Airless Tires for Military Vehicles

They have had these types of tires in the military for years already. If they get damaged, they re-inflate. Same concept. I highly doubt the soldiers care what their tires look like. The ones now work just fine.

Airless tyres aren’t new – this an old idea developed a bit. I love the way companies claim what they’re doing is New and Revolutionary when it’s been done decades before.

“Airless tyres aren’t new” D’uh!
Of course not: all tires were airless before John Dunlop invented the air filled tyre and tube in 1888.

Since air tyres have many advantages above ‘solid’ ones, they are preferred for most usuge. However, as stated in the article above, running flat isn’t one of them.

Hence, the world is still developing an airless tyre with as many of the pros of an inflatable tyre, without as many of the cons. And the major con is their driving behaviour.

So: Yes, there have been and were airless tyres before, but this is supposed to be an improvement on exactly THAT concept.

I mean: cars have been around for 125 years, and they have been improved over time. “Cars aren’t new…” *sigh*

I’ve suspected for decades that a spongy lattice would probably make a tire impervious to flats. I inquired about this, and was always met with puzzled looks and “Never saw nothin’ like that.” I figured that the reason we don’t use them is because such tires would be too heavy, or grow too hot, make the ride too bumpy, or would have no problems but reduce tire sales due to greater efficiency. Only 35 seconds ago I’m discovering that such tires have been around for some time! I HATE being kept out-of-the-loop like that. I currently drive a 1999 Hyundai Accent. Is it possible for me to get flat-proof tires for it? If so, where would I look?

i can’t imagine this will ever be as cost effective as inflated tires, but for specific purposes like military vehicles it makes a lot of sense.

Has any of you ever drove with a tire out of balance? Just think what will happen when mud gets packed in that wheel.

Brett maxwell this kind of tires can be highly cost-effective, because the chosen cell-pattern can be made with an extruder as a near endless compartmented tube with threads and all. That tube can be cut to pieces and then fitted on axles. That is a way to mass-produce and to cheaply make LOTS of tires at a fraction of the compexity of conventional tires.

Jimbo this kind of tires is mainly for heavy-duty use- so not the high speeds of 65mls p/h and higher, but rather the lower speeds of military use during patrols and off-road actions. Some inbalance in such wheels is barely an issue at such speeds.

Better put some sidewalls on those things. Around here that honeycomb would get clogged with mud and gravel, which would tear it up pretty quickly.