CRT Forum – special series
In an era of rapidly evolving battlefield dynamics, mobility is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Traditional vehicle tracks have served military forces for decades, but as new challenges emerge, innovative solutions are needed to ensure strategic mobility, sustainability, and operational effectiveness. Composite Rubber Tracks (CRT) represent one such solution, offering significant advantages in durability, noise reduction, fuel efficiency, and overall mission success.
This interview with Maj Gen (Ret.) Gordon ‘Skip’ Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, NATO HQ will explore lessons from past operations, the importance of reliable mobility systems, and the future potential of CRT in redefining defence strategies.
Can you share an example from your service where traditional tracks limited operational effectiveness or led to challenges in mission execution?
Let me give you a few short examples from personal experience to reinforce the point that traditional tracks can limit operational effectiveness across a variety of terrains. Bosnia – Operation Joint Endeavor (1995–1996), Iraq – Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005–2006), Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom (2008–2012, 2015-2016).
During peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, U.S. tracked vehicles (e.g., M113 and M2 Bradley) had issues operating on fragile urban and rural infrastructure. Traditional steel tracks caused significant damage to roads and bridges, eventually limiting movement through populated areas and complicating coordination with NATO allies, the opposing military forces, and civilian authorities. The excessive noise and vibration hampered stealth during patrols, reducing the effectiveness of low-profile stability operations.
In Iraq, in urban areas such as Baghdad and Fallujah, steel-tracked vehicles had problems maneuvering on paved streets and rubble. The weight and rigidity of steel tracks caused breakages and required frequent maintenance in the hot, sandy environment. Steel tracks amplified noise, making it difficult to maintain tactical surprise. Vibration affected sensitive electronics and crew endurance during prolonged missions.
Afghanistan’s rugged, mountainous terrain and limited road infrastructure posed serious mobility issues for heavy steel-tracked vehicles. Therefore, they were employed in limited numbers. On major roads steel tracks damaged the fragile pavement and shoulders creating issues for military and civilian traffic alike. In the Hindu Kush and Helmand Province, steel tracks struggled with traction on rocky or loose terrain, leading to vehicles becoming stuck or slowed. The added maintenance burden combined with logistical constraints, required additional recovery and repair resources and reduced operational readiness.
The use of steel tracked vehicles by Russian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war created major mobility issues with strategic and tactical implications. For example, during the initial phase of the Russian invasion in 2022, Russian forces encountered mobility difficulties in the advance to Kyiv and in the northern and eastern parts of Ukraine due to the spring thaw, known as “Rasputitsa.” The thaw transforms unpaved terrain into deep mud. Traditional steel-tracked vehicles – tanks and armored personnel carriers – were forced to use limited primary roads and became bogged down, leading to stalled advances, abandoned equipment and contributing to Russian loss of momentum.
From your experience, how vital is mobility to the overall success of a mission, and how do track systems directly influence this?
Ground mobility has consistently proven to be vital for mission success in modern warfare, as demonstrated by U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more recently in the Russia-Ukraine War. In asymmetric environments like Iraq and Afghanistan, where threats included IEDs, ambushes, and urban warfare, the ability to maneuver quickly, quietly, and effectively over complex terrain was essential. In these theaters, tracked vehicles provided critical mobility advantages, especially in rugged terrain or unpaved routes, but also posed challenges. Traditional steel tracks, while durable, often limited tactical flexibility due to their weight, maintenance requirements, and logistical demands. Tracks damaged civilian road and bridge infrastructure, the vibrations from steel tracks degraded vehicle components and crew endurance, and their acoustic and visual signatures compromised stealth.
In Afghanistan’s mountainous regions, heavy tracked vehicles faced obstacles due to narrow turns and steep slopes. Steel-tracks imposed high maintenance needs, at times delaying operations or requiring additional engineering support. In Iraq’s urban areas, steel tracks caused damage to infrastructure and struggled with maneuverability in tight spaces.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War reinforces the importance of mobility, particularly in maneuver warfare and combined arms operations. Russian armored formations have stalled due to mud in spring and autumn, which illustrate how poor track performance in soft soil conditions can cripple entire offensives. Immobilized vehicles are vulnerable anti-armor fire, drones, and artillery strikes, and have been left behind in large numbers.
Mobility is not just about movement; it’s about sustaining tempo, reducing exposure to threats, and enabling adaptability across missions. Poor mobility restricts operational reach and forces commanders into reactive postures, while enhanced mobility opens options for offense, defense, and stability operations
The performance of the track system – affecting traction, durability, maintenance, and stealth – directly influences tactical agility, survivability, and ultimately strategic outcomes. Track systems are not peripheral technical choices. They are fundamental to ensuring that ground forces can move, survive, and fight effectively across dynamic battlefields. Therefore, advancements in track technology, such as CRT, represent a critical enabler for modern and future warfare. CRT offer a quieter, lighter, and more resilient alternative to steel tracks, improving fuel efficiency, reducing wear on components, and increasing operational endurance.
As the nature of warfare evolves, in what operational scenarios do you see CRT playing a pivotal role in enhancing (military) mobility and adaptability?
As warfare evolves to demand greater agility, stealth, and sustainment across varied and unpredictable environments, CRT technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing military mobility and adaptability. CRT offer significant operational advantages, such as reduced noise and vibration, lower vehicle weight, and improved traction, making them ideal for urban warfare, expeditionary missions, and multi-terrain operations where stealth, maneuverability, and endurance are essential. The reduced logistical footprint of CRT-equipped vehicles, stemming from lower maintenance needs, less fuel consumption, and fewer spare parts, translates into more sustainable and resilient operations, particularly important for NATO collective defense or for coalition forces operating in austere or contested regions.
CRT’s compatibility with Through Life Capability Management (TLCM) principles further amplifies its relevance in modern military planning. Whether employed on crewed infantry fighting vehicles or uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), CRT systems extend platform longevity, increase mission readiness, and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional steel tracks. Their flame resistance, resilience to mine blasts, and ability to operate under extreme conditions – as demonstrated in testing and real-world deployments – reinforce CRT’s suitability for peacetime readiness and full-spectrum combat operations.
How do you think solutions like CRT could reduce the logistical footprint (of military forces) during deployments, particularly in extended operations or challenging terrains?
Solutions like CRT significantly reduce the logistical footprint of military forces by lowering the demand for fuel, spare parts, and maintenance personnel during deployments, especially in extended operations or challenging terrains. The lighter weight of CRT-equipped vehicles improves fuel efficiency by up to 30%, extending operational range and reducing the frequency of fuel resupply missions, which are often vulnerable and resource-intensive. CRT generate less wear and tear on vehicle components due to reduced vibration and noise, reducing the frequency of repairs and quantity of part replacements. Fewer repairs and lower parts consumption streamline maintenance cycles and decrease the burden on logistics.
In complex terrains like urban rubble, forests, marshlands, or mountainous regions, CRT provide superior traction and lower ground pressure, enhancing maneuverability while mitigating damage to infrastructure and terrain. This adaptability reduces the need for engineering support or alternative transport solutions. Additionally, CRT’s durability (lasting up to 5,000 km without maintenance) and resilience to mine blasts or flame exposure enable sustained operations with fewer interruptions. Durability and resilience enable military forces to maintain tempo and readiness with leaner support.
What impact could enhanced mobility, reduced maintenance, and increased fuel efficiency (by employing CRT solutions) have on tactical decision-making during operations?
Enhanced mobility, reduced maintenance, and increased fuel efficiency from CRT solutions significantly impact tactical decision-making by granting commanders greater operational freedom, speed, and endurance. Vehicles equipped with CRT can traverse diverse terrains more swiftly and quietly, enabling rapid maneuvering, stealthier movements, and access to areas previously constrained by steel track mobility limitations. Agility allows for more dynamic tactical planning, such as surprise flanking maneuvers, exploitation of terrain for cover, or rapid repositioning in response to threats. All are key advantages in modern multi-domain operations.
Moreover, the reduction in maintenance requirements and improved fuel efficiency lower the need for frequent resupply, reducing vulnerability to disruption and allowing units to operate independently for longer periods. Reduced maintenance and fuel requirements enhance mission sustainability and free up resources and personnel for other critical tasks. The result is a more resilient and agile force structure, capable of maintaining operational tempo and initiative in high-intensity or prolonged operations.
From a doctrinal perspective, what considerations would need to be addressed to ensure a smooth integration of CRT into existing vehicle fleets and operational plans?
From a doctrinal perspective, integrating CRT into existing vehicle fleets requires revision of maintenance manuals, training programs, doctrine, and tactics. Maintenance procedures must reflect CRT-specific requirements, such as handling, inspection, and repair techniques, which differ from those of traditional steel tracks. Training curricula for operators, maintainers, and logistics personnel must incorporate CRT capabilities and vulnerabilities, including field repair practices, chemical resistance handling, and fire response drills.
Operational doctrine must be adjusted to account for CRT-enabled advantages like stealthier movement, lower logistical burden, and improved maneuverability. Tactical planning can incorporate new movement techniques or improved operational tempo due to enhanced endurance and reduced noise/vibration. Logistical manuals should also address CRT-related supply chain considerations, including storage, transport, and resupply of spare parts. For NATO, common standards and guidelines will be important to enable interoperability using CRT-equipped platforms.
Looking ahead, how important is it for defence forces to prioritise mobility innovations like CRT, and what long-term benefits do you anticipate?
From a strategic mobility perspective, prioritizing innovations like CRT is critical for defense forces aiming to maintain a decisive edge in rapid deployment, adaptability, and operational reach. CRT-equipped vehicles offer enhanced speed, reduced weight, and decreased logistical dependency, enabling faster response times and greater freedom of maneuver across diverse and degraded terrain. These tactical enhancements support strategic goals such as force projection, deterrence, and rapid crisis response, particularly important for NATO and other multinational organizations (e.g. Republic of Korea / U.S. Combined Forces Command) that require interoperable, high-readiness ground forces.
Long-term, CRT adoption contributes to a more sustainable and resilient force structure. Benefits include lower lifecycle costs, increased vehicle and crew longevity, and alignment with environmental and sustainability goals through reduced emissions and terrain damage. CRT also opens the door for integration with next-generation platforms (crewed, uncrewed), making it a foundational component of future ground mobility concepts. Strategically, CRT enhances not only the geographical reach of forces but also their operational endurance and adaptability, which are essential in the face of evolving threats and multi-domain challenges.
Based on your experience, what final message would you offer to decision-makers considering adopting CRT as part of their long-term mobility strategy?
In light of hard-earned lessons from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, mobility is not just a tactical asset; it is a strategic imperative. The limitations of traditional steel-tracked vehicles have repeatedly constrained operational effectiveness across a spectrum of environments, from the muddy fields of Ukraine to the mountainous passes of Afghanistan and the dense cities of Iraq. CRT technology emerges as a critical innovation for overcoming these challenges. With superior maneuverability, reduced logistical demand, improved crew effectiveness, and enhanced environmental adaptability, CRT represents a transformative shift in military ground mobility. Its integration into current and future platforms promises to increase readiness, extend operational reach, and empower commanders with greater flexibility across the full range of military operations. As the character of warfare evolves, prioritizing CRT is not merely an upgrade. It is an essential step toward ensuring agile, resilient, and future-proofed land forces.
Soucy Defense will host the first-ever 𝐂𝐑𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐌 — an exclusive event under the theme “Composite Rubber Track: Mobility by Design”.
This exclusive event will be held in London, UK, ahead of DSEI 2025 and will welcome a select group of high-profile guests. Scheduled for Monday, 8th September 2025 at the Army & Navy Club, London.
🔒 The 𝐂𝐑𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐌 is an invite-only event. Contact us to express your interest: [email protected] (limited places available).
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