FINABEL 20.A.5 Pneumatic Combat Tires

The FINABEL 20.A.5 contract, published by FINABEL, an organization that promotes cooperation and interoperability among the national armies of the European Union countries, describes the requirements for the runflut system regarding the pneumatic combat tires of military vehicles. A combat tire should allow the tire to continue on a mission for a predetermined amount of time without the need to change the wheel, despite a puncture. However, this practice also allows the need to carry a spare tire in the vehicle.

For the purposes of this contract,

• The term pneumatic combat tire refers to a tire casing, a tire combined with an inner tube, or a runflat insert that attaches to the wheel inside the tire.
• The word wheel refers to the wheel itself, the center disc, on which the pneumatic combat tire is attached.
• The expression central tire inflation refers to a system fitted to the vehicle that allows changes in tire pressure while the vehicle is stationary or in motion, without the need for a crew member to leave the vehicle.

A combat tire must possess qualities as close as possible to those of a pneumatic radial tire with a tread pattern suitable for all types of terrain , and also possess as many characteristics as possible as specified in the FINABEL convention. The tire must allow the vehicle to maintain its mobility at a level sufficient for the vehicle to continue its mission under the conditions specified in this convention. No material that could cause premature deterioration of the tire during on-road or off-road travel is permitted inside a combat tire.

Before it fails, the combat tire must meet the recommended tire specifications for the vehicle it is fitted to. The weight of the wheel equipped with this tire should be as light as possible. In normal use, the combat tire should be able to be repaired under the same conditions as radial tires.

After failure, the term penetration refers to all causes of damage to the tires of the vehicle that are likely to be suffered in combat, after which the vehicle should be able to continue as intended. Runflat performance should be effective on a four-wheeled vehicle with a front and a driving wheel and a steering wheel engaged. Likewise, if a vehicle is fitted with more than four wheels, runflat performance is expected to be maintained when all tires on one side of the vehicle are punctured.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services for pneumatic combat tires under the FINABEL 20.A.5 contract, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.