Meritor Defense Launches Electronic Systems to Improve Maneuverability of Military Vehicles

TROY, Mich., Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two new electronic systems from Meritor, Inc. (NYSE:MTOR) are keeping military vehicles rolling through various terrains and extreme conditions with outstanding traction and mobility.

Building on Meritor's heritage of advanced engineering, SmartFlow™ Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) and DriveCommand™ Drivetrain Control (DTC) deliver customized tire pressure and drivetrain management through mud, sand and snow, on highways and cross-country, and in emergency situations.

"Both systems improve vehicle performance for warfighters in extreme conditions because drivers can easily control tire pressure, differential locking and transfer case positioning," said Tim Burns, vice president, North America, Meritor. "Our engineering investment in developing these two electronic systems extends our defense product line to include wheel valves and electronics. The systems can potentially cross over into other segments, including commercial vehicle."

These lightweight systems are controlled independently by a single Human Machine Interface (HMI) unit and mount easily in the cab or on the chassis of High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV). The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are expected to be first-time users of the systems, which can be integrated into any military vehicle with an onboard air compressor.

SmartFlow CTIS automatically monitors and adjusts tire inflation as needed with a single pneumatic control unit (PCU), whether the vehicle is in motion or stationary. Tire pressure can be altered to tires independently or through all four tires simultaneously. The system detects when the tire is leaking and will determine if it should continue inflating with air. This functionality extends tire and wheel component life and reduces maintenance costs.

Meritor Defense, which has been offering front and rear locking differentials and transfer cases, will now extend the package with the addition of the DriveCommand DTC drivetrain management system. A single PCU actively monitors and controls locking the differentials and positions the transfer case for maximized traction to deliver superior performance over a wide range of terrain. DriveCommand DTC engages automatically when the driver selects a mobility mode on the HMI panel.

Meritor's Controls, Software and Mechatronics group was recently appraised at Maturity Level 2 of the CMMI Institute's Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). The appraisal was conducted by Process Assessment, Consulting and Training, LLC.

"Passing all nine areas at Capability Level 2 validates Meritor as a credible supplier of software," said Simon Dean, senior director, Global Electronic Systems, Simulation and Validation, Meritor.

Both SmartFlow CTIS and DriveCommand DTC will be featured in an interactive display at Modern Day Marine, a defense tradeshow at Quantico Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. on Sept. 24-26. Visit Meritor Defense in booth 2704 for more information and to view additional HMMWV- and JLTV-compatible components, including the ProTec™ Series 30 High Mobility Independent Suspension. Features and benefits of the systems can also be viewed in a video on meritordefense.com.

Meritor's electronic systems are fully supported by Meritor DriveForce™, the company's North American sales and service organization, and the OnTrac technical support center. Collectively staffed by more than 150 dedicated professionals, these teams assist commercial vehicle and industrial customers with customized solutions before, during and after the sale.

About Meritor, Inc.

Meritor, Inc. is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. With more than a 100-year legacy of providing innovative products that offer superior performance, efficiency and reliability, the company serves commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket customers in more than 70 countries. Meritor is based in Troy, Mich., United States, and is made up of approximately 9,000 diverse employees who apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, joint ventures, distribution centers and global offices in 19 countries. Common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTOR. For important information, visit the company's website at meritor.com.

Video with caption: "Dave Damian, director of sales and business development for Meritor Defense, shares the features and benefits of the company's new electronic systems: SmartFlow Central Tire Inflation System and DriveCommand Drivetrain Control. These systems are designed to improve maneuverability of military vehicles in various terrains and extreme conditions." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoy06Lpm5N8

Image with caption: "Meritor, Inc. logo." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110330/DE73783LOGO

SOURCE Meritor, Inc.