THE

SOUCY CRT USER FORUM

COMPOSITE RUBBER TRACK: MOBILITY BY DESIGN

Monday 8th September 2025, Army & Navy Club, London.

Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of Soucy, I would like to extend my sincere thanks for your participation in the Soucy CRT User Forum. Your engagement, insights, and candour throughout the discussions made the forum a real success, and it was clear that every contribution added value to the collective understanding of Composite Rubber Tracks.

The aim of the User Forum was to bring together operators, engineers, logisticians, and decision-makers to share experiences openly, and to challenge assumptions about both CRT and steel. The conversations demonstrated just how far CRT has already come in terms of operational maturity, as well as the areas where we – together as a community – must continue to innovate, test, and prove capability.

It was especially encouraging to see perspectives from across different nations and organisations, and to hear first-hand accounts of CRT in service. The honest feedback we received will help shape our work on sustainment, training, industrial localisation, and the development of future solutions.

Please find attached a Key Takeaways Report, which captures the main points raised during the event. This is intended as both a record and a springboard for further engagement as we build on the momentum created by the User Forum.

Once again, thank you for your time, your openness, and your commitment to advancing this important conversation. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with you in the months ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Normand Lalonde
Vice President, Soucy Defense, Soucy International Inc.

KEY INSIGHTS

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Crew experience and availability

Participants consistently highlighted that CRT reduces day-to-day crew workload by up to 75% and the maintenance workload by up to 65%. By design, CRT requires visual daily inspection replacing the need for torquing end and centre connectors. This gives soldiers time back, shifting their focus from “track bashing” to training and operational readiness. Crews reported that track replacement, while requiring Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE), can typically be achieved in 60–90 minutes per side – compared with 6–24 hours for steel.

Survivability

The reduction in noise and vibration was considered transformational. Lower acoustic and vibration levels reduce fatigue, improve safety, and significantly increase the endurance of both crews and vehicles during long movements. Nordic users cited approach marches of 500–1,000 km completed with crews still alert and vehicles fully mission-capable. Reduced acoustic signature enables signature management. The ability to close ranges with the adversary before being audibly detected.[KS1.1][NL1.2]

Mobility and range

CRT-equipped vehicles enjoy up to 30% greater range per tank of fuel due to reduced rolling resistance and weight savings of between 0.8–2.5 tonnes per vehicle. This extends both tactical manoeuvrability and operational reach, reducing the logistic burden of fuel resupply and enabling new tactical approaches to dispersal, concentration, and tempo.

CRT also reduces ground pressure, limiting damage to both urban roads and rural terrain. Participants emphasised the operational advantage of maintaining crossing points and mobility corridors, particularly in peer conflict environments.

Suitability across platforms

Vehicles under 55 tonnes were repeatedly identified as prime candidates for CRT adoption, delivering mobility, endurance, and logistic advantages without compromising battlefield performance. While some concerns remain about heavy platforms above this threshold, evidence from Norway and other nations suggests that CRT has already proven itself across demanding conditions, including snow, ice, and stone.

LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT

Lifecycle advantages

Evidence suggests CRT tracks can achieve 4,000–5,000 km lifespan, compared with 2,000 to 4,000 –2,500 km for steel, depending on platform. However, to reach this mileage, maintenance workload on the crew is high due to pads replacement every 500 km and end connectors regularly. Fewer working parts (up to 75% fewer) translate into simpler sustainment, lower spares requirements, and reduced logistic drag across the fleet.

Supply chain resilience

Rubber supply chains were not regarded as more vulnerable than tyres. CRT manufacturing is simpler to establish than steel track production, and Soucy is preparing to scale capacity, including exploring a European production hub. This localisation was seen as essential for resilience in crisis conditions and to reassure customers over continuity of supply.

Shelf life

Rubber components have a shelf life of 5–7 years, though storage in controlled conditions can extend this. Comparisons with steel are not straightforward, as steel tracks also contain rubber components with shorter lifespans. Some armies – notably the US – expressed concern that current CRT shelf life falls below their standards, which will need to be addressed through R&D into extended-life materials.

Running gear and wear

There was no consensus on whether CRT accelerates or reduces running gear wear. Some armies, such as the Netherlands, reported faster deterioration, while others observed extended component life due to reduced vibration. More evidence across different platforms and environments is required.

TRAINING AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION

Different skills, different mindset

CRT cannot be treated as “just another track.” CRT requires more advance driving skills due to track performance. Crews must be trained to approach installation, inspection, and maintenance differently from steel. In practice, visual inspection is precisely the accepted and appropriate method, such as during halts. Predictive maintenance is possible and diagnostic tools are needed. While initial trade training may take longer, the long-term benefits are clear: easier driving, less maintenance, and faster track changes once crews are proficient.

Changing perceptions

Adoption requires a cultural shift among soldiers and decision-makers alike. Some participants noted that senior officers and programme leaders may lack first-hand experience with heavy tracked platforms, reinforcing outdated perceptions that steel is simpler or that wheeled vehicles are inherently more mobile. Demonstration and user experience were seen as vital in overcoming these preconceptions.

STRATEGIC AND INDUSTRIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Localisation and sovereignty

Attendees emphasised that localisation of CRT production – in Europe and other regions – will be critical both politically and logistically. A European hub would support NATO readiness, reduce reliance on transatlantic supply during crises, and align with national industrial strategies seeking sovereign resilience.

Political and industrial dynamics

The forum recognised that wider industrial and political considerations will influence adoption. Traditional steel suppliers retain significant lobbying power, and decisions will be shaped by economic as well as military arguments. Nonetheless, once transitioned, users reported they would not return to steel, reinforcing the long-term momentum behind CRT.

Comparisons with wheeled platforms

CRT challenges the perception that only wheeled AFVs can “drive to the battlefield.” By enabling long marches with reduced crew fatigue and increased availability, CRT-equipped tracked vehicles can offer comparable operational mobility while retaining superior battlefield performance in demanding terrain.

WHAT NEXT?

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Key challenges identified:

Requirement for Material Handling Equipment for track changes, which limits purely manual recovery in austere conditions.
Difficulty of detecting wear or internal damage by eye; predictive tools are required.
Shelf life and storage considerations, particularly in relation to long-term stockpiles.
Mixed-fleet management during transition periods, which may create inefficiencies.

Opportunities for innovation:

Development of CRT health monitoring systems to enable predictive maintenance.
Enhanced the existing Battle Damage Repair Kits and “limp-home” patching solutions to extend operational resilience. More compact more durable
Broader trials across platforms, terrains, and climatic conditions to strengthen the evidence base through the user community who own the data.
Integration of CRT from the outset in new vehicle programmes, avoiding retrofit compromises.

EVENT OUTCOMES

Engagement and atmosphere

The forum successfully created an open and constructive environment. Participants valued the opportunity to share operational experiences, debate sustainment questions, and engage with Soucy on future industrial strategies. Several nations expressed interest in further evidence-sharing and follow-up engagements, including at upcoming international exhibitions.

Clear consensus points

CRT provides substantial crew and operational benefits that directly increase fighting power
Maintenance savings and fuel efficiency create meaningful through-life cost reductions.
Once adopted, train as you fight and CRT is unlikely to be abandoned in favour of steel.
Localisation and resilience of supply chains will be essential to reassure customers.

Areas requiring further work

Greater evidence across different platforms and terrains.
Improved detection and monitoring tools for track health.
Strategic engagement to address industrial and political resistance.

Thank you for joining the CRT Forum, we would be delighted to continue the conversation around track mobility and modernisation.

Please feel free to connect with the team via [email protected]