13 performance13 capabilityrdquo13 Priddy13 and13 Willoughby13 p13 88

13 Hornback13 ldquoThe13 Wheel13 Versus13 Track13 Dilemmardquo13 p13 3333


those13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 with13 relatively13 little13 overlap13 between13 con-igurations 13 For13 a13 34

vehicle13 to13 attain13 mobility13 over13 9013 percent13 of13 the13 terrain13 in13 a13 temperate13 area13 during13 the13 wet13 season13 a13 VCI13 of13 2013 is13 necessary 13 35

But13 more13 simply13 put13 tracked13 vehicles13 just13 inherently13 provide13 more13 surface13 area13 contact13 with13 the13 terrain13 than13 wheeled13 vehicles13 thus13 offering13 a13 lower13 ground13 pressure13 for13 a13 given13 vehicle13 weight13 This13 greater13 contact13 area13 of13 tracks13 does13 not13 just13 reduce13 ground13 pressure13 it13 also13 increases13 the13 shear13 stress13 the13 running13 gear13 can13 impart13 on13 the13 terrain13 resulting13 in13 greater13 thrust 13 The13 result13 is13 greater13 off-shy‐road13 mobility13 for13 tracked13 vehicles13 in13 all13 terrain13 36

types13 Coarse13 hard13 packed13 sand13 offers13 excellent13 mobility13 for13 either13 vehicle13 type13 but13 shifting13 and13 soft13 sand13 signi-icantly13 limits13 the13 mobility13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles 13 This13 perfectly13 describes13 37

conditions13 in13 much13 of13 Afghanistan13 the13 exceptionally13 -ine13 sand13 and13 soilmdashtermed13 ldquomoondustrdquo13 or13 ldquospacedustrdquo13 by13 soldiers13 in13 theatermdashcovers13 most13 off-shy‐road13 trails13 in13 depths13 up13 to13 a13 foot 13 Moreover13 cohesive13 soils13 like13 clay13 severely13 reduce13 the13 thrust13 developed13 by13 38

wheeled13 vehicles13 due13 to13 their13 small13 contact13 area 13 39

Lower13 ground13 pressure13 also13 contributes13 to13 superior13 performance13 in13 deep13 snow13 depths13 with13 reduced13 external13 motion13 resistance13 and13 greater13 gross13 traction 13 Shallow13 snow13 40

mobility13 is13 anomalous13 however13 as13 wheeled13 vehicles13 with13 higher13 VCI13 ratings13 can13 pack13 the13 snow13 down13 and13 move13 on13 whereas13 vehicles13 with13 lower13 VCI13 ratings13 may13 be13 unable13 to13 compress13 the13 snow13 enough13 to13 gain13 traction 13 Winter13 in13 Afghanistan13 often13 brought13 heavy13 41

snowfall13 rendering13 some13 roads13 impassable 13 Even13 wheeled13 vehicles13 designed13 speci-ically13 42

for13 off-shy‐road13 performance13 suffered13 in13 the13 punishing13 conditions13 As13 one13 American13 veteran13 of13 the13 campaign13 told13 us13 about13 his13 wheeled13 blast-shy‐resistant13 vehicles13 ldquothe13 MRAP13 and13 M-shy‐ATV13 were13 unable13 to13 provide13 any13 type13 of13 off-shy‐road13 mobility13 during13 any13 period13 of13 poor13 weather13 particularly13 during13 snow13 or13 the13 snow13 melt13 Mud13 was13 challenging13 but13 mud13 and13 snow13

13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 Studies13 and13 Analysis13 Activity13 Headquarters13 US13 Army13 34

Training13 and13 Doctrine13 Command13 Fort13 Monroe13 Virginia13 March13 198513 p13 1-shy‐28

13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235

13 JY13 Wong13 and13 Wei13 Huang13 ldquoWheels13 vs13 tracksmdashA13 fundamental13 evaluation13 from13 the13 traction13 perspectiverdquo13 36

Journal13 of13 Terramechanics13 vol13 4313 200613 p13 33

13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 pp13 1-shy‐4413 1-shy‐4537

13 Eric13 Tegler13 ldquoOshkosh13 M-shy‐ATVrdquo13 Car13 and13 Driver13 January13 201038

13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539

13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 p13 1-shy‐4713 George13 L13 Blaisdell13 Paul13 W13 Richmond13 Sally13 A13 40

Shoop13 Charles13 E13 Green13 and13 Russell13 G13 Alger13 ldquoWheels13 and13 Tracks13 in13 Snow13 Validation13 Study13 of13 the13 CRREL13 Shallow13 Snow13 Mobility13 Modelrdquo13 US13 Army13 Corps13 of13 Engineers13 Cold13 Regions13 Research13 amp13 Engineering13 Laboratory13 Report13 90-shy‐913 November13 199013 p13 21

13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 p13 1-shy‐4641

13 Silke13 Buhr13 ldquoBlocked13 By13 Snow13 WFP13 Staffer13 Sees13 Why13 Weather13 Is13 Challenge13 In13 Afghanistanrdquo13 United13 Nations13 42

World13 Food13 Program13 Report13 2313 November13 2012


impossiblerdquo 13 That13 this13 was13 problematic13 is13 particularly13 notable13 for13 the13 latter13 the13 MRAP13 All-shy‐43

Terrain13 Vehicle13

American13 experience13 with13 Strykers13 that13 other13 version13 of13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 seems13 to13 have13 been13 no13 better13 The13 American13 LAV13 as13 we13 were13 told13 by13 a13 long-shy‐service13 Stryker13 veteran13 is13 simply13 ldquonot13 good13 in13 the13 mud13 As13 soon13 as13 it13 starts13 raining13 thats13 the13 endrdquo 13 Admittedly13 even13 a13 tracked13 44

APC13 or13 IFV13 will13 eventually13 bury13 itself13 in13 mud13 particularly13 if13 a13 column13 drives13 in13 sequence13 down13 the13 ruts13 of13 the13 same13 soft13 lane 13 Perhaps13 worst13 though13 was13 driving13 down13 tiny13 muddy13 45

lanes13 in13 Afghanistan13 with13 an13 RPG13 cage13 around13 a13 wheeled13 Stryker13 With13 the13 added13 weight13 and13 added13 space13 con-ining13 maneuvers13 as13 ldquoit13 rained13 they13 sankrdquo13 and13 the13 locals13 invariably13 grew13 angry13 at13 the13 destruction13 of13 the13 roads 13 The13 slightly13 lighter13 LAV-shy‐III13 might13 be13 expected13 46

to13 perform13 better13 but13 it13 should13 not13 be13 expected13 to13 performed13 better13 than13 a13 tracked13 APC13

Of13 course13 mobility13 goes13 beyond13 tractive13 abilities13 in13 different13 soil13 typesmdashfor13 the13 military13 it13 includes13 maneuverability13 over13 obstacles13 and13 gaps13 and13 the13 ability13 to13 negotiate13 different13 types13 of13 vegetation13 Wheeled13 vehicles13 are13 limited13 by13 their13 ground13 clearance13 and13 can13 become13 grounded13 on13 obstructions13 but13 the13 inherent13 bridging13 capability13 of13 the13 tracked13 con-iguration13 avoids13 this13 problem13 Further13 superior13 soft-shy‐soil13 mobility13 can13 propel13 tracked13 vehicles13 over13 obstacles13 when13 part13 of13 the13 tracks13 are13 off13 the13 ground13 These13 same13 capabilities13 lend13 tracked13 vehicles13 superior13 performance13 in13 bridging13 gaps13 and13 ditches13 fording13 water13 crossings13 and13 transitioning13 between13 land13 and13 water13 in13 amphibious13 operations 13 Some13 of13 the13 preference13 47

then13 becomes13 a13 matter13 of13 where13 an13 army13 expects13 to13 operate13 wheels13 are13 more13 likely13 to13 be13 acceptable13 on13 hard-shy‐packed13 plains13 than13 over13 marshes13 Here13 again13 a13 lower13 VCI13 indicates13 better13 performance13 over13 all13 sorts13 of13 terrain13 challenges13 including13 slopes13 obstacles13 gaps13 and13 dense13 vegetation 13 48

Afghanistan13 presented13 Coalition13 forces13 with13 severe13 terrain13 challenges13 that13 demanded13 great13 maneuverability13 and13 off-shy‐road13 performance13 from13 armored13 vehiclesmdashideal13 conditions13 for13 tracked13 vehicles13 to13 demonstrate13 their13 superior13 mobility13 Steep13 grades13 in13 mountainous13

13 Comments13 from13 Master13 Sergeant13 (MSG)13 Jacob13 Stockdill13 of13 the13 US13 Army13 who13 served13 three13 tours13 in13 43

Afghanistan13 between13 200513 and13 201013 with13 the13 1-shy‐413 Cavalry13 and13 the13 1-shy‐9113 Cavalry

13 Comments13 during13 our13 focus13 group13 by13 Sergeant13 First13 Class13 (SFC)13 Julius13 W13 Moore13 currently13 of13 2-shy‐313 Cavalry13 44

We13 have13 reason13 to13 consider13 the13 sergeantrsquos13 opinion13 authoritative13 in13 this13 case13 Moore13 began13 his13 career13 as13 a13 mechanized13 infantryman13 with13 Bradleys13 and13 took13 them13 to13 Kosovo13 in13 199913 as13 part13 of13 the13 infamous13 Task13 Force13 Hawk13 He13 subsequently13 trained13 on13 Canadian13 LAV13 IIIs13 at13 Fort13 Lewis13 Washington13 prior13 to13 his13 unit13 receiving13 Strykers13 Indeed13 he13 rolled13 a13 LAV13 III13 in13 training13 down13 a13 200-shy‐foot13 embankment13 and13 survivedmdashperhaps13 miraculously13 Moore13 then13 took13 Strykers13 to13 Mosul13 and13 Fallujah13 in13 200413 surviving13 multiple13 hits13 to13 his13 vehicles13 He13 returned13 for13 another13 tour13 of13 duty13 in13 200713 in13 Mosul13 Ur13 Shaab13 Sadr13 City13 and13 elsewhere13 around13 Baghdad13 All13 told13 he13 now13 has13 over13 a13 decadersquos13 experience13 with13 the13 LAV13 III13 and13 the13 Stryker

13 Comments13 during13 our13 focus13 group13 from13 SFC13 John13 W13 Belleville13 2-shy‐513 Cavalry13 and13 Sergeant13 Major13 (SGM)13 45

Roland13 S13 Martinez13 2-shy‐313 Cavalry

13 Comments13 during13 our13 focus13 group13 from13 Specialist13 Andrew13 Bragg13 2-shy‐313 Cavalry46




terrain13 challenged13 the13 tractive13 performance13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 while13 dense13 vegetation13 limited13 the13 movement13 of13 all13 vehicles13 As13 Major13 Gasporotto13 wrote13 of13 the13 experience13 in13 Kandahar13 13

13 these13 grape13 Yields13 presented13 some13 of13 the13 most13 challenging13 terrain13 that13 we13 as13 an13 army13 have13 ever13 seen13 Someone13 had13 commented13 that13 the13 terrain13 in13 the13 Panjwairsquoi13 was13 akin13 to13 the13 bocage13 in13 Normandy13 during13 the13 D-shy‐Day13 invasion13 [Effectively13 the13 vineyards]13 provided13 the13 Taliban13 with13 successive13 trench13 lines13 with13 the13 foliage13 from13 the13 vines13 providing13 excellent13 cover13 from13 overhead13 observation13 The13 only13 way13 across13 was13 as13 a13 dismounted13 soldier13 The13 only13 way13 through13 was13 a13 dozer13 not13 a13 tank13 and13 certainly13 not13 a13 LAV 13 49

The13 commander13 of13 the13 engineers13 thus13 argued13 that13 no13 tracked13 combat13 vehicle13 could13 have13 managed13 the13 worst13 obstacles13 but13 strongly13 suggests13 that13 much13 of13 that13 terrain13 was13 no13 place13 for13 a13 wheeled13 one13 As13 one13 American13 cavalryman13 who13 took13 over13 for13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 told13 us13 about13 Panjwaii13 the13 walls13 between13 the13 vineyards13 themselves13 are13 made13 of13 mud13 and13 penetrating13 them13 even13 with13 tracked13 vehicles13 still13 would13 have13 been13 dif-icult 13 All13 the13 same13 50

others13 reported13 different13 experiences13 with13 tracked13 IFVs13 in13 similar13 conditions13 On13 peacekeeping13 duty13 with13 Bradleys13 in13 199513 one13 American13 platoon13 sergeant13 told13 us13 that13 ldquothere13 was13 no13 place13 in13 Bosnia13 we13 could13 not13 gomdasheven13 after13 snowmelt13 in13 three13 feet13 of13 mud13 we13 were13 still13 OKrdquo 13 Warrant13 Of-icer13 Jakob13 Wittendorff13 of13 the13 Danish13 Guard13 Hussars13 51

Regiment13 described13 the13 off-shy‐road13 mobility13 of13 the13 CV9013 in13 particular13 as13 ldquosuperbrdquo13 On13 several13 occasions13 in13 201113 his13 platoon13 drove13 its13 three13 CV90s13 and13 two13 M11313 G313 DKs13 ldquodeep13 into13 the13 green13 zone13 of13 small13 -ields13 divided13 by13 watering13 canalsrdquo13 These13 -ields13 of13 the13 Gereshk13 Valley13 of13 Helmand13 Province13 he13 related13 ldquoare13 mostly13 very13 muddy13 even13 the13 APCs13 [M113s]13 sometimes13 got13 stuckrdquomdashthough13 his13 CV90s13 never13 did 13 52

Another13 method13 for13 evaluating13 vehicle13 mobility13 was13 developed13 by13 Canadian13 engineers13 JY13 Wong13 and13 Wei13 Huang13 working13 at13 Vehicle13 Systems13 Development13 Corporation13 (VDSC)13 of13 Ottawa13 in13 200613 VDSC13 created13 a13 series13 of13 computer13 simulation13 models13 that13 go13 beyond13 simple13 measures13 of13 vehicle13 thrust13 accounting13 for13 motion13 resistance13 and13 a13 range13 of13 other13 variables13 associated13 with13 individual13 vehicle13 design13 Both13 the13 wheeled13 model13 and13 tracked13 model13 have13 been13 substantiated13 with13 experimental13 data13 and13 they13 ldquohave13 been13 successfully13 employed13 in13 assisting13 vehicle13 manufacturers13 in13 the13 development13 of13 new13 products13 and13 governmental13 agencies13 in13 the13 evaluation13 of13 vehicle13 candidates13 in13 North13 America13 Europe13 Asia13 and13 Africardquo13 These13 models13 allow13 for13 a13 comparison13 of13 the13 mobility13 of13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 vehicles13 by13 examining13 ldquothe13 difference13 between13 thrust13 and13 motion13 resistancerdquo13 relative13 to13 vehicle13 weight13 ldquoone13 of13 the13 most13 important13 parameters13 for13 quantitatively13

13 Gasparotto13 op13 cit13 Kindle13 Locations13 513-shy‐51513 and13 519-shy‐52149

13 Ibid50

13 SFC13 Belleville51

13 E-shy‐mail13 message13 from13 Warrant13 Of-icer13 (WO)13 Jakob13 Wittendorff13 Danish13 Guard13 Hussars13 Regiment13 2313 June13 52

201313 and13 presentation13 by13 the13 same13 at13 the13 seminar13 on13 the13 ldquoVision13 of13 Future13 Polish13 Land13 ForcesmdashChallenges13 and13 Opportunitiesrdquo13 British13 Embassy13 in13 Warsaw13 1913 February13 2015


de-ining13 vehicle13 mobilityrdquo 13 A13 negative13 ratio13 indicates13 that13 the13 vehicle13 is13 immobile13 while13 a13 53

positive13 ratio13 indicates13 the13 vehicle13 has13 traction13 available13 for13 acceleration13 climbing13 slopes13 or13 pulling13 loads13

Wong13 and13 Huang13 then13 applied13 these13 models13 to13 a13 mobility13 analysis13 of13 a13 representative13 eight-shy‐wheeled13 light13 armored13 vehicle13 similar13 to13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 and13 a13 representative13 tracked13 APC13 similar13 to13 the13 M11313 In13 their13 evaluation13 ldquothe13 tractive13 performance13 of13 the13 813 x13 813 wheeled13 vehicle13 in13 general13 cannot13 match13 that13 of13 the13 tracked13 vehicle13 on13 the13 four13 types13 of13 soil13 studiedrdquo13 sand13 medium-shy‐moisture13 content13 clay13 high-shy‐moisture13 content13 clay13 and13 loam13 The13 work13 ldquoalso13 indicates13 that13 the13 eight-shy‐wheeled13 vehicle13 will13 be13 immobile13 on13 the13 clayey13 soil13 with13 high13 moisture13 content13 if13 the13 tire13 in-lation13 pressure13 is13 higher13 than13 approximately13 18013 kilo-shy‐pascals13 [kPa13 or13 ~2613 psi]rdquo 13 While13 reducing13 tire13 pressures13 can13 improve13 traction13 54

experimental13 models13 con-irm13 that13 tracks13 maintain13 their13 traction13 advantage13 across13 all13 off-shy‐road13 conditions13

Thus13 as13 one13 classic13 article13 argued13 ldquofrom13 a13 mobility13 perspective13 tracked13 vehicles13 offer13 the13 best13 solution13 for13 a13 versatile13 platform13 that13 is13 required13 to13 operate13 over13 diverse13 terrain13 including13 extremely13 dif-icult13 groundrdquo 13 A13 fair13 retort13 is13 that13 not13 all13 ground13 is13 dif-icult13 Then13 55

again13 in13 some13 cases13 tracked13 vehicles13 are13 also13 more13 maneuverable13 due13 to13 their13 ability13 to13 pivot13 in13 place 13 In13 Afghanistan13 the13 tight13 turning13 radius13 offered13 by13 tracked13 vehicles13 was13 56

essential13 for13 negotiating13 the13 tight13 turns13 of13 winding13 mountain13 trails13 In13 the13 urban13 environment13 of13 Iraq13 the13 ability13 to13 pivot13 turn13 was13 a13 critical13 capability13 for13 maneuvering13 in13 the13 tight13 con-ines13 of13 cities13 and13 neighborhoods 13 On13 the13 other13 hand13 if13 varied13 surfaces13 are13 easier13 57

for13 tracked13 vehicles13 wheeled13 vehicles13 are13 easier13 on13 the13 surfaces13 themselves13 That13 superior13 lateral13 thrust13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 can13 damage13 roads13 particularly13 during13 pivot13 steering13 leaving13 tell-shy‐tale13 track13 marks13 and13 consequently13 offending13 the13 locals 13 Commanders13 can13 58

compensate13 of13 course13 by13 instructing13 troops13 not13 to13 employ13 that13 thrust13 except13 in13 emergencies13

This13 argument13 points13 to13 usage13 as13 another13 component13 of13 evaluating13 mobility13 Wheeled13 vehicles13 are13 also13 inherently13 capable13 of13 greater13 speed13 on13 roads13 and13 generate13 far13 less13

13 NWVPM13 is13 a13 computer13 model13 for13 evaluating13 off-shy‐road13 wheeled13 vehicle13 performance13 NTVPM13 is13 a13 computer13 53

model13 for13 evaluating13 the13 performance13 of13 vehicles13 with13 rubber-shy‐belt13 tracks13 or13 link13 tracks13 with13 relatively13 short-shy‐track13 pitch13 as13 commonly13 used13 in13 military13 vehicles13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 pp13 36ndash3713 39

13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 p13 3954



13 Tegler13 ldquoOshkosh13 M-shy‐ATVrdquo13 First13 Sergeant13 (1SG)13 Jarvis57



vibration13 and13 thus13 equipment13 and13 crew13 fatigue13 on13 roads13 than13 tracked13 vehicles 13 As13 a13 59

result13 wheeled13 vehicles13 are13 capable13 of13 self-shy‐deploying13 over13 road13 networks13 to13 the13 area13 of13 operations13 while13 tracked13 vehicles13 are13 generally13 reliant13 on13 truck13 transport13 intra-shy‐theater 13 60

One13 of13 our13 focus13 group13 NCOs13 who13 fought13 in13 Mosul13 Ramadi13 and13 Fallujah13 extolled13 the13 offsetting13 dynamic13 suspension13 of13 the13 Stryker13 as13 providing13 ldquoone13 of13 the13 best13 thingsmdashthe13 comfort13 inside13 on13 the13 way13 to13 the13 -ightrdquo 13 Another13 told13 us13 of13 a13 27-shy‐hour13 road13 march13 in13 61

Strykers13 out13 of13 Mosul13 across13 the13 moon13 dust13 as13 a13 quick-shy‐reaction13 force13 under13 General13 Petraeus13 in13 200413 afterwards13 he13 would13 call13 his13 LAV13 a13 ldquocombat13 Cadillacrdquo 13 New13 active13 62

damping13 technology13 as13 available13 on13 the13 Swedish13 CV9013 Mark13 III13 IFV13 and13 the13 American13 M109A713 mobile13 howitzer13 can13 make13 up13 some13 of13 this13 difference 13 With13 this13 in13 mind13 it13 must13 63

be13 said13 that13 when13 unrestricted13 mobility13 is13 not13 a13 key13 performance13 parameter13 and13 on-shy‐road13 usage13 exceeds13 off-shy‐road13 usage13 wheels13 can13 offer13 advantages13 over13 tracks 13 64

Conversely13 better13 on-shy‐road13 performance13 can13 concentrate13 usage13 on13 pavement13 reducing13 the13 survivability13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 by13 making13 a13 unitrsquos13 movements13 predictable13 With13 over13 3800013 kilometers13 of13 pavement13 and13 dense13 urban13 road13 networks13 Iraq13 offered13 units13 multiple13 avenues13 of13 approach13 avoiding13 predictability13 However13 in13 a13 predominantly13 rural13 country13 like13 Afghanistan13 with13 just13 over13 1200013 kilometers13 of13 paved13 roadways13 throughout13 a13 land13 half13 again13 as13 large13 predictable13 travel13 on13 the13 few13 roads13 available13 made13 Coalition13 forces13 particularly13 vulnerable13 to13 roadside13 bombs13 or13 ambushes 13 Indeed13 land13 minesmdashimprovised13 65

or13 otherwisemdashwere13 responsible13 for13 about13 7513 percent13 of13 Coalition13 casualties13 in13 a13 decade13 of13 operations13 in13 Afghanistan 13 66

Indeed13 one13 American13 company13 -irst13 sergeant13 warned13 us13 that13 in13 Afghanistan13 ldquogetting13 channelized13 on13 roads13 makes13 one13 lsquotoo13 predictablersquo13 and13 the13 Taliban13 know13 that13 Getting13 off-shy‐road13 allows13 use13 of13 the13 thermal13 sightsmdashand13 the13 cannonmdashat13 night13 from13 unexpected13

13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 p13 1-shy‐5213 Not13 all13 troops13 are13 convinced13 that13 vibration-shy‐59

fatigue13 in13 tracked13 vehicles13 is13 an13 important13 problem13 One13 survey13 respondent13 a13 veteran13 of13 Bradley13 units13 in13 the13 US13 Army13 asked13 us13 in13 writing13 ldquois13 this13 seriously13 even13 a13 questionrdquo


13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

13 Comments13 by13 Dan13 Lindell13 and13 Roy13 Perkins13 of13 BAE13 Systems13 at13 the13 seminar13 on13 the13 ldquoVision13 of13 Future13 Polish13 63

Land13 ForcesmdashChallenges13 and13 Opportunitiesrdquo13 British13 Embassy13 in13 Warsaw13 1913 February13 2015


13 ldquoIraq13 Transportationrdquo13 and13 ldquoAfghanistan13 Transportationrdquo13 both13 from13 the13 CIA13 World13 Factbook65

13 Tegler13 ldquoOshkosh13 M-shy‐ATVrdquo13 For13 the13 Canadian13 Forces13 speci-ically13 57513 percent13 of13 deaths13 have13 been13 due13 to13 mine13 66

blasts13 See13 Dylan13 Pannell13 et13 al13 ldquoCauses13 of13 Death13 in13 Canadian13 Forces13 Members13 Deployed13 to13 Afghanistan13 and13 Implications13 on13 Tactical13 Combat13 Casualty13 Carerdquo13 Journal13 of13 Trauma13 vol13 7113 no13 513 November13 201113 supplement13 113 Canadian13 Forces13 Operational13 Medicine13 p13 S403


locationsrdquo13 13 While13 MRAPs13 and13 M-shy‐ATVs13 often13 had13 12713 mm13 machine13 guns13 on13 remote13 67

(CROWS)13 mounts13 for13 company-shy‐level13 overwatch13 these13 lacked13 the13 range13 and13 hitting13 power13 of13 even13 the13 2513 mm13 gun13 on13 an13 American13 Bradley13 or13 a13 Canadian13 LAV-shy‐III13 Perhaps13 unsurprisingly13 several13 soldiers13 with13 whom13 we13 communicated13 indicated13 a13 desire13 for13 the13 Bradleys13 they13 had13 driven13 in13 Germany13 or13 the13 United13 States 13 68

Additionally13 the13 noticeable13 and13 fatigue-shy‐inducing13 noise13 and13 vibration13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 on13 paved13 surfaces13 can13 be13 dramatically13 reduced13 with13 the13 use13 of13 continuous13 rubber13 band13 tracks 13 In13 201013 a13 pair13 of13 28-shy‐ton13 CV90-shy‐30s13 of13 the13 Norwegian13 Army13 were13 tested13 with13 69

rubber13 tracks13 developed13 by13 both13 Hagglunds13 and13 Quebecrsquos13 Soucy13 International13 The13 rubber13 reduced13 vehicle13 weight13 by13 one13 ton13 noise13 by13 1013 decibels13 and13 vibration13 levels13 by13 6513 percent13 The13 reduced13 noise13 improved13 the13 vehiclesrsquo13 stealthiness13 and13 the13 rubber13 improved13 their13 mobility13 on13 snow13 and13 ice13 Improved13 tractive13 performance13 in13 slippery13 conditions13 could13 pay13 dividends13 in13 the13 slush13 experienced13 during13 winters13 of13 the13 Afghan13 kind13 Most13 importantly13 the13 reduced13 vibration13 dramatically13 reduced13 crew13 fatigue13 and13 improved13 the13 life13 expectancy13 of13 electronics13 sensors13 and13 ammunition13 with13 attendant13 improvements13 in13 operating13 costs 13 70

As13 Captain13 Erik13 Elden13 of13 the13 Telemark13 Battalion13 told13 us13 ldquothe13 only13 problem13 here13 is13 that13 the13 rubber13 belt13 shoes13 get13 worn13 down13 on13 long13 (several13 hours)13 tarmac13 routes13 in13 high13 temperatures13 When13 we13 limited13 our13 speed13 of13 advance13 to13 4013 kilometershour13 this13 wasnrsquot13 a13 problemrdquo 13 However13 the13 rubber13 tires13 of13 wheeled13 armored13 vehicles13 also13 suffer13 excess13 wear13 71

in13 similar13 conditions13 (see13 our13 section13 below13 on13 supportability)13 and13 this13 report13 comes13 from13 an13 older13 generation13 of13 the13 product 13 Thus13 continuous13 band13 rubber13 tracks13 aim13 to13 close13 72

some13 of13 the13 gap13 in13 over-shy‐the-shy‐road13 mobility13 that13 wheeled13 vehicles13 currently13 enjoy13

For13 a13 typical13 ten-shy‐kilometer13 mission13 in13 a13 battlegrouprsquos13 usual13 tactical13 area13 of13 operations13 the13 greater13 road13 speed13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 only13 affords13 a13 time13 advantage13 of13 less13 than13 two13 minutes 13 And13 yet13 there13 are13 times13 when13 even13 a13 burst13 of13 speed13 is13 tactically13 important13 As13 73

SFC13 Moore13 of13 the13 3rd13 US13 Cavalry13 argued13 to13 us13 for13 a13 ldquosnatch13 and13 grab13 in13 Sadr13 City13 the13 Stryker13 is13 perfectrdquo13 Moore13 even13 told13 us13 of13 once13 taking13 his13 Stryker13 on13 a13 police13 chase13 of13 an13

13 1SG13 Jarvis67

13 1SG13 Jarvis13 and13 MSG13 Jacob13 Stockdill68

13 Paul13 Hornback13 ldquoProblems13 Persist13 But13 Continuous13 Band13 Track13 Shows13 Promise13 in13 Light13 Armor13 Applicationsrdquo13 69

Armor13 January-shy‐February13 199913 p13 49-shy‐50

13 ldquoArmored13 vehicles13 using13 rubber13 tracksrdquo13 United13 Press13 International13 Ornskoldsvik13 Sweden13 1113 February13 70

2011

13 E-shy‐mail13 message13 (2013 May13 2013)13 from13 Captain13 Erik13 Elden13 of13 the13 Norwegian13 Army13 who13 served13 three13 tours13 in13 71

Mazar-shy‐e13 Sharif13 Balkh13 and13 Faryabas13 between13 200713 and13 201013 Captain13 Elden13 is13 separately13 the13 author13 of13 the13 memoir13 Krig13 og13 kjaeligrlighet13 Kagge13 2012

13 BAE13 Systems13 has13 since13 developed13 two13 succeeding13 generations13 of13 band13 tracks13 and13 in13 any13 case13 had13 not13 72

previously13 received13 this13 customer13 feedback13 E-shy‐mail13 communication13 from13 Ola13 Thoren13 communications13 manager13 at13 BAE13 Systems13 Hagglunds13 513 March13 2015



insurgentrsquos13 car13 eventually13 warning13 shots13 from13 the13 machine13 gun13 convinced13 the13 quarry13 to13 pull13 over13 In13 that13 scenario13 the13 stealth13 maneuverability13 and13 speed13 of13 an13 LAV13 are13 all13 better13 than13 that13 of13 a13 tracked13 IFV13 Just13 remember13 if13 the13 chase13 goes13 off-shy‐road13 tracked13 vehicles13 offer13 substantial13 improvements13 in13 travel13 times13 over13 wheeled13 vehicles13 as13 off-shy‐road13 usage13 increases 13 74

The13 reduced13 rolling13 resistance13 of13 the13 wheeled13 con-iguration13 clearly13 also13 leads13 to13 better13 fuel13 economy13 The13 Bradley13 with13 a13 maximum13 weight13 of13 approximately13 2813 tons13 has13 a13 746-shy‐liter13 fuel13 tank13 to13 reach13 a13 cruising13 range13 of13 at13 most13 48013 kilometers 13 This13 represents13 a13 mileage13 75

per13 weight13 ratio13 of13 005613 kilometers13 per13 liter13 per13 ton13 By13 contrast13 the13 Stryker13 at13 16513 tonnes13 requires13 just13 20013 liters13 of13 fuel13 to13 reach13 a13 cruising13 range13 in13 excess13 of13 48013 kilometers 13 This13 equates13 to13 mileage13 per13 weight13 ratio13 of13 not13 more13 than13 03413 liters13 per13 76

kilometer13 per13 tonmdasha13 sixfold13 improvement13 over13 the13 tracked13 vehicle13 Still13 suf-icient13 fuel13 tanks13 can13 provide13 very13 effective13 range13 even13 to13 tracked13 vehicles13 for13 the13 CV9013 for13 example13 this13 is13 fully13 90013 kilometers 13 77

The13 transportability13 of13 a13 heavier13 tracked13 vehicle13 would13 also13 suffer13 compared13 to13 that13 of13 a13 wheeled13 one13 At13 less13 than13 2013 tons13 either13 a13 Canadian13 LAV13 or13 an13 American13 Stryker13 can13 be13 made13 (perhaps13 just13 barely)13 to13 -it13 in13 a13 C-shy‐13013 Hercules13 transportmdashas13 long13 as13 the13 tires13 are13 de-lated13 or13 the13 suspension13 crouched13 At13 3513 tons13 just13 two13 Bradleys13 or13 CV90s13 can13 -it13 into13 the13 allowable13 payload13 of13 even13 a13 C-shy‐1713 Globemaster13 III13 while13 four13 LAVs13 can13 That13 said13 any13 APC13 is13 but13 one13 vehicle13 type13 in13 a13 deploying13 battlegroup13 or13 brigade13 A13 recent13 US13 Army13 study13 of13 the13 deployability13 of13 the13 Armored13 Multi-shy‐Purpose13 Vehicle13 its13 planned13 replacement13 for13 the13 venerable13 M11313 noted13 that13 -ielding13 the13 newer13 heavier13 AMPV13 would13 increase13 a13 brigadersquos13 deployment13 time13 in13 a13 range13 of13 zero13 to13 713 percent 13 The13 logistics13 train13 behind13 the13 combat13 78

vehicles13 actually13 accounts13 for13 the13 bulk13 of13 the13 weight13 and13 volume13 moving13 overseas 13 79

Combined13 vehicle13 weight13 and13 off-shy‐road13 usage13 are13 essential13 criteria13 for13 adjudicating13 the13 situational13 value13 of13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 platforms13 As13 the13 noted13 Paul13 Hornback13 wrote13 about13 the13 US13 Armyrsquos13 research13 ldquostudies13 indicate13 that13 when13 a13 vehiclersquos13 mission13 requires13 off-shy‐road13 usage13 greater13 than13 6013 percent13 and13 gross13 vehicle13 weight13 exceed13 1013 tons13 a13 tracked13 conYiguration13 is13 preferred13 for13 combat13 roles13 However13 when13 the13 gross13 vehicle13 weight13 exceeds13 2013 tons13 and13 off-shy‐road13 usage13 remains13 above13 6013 percent13 a13 tracked13 conYiguration13 is13 required13 to13

13 Hornback13 ldquoThe13 Wheel13 Versus13 Track13 Dilemmardquo13 pp13 33-shy‐3474

13 Chris13 Connors13 ldquoInfantry13 Fighting13 Vehicle13 M213 Bradleyrdquo13 The13 American13 Fighting13 Vehicle13 Database75

13 ldquoStrykerrdquo13 US13 Army13 Fact13 Files13 76

13 Information13 courtesy13 of13 Mike13 Segerman13 marketing13 representative13 from13 BAE13 Systems13 Hagglunds77

13 Military13 Surface13 Deployment13 and13 Distribution13 Command13 Transportation13 Engineering13 Agency13 Armored13 78

Multi-shy‐Purpose13 Vehicle13 Deployability13 Study13 Final13 Report13 113 May13 201213 p13 ii

13 For13 a13 -irst-shy‐hand13 account13 of13 the13 dif-iculty13 of13 maintaining13 even13 a13 small13 army13 in13 Afghanistan13 see13 Lieutenant-shy‐79

Colonel13 John13 Conrad13 What13 the13 Thunder13 Said13 ReYlections13 of13 a13 Canadian13 OfYicer13 in13 Kandahar13 (Dundurn13 2009)


guarantee13 the13 best13 mobility13 for13 unrestricted13 all-shy‐weather13 tactical13 operationsrdquo 13 Admittedly13 80

the13 available13 unclassi-ied13 studies13 are13 somewhat13 dated13 and13 transmission13 and13 suspension13 technologies13 have13 greatly13 improved13 over13 the13 past13 several13 decades13 producing13 relatively13 heavy13 wheeled13 vehicles13 with13 much13 better13 off-shy‐road13 performance13 All13 the13 same13 the13 weight13 of13 theory13 and13 evidence13 indicate13 that13 there13 remains13 a13 point13 beyond13 which13 tracks13 are13 the13 preferred13 conveyance13 in13 dif-icult13 circumstances13

Survivability

Survivability13 modeling13 is13 not13 just13 computationally13 intense13 it13 is13 a13 challenge13 to13 understand13 the13 myriad13 factors13 involved 13 Multiple13 means13 of13 offense13 and13 defense13 are13 preferred13 to13 81

maximize13 the13 probability13 of13 the13 survival13 of13 the13 vehicle13 and13 its13 occupants13 In13 the13 armored13 vehicle13 industry13 this13 concept13 is13 known13 as13 the13 lsquosurvivability13 onionrsquo13 as13 it13 involves13 sequential13 layers13 that13 must13 be13 peeled13 back13 by13 an13 attacker13 to13 get13 at13 the13 -ighting13 heart13 of13 the13 mounted13 troops13

Layers in the Survivability Onion 82

1 Destroy enemies beyond their engagement range 2 Avoid detection through signature reduction camouflage and maneuver 3 Avoid engagement through defilade and maneuver 4 Avoid the hit through evasive maneuver and countermeasures 5 Prevent penetration with plate cage and reactive armor 6 Minimize damage with spall linings compartmentalization and fire suppression

Tracked13 and13 wheeled13 vehicles13 offer13 advantages13 in13 each13 of13 these13 layers13 of13 defense13 but13 those13 favoring13 tracks13 merit13 close13 analysis13 in13 the13 context13 of13 the13 Afghan13 experience13

First13 and13 foremost13 superior13 sensors13 and13 -irepower13 are13 needed13 to13 destroy13 enemies13 beyond13 their13 engagement13 range13 Sensors13 can13 be13 mounted13 on13 almost13 any13 type13 of13 ride13 but13 weapons13 may13 bene-it13 from13 the13 stability13 of13 a13 tracked13 platform13 Compare13 for13 example13 the13 3513 mm13 chain13 gun13 on13 the13 latest13 CV9013 Mark13 III13 to13 the13 2513 mm13 on13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 or13 60mdashthe13 former13 provides13 much13 greater13 range13 and13 striking13 power13 While13 both13 are13 manufactured13 by13 Alliant13 Techsystems13 the13 3513 mm13 brings13 a13 high13 explosive13 round13 three13 times13 heavier13

13 Emphasis13 added13 Hornback13 ldquoThe13 Wheel13 Versus13 Track13 Dilemmardquo13 p13 3380

13 Chris13 Williams13 ldquoSoldier13 First13 a13 new13 paradigm13 in13 ground13 vehicle13 design13 with13 an13 emphasis13 on13 survivabilityrdquo13 81

Aircraft13 Survivability13 Journal13 Spring13 201313 p13 15

13 Adapted13 from13 a13 diagram13 in13 Bernard13 Kempinski13 and13 Christopher13 Murphy13 ldquoTechnical13 Challenges13 of13 the13 US13 82

Armyrsquos13 Ground13 Combat13 Vehicle13 Programrdquo13 Working13 Paper13 Series13 US13 Congressional13 Budget13 Of-ice13 November13 2012


In13 Danish13 service13 the13 3513 mm13 stabilized13 gun13 has13 even13 been13 -itted13 with13 air-shy‐bursting13 rounds13 for13 greater13 effect13 against13 dismounted13 troops 13 The13 larger13 round13 offers13 the13 ability13 to13 destroy83

mdashfrom13 the13 frontal13 aspectmdashany13 vehicle13 smaller13 than13 a13 main13 battle13 tank13 without13 the13 need13 for13 external13 -ire13 support13 and13 even13 to13 kill13 tanks13 as13 heavy13 as13 Leopard13 2s13 from13 the13 side13 or13 rear13 Indeed13 in13 Danish13 doctrine13 the13 vehicle13 is13 almost13 13 ldquoa13 Swiss13 Knife13 that13 can13 be13 used13 in13 any13 type13 of13 operationrdquo13 and13 -ighting13 more13 like13 a13 tank13 than13 an13 APC13 Rather13 than13 ldquospraying13 and13 prayingrdquo13 gunners13 -ire13 single13 shots13 expecting13 -irst-shy‐round13 kills13 Warrant13 Of-icer13 Wittendorff13 of13 the13 Hussars13 reported13 that13 their13 ldquobest13 single13 round13 was13 a13 -irst13 round13 hit13 on13 one13 RPG13 shooter13 at13 140013 metersrdquo 13 84

Conversely13 as13 an13 American13 company13 -irst13 sergeant13 noted13 to13 us13 his13 troops13 ldquocould13 haul13 [their13 12013 mm13 mortars]13 in13 the13 Bradleyrdquo13 in13 Iraq13 but13 couldnrsquot13 always13 use13 them13 for13 fear13 of13 collateral13 damage13 And13 in13 Afghanistan13 even13 when13 indirect13 -irepower13 was13 warranted13 ldquothe13 [15513 mm13 howitzers]13 at13 the13 forward13 operating13 base13 were13 often13 out13 of13 rangerdquo13 While13 the13 Royal13 Canadian13 Artillery13 made13 excellent13 use13 of13 its13 15513 mm13 cannons13 at13 Second13 Panjwairsquoi13 the13 beaten13 zone13 had13 been13 almost13 entirely13 cleared13 of13 civilians13 it13 was13 the13 Talibanrsquos13 fatal13 mistake13 to13 stand13 and13 -ight13 Antitank13 missiles13 could13 be13 used13 as13 short-shy‐range13 direct13 -ire13 artillery13 rather13 as13 Hezbollah13 did13 during13 the13 200613 Second13 Lebanon13 War13 but13 missiles13 are13 expensive13 and13 for13 conscientious13 NATO13 troops13 the13 blast13 often13 creates13 a13 great13 deal13 of13 unwanted13 collateral13 damage 13 A13 comparatively13 big13 gun13 on13 the13 more13 stable13 platform13 of13 a13 tracked13 85

vehicle13 thus13 -ills13 the13 gap13 in13 -irepower13 between13 the13 machine13 guns13 of13 APCs13 and13 the13 large13 blast13 created13 by13 indirect13 -ire13 and13 antitank13 missiles13 offering13 a13 -irst-shy‐round13 organic13 direct13 -ire13 capability13 suf-icient13 to13 meet13 the13 majority13 of13 threats13 on13 even13 todayrsquos13 battle-ields13

While13 standoff13 is13 generally13 preferred13 stealthiness13 is13 often13 important13 for13 getting13 close13 to13 the13 enemy13 without13 observation13 Metal-shy‐to-shy‐metal13 contact13 in13 the13 running13 gear13 of13 traditional13 tracked13 vehicles13 produces13 a13 signi-icantly13 larger13 acoustic13 signature13 than13 wheeled13 vehicles13 The13 noise13 problem13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 is13 magni-ied13 over13 the13 roads13 as13 the13 impact13 of13 each13 track13 pad13 with13 the13 road13 surface13 creates13 vibrations13 in13 the13 chassis13 proportional13 to13 road13 speed13 These13 vibrations13 can13 also13 damage13 sensitive13 electronics13 and13 fatigue13 crews13 perhaps13 limiting13 their13 operational13 alertness 13 Conversely13 in13 Iraqi13 cities13 troops13 riding13 on13 wheels13 were13 86

frequently13 able13 to13 capitalize13 on13 the13 negligible13 noise13 produced13 their13 vehicles13 as13 it13 just13 faded13 into13 that13 of13 the13 background13 traf-ic13 As13 George13 W13 Bush13 memorably13 noted13 in13 a13 speech13 all13 the13

13 ldquoAfghan13 South13 201013 Danish13 Forces13 Preparing13 to13 Deploy13 to13 Helmand13 Province13 with13 Adapted13 More13 Capable13 83

and13 Uparmoured13 CV903513 DKsrdquo13 Canadian-shy‐American13 Security13 Review13 January13 201013 citing13 the13 press13 release13 ldquoTungere13 panser13 til13 Helmandrdquo13 (Heavier13 Armor13 for13 Helmand)13 by13 the13 Danish13 Haeligrens13 Operative13 Kommando13 January13 2010

13 Wittendorff13 via13 e-shy‐mail13 and13 in13 Warsaw13 on13 1913 February13 201513 We13 -ind13 it13 remarkable13 just13 how13 badly13 84

outranged13 that13 Taliban13 grenadier13 really13 was13 His13 surviving13 comrades13 might13 be13 annoyed13 to13 know13 that13 the13 very13 impressive13 gunner13 was13 a13 woman

13 1SG13 Jarvis13 For13 details13 on13 Hezbollahrsquos13 use13 of13 antitank13 missiles13 as13 light13 direct-shy‐-ire13 artillery13 see13 Matt13 M13 85

Matthews13 We13 Were13 Caught13 Unprepared13 the13 200613 Hezbollah-shy‐Israeli13 War13 The13 Long13 War13 Series13 Occasional13 Paper13 2613 Combat13 Studies13 Institute13 Press13 2008



way13 back13 in13 200413 ldquoin13 Samarra13 Iraqis13 have13 taken13 to13 calling13 the13 Stryker13 Brigades13 the13 lsquoGhost13 Ridersrsquo13 because13 they13 arrive13 in13 near13 total13 silence13 striking13 the13 enemy13 without13 warningrdquo 13 87

Still13 advances13 in13 technology13 are13 closing13 the13 signature13 balance13 between13 tracked13 and13 wheeled13 vehicles13 Rubber13 shoe13 inserts13 in13 metal13 tracks13 can13 mitigate13 some13 of13 these13 problems13 and13 as13 noted13 the13 latest13 generation13 of13 continuous13 rubber13 band13 tracks13 can13 signi-icantly13 reduce13 most13 of13 the13 inherent13 on-shy‐road13 advantages13 of13 wheels 13 Finally13 thermal13 and13 88

electromagnetic13 signatures13 are13 relatively13 equivalent13 for13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 vehicles13 although13 wheeled13 vehicles13 must13 account13 for13 the13 heat13 generated13 by13 the13 tires 13 As13 a13 result13 89

across13 a13 variety13 of13 mission13 pro-iles13 the13 detectability13 of13 tracked13 armored13 vehicles13 can13 be13 mitigated13 if13 all13 available13 technical13 means13 are13 utilized 13 90

Once13 detected13 armored13 vehicles13 must13 use13 agility13 and13 maneuverability13 in13 conjunction13 with13 defensive13 aids13 to13 avoid13 a13 hit13 On13 -irm13 soils13 performance13 in13 a13 500-shy‐meter13 dash13 is13 largely13 dependent13 on13 power-shy‐to-shy‐weight13 ratios13 rather13 than13 drivetrain13 con-iguration13 However13 as13 the13 terrain13 becomes13 softer13 the13 superior13 mobility13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 produces13 a13 considerable13 advantage13 in13 acceleration13 The13 mechanics13 of13 brakes13 on13 wheeled13 vehicles13 grants13 an13 advantage13 in13 deceleration13 for13 speeds13 below13 4013 kph13 while13 the13 mechanical13 advantage13 shifts13 to13 tracks13 when13 braking13 above13 4013 kph 13 Then13 again13 tracked13 vehicles13 do13 not13 frequently13 drive13 91

above13 4013 kph13 and13 as13 we13 noted13 above13 when13 they13 do13 their13 tracks13 can13 suffer13

The13 skid13 steering13 ability13 of13 tracked13 vehiclesmdashin13 which13 the13 tracks13 on13 opposite13 sides13 are13 driven13 at13 differential13 speeds13 to13 alter13 directionmdashaffords13 tighter13 turns13 and13 thus13 a13 slim13 advantage13 in13 slalom13 scenarios13 However13 as13 vehicle13 speed13 increases13 slalom13 maneuvers13 place13 higher13 demands13 on13 the13 drivers13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 Furthermore13 aggressive13 slalom13 maneuvers13 can13 result13 in13 rollovers13 for13 tracked13 vehicles13 in13 soft13 soils13 Wheeled13 vehicles13 tend13 to13 plow13 forward13 regardless13 of13 steering13 input13 in13 such13 scenarios13 but13 the13 Stryker13 and13 the13 LAV13 III13 have13 both13 been13 considered13 prone13 to13 rolling13 At13 the13 US13 Armyrsquos13 National13 Training13 Center13 at13 Fort13 Irwin13 in13 the13 California13 desert13 Stryker13 rollovers13 are13 an13 ldquohabitual13 problemrdquo13 but13 these13 only13 plague13 Bradleys13 in13 one13 particularly13 dangerous13 part13 of13 the13 Colorado13 River13 wadi13 system 13 According13 to13 one13 trooper13 who13 trained13 on13 both13 the13 Canadian13 and13 American13 8x8s13 92

13 Public13 Papers13 of13 the13 Presidents13 of13 the13 United13 States13 George13 W13 Bush13 200413 Book13 113 January13 113 to13 June13 3013 87

200413 p13 1086

13 ldquoArmored13 vehicles13 using13 rubber13 tracksrdquo13 United13 Press13 International13 and13 Paul13 Hornback13 ldquoProblems13 Persist13 88

But13 Continuous13 Band13 Track13 Shows13 Promise13 in13 Light13 Armor13 Applicationsrdquo13 pp13 49-shy‐50


13 Hornback13 ldquoThe13 Wheel13 Versus13 Track13 Dilemmardquo13 p13 3313 However13 it13 is13 possible13 that13 this13 advantage13 is13 below13 the13 90

detection13 threshold13 See13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 p13 1-shy‐6613 We13 also13 noted13 that13 the13 more13 compact13 nature13 of13 a13 tracked13 vehicle13 generally13 creates13 a13 smaller13 silhouette13 and13 much13 has13 been13 made13 of13 the13 high13 pro-ile13 of13 the13 LAV13 However13 the13 actual13 height13 difference13 between13 the13 LAV13 III13 and13 the13 CV9013 is13 about13 1013 centimetres


13 SGM13 Martinez13 and13 SFC13 Belleville13 respectively92


the13 problem13 is13 even13 worse13 with13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 as13 the13 turret13 makes13 the13 vehicle13 much13 more13 top-shy‐heavy 13 Wheeled13 vehicles13 can13 be13 designed13 with13 a13 skid13 steering13 capability13 but13 their13 reduced13 93

contact13 area13 requires13 greater13 soil13 strengths13 than13 tracked13 vehicles 13 Again13 the13 ability13 to13 94

pivot13 in13 place13 is13 particularly13 useful13 in13 terrain13 with13 substantial13 obstacles13 especially13 in13 tight13 con-ines13 these13 attributes13 were13 particularly13 useful13 in13 the13 mountains13 of13 Afghanistan13 and13 the13 cities13 of13 Iraq13

And13 as13 noted13 earlier13 the13 superior13 off-shy‐road13 mobility13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 increases13 survivability13 by13 giving13 drivers13 more13 options13 for13 eluding13 threats13 while13 reducing13 the13 predictability13 of13 movements13 Wheeled13 vehicleslsquo13 dependence13 on13 roads13 allows13 adversaries13 to13 concentrate13 their13 attacks13 on13 likely13 routes13 increasing13 the13 possibility13 of13 ambush13 Overall13 then13 tracked13 vehicles13 offer13 greater13 agility13 by13 virtue13 of13 superior13 acceleration13 in13 soft13 terrain13 a13 slight13 advantage13 in13 slalom13 maneuvers13 and13 roughly13 equivalent13 braking13 performance13 in13 comparison13 to13 wheeled13 vehicles13 And13 lastly13 the13 skid13 steer13 ability13 of13 tracked13 vehicles13 to13 pivot13 in13 place13 grants13 them13 greater13 maneuverability13 a13 critical13 capability13 for13 urban13 operations13 As13 a13 result13 if13 they13 are13 detected13 and13 this13 detection13 is13 recognized13 tracked13 vehicles13 have13 a13 greater13 chance13 of13 avoiding13 a13 hit13

Of13 course13 even13 with13 advanced13 defensive13 aids13 and13 superior13 maneuverability13 avoiding13 a13 hit13 is13 not13 always13 possible13 Once13 attacked13 armored13 vehicles13 must13 rely13 on13 their13 ballistic13 and13 blast13 resistance13 to13 ensure13 the13 survival13 of13 the13 crew13 if13 not13 the13 vehicle13 itself13 For13 example13 the13 Canadian13 Armyrsquos13 LAV-shy‐II13 Coyote13 may13 be13 an13 excellent13 scout13 vehicle13 but13 its13 suitability13 in13 some13 intense13 circumstances13 may13 be13 questioned13 During13 the13 initial13 invasions13 of13 Iraq13 and13 Afghanistan13 armored13 reconnaissance13 units13 were13 sometimes13 held13 back13 because13 ldquothey13 did13 not13 have13 the13 necessary13 protection13 to13 survive13 contactrdquo 13 Armored13 vehicles13 of13 less13 than13 2013 95

tons13 including13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 generally13 offer13 ballistic13 protection13 against13 artillery13 fragments13 and13 armor-shy‐piercing13 (AP)13 76213 mm13 machine13 gun13 rounds13 Adding13 enough13 armor13 to13 protect13 against13 14513 mm13 AP13 roundsmdashde-ined13 as13 NATO13 Standard13 (STANAG)13 456913 Level13 IVmdashpushes13 a13 vehiclersquos13 weight13 close13 to13 2013 tonnes13 as13 with13 the13 rather13 heavier13 Stryker 13 As13 one13 American13 96

platoon13 sergeant13 asserted13 to13 us13 when13 facing13 ballistic13 threats13 enough13 reactive13 armor13 tiles13 can13 make13 a13 Bradley13 ldquoalmost13 as13 impenetrable13 as13 an13 Abramsrdquo 13 97

13 Comments13 during13 our13 focus13 group13 by13 Staff13 Sergeant13 Ryan13 L13 Phipps13 of13 the13 2-shy‐513 US13 Cavalry93

13 Ibid94

13 Captain13 Jason13 H13 Thompson13 ldquoClose13 Reconnaissance13 its13 Evolving13 Role13 and13 Capabilitiesrdquo13 Canadian13 Army13 95

Journal13 vol13 1013 no13 113 (Spring13 2007)13 p13 3513 quoting13 Major13 Curtis13 D13 Taylor13 ldquoTrading13 the13 Saber13 for13 Stealth13 Can13 Surveillance13 Technology13 Replace13 Traditional13 Aggressive13 Reconnaissancerdquo13 Institute13 of13 Land13 Warfare13 paper13 no13 5313 September13 2005

13 For13 STANAG13 456913 standards13 see13 ldquoProcedures13 for13 Evaluating13 the13 Protection13 Level13 of13 Logistic13 and13 Light13 96

Armored13 Vehiclesrdquo13 Allied13 Engineering13 Publication13 5513 volume13 I13 February13 200513 p13 2413 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 p13 1-shy‐66

13 SFC13 Belleville13 While13 we13 lack13 the13 classi-ied13 ballistics13 reports13 we13 will13 simply13 observe13 that13 enough13 combat13 97

experience13 has13 heartened13 at13 least13 one13 Bradley13 platoon13 sergeant


Even13 so13 this13 affords13 only13 limited13 protection13 against13 shaped13 charges13 more13 armor13 and13 weight13 would13 be13 necessary13 to13 protect13 against13 real13 antitank13 weapons 13 While13 both13 wheeled13 98

and13 tracked13 vehicles13 are13 capable13 of13 mounting13 enough13 armor13 for13 STANAG13 456913 Level13 IV13 the13 lower13 ground13 pressure13 afforded13 by13 tracked13 con-igurations13 supports13 more13 armor13 for13 a13 given13 mobility13 standard13 Therefore13 ballistic13 resistance13 against13 14513 mm13 AP13 rounds13 and13 shaped13 charges13 most13 likely13 requires13 a13 vehicle13 over13 2013 tons13 Declassi-ied13 tests13 from13 the13 1980s13 suggest13 that13 such13 a13 vehicle13 must13 be13 tracked13 if13 off-shy‐road13 mobility13 is13 a13 priority13 though13 as13 we13 acknowledge13 above13 automotive13 technology13 has13 since13 improved 13 Still13 with13 lower13 ground13 99

pressures13 for13 a13 given13 weight13 tracked13 vehicles13 have13 a13 larger13 growth13 potential13 allowing13 for13 future13 additions13 such13 as13 applique13 armor13 reactive13 armor13 tiles13 or13 active13 protection13 systems 13 100

It13 is13 important13 to13 note13 that13 the13 tires13 are13 vulnerable13 to13 punctures13 from13 rocks13 bullets13 and13 blast13 fragments13 and13 may13 catch13 -ire13 under13 attack13 As13 noted13 their13 large13 spinning13 surfaces13 also13 contribute13 signi-icantly13 to13 the13 thermal13 signature13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles 13 These13 101

problems13 can13 be13 mitigated13 by13 tire13 -ire-shy‐suppression13 systems13 run-shy‐-lat13 tire13 inserts13 self-shy‐sealing13 tires13 a13 central13 tire13 in-lation13 system13 and13 tire13 thermal13 masks 13 While13 these13 steps13 can13 allow13 102

wheeled13 vehicles13 to13 retain13 mobility13 after13 an13 attack13 they13 do13 add13 cost13 weight13 and13 complexity13 resulting13 in13 diminished13 performance13 and13 heavier13 maintenance13 Wheels13 do13 offer13 an13 edge13 in13 improvised13 explosive13 device13 and13 mine13 attacks13 as13 one13 or13 multiple13 wheels13 can13 shear13 off13 in13 the13 blast13 while13 leaving13 the13 rest13 of13 the13 wheels13 intact13 allowing13 wheeled13 vehicles13 to13 limp13 off13 the13 battle-ield13 One13 of13 our13 American13 interviewees13 reported13 seeing13 Strykers13 limp13 off13 battle-ields13 on13 as13 few13 as13 two13 functioning13 tires13 But13 ldquolose13 a13 trackrdquo13 as13 he13 told13 us13 conversely13 ldquoand13 itrsquos13 donerdquo 13 103

That13 is13 if13 a13 tracked13 vehicle13 detonates13 a13 mine13 the13 resultant13 explosion13 generally13 destroys13 the13 track13 that13 overran13 the13 bomb13 and13 the13 vehicle13 is13 stuck13 until13 repaired13 or13 recovered13 Tracked13 vehicles13 can13 be13 short-shy‐trackedmdasha13 Bradley13 can13 be13 made13 to13 limp13 out13 of13 battle13 on13 a13 functioning13 drive13 sprocket13 and13 as13 few13 as13 three13 roadwheels13 The13 dif-iculty13 is13 that13 evolution13 generally13 requires13 ninety13 minutes13 under13 ideal13 conditions13 and13 is13 all13 the13 more13 challenging13 under13 -ire 13 Replacing13 the13 metal13 with13 band13 tracks13 precludes13 that13 option13 104



13 Applique13 armor13 consists13 of13 extra13 armor13 mounted13 to13 hull13 of13 an13 armored13 vehicle100

13 ldquoMilitary13 Tire13 Saver13 Shieldtraderdquo13 Hutchinson13 Worldwide13 Internet13 product13 page101

13 US13 Army13 Strykers13 are13 equipped13 with13 all13 of13 these13 measures13 as13 could13 be13 LAV-shy‐IIIs13 ldquoStryker13 Program13 Update13 102

Consolidated13 Questionsrdquo13 Stryker13 Brigade13 Combat13 Team13 Association13 of13 the13 United13 States13 Army13 Question13 and13 Answer13 Session13 201113 ldquoMilitary13 Tire13 Saver13 Shieldtraderdquo13 Hutchinson13 Worldwide13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 p13 1-shy‐66

13 SSG13 Howard103



Indeed13 the13 importance13 of13 blast13 resistance13 must13 not13 be13 underestimated13 Let13 us13 revisit13 the13 Canadian13 experiencemdashduring13 the13 most13 intense13 phase13 of13 the13 campaign13 Operation13 ARCHER13 Rotation13 213 troops13 struck13 mines13 -ifteen13 times13 Six13 damaged13 the13 Armys13 sundry13 armored13 cars13 three13 LAV-shy‐IIIs13 a13 Bison13 a13 Coyote13 and13 an13 RG31mdashthis13 last13 killing13 one13 of13 the13 occupants13 Trooper13 Mark13 Wilson13 of13 the13 Royal13 Canadian13 Dragoons13 Four13 more13 knocked13 out13 two13 of13 the13 essential13 bulldozers13 and13 two13 American13 route13 clearance13 vehicles13 Yet13 another13 damaged13 a13 Leopard13 tank13 as13 it13 unexpectedly13 drove13 through13 an13 old13 Soviet13 mine-ield13 and13 another13 a13 civilian13 car13 Three13 men13 set13 off13 mines13 on13 foot13 Private13 Josh13 Klukie13 of13 the13 1st13 RCR13 died13 as13 well 13 All13 told13 approximately13 5813 percent13 of13 Canadian13 deaths13 and13 5713 percent13 of13 Canadian13 105

injuries13 in13 Afghanistan13 were13 caused13 by13 land13 mines13 and13 IEDs 13 106

Understanding13 the13 mechanics13 of13 these13 attacks13 remains13 a13 challenge13 for13 vehicle13 designers13 As13 one13 recent13 crossover13 article13 in13 Aircraft13 Survivability13 Journal13 noted13 ldquoduring13 IED13 blasts13 a13 complex13 series13 of13 events13 occur13 in13 the13 blink13 of13 an13 eye13 and13 everything13 from13 charge13 depth13 soil13 compaction13 armor13 materials13 and13 hull13 shape13 can13 impact13 the13 way13 vehicles13 and13 occupants13 reactrdquo 13 The13 trouble13 with13 tracked13 vehicles13 is13 that13 they13 are13 generally13 closer13 to13 the13 ground13 107

so13 more13 of13 the13 blast13 energy13 is13 transferred13 to13 the13 hull13 As13 one13 NCO13 of13 the13 18th13 US13 Infantry13 told13 us13 after13 losing13 half13 his13 companyrsquos13 Bradleys13 in13 Ramadi13 in13 200613 he13 was13 ldquoalways13 a13 fan13 of13 the13 MRAPrdquo 13 108

Nevertheless13 even13 tracked13 vehicles13 are13 capable13 of13 integrating13 the13 V-shy‐hull13 bottoms13 now13 frequently13 seen13 on13 wheeled13 vehicles13 and13 which13 are13 important13 for13 de-lecting13 the13 blast13 of13 explosions13 underneath13 the13 vehicle13 Adding13 a13 V-shy‐hull13 to13 an13 existing13 design13 does13 reduce13 the13 ground13 clearance13 available13 and13 increases13 the13 vehiclersquos13 weight13 Reduced13 ground13 clearance13 impairs13 the13 mobility13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 but13 tracked13 vehicles13 are13 not13 as13 affected13 Furthermore13 as13 noted13 above13 tracked13 vehicles13 can13 mount13 more13 armor13 for13 a13 given13 size13 and13 mobility13 standard13 affording13 more13 blast13 protection13 than13 a13 wheeled13 vehicle13 of13 the13 same13 carrying13 capacity13 The13 Danish13 experience13 with13 CV9013 Mark13 IIIs13 was13 remarkable13 During13 their13 deployment13 in13 201013 ten13 vehicles13 hit13 over13 10013 IEDs13 including13 -ive13 with13 between13 513 and13 1513 kilograms13 of13 homemade13 explosive13 mostly13 suffering13 ldquoonly13 minor13 damagerdquo13 Only13 vehicle13 was13 a13 total13 loss13 to13 a13 forty-shy‐kilogram13 IED13 which13 -lipped13 the13 vehicle13 all13 the13 same13 the13 commander13 gunner13 and13 four13 passengers13 walked13 away 13 Of13 course13 a13 big-shy‐enough13 deeply-shy‐buried13 bomb13 is13 109

enough13 to13 -lip13 any13 vehicle13 and13 enough13 foo13 gas13 will13 burn13 anything13 to13 the13 ground 13 But13 110

there13 is13 no13 reason13 to13 make13 the13 enemyrsquos13 job13 any13 easier13

13 Gasparotto13 op13 cit13 pp13 8213 and13 9113 and13 much13 of13 chapter13 4105

13 Tom13 Blackwell13 ldquoWhat13 killed13 our13 soldiers13 in13 Afghanistan13 Only13 two13 deaths13 preventable13 study13 -indsrdquo13 106

National13 Post13 2113 December13 201113 quoting13 Pannell13 et13 al13 op13 cit

13 Chris13 Williams13 ldquoSoldier13 FirstmdashA13 New13 Paradigm13 in13 Ground13 Vehicle13 Design13 with13 an13 Emphasis13 on13 107

Survivabilityrdquo13 Aircraft13 Survivability13 Journal13 Spring13 201313 p16

13 1SG13 Jarvis108

13 Wittendorff13 1913 February13 2015109

13 Comments13 during13 our13 focus13 group13 from13 SFCs13 Moore13 (2-shy‐313 Cavalry)13 Belleville13 (2-shy‐513 Cavalry)13 and13 Jeffrey13 K13 110

Ridley13 (2-shy‐513 Cavalry)


In13 summary13 to13 cite13 Hornback13 once13 more13 ldquofrom13 a13 survivability13 perspective13 tracked13 vehicles13 offer13 a13 smaller13 silhouette13 reduced13 volume13 enhanced13 maneuverability13 and13 better13 ballistic13 protection13 providing13 a13 balance13 that13 equates13 to13 a13 more13 survivable13 platformrdquo 13 Again13 let13 us13 111

review13 why13 is13 this13 important13 using13 the13 Canadian13 experience13 Through13 August13 200713 the13 Department13 of13 National13 Defence13 in13 Ottawa13 provided13 relatively13 detailed13 accounts13 of13 the13 circumstances13 of13 Canadian13 casualties13 in13 Afghanistan13 Stephen13 Priestley13 of13 Simon13 Fraser13 University13 compiled13 the13 statistics13 on13 these13 incidents13 with13 respect13 to13 the13 vehicle13 if13 any13 in13 which13 the13 killed13 or13 injured13 troops13 were13 riding13 The13 results13 are13 remarkable13 in13 that13 time13 frame13 4613 of13 7013 Canadian13 deaths13 were13 suffered13 in13 vehicles13 and13 of13 those13 almost13 one-shy‐third13 (15)13 were13 taken13 in13 LAV-shy‐IIIs 13 This13 is13 understandable13 as13 throughout13 the13 heavy13 -ighting13 of13 112

the13 Afghan13 War13 the13 LAV-shy‐III13 was13 the13 -ighting13 vehicle13 of13 the13 Canadian13 infantry13 But13 as13 it13 remains13 so13 we13 must13 observe13 that13 there13 were13 circumstances13 in13 that13 war13 in13 which13 a13 more13 heavily13 armed13 and13 armored13 tracked13 IFV13 would13 have13 provided13 better13 protection13

Supportability

Like13 mobility13 and13 survivability13 a13 vehiclersquos13 supportability13 is13 a13 multivariate13 concept13 incorporating13 fuel13 usage13 reliability13 availability13 maintainability13 and13 the13 costs13 of13 that13 support13

As13 noted13 previously13 the13 lower13 rolling13 resistance13 afforded13 by13 wheels13 yields13 better13 fuel13 mileagemdashon13 the13 order13 of13 5013 percent13 for13 comparable13 vehicles13 between13 1013 and13 2013 tons13 gross13 vehicle13 weight13 A13 CV9013 for13 example13 should13 be13 expected13 to13 burn13 several13 times13 as13 much13 fuel13 per13 kilometer13 as13 a13 LAV-shy‐III13 Historically13 wheeled13 vehicles13 have13 also13 bene-itted13 from13 improved13 rates13 of13 reliability13 and13 maintainability13 when13 measured13 by13 mean13 kilometers13 between13 operational13 mission13 failures13 that13 render13 the13 vehicle13 incapable13 of13 completing13 its13 assigned13 mission13 Enough13 judicious13 maintenance13 can13 keep13 the13 tracked13 vehicles13 in13 service13 During13 the13 Danish13 Hussarsrsquo13 excursion13 to13 Afghanistan13 in13 201013 their13 ten13 CV90s13 each13 drove13 between13 800013 and13 1000013 kilometers13 and13 maintained13 better13 than13 8013 percent13 availability 13 But13 given13 differences13 in13 fuel13 consumption13 and13 reliability13 rates13 historical13 life-shy‐113

cycle13 costs13 for13 wheeled13 APCs13 are13 2513 to13 3313 percent13 lower13 than13 operating13 and13 support13 costs13 for13 tracked13 ones 13 114

A13 portion13 of13 this13 gap13 is13 possibly13 due13 to13 the13 more13 benign13 operating13 environment13 that13 wheeled13 vehicles13 enjoy13 on-shy‐road13 versus13 the13 usage13 tracked13 vehicles13 endure13 off-shy‐road13 When13 the13 off-shy‐road13 employment13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 increases13 the13 more13 punishing13 terrain13 harms13

13 Hornback13 ldquoThe13 Wheel13 Versus13 Track13 Dilemmardquo13 p13 3413 (emphasis13 in13 the13 original)111

13 Stephen13 Priestley13 ldquoHard13 NumbersmdashCF13 Afghanistan13 Casualties13 vs13 Vehicle13 Type13 (Canadian13 Vehicular13 13 112

Casualties13 Listed13 Chronologically)rdquo13 Canadian13 American13 Security13 Review13 August13 2007


13 ldquoWheeled13 Versus13 Track13 Vehicle13 Study13 Final13 Reportrdquo13 pp13 1-shy‐7213 1-shy‐7613 and13 1-shy‐86114


the13 reliability13 of13 this13 con-iguration13 as13 well13 Peacetime13 testing13 con-irms13 this 13 and13 recent13 115

operational13 experience13 reveals13 that13 lsquomileage13 may13 varyrsquo13 when13 vehicles13 are13 used13 in13 ways13 other13 than13 those13 their13 designers13 foresaw13 American13 Strykers13 were13 originally13 intended13 for13 a13 mission13 pro-ile13 of13 2013 percent13 on-shy‐road13 and13 8013 percent13 cross-shy‐country13 usage13 However13 operations13 in13 Iraq13 were13 heavily13 concentrated13 in13 urban13 areas13 in13 practice13 the13 actual13 ratio13 was13 reversed13 and13 Strykers13 were13 used13 on13 roads13 8013 percent13 of13 the13 time 13 Conversely13 116

operations13 in13 Afghanistan13 were13 predominantly13 rural13 and13 Canadian13 LAV-shy‐IIIs13 operated13 largely13 as13 intended13 It13 is13 dif-icult13 for13 any13 army13 to13 predict13 whether13 its13 future13 campaigns13 will13 resemble13 the13 American13 or13 Canadian13 experience13 but13 a13 range13 of13 possibility13 should13 be13 factored13 into13 any13 purchasing13 decision13

In13 Iraq13 that13 need13 to13 operate13 extensively13 on13 hard13 pavement13 necessitated13 raising13 tire13 pressures13 beyond13 expected13 limits13 With13 the13 American13 LAVs13 the13 weight13 problem13 was13 compounded13 by13 the13 addition13 of13 500013 pounds13 of13 slat13 armor13 to13 guard13 against13 RPG13 attacks13 forcing13 the13 tires13 to13 be13 overin-lated13 further13 from13 55013 kPa13 (8013 psi)13 to13 fully13 65513 kPa13 (9513 psi)13 The13 higher13 tire13 pressures13 reduced13 the13 ability13 of13 the13 tires13 to13 -lex13 an13 important13 component13 in13 the13 suspensions13 of13 wheeled13 vehicles13 With13 functionally13 stiffer13 suspensions13 Strykers13 in13 Iraq13 suffered13 ldquomore13 vibration13 and13 shock13 loads13 and13 high13 structural13 stress13 on13 the13 vehiclesrdquo13 When13 these13 modi-ied13 Strykers13 were13 called13 upon13 to13 perform13 in13 their13 originally13 intended13 off-shy‐road13 role13 the13 extra13 weight13 placed13 additional13 stress13 on13 the13 vehiclersquos13 running13 gear13 Consequently13 engines13 driveshafts13 wheel13 spindles13 and13 differentials13 also13 failed13 more13 frequently13 than13 forecast13 Tires13 wore13 through13 more13 frequentlymdashabout13 one13 per13 Stryker13 per13 day 13 Indeed13 as13 117

one13 American13 cavalryman13 put13 it13 to13 us13 drive13 out13 in13 a13 Stryker13 overloaded13 with13 bird13 cage13 armor13 a13 sniper13 net13 one-shy‐inch13 steel13 side-shy‐plating13 kevlar13 blankets13 slurry13 cans13 extra13 ammunition13 rucksacks13 and13 troops13 with13 the13 weapons13 and13 armor13 ldquoand13 youll13 blow13 tiresrdquo 13 118

And13 while13 changing13 a13 LAV-shy‐sized13 tire13 in13 combat13 may13 be13 easier13 than13 short-shy‐tracking13 a13 heavy13 IFV13 under13 -ire13 it13 is13 not13 as13 quick13 and13 simple13 as13 changing13 a13 tire13 on13 a13 pickup13 truck13 alongside13 the13 Queen13 Elizabeth13 Way13

With13 superior13 fuel13 ef-iciency13 and13 nominally13 better13 reliability13 and13 lower13 life-shy‐cycle13 costs13 wheeled13 platformsmdashtrucks13 reallymdashare13 also13 ideally13 suited13 for13 those13 support13 roles13 that13 incur13 high13 mileage13 on13 roads13 As13 Canadian13 LAV-shy‐III13 units13 were13 dispersed13 from13 Kandahar13 Field13 to13 forward13 bases13 around13 the13 province13 logistics13 plans13 were13 revised13 To13 guard13 against13 Taliban13 attacks13 on13 the13 supply13 columns13 similarly-shy‐wheeled13 LAVs13 Bisons13 and13 Coyotes13 were13 employed13 as13 convoy13 escorts13 in13 a13 manner13 ldquopowerfully13 reminiscent13 of13 the13 Battle13 of13 the13 Atlanticrdquo 13 This13 119

is13 a13 natural13 role13 for13 armored13 cars13 But13 as13 noted13 advances13 in13 rubber13 track13 technology13 are13


13 Paul13 Al-ieri13 and13 Don13 McKeon13 ldquoStryker13 Suitability13 Studyrdquo13 Research13 Report13 07-shy‐02B13 Defense13 Acquisition13 116

University13 Fort13 Belvoir13 Virginia13 2413 September13 200713 p13 14

13 Ibid13 pp13 15ndash16117

13 SSG13 Howard118

13 Conrad13 What13 the13 Thunder13 Said13 Here13 we13 are13 citing13 the13 review13 of13 the13 book13 by13 Captain13 TEK13 Fitzgerald13 in13 119

Canadian13 Army13 Journal13 vol13 1213 no13 3


narrowing13 the13 traditional13 cost13 advantage13 of13 wheels13 And13 when13 less13 long-shy‐distance13 driving13 is13 required13 tracks13 still13 appear13 to13 be13 the13 optimal13 solution13 for13 missions13 ldquorequiring13 unrestricted13 terrain13 movement13 continuous13 all-shy‐weather13 operations13 smaller13 silhouettesdimensional13 envelopes13 and13 greater13 survivabilityrdquo 13 120

Conclusion choosing your pace of operations

Whatever13 equipment13 is13 chosen13 politicians13 ldquomust13 understand13 the13 limitations13 of13 the13 vehiclerdquomdashjust13 as13 soldiers13 do13 in13 selecting13 amongst13 G-shy‐Wagens13 LAV-shy‐IIIs13 CV90s13 or13 Leopard13 2s13 for13 any13 mission 13 But13 even13 supposing13 enthusiasm13 in13 an13 army13 for13 both13 tracked13 and13 121

wheeled13 vehicles13 any13 treasury13 today13 may13 resist13 making13 room13 in13 the13 budget13 Until13 recently13 new13 investments13 in13 heavy13 armor13 had13 become13 disinteresting13 in13 the13 winding13 down13 of13 NATOrsquos13 -irstmdashand13 so13 far13 onlymdashland13 war 13 Thus13 Canada13 chose13 not13 to13 diversify13 its13 -leet13 and13 today13 122

excepting13 its13 hundred13 or13 so13 Leopard13 2s13 its13 armored13 -irepower13 rests13 on13 -leets13 of13 LAV-shy‐III13 Grizzlies13 and13 LAV-shy‐II13 Coyotes13 It13 is13 still13 as13 its13 former13 commander13 Lieutenant-shy‐General13 Peter13 Devlin13 said13 ldquoa13 LAV-shy‐based13 armyrdquo13 But13 even13 if13 as13 he13 continued13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 is13 ldquothe13 best13 in13 the13 world13 -ighting13 [in]13 that13 vehiclerdquo13 it13 may13 not13 be13 the13 only13 vehicle13 from13 which13 to13 -ight 13 123

Canadarsquos13 tanks13 are13 often13 conceived13 as13 support13 for13 the13 mechanized13 infantry13 but13 we13 must13 also13 ask13 how13 the13 foot13 soldiers13 and13 the13 artillery13 can13 best13 support13 the13 tanks13 When13 moving13 fast13 across13 tough13 terrain13 if13 the13 LAVs13 and13 the13 towed13 howitzers13 cannot13 keep13 pace13 with13 the13 Leopards13 Canadarsquos13 cavalry13 could13 outrun13 its13 infantry13 exposing13 the13 tanks13 to13 unsuppressed13 missile13 and13 rocket13 -ire13 Declining13 to13 procure13 tracked13 vehicles13 for13 the13 infantry13 and13 the13 artillery13 makes13 a13 conscious13 and13 doctrinal13 choice13 about13 the13 intended13 pace13 of13 battle13

It13 is13 thus13 unsurprising13 that13 as13 noted13 above13 the13 CV9013 IFV13 and13 the13 Leopard13 213 are13 paired13 today13 in13 mutual13 support13 in13 -ive13 European13 armies13 as13 are13 the13 ASCOD13 IFV13 and13 Leopard13 213 in13 two13 more13 Armies13 with13 quite13 different13 -leets13 of13 armored13 vehicles13 fought13 hard13 in13 Afghanistan13 so13 there13 are13 different13 styles13 of13 effective13 -ighting13 Danes13 Norwegians13 and13 Swedes13 brought13 tracked13 CV90s13 speci-ically13 for13 the13 campaign13 The13 Danes13 speci-ically13 bought13 forty-shy‐-ive13 CV90s13 trained13 and13 deployed13 several13 company13 groups13 upgraded13 them13 with13 slat13 armor13 for13 the13 Afghan13 mission13 and13 deployed13 ten13 of13 them13 all13 in13 the13 time13 it13 took13 the13 Canadian13 Army13 to13 formulate13 the13 requirement13 and13 the13 DND13 to13 publish13 the13 RFP13 for13 the13 vehicle13 it13 never13 bought 13 124


13 1SG13 Jarvis121

13 Here13 we13 echo13 the13 opinions13 of13 Byron13 Callan13 one13 of13 the13 most13 notable13 equities13 analysts13 in13 the13 defense13 122

industry13 in13 his13 ldquoField13 Notes13 Landpower13 Conferencerdquo13 Capital13 Alpha13 Partners13 1213 April13 2013

13 David13 Pugilese13 ldquoLAV-shy‐313 Upgrade13 Still13 a13 Priority13 for13 Canadardquo13 Defense13 News13 1713 July13 2011123

13 See13 Dianne13 DeMille13 ldquoDanish13 Forces13 prepare13 their13 new13 CV903513 Infantry13 Fighting13 Vehicles13 for13 deployment13 124

13 to13 AfghanistanndashMeanwhile13 DND13 plans13 for13 the13 CCVrdquo13 Canadian-shy‐American13 Security13 Review13 November13 200913 translating13 that13 monthrsquos13 news13 release13 Hovedeftersyn13 af13 IKK13 foslashr13 udsendelse13 from13 the13 Danish13 Forsvarets13 Materieltjeneste13 and13 ldquoAfghan13 South13 201013 the13 Danish13 CV903513 DK13 Infantry13 Fighting13 Vehicles13 Arrive13 in13 Helmand13 Province13 and13 Prepare13 for13 ISAF13 Combat13 Operationrdquo13 CASR13 February13 2010


That13 latency13 is13 lamentable13 for13 those13 small13 wars13 can13 be13 uncertain13 things13 with13 emergent13 threats13 of13 unforeseen13 intensity13 As13 a13 senior13 Canadian13 logistician13 wrote13 about13 the13 war13 the13 enemy13 [was]13 everywhere13 and13 nowhere13 in13 particular13 throughout13 southern13 Afghanistan 13 125

Canadian13 troops13 fought13 as13 hard13 in13 Afghanistan13 as13 any13 and13 between13 200613 and13 200913 suffered13 more13 casualties13 proportionately13 than13 those13 of13 any13 other13 Coalition13 member 13 The13 126

sacri-ice13 incurred13 changed13 like13 a13 step13 function13 in13 the13 summer13 of13 200613 Through13 200513 Canadian13 killed13 and13 wounded13 in13 action13 in13 Afghanistan13 totaled13 2313 from13 200613 through13 201113 they13 totaled13 750 13 127

Even13 if13 Second13 Panjwarsquoi13 was13 in13 the13 words13 of13 now13 Brigadier-shy‐General13 Lavoie13 ldquoa13 bit13 of13 an13 anomaly13 in13 the13 history13 of13 the13 counter-shy‐insurgencyrdquo13 in13 Afghanistan13 no13 one13 should13 expect13 that13 small13 wars13 are13 the13 only13 wars13 to13 prepare13 for 13 Even13 rogue13 actors13 like13 Hezbollah13 have13 gotten13 128

their13 hands13 on13 powerful13 weaponry13 so13 even13 peacekeeping13 may13 not13 be13 feasibly13 accomplished13 with13 a13 light13 touch13 Recent13 events13 in13 Ukraine13 seriously13 question13 whether13 an13 unbalanced13 force13 would13 serve13 any13 NATO13 ally13 well13 As13 Lieutenant-shy‐General13 Rick13 Hillier13 made13 clear13 in13 his13 memoirs13 ldquohis13 aim13 as13 chief13 of13 the13 defence13 staff13 from13 200513 to13 200813 was13 to13 change13 the13 way13 Canada13 played13 the13 gamehellip13 The13 popular13 idea13 that13 Canadians13 were13 peacekeepers13 -irst13 last13 and13 always13 had13 to13 be13 smacked13 between13 the13 eyesrdquo 13 13 129

While13 the13 analogy13 is13 inexact13 one13 American13 NCO13 memorably13 told13 us13 that13 a13 wheeled13 APC13 is13 all13 about13 lsquohearts13 and13 mindsrsquo13 but13 a13 tracked13 IFV13 creates13 lsquoshock13 and13 awersquo13 Debate13 over13 which13 form13 of13 warfare13 will13 be13 more13 important13 is13 yet13 premature 13 Some13 mix13 of13 wheeled13 and13 130

tracked13 vehicles13 will13 continue13 to13 sit13 squarely13 in13 the13 middle13 of13 that13 promise13 whatever13 the13 future13 missions13 demand13 the13 mix13 of13 mobility13 and13 survivability13 and13 sustainability13 that13 the13 right13 vehicle13 affords13 will13 be13 one13 of13 the13 best13 ways13 to13 avoid13 undue13 casualties13 while13 still13 winning13 whatever13 war13 must13 be13 fought13

13 13 Conrad13 What13 the13 Thunder13 Said13 p13 20125

13 ldquoAfghanistan13 Troop13 Casualtiesrdquo13 Information13 Is13 Beautiful13 1413 July13 2009126

13 The13 data13 are13 from13 ldquoCanadian13 Forces13 Casualty13 Statistics13 (Afghanistan)rdquo13 Canada13 News13 Centre13 113 February13 127

2012

13 Matthew13 Fisher13 ldquoTaliban13 bloodied13 in13 Panjwarsquoi13 battlerdquo13 op13 cit128

13 J13 L13 Granatstein13 Globe13 amp13 Mail13 Oct13 3113 200913 p13 F1113 Granatstein13 was13 reviewing13 General13 Hillierrsquos13 A13 Soldier13 129

First13 Bullets13 Bureaucrats13 and13 the13 Politics13 of13 War13 (Toronto13 HarperCollins13 Canada13 2009)

13 Stephen13 Biddle13 ldquoAfghanistans13 Legacy13 Emerging13 Lessons13 of13 an13 Ongoing13 Warrdquo13 Washington13 Quarterly13 130

Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors

James13 Hasık13 is13 a13 senior13 fellow13 at13 the13 Brent13 Scowcroft13 Center13 on13 International13 Security13 in13 the13 Atlantic13 Council13 of13 the13 United13 States13 Concurrently13 he13 is13 a13 William13 Powers13 Doctoral13 Fellow13 at13 the13 Lyndon13 B13 Johnson13 School13 of13 Public13 Affairs13 and13 a13 Clements13 Graduate13 Fellow13 in13 the13 William13 P13 Clements13 Center13 on13 History13 Strategy13 and13 Statecraft13 both13 at13 the13 University13 of13 Texas13 at13 Austin13 He13 holds13 an13 MBA13 in13 business13 economics13 from13 the13 University13 of13 Chicago13 and13 a13 BA13 in13 history13 and13 physics13 from13 Duke13 University13 Over13 the13 past13 three13 decades13 he13 has13 been13 a13 military-shy‐industrial13 analyst13 a13 business13 consultant13 to13 defense13 contractors13 and13 a13 naval13 of-icer13

Julian13 Eagle13 Platon13 is13 an13 intern13 with13 the13 World13 Affairs13 Council13 of13 Houston13 He13 holds13 a13 masterrsquos13 degree13 in13 global13 policy13 studies13 at13 the13 Lyndon13 B13 Johnson13 School13 of13 Public13 Affairs13 and13 a13 bachelors13 in13 history13 from13 the13 College13 of13 Liberal13 Arts13 both13 at13 the13 University13 of13 Texas


Acknowledgements

A13 great13 many13 people13 contributed13 valuable13 information13 or13 methodological13 guidance13 during13 our13 work13 on13 this13 study13 We13 would13 particularly13 like13 to13 thank13 a13 number13 of13 soldiers13 and13 academics13 whose13 contributions13 were13 essential13

Sergeant13 Major13 Roland13 S13 Martinez13 Sergeant13 First13 Class13 Julius13 W13 Moore13 Staff13 Sergeant13 Scott13 W13 Howard13 and13 Specialist13 Andrew13 Bragg13 of13 the13 3rd13 US13 Cavalry13 and13 Sergeant13 First13 Class13 John13 W13 Belleville13 Sergeant13 First13 Class13 Jeffrey13 K13 Ridley13 and13 Staff13 Sergeant13 Ryan13 L13 Phipps13 of13 the13 5th13 US13 Cavalry13 for13 their13 very13 helpful13 comments13 during13 a13 focus13 group13 held13 at13 Fort13 Hood13 Texas13

Captain13 Matt13 Guevara13 formerly13 of13 the13 69th13 US13 Armor13 and13 the13 12th13 US13 Cavalry13 for13 his13 assistance13 in13 locating13 American13 soldiers13 with13 experience13 in13 both13 wheeled13 and13 tracked13 armored13 vehicles13

Master13 Sergeant13 Jacob13 Stockdill13 of13 the13 4th13 and13 the13 91st13 US13 Cavalry13 and13 James13 R13 Black13 Sr13 recently13 retired13 of13 the13 14th13 US13 Cavalry13 for13 relating13 those13 combat13 experiences13 in13 Afghanistan13 and13 Iraq13

Lieutenant-shy‐Colonel13 Mark13 Gasparotto13 of13 the13 Royal13 Canadian13 Engineers13 for13 pointing13 us13 to13 important13 passages13 in13 his13 very13 helpful13 memoir13 of13 his13 time13 in13 Kandahar13

Captain13 Erik13 Elden13 of13 the13 Norwegian13 Telemark13 Battalion13 for13 relating13 his13 experiences13 in13 combat13 in13 Afghanistan13

Warrant13 Of-icer13 Jakob13 Wittendorff13 of13 the13 Danish13 Guard13 Hussars13 Regiment13 now13 master13 gunner13 of13 the13 2nd13 Danish13 Armored13 Brigade13 for13 his13 detailed13 description13 of13 the13 utility13 of13 his13 tracked13 infantry13 -ighting13 vehicle13 in13 combat13

Professor13 James13 Fergusson13 of13 the13 University13 of13 Manitoba13 for13 his13 views13 of13 the13 future13 of13 the13 Canadian13 Armyrsquos13 equipping13 program13

Professor13 Ugurhan13 Berkok13 of13 the13 Royal13 Military13 College13 and13 of13 Queenrsquos13 University13 for13 insights13 into13 the13 procurement13 process13 in13 the13 Department13 of13 National13 Defence13

This13 study13 was13 made13 possible13 by13 a13 grant13 from13 BAE13 Systems


Table of Contents

Introduction enduring question recent evidence 2

Methodology evaluating wheels versus tracks in the modern context 2

Case the Second Battle of Panjwarsquoi 4

Aftermath enthusiasm for tracks and the complication of a budget 5

Analysis the technical merits of wheeled and tracked armored vehicles 8

Mobility 8

Survivability 16

Supportability 22

Conclusion choosing your pace of operations 24

About the authors 26

Acknowledgements 27



































March13 200713 pp13 231-shy‐253





649-shy‐650
































2012

























May13 2012




2013





Mobility





2014


















13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235





13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539








Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements














































March13 200713 pp13 231-shy‐253





649-shy‐650
































2012

























May13 2012




2013





Mobility





2014


















13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235





13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539








Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements









































2012

























May13 2012




2013





Mobility





2014


















13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235





13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539








Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements



























May13 2012




2013





Mobility





2014


















13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235





13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539








Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements















Mobility





2014


















13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235





13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539








Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements
























13 Ibid13 p13 1-shy‐6235





13 Wong13 and13 Huang13 200613 p13 3539








Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements













Terrain13 Vehicle13

























13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements



















13 Ibid50



































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements










































13 SSG13 Howard61

13 SFC13 Moore62

















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements





















13 1SG13 Jarvis67





2011

























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements






























Survivability



































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements


































200413 p13 1086

















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements




















13 Ibid94





















13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements

























13 SSG13 Howard103















13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements
























13 1SG13 Jarvis108








Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements















Supportability























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements
























13 SSG13 Howard118












13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements




















13 1SG13 Jarvis121

















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements






















2012





Summer13 201413 p13 74


About the authors




Acknowledgements












About the authors




Acknowledgements












Acknowledgements












2015 03 wheels versus tracks

Government & Nonprofit

Transcript of 2015 03 wheels versus tracks