A Virtual Evaluation Suite for Military Ground Vehicle Dynamic Performance and Mobility

The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are improving modeling and simulation technologies in order to predict the performance of Army ground platforms with a high degree of confidence. In order to provide a framework within which to evaluate the simulation technologies and provide a measure of the progress of the effort, a suite of virtual test operating procedures are being implemented. This framework is called the Virtual Evaluation Suite (VES). It is applicable to the study of ground vehicle stability, handling, ride, mobility, and durability over all terrains under all weather conditions.

Although developed in order to evaluate simulation technologies, the VES may be considered a simulation that could be used to exercise any ground platform model that meets the VES standard vehicle interface. If future weapon system proposals include the delivery of a model of the proposed concept system, the VES could be used to evaluate the dynamic performance and mobility of the model by providing a full suite of tests entirely implemented through modeling and simulation. The role of modeling and simulation in concept vehicle evaluation is motivated in some detail in this paper along with an overview of the VES itself and a brief description of a few issues related to virtual terrain. A list of relevant standard test procedures and recommended practices is also included as an appendix.