HSU developed by DRDO for MBT gives better vehicle stability
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, has introduced advanced Hydrogas Suspension Unit (HSU). It is a suspension system that is intended for cushioning the impacts and shocks. It helps to keep the vehicle stable when moving on irregular terrains. The suspension is mainly for the Main Battle Tanks (MBT). HSU was showcased at the recentlyconcluded Defence Expo in Chennai.
A DRDO official said Auto
Components India that, “It is indigenously developed by ourselves. Starting from scratch to product realisation, the entire product was done by DRDO and especially by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). This provides better ride comfort. Any vehicle needs a suspension system, but we use 14 of such suspensions for MBT as it weighs around 70 tonne. Each of the suspension is capable of supporting 5 tonne static load, 25 tonne dynamic load and 10 tonne of steering load. This enables the vehicle for highspeed combating mobility.”
MBT is a crosscountry vehicle with high mobility and ride comfort. It also holds other main characteristics like superior firepower, high degree of protection, etc. “For this vehicle to run at a high speed, such Hydro-Gas Suspension Unit is required. With this technology it provides better ride comfort and enables the vehicle to drive at a higher speed. Our tank is also capable of fire and move. This needs more stabilisation and the suspension provides it. HSU has been fitted into 124 tanks. We have also made a few enhancements mostly on the load carrying capacity. Earlier it was 50 tonne, now it can carry up to 75 tonne. We also have given it a completely new design,” he said.
DRDO, formed in 1958, oversees military’s research and development works. Headquartered in New Delhi, DRDO was created by merging the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation. With a network of 52 laboratories, DRDO is engaged in developing defence technologies covering various fields that include aeronautics, electronics, land combat engineering, missiles, and naval systems. The organisation has 5,000 scientists belonging to the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel.