KaZaK Technologies and our program subcontractors and technical associates are proposing several concepts to reduce Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) wheel hub weight to increase cargo capacity and improve vehicle handling. An increase in cargo capacity provides the MTVR to be outfitted with the MAS up armor protection minimizing impacts to vehicle performance. One obvious approach to reducing wheel assembly weight is to change materials used to make wheel components from its current steel construction to a much lighter fiber reinforced composite system. Cost reductions are possible by careful selection of the manufacturing process as well as by reducing/automating assembly. During Phase I, our team will develop concepts and refine sub-component material handling/assembly systems and integration with automated in-line production/assembly processes. If awarded a Phase II, our team will work to apply Phase I automated process manufacturing technology to the fabrication and assembly of a prototype low cost MTVR wheel assembly for qualification testing.
Benefit: KaZaK Technologies anticipates that Phase II will conclude with a demonstrated ability to produce cost-effective MTVR wheel assemblies, while providing a rapid low-cost manufacturing and assembly methodology. If Phase II is successful, a likely progression of events would include a Phase III commercial purchase of a number of wheel assemblies for field trials. It can also be anticipated that other applications for lightweight, low cost tactical vehicle wheel assemblies will be identified for other Navy vehicles. Once the technology is found to be appropriate at the conclusion of extended USMC operational trials, the development of commercial opportunities will most likely come as a consequence of full military acceptance. Possibility exists for commercial sales through our program partner and other DoD Primes.
Keywords: vehicle, vehicle, Automated Manufacturing, Wheel hub, In-Line Assembly, Light weight, Composite Laminates, Low Cost, MTVR
