Why did NASA build a vehicle specifically designed to attack aircraft tires?
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asked Jan 25, 2019 at 15:35
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1$\begingroup$ Tire Assault Vehicle precursor: youtu.be/frE9rXnaHpE?t=104 $\endgroup$– uhohCommented Jan 25, 2019 at 15:45
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2 Answers
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By the early 1990s the Space Shuttle Program had experienced some close calls with the landing and braking system, especially the tires. Hard data was desired about the response of the tires to various off-nominal situations.
To obtain this data, a surplus Convair 990 jetliner was converted into the Landing Systems Research Aircraft by adding an instrumented version of a Shuttle Orbiter landing gear into its midbody.
Various tests were run, some resulting in destruction of the tire, others only resulting in damage.
For the cases where the test tire was only damaged, it was judged dangerous to approach lest it explode. A means was needed to safely deflate the tire remotely. This was the genesis of the Tire Assault Vehicle (TAV).
A radio-controlled model of a Tiger tank was acquired and modified by adding a DeWalt battery-powered drill, some metal armor, and a video camera. The vehicle would be used to approach the damaged tire and deflate it by drilling a hole into the sidewall.
Sourced from, and more info, here
answered Jan 25, 2019 at 15:35
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3$\begingroup$ The amount of whimsy involved here seems VERY un-NASA-like. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 29, 2019 at 19:02
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4$\begingroup$ @ChrisB.Behrens what really goes on, and what is put out by NASA PR...are not the same thing. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 29, 2019 at 19:14
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3$\begingroup$ I like the choice to put a NASA logo on the TAV, as if some other organization might be drilling into orbiter tires. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 21, 2019 at 19:18
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The statement "A radio-controlled model of a Tiger tank was acquired and modified by adding a DeWalt battery-powered drill, some metal armor, and a video camera.", is very misleading and supported by the three comments about "un-NASA-like" and the idea of the NASA logo. To keep costs down, the tank started out as a Tayma German Tiger Tank, to provide the parts needed to drive it. Eventually, 90% of those parts were too weak to support the on-board equipment and 12v motorcycle battery. As can be seen in the picture only the rear end, external drive train, and underbody hull remained. The major work included the power controller (12v conversion to the 5v steering control), dual interior DeWalt motors (for left and right drive train), and power distribution to the on-board equipment (drill motor, thermal camera, TV camera, and radio). The top haul used to mount the on-board equipment and hold the battery was built by the NASA machine shop, as well as a special drill bit to drill the rubber and still allow air to safely leak out. Note the bald tire (Shuttle nose wheel), where the main tires are 34 ply and filled to 360 psi ambient. On landing the pressure rises by the Ideal Gas Law (pv=nrt), so as the temperature inside the rubber insulator rises, proportionally so does the temperature. In fact, it was estimated that if the tire exploded, it would have been equivalent to 2.5 sticks of TNT. For example, in one explosion of a failed tire, pieces of the tire were found embedded in the airframe. Now you know why it was dangerous and not "Very un-NASA-like" How do I know this - I built it.
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1$\begingroup$ Great info! Welcome to the site. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 28, 2021 at 0:25
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$\begingroup$ Did you by any chance mean "Tamiya", which is a company that produces RC models? $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 28, 2021 at 15:34
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$\begingroup$ @Polygnome the link in the other answer confirms that your comment is correct. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 28, 2021 at 18:50