Foxbat Alok
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http://defenceden.com/2018/04/24/tata-wheeled-armoured-platform-kestrel/
DRDO’s VRDE and India’s Tata Motors have jointly developed multi wheeled armoured amphibian vehicle with state of art tactical & technical features, the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), an infantry combat vehicle, which was unveiled during DEFEXPO- 14. WhAP concept can be a precursor to the development of the FICV and other specialist vehicle platform. Its modular approach with interchangeable snap-in modules will ease the customisation and self reliance in achieving its roles. The major features have optimised its survivability, all terrain performance and increased lethality. It has a low cycle cost due to its high indigenised content. The capability demonstrated by the Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO organisation jointly working with private sector in this field, can bridge the technology gap with the state of the art systems, and this can be a beginning of a viable roadmap to “Indigenisation”.
(TATA WhAP during DefExpo 14 with Konigsberg MCT-30R)
The First prototype of WhAP was features with a Norwegian-built Kongsberg MCT-30-R medium-calibre remote turret (RCWS) with the ATK 30mm/40mm Mk44 Bushmaster automatic cannon as a primary weapon and M240 7.62mm general purpose machine gun as a secondary weapon from FN Herstal. WhAP also featured with Raytheon-Lockheed Martin JAVELIN anti-tank guided missile system and a commander’s independent weapon station along with a M2HB 12.7mm machine gun from General Dynamics.
(TATA WhAP with BMP-2 Turret during DefExpo 16 )
Tata Motors has further developed its 8×8 armoured vehicle platform that it calls the Wheeled Amphibious Armoured Platform (WhAP). At Defexpo 2016 in Goa the vehicle was being called the Kestrel, but that name was not being used two years later.
The original prototype seen in Goa completed desert, flotation, mobility and live-fire trials at the hands of the Indian Army in 2017. Based on feedback from those evaluations, Tata produced modified prototypes that have improved armour protection and greater firepower.
(TATA WhAP with Elbit UT30MK2 Turret)
Indeed regarding the latter point, a notable difference on a new prototype on static display at DefExpo 2018 is installation of an Elbit UT30MK2 unmanned turret featuring a 30mm cannon. This is a concept vehicle, but an alternative manned turret could also be fitted.
A third prototype took part in a live demonstration near the beachfront at DefExpo 2018 in Chennai. It featured a BMP-2 turret armed with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun and a launcher for an antitank guided missile.Visibly the hull has been modified on the later prototypes.
The vehicle weighs about 26t and is powered to a top road speed of 100km/h by a 600hp engine coupled to an Allison automatic transmission. In water, the WhAP can achieve a speed of 10km/h via two waterjets mounted at the rear of the hull.
(Passenger seat of TATA WhAP)
The WhAp can carry ten passengers, including its crew of two. The WhAP will undergo high-altitude and cold-weather trials. Tata also said the vehicle will feature a laser warning system/active protection system.
The vehicle, originally designed with United Nations peacekeeping missions in mind where high levels of protection might be required, is a collaboration between Tata and the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Tata is the first private-sector Indian company to develop an 8×8 armoured vehicle. Given this status, some commentators consider it is in pole position to scoop a contract for the Indian Army.
Tata is participating in the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) requirement where the Indian Army is seeking 2,600 IFVs. However, sources told that Tata is hoping to convince the MoD that perhaps 20% of this requirement could be met by a wheeled vehicle component such as the WhAP.
Tata already makes the Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV), a 4×4 platform used by Indian state police and internal security forces.
DRDO’s VRDE and India’s Tata Motors have jointly developed multi wheeled armoured amphibian vehicle with state of art tactical & technical features, the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), an infantry combat vehicle, which was unveiled during DEFEXPO- 14. WhAP concept can be a precursor to the development of the FICV and other specialist vehicle platform. Its modular approach with interchangeable snap-in modules will ease the customisation and self reliance in achieving its roles. The major features have optimised its survivability, all terrain performance and increased lethality. It has a low cycle cost due to its high indigenised content. The capability demonstrated by the Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO organisation jointly working with private sector in this field, can bridge the technology gap with the state of the art systems, and this can be a beginning of a viable roadmap to “Indigenisation”.
(TATA WhAP during DefExpo 14 with Konigsberg MCT-30R)
The First prototype of WhAP was features with a Norwegian-built Kongsberg MCT-30-R medium-calibre remote turret (RCWS) with the ATK 30mm/40mm Mk44 Bushmaster automatic cannon as a primary weapon and M240 7.62mm general purpose machine gun as a secondary weapon from FN Herstal. WhAP also featured with Raytheon-Lockheed Martin JAVELIN anti-tank guided missile system and a commander’s independent weapon station along with a M2HB 12.7mm machine gun from General Dynamics.
(TATA WhAP with BMP-2 Turret during DefExpo 16 )
Tata Motors has further developed its 8×8 armoured vehicle platform that it calls the Wheeled Amphibious Armoured Platform (WhAP). At Defexpo 2016 in Goa the vehicle was being called the Kestrel, but that name was not being used two years later.
The original prototype seen in Goa completed desert, flotation, mobility and live-fire trials at the hands of the Indian Army in 2017. Based on feedback from those evaluations, Tata produced modified prototypes that have improved armour protection and greater firepower.
(TATA WhAP with Elbit UT30MK2 Turret)
Indeed regarding the latter point, a notable difference on a new prototype on static display at DefExpo 2018 is installation of an Elbit UT30MK2 unmanned turret featuring a 30mm cannon. This is a concept vehicle, but an alternative manned turret could also be fitted.
A third prototype took part in a live demonstration near the beachfront at DefExpo 2018 in Chennai. It featured a BMP-2 turret armed with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun and a launcher for an antitank guided missile.Visibly the hull has been modified on the later prototypes.
The vehicle weighs about 26t and is powered to a top road speed of 100km/h by a 600hp engine coupled to an Allison automatic transmission. In water, the WhAP can achieve a speed of 10km/h via two waterjets mounted at the rear of the hull.
(Passenger seat of TATA WhAP)
The WhAp can carry ten passengers, including its crew of two. The WhAP will undergo high-altitude and cold-weather trials. Tata also said the vehicle will feature a laser warning system/active protection system.
The vehicle, originally designed with United Nations peacekeeping missions in mind where high levels of protection might be required, is a collaboration between Tata and the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Tata is the first private-sector Indian company to develop an 8×8 armoured vehicle. Given this status, some commentators consider it is in pole position to scoop a contract for the Indian Army.
Tata is participating in the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) requirement where the Indian Army is seeking 2,600 IFVs. However, sources told that Tata is hoping to convince the MoD that perhaps 20% of this requirement could be met by a wheeled vehicle component such as the WhAP.
Tata already makes the Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV), a 4×4 platform used by Indian state police and internal security forces.
