Computer-aided methods for design evaluation of tracked vehicles and their applications to product development

This paper summarises the research effort on the development of the computer simulation models, NTVPM and RTVPM, for design evaluation of vehicles with flexible tracks and rigid link tracks, respectively. The basic features of these models have been validated using field test data. They have been successfully employed in assisting vehicle manufacturers in the development of new products and governmental agencies in the evaluation of vehicle candidates, in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. The application of the model NTVPM to the development of a new version of the infantry fighting vehicle ASCOD is presented as an example.