Simulation-Based Design of Off-Road Vehicles

Analytical and physical simulation tools and technologies for the design of off-road wheeled and tracked vehicles are presented. Advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and supercomputer-based analytical tools for off-road vehicle design and evaluation are illustrated via applications. High-capacity hardware-in-the-loop real-time simulators are discussed, with illustrative applications in off-road vehicle development and evaluation. The basic theme of this paper focuses on how the application of simulation technology is becoming an integral part of the Army’s combat and tactical vehicle research, development and acquisition process. This paper presents two basic goals to form the basis for simulation-based Concurrent Engineering. The first is use and creation of simulation tools that not only predict vehicle performance, but also subsystem and component reliability. The second is the development of an integrated simulation capability and military vehicle design and performance data base to form the basis for simulation-based Concurrent Engineering.