Saha Expo International Defense Exhibition Turkey Istanbul

Kestrel 8x8

Kestrel 8x8 amphibious armoured vehicle platform

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

Details view

Pictures - Video

Description

At DefExpo 2014, the Land, Naval & Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibition in New Delhi, the Indian Defense Company TATA Motors unveils its new local-made 8x8 amphibious armoured vehicle platform, the "Kestrel". The KESTREL is a Wheeled Armored Amphibious Platform, designed and developed indigenously with DRDO, for optimised survivability, all-terrain performance and increased lethality. TATA Motors Ltd's indigenously developed Kestrel 8x8 Armoured Amphibious vehicle with state-of-the-art tactical and technical features. It's a modular vehicle with interchangeable snap-in modules, leading to easy customization and self-reliance in achieving its roles. The major features of the vehicle include optimized survivability, all terrain performance and increased lethality.

Main Variants

- Ambulance, NBC Recce, Command Post, engineer vehicle

Technical Data

Armament

At DefExpo 2014, the Kestrel was fitted with a Kongsberg PROTECTOR MCT-30R turret and a M151 Remote Weapon station. The MCT-30R is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon and the M151 remote weapon station mounted at the right top of the turret which is armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun. A 7.62mm coaxial machine is mounted on the top of the main gun. To increase its fire power, the Kestrel carries two Javelin anti-tank missile launchers, fitted to the right side of the MCT-30R turret, one mounted to the right side of the remote weapon station and another one to the right side of the MCT-30R turret.

Design and protection

The layout of the Kestrel is standard with the driver and powerpack at the front, th turret in the middle and the troop's compartment at the rear. Kestrel has a scalable 22.5 ton to 26 ton gross weight and a capacity to carry 10 + 2 personnel. The back to back seating layout allows firing through the 4 gun ports on each side, with two big hatches for patrolling. The Kestrel is fitted with anti-blast seats which provide protection by allowing the seat to move and absorb the impact of the initial blast as well as the secondary slam down of the vehicle, reducing the severity of injuries to the spine and brain. The front left engine enables better ergonomics and optimum space utilization. Kestrel's ballistic protection is modular to take care of threat levels, ranging from Stanag 4569 Level I to Level IV depending on the application. The monocoque comprises of welded armour steel hull with applique and inner composite spall liner. The protection modules can be replaced in a short time frame to increase or decrease the protection level. The bottom of the hull is guarded by blast protection up to Stanag 4569 Level III. The energy attenuating seats for all occupants provides additional survivability. The driver and commander have their own roof hatches. Rear troop’s compartment is accessible through rear door and roof hatches.

Propulsion

The Kestrel 8x8 under chassis driveline with double wish bone type independent hydro pneumatic suspension provides all terrain mobility, ensuring comfort and safety for the crew. With the front two axles steerable it gives an excellent turning circle radius of 19 m. enabling better maneuverability. The tyres have run flat capability with CTIS as a standard feature. The Kestrel is able to reach a maximum road speed of 100 km/h on land and 10 km/h in amphibious role and has been configured with a powerful indigenous 600 HP engine and under chassis driveline. The engine ensure high torque capacity allowing the vehicle to give rapid reaction especially in different terrain conditions. Being an indigenous engine it exceedingly satisfies the reliability and maintainability expectations with its low operational cost and easily available service. The fuel tanks are placed outside the crew compartment for additional safety. The Kestrel can cross a trench of up to 2 m width and vertical obstacle of 0.7 m

Accessories

The Kestrel is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by two rear mounted water jets. Vehicle does not require any preparation before entering into water. The driver in combat mode has visibility through 3 periscopes and a display catching vision through front and rear view cameras, with day and night vision.

Specifications