Tata Kestrel: India’s First Amphibious 8x8 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier

[WolfPack86]

For the first time Tata Motors unveiled Tata Kestrel amphibious 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier during Defexpo 2014. It eventually grab many attention including the Indian Army. Currently Tata Kestrel going on different trials with Indian Army and after trials completed it will be on inducted into Indian Army service in 2018. Indian Army very much impressed with its performance. Tata Kestrel jointly design and produce by DRDO and Tata Motors. This is the first time the Public sector and Private sector companies coming together to produce state of art armored vehicle. This Vehicle ideal for counter terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir and to counter Naxals attack. Indian Army will order around 2000 Tata Kestrel once it gets inducted in service.

Tata Kestrel weighs 22.5 tons to 26 tons depending on configurations and it’s powered by Tata Cummins diesel engines that makes 600bph (608PS). The kestrel can carry 10 soldiers and the crew of two. Seats for the troops equipped with an energy attenuating them mechanism that shields them from effect of the blasts. The seats actually move and absorb impact of initial blasts and as well as secondary slam down of the vehicle reducing severity injuries spine and brain. The seating arrangement of the vehicle is Russian style is back to back where soldiers can use 4 gun ports on each side. The Kestrel has four-wheel steering on the front two axles and relatively turning short radius 19 meters. The double wish bone type independent hydro pneumatic suspension, along with impressive wheel travels, provide excellent travel mobility and comfortable ride. All 8 tires have ran flat capability with central inflation (CTIS) as standard. The amphibious propulsion employs rear mounted twin water jets that do not require any preparation before entering water. The Anti-surge is raised ensure that water flows over the roof. The Kestrel can achieve 100 kmph on land 10 kmph on water.

The architecture of Kestrel is modular interchangeable snap-in- modules. The Kestrel has protection from CBRN, (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear protection. It can be configured into armored personnel carrier, ambulance, and anti-tank missile carrier, command post. The Monocoque of the Kestrel comprises of welded armor steel hull with applique and inner composite spall liner. It can with stand threat levels ranging from Stanag 1 to Stanag 4. The Kestrel can with stand 10 kg of TNT under the wheel and as well as under the hull. The belly has blast guard that can provide up to stanag level 3 protection. The Kestrel can accommodate variety of weapons stations one man turret or 2 man turret. It can be armed with 30mm remotely operated turret along with coaxial machine gun, and an automatic grenade launcher. Addition to that it can also armed with Javelin anti-tank missile or any other anti-tank missile.

It also has EMI or Electromagnetic Interference and EMC or Electromagnetic Compatibility. It uses GPS as navigation system and it can be also fitted with UHF, VHF, or HF for wireless systems for communications.

Note:

Above articles are written by me on my own and are not copied or posted from any other articles and websites.

 

[WolfPack86]

Instead of BMP 2 turret Indian Army should have PROTECTOR MCT-30R from KONGSBERG on Tata Kestrel.
Kongsberg PROTECTOR MCT-30R turret solution on TATA Motors Kestrel 8x8 armoured vehicle.
At Defexpo 2014, Kongsberg presents a joint project with the local vehicle manufacturer TATA Motors to offer a new 8x8 armoured vehicle for the Indian Army. The PROTECTOR MCT-30R from KONGSBERG is mounted on the Tata Motors/DRDO Kestrel, 8x8 amphibious armoured vehicle platform.

Konsberg PROTECTOR MCT-30R mounted on TATA Motors Kestrel 8x8 armoured vehicle.


“This is a unique opportunity for KONGSBERG. Demonstrating our latest innovation in one of the largest markets in the world on Tata Motors WhAP (Wheeled Armoured Platform) Kestrel provides a fantastic start in entering this market,” says Espen Henriksen, President of Kongsberg Protech Systems.

KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR MCT-30R is the latest extension to the KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RWS family of products, which includes the PROTECTOR SuperLite, PROTECTOR Lite, PROTECTOR M151/CROWS and PROTECTOR DRWS. To date more than 17.000 RWS systems have been delivered to 17 countries worldwide, and remains the leading remote weapon system on the market.

The PROTECTOR MCT-30R is truly a ‘best of breed’ product combining decades of experience and innovation. The system has proved itself during extensive test activities in Norway, Europe, US, and the Middle East. PROTECTOR MCT-30R is the result of an intensive effort to provide a system with exceptional lethality and precision, high reliability and innovative technology to address the operational and functional requirements of today’s armoured platforms.

The PROTECTOR MCT-30 Station is a turret solution designed for 25-50 mm cannons mounted on wheeled or tracked armoured vehicles. This 21st Century Turret with low signature and reduced weight provides increased mobility and survivability. The MCT-30 RWS can be fitted with co-axial machine gun, blue force tracker,, active protection systems and commanders independent Remote Weapon Station.

A Commander’s Independent Weapon Station (CIWS) with an integrated Javelin Missile launcher will be integrated on the MCT-30R as part of the exhibition.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...ors_kestrel_8x8_armoured_vehicle_0702143.html