Abstract: An axle assembly of a vehicle includes a side plate, a wheel end assembly, and a lower control arm. The side plate is part of a support structure of the vehicle, and the lower control arm extends between the side plate and the wheel end assembly. A spring member and a damper are each connected between the lower control arm and the side plate. The axle assembly further includes a shield fixed to the lower control arm, where the shield is designed to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle.

Abstract: An axle assembly of a vehicle includes a side plate, a wheel end assembly, and a lower control arm. The side plate is part of a support structure of the vehicle, and the lower control arm extends between the side plate and the wheel end assembly. A spring member and a damper are each connected between the lower control arm and the side plate. The axle assembly further includes a shield fixed to the lower control arm, where the shield is designed to at least partially protect the vehicle from an explosive blast originating below the vehicle.

Abstract: An axle assembly for an undercarriage of a vehicle includes two side plates, a differential, and a skid plate. The two side plates have surfaces configured to support a vehicle hull. The differential is generally positioned between the two side plates. During operation of the axle assembly, the differential receives torque from a driveshaft and provides the torque to half shafts. The skid plate includes an array of beams extending between the side plates and below the differential. The skid plate is designed to shield the differential and portions of the undercarriage of the vehicle from ground obstacles.