Is it time to get rid of the combat tire inflation system (CTIS), once and for all?

2018-01-11T20:22:24-05:00

As the Army is looking at FMTV 2, one thing that keeps knowing at me is the use of CTIS and more and more systems being put into vehicles. I have yet to hear of CTIS getting anyone off the battlefield, which was its intended purpose. I think we can all agree when a large explosive device goes off there is not enough tire left to inflate. Why keep using this system if it is so prone to failure, and does not do what we thought it would?

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 11 at 2018 9:28 PM

2018-01-11T21:28:45-05:00

CW3 Kevin Storm I like the run flat in the ole HUMVEE. You can get on down the road IMHO with a run flat.

TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F. SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SP5 Michael Rathbun SSG Diane R. CW5 Jack Cardwell]] Cynthia Croft SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter COL Mikel J. Burroughs ] SFC Dave Beran

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jan 11 at 2018 10:01 PM

2018-01-11T22:01:12-05:00

It’s actually the Central Tire Inflation System. Its primary purpose is to allow tire pressure changes to suit whatever terrain you’re driving on, as well as to counter slow leaks. When it works, it works fine. That “when it works” bit, though, still needs work (along with operator headspace and timing, but that’s a different set of problems). System always seems to go wonky right when you need to switch it to mud.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 12 at 2018 5:50 AM

2018-01-12T05:50:24-05:00

Totally useless at times.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2018 6:03 AM

2018-01-12T06:03:10-05:00

hell yes. it sux.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 12 at 2018 9:37 AM

2018-01-12T09:37:00-05:00

Chief, CTIS was a pain in the butt in the old 939 series 5TN Dumps. I liked the run flat on the old HMMWV as it actually worked pretty close to what was advertised. The vehicles in the pictures and my experience both found that no amount of run flat or CTIS is much help if you get thumped by an IED, or run over by a wayward Stryker at night..

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Jan 12 at 2018 12:14 PM

2018-01-12T12:14:30-05:00

Actually, it was (when started) the Central Tire Inflation System, and we had one on the 5T wrecker at Blacksheep, in Hohenfels, and that thing NEVER would inflate itself, it was locked in snow/mud setting until we finally shipped it off and just went with 2 HEMMT's I remember when they came in for the Humvees as well and we were always having problems with them, fortunatly the only one that we had belonged to LORAL, one of the system support companies on base and civilian, so it was not on our books at least, but we still had to work on it all the time. Same thing, it was still down when I PCS'ed out.

Response by PVT James Day made Jan 15 at 2018 6:04 PM

2018-01-15T18:04:17-05:00

Defating tires could assist in low clearance and add some traction in sand

Response by LCpl Mark Riley made Jan 15 at 2018 6:29 PM

2018-01-15T18:29:34-05:00

Not everything gets blown up son thing do get shot

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2018 7:21 PM

2018-01-15T19:21:46-05:00

i don't know if its relay issues air valve problems or gremlins in the wiring but but i personally think that it could be a better system if it was looked over more closely and maybe something can be improved upon (i unfortunately hit the wrong button but it is a great non-combat asset to the wheeled vics when it work)

Response by SPC John Decker made Jan 16 at 2018 6:32 AM

2018-01-16T06:32:57-05:00

They keep using it because it is making someone, somewhere, money.

Response by SSgt E Jensen made Jan 30 at 2019 8:41 PM

2019-01-30T20:41:07-05:00

This system is good in theory, however in practicality it was built to break and has proven to be s another money grabbing scheme on the military. The failure rate of the seals is high; especially in cold climates. Not only does the CTIS fail but it wipes out the inner hub seal which douse the brake shoes down in gear oil and cause spindle damage if not caught in time. Those 2 seals create an expensive headache. It's tough to keep readiness up when you got trucks going down for the same thing over and over again.