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Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6

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Ashok Leyland Field Artillery Tractor[1]
Type6×6 heavy truck
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2017-present
Used byIndian Army
Production history
DesignerAshok Leyland Defence Systems
ManufacturerAshok Leyland
Produced2017 –present
Specifications
Mass13,752 kg (21t) (unladen)
Length8535 mm
Width2500 mm
Height3230 mm
Diameter23 m
Crew4 operators + 6 additional spaces

Engine8.0L Neptune CRS turbocharged,BS III compliant diesel engine
360 HP
Payload capacityrated at 8 tons (8,000 kg)
Transmission8-speed manual,2-speed transfer case
SuspensionFront: Parabolic Rear: Bogie
Ground clearance400 mm
Fuel capacity350 L
Operational
range
700 km
Maximum speed 86 km/h
Steering
system
power-assisted steering

The Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 is an all-terrain military truck developed and produced by Indian automobile manufacturer Ashok Leyland. Designed for towing heavy artillery guns, it will replace the ageing fleet of Scania SBAT111S used by Indian Army.

Development

In 1986,when the Indian Army purchased 410 FH77B Bofors howitzers, they also ordered 660 SBAT111S trucks. 30 years later,these trucks had become obsolete and the Army looked for a replacement.[2]

Ashok Leyland is one of the biggest suppliers of logistics vehicles to Indian Army. The company's Stallion truck is a top seller with over 60,000 units in service with Indian Army. Thus,the development of FAT or Field Artillery Tractor was started as a private venture to replace the ageing fleet of Scania trucks.[3]

Design & Features

The truck has been designed on Leyland's "Super Stallion" platform. It is powered by Ashok Leyland's in-house developed 8-litre Neptune series engine that gives 360 HP of power and 1,400 Nm of torque at 1,300 rpm. This is mated to a 8-speed manual transmission(2-speed transfer case). The truck runs on full time 6-wheel drive system with all axles having differential lock.

The FAT 6x6's towing capacity is rated at 8 tonnes. The driver's cabin can hold 4 people and the crew cabin just behind it can hold 6 people. There isa 2.7 tonne in the cargo bay for loading/unloading ammunition and other equipments. There are 2 roof hatches for observation, emergency exit and firing. At the front, there's a 10 tonne self recovery winch.[4]

Other features include a fire and smoke detection unit,an infrared rear-view camera and Central tire inflation system. For driver's comfort,cab is equipped with HVAC.[5]

Production

In March 2016, Ashok Leyland won a contract for supplying 450 units of Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 6x6 along with other "super stallion" vehicles and 825 units of "Ambulance 4x4" to the army. The total order was worth ₹800 crore. In 2017,the first batch of trucks were delivered .[6]

References

  1. ^ "FAT 6x6 tech specs" (PDF). Ashok Leyland Defense Systems.
  2. ^ "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 – 2016 DefExpo". Sagar Patel. Rushlane. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Ashok Leyland FAT". Military Today.
  4. ^ "ASHOK LEYLAND FAT 6X6 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW". OverDrive.in. Rahul Richard.
  5. ^ "Review:Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6". BBC TopGear. Sriram Narayanan.
  6. ^ "Ashok Leyland wins Rs 800 crore order from armed forces". Times of India. Retrieved 29 March 2016.