What is skirting?

• A. The main armored body of a vehicle.
• B. The free turning wheel which helps maintain track tension.
• C. The device located on the main gun that allows escaping gases to exit the bore.
• D. Composed of thin plates of armor which protect the road wheel suspension.

Answer: (D)

Skirting are the armor panels that run along the lower sides of a tracked vehicle, shielding the road wheels and suspension. They’re thin enough to keep the overall weight down but strong enough to protect the running gear from small arms fire, shrapnel, and debris. That specific purpose—protecting the road wheel suspension with side armor plates—defines skirting. The main armored body is the hull, the free-turning wheel that helps keep track tension is the idler/return wheel, and the device on the gun that vents gases is the muzzle brake or related gas relief device.