Beyond Steel:
how modern warfare is rewriting armoured mobility
Military Vehicle Systems talks to Kevin Sloan, Director of Business Development at Soucy Defense
Photo Credit: © Soucy
Military doctrine is constantly evolving, shaped by technological advancements, battlefield experiences and emerging operational demands. Today, with the advent of Composite Rubber Tracks (CRT), defence forces are presented with an opportunity to enhance vehicle mobility, durability and adaptability across diverse terrains and conflict scenarios; we look at these developments with Kevin Sloan, Director of Business Development at Soucy Defense.
Q: Soucy has developed effective rubber tracking solutions throughout an army's range of tracked vehicles. Could you explain the operational benefits in reduction of weight, vibration and noise?
A: Soucy's Composite Rubber Track (CRT) technology improves the overall operational effectiveness of tracked vehicles across a wide range of platforms, from unmanned systems through to heavy armoured vehicles.
Compared to traditional steel tracks, CRT systems reduce overall running gear weight, lowering stress on suspension and driveline components while improving mobility, fuel efficiency and ride quality. Recent operations in Ukraine have reinforced the importance of mobility across all terrains and seasons, particularly in mud, snow, ice and damaged infrastructure where reducing ground pressure can significantly improve operational freedom.
CRT systems also significantly reduce vibration and acoustic signature. Lower vibration improves crew endurance and helps protect sensitive onboard electronics, sensors and communication systems increasingly relied upon on the modern battlefield.
Noise reduction is equally important. Rubber tracks operate more quietly than steel tracks, reducing acoustic detectability during manoeuvre and reconnaissance operations. In addition, CRT systems generally leave a less aggressive terrain imprint, making routes and movement patterns potentially harder to identify and follow from UAV and aerial surveillance platforms. As modern conflicts increasingly involve persistent drone observation, signature management and track discipline have become increasingly important operational considerations.
Q: One area that all forces are looking at is reduction in cost while raising capabilities. Your track solutions are providing these while also providing more capable vehicles. How are you able to make this possible?
A: CRT systems help reduce lifecycle costs while improving operational capability by lowering vibration and impact loading throughout the vehicle. This reduces wear on suspension, wheels and driveline components, helping reduce maintenance demand, spare part consumption and downtime.
Operational lessons from current conflicts have reinforced the importance of reliability and sustainment, particularly where logistics chains are stretched and maintenance opportunities limited. Reduced maintenance burden directly contributes to higher vehicle availability and operational readiness.
At the same time, CRT technology improves crew comfort, mobility and onboard equipment reliability, allowing forces to operate more effectively over extended periods.
An important lesson emerging from modern warfare is what many now describe as “Lessons Relearned.” Following years of counter-insurgency operations in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan, the conflict in Ukraine has reminded Western forces of the importance of battlefield fundamentals such as concealment, mobility discipline and signature management.
Interestingly, while CRT technology was originally designed to improve mobility and reduce maintenance burden, many of its characteristics - including lower noise and reduced terrain disturbance - also support these relearned survivability requirements.
CV90-Track. Photo Credit: © BAE Systems Hägglunds
Q: With these areas comes better operational advantages for military vehicles and crew in combat. What are these and how can the track systems make onboard operational equipment and crew more effective?
A: Modern combat vehicles increasingly rely on advanced electronics, sensors and communication systems that must operate reliably in harsh environments.
CRT systems reduce vibration and shock loading, helping improve the reliability and longevity of onboard equipment while also improving ride quality for crews. Reduced fatigue allows crews to remain effective for longer periods during sustained operations across difficult terrain.
The lower acoustic signature of CRT systems also contributes to reduced detectability, while less defined track patterns may make vehicle movement harder to monitor from aerial surveillance systems and drones.
Modern battlefields are becoming increasingly transparent through the use of UAVs and persistent surveillance. Mobility today is not only about speed and terrain access, but also about reducing the ability of opposing forces to detect, track and predict movement. CRT technology supports both mobility and survivability requirements in this evolving operational environment.
Q: Thank you for your explanations. Could we briefly look at how the company is expanding and which countries, if you can say, are using the systems?
A: Soucy continues to expand globally as armed forces increasingly seek solutions that improve mobility, sustainment and operational survivability.
Today, CRT systems are in service, under evaluation or involved in testing programmes with multiple NATO and allied nations across Europe and North America, supporting both manned and unmanned tracked vehicle platforms.
Demand continues to grow for lighter, quieter and lower-maintenance tracked systems capable of operating effectively across diverse climates and terrains, from Arctic conditions through to desert and urban environments.
Soucy continues to work closely with OEMs, defence ministries and vehicle integrators to support future armoured vehicle programmes and evolving battlefield requirements driven by lessons emerging from modern conflicts.
For more information please visit:
https://soucy-group.com
