SBIR-STTR Award

The Army is requesting an innovative Drop-In solution to address the towing capacity capability gap of the M88-A2 recovery vehicle for servicing the heavier M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the future. For the M88 to recover a heavier M1 MTB, the torque applied the track sprocket must increase. The traditional approach for addressing this torque capability gap while maintaining top speed involves an expensive five year powerpack upgrade program. Loc Performance Products, Inc. (Loc) dominates the Final Drive (FD) US market for both design and manufacturing, and is the single source manufacturer of the M88-A2 final drive. Loc proposes a 2-Speed FD alternative approach that is one-fifth the cost and one-half the development time of a powerpack upgrade program. By ONLY replacing the single-speed FD with a 2-Speed FD - Loc can optimize the driveline ratios for towing maneuvers and top-speed. For Phase-1 Loc will substantiate the feasibility of the 2-Speed FD concept though requirements development, engineering design and computational analysis. In Phase-II, Loc will mature the technology, produce prototypes and demonstrate capabilities in a relevant environment. Locs proposed technology will provide a low cost alternative for addressing mobility challenges associated with increasing combat tracked vehicles weights.

The Army is looking for an innovative solution to address the towing capacity of the M88-A2 recovery vehicle. As vehicle weights increase, the towing capacity of the recovery vehicles must compensate for this increased load. Heavy tracked vehicles (70-80 ton) require high tractive effort to perform towing maneuvers and it is increasingly difficult to maintain this pulling force as well as achieve the desired maximum vehicle speed when not towing. For this effort, Loc will complete the development of an advanced two speed final drive that will extend the capabilities of the existing fielded tracked vehicle by adding additional final drive ratios. These ratios have been optimized during the Phase I effort for “low end” torque and for “top” end speed. Additionally, the combination of the final drive and transmission ratios would offer a significant amount of additional driveline system ratios. During this Phase II effort, Loc will mature this technology through detailed analysis and prototype testing. The technical objectives for the proposed SBIR Phase II effort will transition the Two-Speed Final Drive from the Phase I Best Technical Approach to a detailed design and through design verification testing.