Two new electronic systems from Meritor, Inc. (NYSE: MTOR) are keeping
military vehicles rolling through various terrains and extreme conditions
with outstanding traction and mobility. Building on Meritor's heritage
of advanced engineering, SmartFlow™ Central Tire Inflation System
(CTIS) and DriveCommand™ Drivetrain Control (DTC) deliver customized
tire pressure and drivetrain management through mud, sand and snow, on
highways and cross-country, and in emergency situations. |
"Both
systems improve vehicle performance for warfighters in extreme conditions
because drivers can easily control tire pressure, differential locking
and transfer case positioning," said Tim Burns, vice president, North
America, Meritor. "Our engineering investment in developing these
two electronic systems extends our defense product line to include wheel
valves and electronics. The systems can potentially cross over into other
segments, including commercial vehicle."
These lightweight systems are controlled independently by a single Human
Machine Interface (HMI) unit and mount easily in the cab or on the chassis
of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and Joint Light
Tactical Vehicles (JLTV). The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are expected
to be first-time users of the systems, which can be integrated into any
military vehicle with an onboard air compressor.
SmartFlow CTIS automatically monitors and adjusts tire inflation as needed
with a single pneumatic control unit (PCU), whether the vehicle is in
motion or stationary. Tire pressure can be altered to tires independently
or through all four tires simultaneously. The system detects when the
tire is leaking and will determine if it should continue inflating with
air. This functionality extends tire and wheel component life and reduces
maintenance costs.
Meritor Defense, which has been offering front and rear locking differentials
and transfer cases, will now extend the package with the addition of the
DriveCommand DTC drivetrain management system. A single PCU actively monitors
and controls locking the differentials and positions the transfer case
for maximized traction to deliver superior performance over a wide range
of terrain. DriveCommand DTC engages automatically when the driver selects
a mobility mode on the HMI panel.
Meritor's Controls, Software and Mechatronics group was recently appraised
at Maturity Level 2 of the CMMI Institute's Capability Maturity Model
Integration (CMMI). The appraisal was conducted by Process Assessment,
Consulting and Training, LLC.
"Passing all nine areas at Capability Level 2 validates Meritor as
a credible supplier of software," said Simon Dean, senior director,
Global Electronic Systems, Simulation and Validation, Meritor.
Both SmartFlow CTIS and DriveCommand DTC will be featured in an interactive
display at Modern Day Marine, a defense tradeshow at Quantico Marine Corps
Base in Quantico, Va. on Sept. 24-26. Visit Meritor Defense in booth 2704
for more information and to view additional HMMWV- and JLTV-compatible
components, including the ProTec™ Series 30 High Mobility Independent
Suspension. Features and benefits of the systems can also be viewed in
a video on meritordefense.com.
Meritor's electronic systems are fully supported by Meritor DriveForce™,
the company's North American sales and service organization, and the OnTrac
technical support center. Collectively staffed by more than 150 dedicated
professionals, these teams assist commercial vehicle and industrial customers
with customized solutions before, during and after the sale. |
