Ashok Leyland FAT

Last updated

Ashok Leyland Field Artillery Tractor [1]
Le1s 20180228-142634-1-1.jpg
FAT 6×6 undergoing trials
TypeMedium/Heavy truck
(4×4 and 6×6)
Place of origin India
Service history
In service2017-present
Used by Indian Army
Tanzanian Army
Production history
Designer Ashok Leyland Defence Systems
Manufacturer Ashok Leyland
Produced2017–present
Specifications
Mass9,945 kg (9.945 t) (4×4)
22,000 kg (22 t) (6×6)
Length6282 mm (4×4)
8730 mm (6×6)
Width2500 mm (4×4)
2600 mm (6×6)
Height2950 mm (4×4)
3300 mm (6×6)
Crew4 operators + 6 additional spaces

Engine8.1 L I6 Neptune CRS turbo-diesel
160 hp (4×4)
360 hp (6×6)
Payload capacity3,000 kg (4×4)
8,000 kg (6×6)
Transmission6-speed manual (4×4)
8-speed manual (6×6)
Suspension
  • Semi elliptic multi leaf spring with Double acting telescopic shock absorber at Front & rear (4×4)
  • Parabolic Leaf Spring at Front & Bogie suspension at rear with shock absorber at both Front & Rear (6×6)
Ground clearance300 mm (4×4)
400 mm (6×6)
Fuel capacity212 L (4×4)
350 L (6×6)
Operational
range
700 km
Maximum speed 86 km/h
Steering
system
power-assisted steering
References [2] [3]

The Ashok Leyland FAT is a family of all-terrain military truck designed, developed and produced by Indian automobile manufacturer Ashok Leyland. The design is broadly based on Ashok Leyland Super Stallion truck. [3] [2] It is primarily used for towing a wide range of artillery guns. It will replace the aging fleet of KrAZ-255 and Scania SBAT111S used by the Indian Army. [4] [5]

Contents

There are two variants of the truck

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. [4]

Ashok Leyland is one of the biggest suppliers of logistics vehicles to Indian Army; the company's Stallion truck has 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. [6]

Design & features

Ashok Leyland FAT 4×4

It is powered by Ashok Leyland's in-house developed engine that gives 160 hp (120 kW) of power and 550 Nm of maximum torque. This is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The truck runs on full-time 4-wheel drive system with all axles having differential lock. The FAT 4×4's towing capacity is rated at 3 tonnes. The cargo bay is fitted with a crane for loading/unloading ammunition and other equipment. [3]

Ashok Leyland GTV 6×6

Ashok Leyland FAT towing a Dhanush howitzer during Republic Day Parade 2017. Dhanush howitzer during Republic Day Parade 2017.jpg
Ashok Leyland FAT towing a Dhanush howitzer during Republic Day Parade 2017.

It is powered by Ashok Leyland's in-house developed 8-litre Neptune series engine that gives 360 hp (270 kW) of power and 1,400 Nm of torque at 1,300 rpm. This is mated to an 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 four people and the crew cabin just behind it can hold six. The cargo bay is fitted with a 2.7 tonne crane for loading/unloading ammunition and other equipment. There is a roof hatch for observation, emergency exit and firing. At the front, the truck has a 10 tonne self-recovery winch. [7]

Other features include a fire and smoke detection unit, an infrared rear-view camera and Indeginised Rotex central tire inflation system. For driver's comfort, cab is equipped with HVAC. [8]

Production

In March 2016, Ashok Leyland won a contract for supplying 450 units of the FAT 6x6 along with other "Super Stallion" vehicles and 825 units of "Ambulance 4x4" to the army. The total order was worth ₹825 crore. [9] In 2017, the first batch of trucks was delivered. [10]

In July 2023, another order was placed for Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 4×4 [Ashok Leyland Topchi] and Gun Towing Vehicle (GTV) 6×6 worth ₹800 crore. The order will be executed in 12 months. [11] [12] [13]

Operators

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References

  1. "FAT 6x6 tech specs" (PDF). Ashok Leyland Defense Systems. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "FAT 6x6". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "FAT 4x4". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 – 2016 DefExpo". Sagar Patel. Rushlane. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  5. Dutta, Amrita Nayak (24 June 2021). "Army plans to buy 2,000 gun-towing vehicles to move medium guns on hilly & desert terrain". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  6. "Ashok Leyland FAT". Military Today.
  7. "ASHOK LEYLAND FAT 6X6 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW". OverDrive.in. Rahul Richard.
  8. "Review:Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6". BBC TopGear. Sriram Narayanan.
  9. Patel, Sagar (30 March 2016). "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6 - 2016 DefExpo (LIVE)". RushLane. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  10. "Ashok Leyland wins Rs 800 crore order from armed forces". Times of India. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  11. "Ashok Leyland bags orders worth Rs 800 crore from Indian Army". The Economic Times. 17 July 2023. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  12. "Ashok Leyland bags Rs 800-crore worth of defence orders". BusinessLine. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  13. "Ashok Leyland bags Defence orders worth Rs. 800 Cr". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 26 August 2024.