Since mechanised warfare began, one of the biggest contributors to unreliability of military equipment in the land domain has been the environment and terrain in which it is operated. Composite rubber tracks (CRT) fitted to the CV90 AVs has been proven to sustain A1 & C2 Climatic cycling, as described in STANAG 4370 and Def-Stan 00-35. The CRT integrated CV90 of the Norwegian Army was first deployed in Afghanistan in late December 2010. The unique components and design of CRT – previously unattainable in Norway – allows superior traction and manoeuvrability through deep sand, rock, wadis, dry lakes and river beds, at temperatures in excess of 50°C – thus maintaining better momentum and operational tempo.
More recently, on a Norwegian lead NATO exercise, Joint Viking 2017, the same CV90 fleet with integrated CRT was deployed in subarctic temperatures. CRT is lighter than steel track (ST), therefore it creates less ground pressure, which enabled the vehicle fleet to cross the rugged northern mountainous region of Finnmark, Norway. CRT is proven to perform in all climatic conditions. It provides a reduction in track system weight of approximately 1,500kg on a 35MT vehicle with ST. Vehicles typically up-armour for operations – increasing their weight. As a result, nominal ground pressure (NGP) rises, which leads to a reduction in terrain accessibility.
Rubber Track allows NGP to be reduced, thereby regaining access to some terrain lost due to vehicle weight increases. CRT is operationally fielded and provides the greatest benefits with the lowest risk.
