DCD fitted Tyron ATR (All Terrain Rubber) runflats for an IED demonstration to ensure the vehicle could keep moving in the event of a sudden deflation.
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Press Release, Loughborough, September 2019: During a recent series of demonstrations and trials by DCD Protected Mobility of South Africa, the company fitted Tyron All Terrain Rubber runflats, the ATR-MP, to its Springbuck Armoured Personnel Carrier to ensure the vehicle could keep moving in the event of a sudden deflation.
During the demonstrations, which focused on route clearance, the Springbuck set off a simulated IED before coming under attack from enemy forces. At all times the vehicle was able to keep moving even though its tyres were no longer inflated as the Tyron ATR Runflats ensured that the damaged tyres were still locked to the wheel and didn’t spin independently of the wheel. The runflat also ensured that the vehicle was still running on rubber which not only gave the vehicle traction but reduced the physical stress on the crew.
“We have chosen to fit Tyron ATR Multi Part Runflats as they ensure traction is maintained and the vehicle able to keep moving for many kilometres at speed. In addition the logistic burden for our users is significantly reduced as changing the tyres does not require any specialist tools,” said Cornelius Grundling, General Manager of DCD Protected Vehicles.
The Tyron ATR wheel assembly has a unique multi-part rubber runflat fitted to its partner, Global Wheels two part bolt-together steel wheels. This system is locally manufactured specifically for the Springbuck APC. The Tyron All Terrain Rubber runflat is not only a multi-piece unit but also successfully passed ballistic tests. Emphasis was placed on the connections to ensure that under severe ballistic attack the ATR is not compromised as rubber absorbs far more energy than hard materials from kerb strikes and IEDs.
The Global Wheels bolt-together wheels are available in both steel and aluminium, the rubber of the ATR is enhanced to ensure beadlock, which offers a guaranteed high level off-road flat tyre performance which is not possible with composite runflats.
