STO-Activities: (no title)
Activity title:
Measurement of vegetation parameters to determine the passability of forests by military vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe
Activity Reference:
AVT-SP-010
Panel:
AVT
Security Classification:
PUBLIC RELEASE
Status:
Active
Activity type:
SP
Start date:
2024-01-01T00:00:00Z
Actual End date:
2026-12-31T00:00:00Z
Keywords:
Determination of the passability of military vehicles in Central and Eastern Europe, Mobility
Background:
Military operations usually include both movement over existing roads and also through the natural terrain. The cross-country movement of military vehicles is affected by various terrain features such as slope, terrain roughness, soil type, vegetation, seasonal changes to the ground surface, and rivers to name a few. One of the most difficult environments in which to maneuver is forested terrain. Two-thirds of European countries area at least 30% forested. In Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, northwestern Russia vegetation covers over 50% of the country severely restricting the off-road movement of military vehicles. The ability of a vehicle to cross a forested area depends on whether or not it can either maneuver between the tree stems or override individual trees. Overriding forest obstacles can be more effective if crossing the tree stems is faster than maneuvering around them. Vehicle movement through a forest stand depends not only on vegetation factors such as stem spacing, root structure, and tree diameter but also on vehicle parameters (width, length, turning radius, weight, traction force).
The Department of Military Geography and Meteorology, University of Defence in Brno (UNOB), Czech Republic has conducted research, including modelling the impact of terrain on military vehicle mobility, for more than 20 years. These investigations have also included vehicle-vegetation interactions. UNOB has cooperated with the Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU), the Agricultural Research Institute in Prague, and the Research Institute of Ground Forces in Vyskov for many years to determine the impact of above ground and underground tree parameters on the mobility of military vehicles. UNOB has developed a method to determine the ability of a vehicle to maneuver through a forest based on the stem diameter, underground root structure, and the vehicle tractive and resistant forces needed to override the largest trees in a forest area. The resistance force is measured using a vehicle mounted dynamometer U10M or push 3D forces patented measurement device TH2GEN, while the underground root area is determined using an unique method developed at MENDELU based on electrical impedance.
From 2016 to 2023, the NATO STO (Science and Technology Organization) AVT (Applied Vehicle Technology), NG-NRMM (Next Generation NATO Reference Mobility Model) research task group developed the minimum standards to which future mobility models should adhere. In addition, the cooperative demonstration of technology, NATO STO CDT-308, from September 2018 has provided a venue at which the enhanced mobility predictions as a result of these new standards could be viewed. Vegetation, as part of terrain, is one of the most important obstacles determining vehicle mobility. This project is classified as a pilot study. The primary goal is to standardize the calculation determining the ability of a vehicle to move through forested terrain.
As part of this, we will include a methodology for determining the forest structure using remote sensing data, including the distance between trees and stem diameter distribution from which we will inference the root characteristics.
Integral to this will be the development of a forest structural change model using vegetation growth equations. Not only can this be used to assess increase in stem diameter and root size and decrease in tree spacing, but it can also potentially be employed to predict the increase in forest clutter due to fallen trees. This information is crucial in assessing vehicle maneuver in forested areas.
The main institutions involved in the project will be the University of Defence in Brno and the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), Hannover, USA and Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA.
Objectives:
Develop methods of measurement and the evaluation criteria needed to assess the ability of military vehicles to override tree obstacles or to maneuver between and/or around them. Develop the method to evaluate vehicle maneuver through forests based on these criteria.
Topics:
Identify experimental test areas for forests that are representative of the Czech Republic and the northeast United States.
Characterize forest: tree spacing, stem diameters, root area and shape.
Characterize soil: grain size distribution, density, wetness, strength (cone index using dynamic cone penetrometer).
Measure tractive force effort of vehicles (wheeled and tracked), different soil types and moistures (Spring and Fall representing wet and dry conditions).
Measure tree tensile forces: different stem diameters and root shapes using method developed by Rybansky at UNOB - for comparing previously measured tensile forces and newly measured push forces.
Develop relationship between stem diameters and underground root areas and shapes for different tree species as it relates to tensile and push strength.
Quantity the relationship between tree stem diameter and root structure to vehicle tractive and push forces.
Develop method to extract pertinent forest characteristics from remote sensing.
Develop forest structural change model.
Finalize the method to evaluate vehicle maneuver through forests.
Prepare documentation for implementation into NG-NRMM.
Present research results at the AVT-341 and AVT-380 meetings, at the Support Committee as well as applicable conference venues.
Contact:
Open2Partners:
Title:
Created at 16/06/2023 13:00 by System Account
Last modified at 16/05/2024 11:00 by System Account
Go back to list
Home(NATO STO)