Use and Testing of the Motorcycle by the US Army April 1917 to February 1977

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the use and testing of the motorcycle by the US Army from April 1917 to February 1977. Procurement of the early military motorcycle for tactical operations ceased in 1939 because it could not operate off the road and was mechanically unreliable. In early 1972 the Modern Army Selected System, Test Evaluation and Review(MASSTER) began testing the modern motorcycle. It found that the problems experienced with the early motorcycle had been eliminated and that the modern motorcycle had considerable military potential. As a result of this testing, MASSTER recommended that the motorcycle be returned to the Army inventory as a scout and traffic control vehicle. Department of the Army believed the test was inconclusive and disapproved the recommendation. Testing of the motorcycle has continued since 1972 and has included tests by tactical units and the Armor School. The results of this testing and a survey of foreign armies indicate the motorcycle is suited for use as a messenger vehicle, traffic control vehicle, and scout transporter.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 10, 1977
Accession Number
ADA044527

Entities

People

  • Jerry R. Fry

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Army Training
  • Artillery
  • Combat Operations
  • Combat Support
  • Employment
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Maintenance
  • Motorcycles
  • Procurement
  • Reconnaissance Vehicles
  • Students
  • Tactical Communications
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States
  • Vehicles
  • Warfare

Readers

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  • Systems Analysis and Design