Oshkosh TAK-4 Independent Suspension System

Last updated
Oshkosh TAK-4 Independent Suspension System
TAK-4.jpg
TAK-4 independent suspension system is a family of independent suspension systems designed and manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation for use on military, severe-duty and emergency vehicles.
Place of originUnited States of America
Production history
Designer Oshkosh
Manufacturer Oshkosh Corporation

TAK-4 independent suspension system is a family of independent suspension systems designed and manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation for use on military, severe-duty and emergency vehicles. The system was developed from the mid-1990s. [1]

Contents

In addition to third party usage for U.S. Army and Marines Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) fleet upgrades, TAK-4 independent suspension system is fitted by Oshkosh to a variety of its military vehicles and by its business unit, Oshkosh Airport Products, to its Striker Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks and Pierce Manufacturing to its fire apparatuses. [1]

Development

In 1999 Oshkosh was awarded a United States Air Force (USAF) contract to supply P23 ARFF trucks. These, and the earlier P23 supplied to the Air Force between 1994 and 1996 by Teledyne and Emergency-One (E-One) were fitted with independent suspension designed by Timoney Technology of Ireland.

The success of the P23, and subsequent interest in an independent suspension solution for US Army and Marines 5-ton truck upgrade projects led to Oshkosh (and the then Rockwell) approaching Timoney with regard to a licence arrangement for the suspension. Following discussions with both, Timoney opted to enter into a licence arrangement with Rockwell (now Meritor).

Oshkosh then developed two, possibly three independent suspension systems, including the set-up that came to be marketed as TAK-4 independent suspension system.

The latest TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system has been fitted to Oshkosh's L-ATV, this selected to meet the US Army and Marines JLTV requirement. JLTV Demo KJ7L2159 8x10 hires-crop.jpg
The latest TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system has been fitted to Oshkosh's L-ATV, this selected to meet the US Army and Marines JLTV requirement.

The first use of TAK-4 independent suspension system was on an M939 5-ton truck as part of the Marines’ plan to upgrade its M939 fleet. The upgrade approach was ultimately abandoned, this replaced by a new-build approach for which the Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) was selected.

The first production contract for the MTVR was awarded in February 1999 and the type remains in production for the US Marines. The MTVR is fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension system independent suspension and was the first US mass-produced military truck with fully independent suspension (Tatra had been mass-producing independently suspended military trucks since the 1930's). [2]

Oshkosh has since fitted TAK-4 independent suspension system to its Palletized Load System (PLS) trucks, [3] Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) trucks [4] and M-ATVs (MRAP – All-Terrain Vehicle), and the system has been retro-fitted to US Army/Marines General Dynamics/Force Protection Cougar MRAPs, BAE Systems’ RG-31 and RG-33 MRAPs. [5] Oshkosh business units Pierce Manufacturing and Oshkosh Airport Products fit TAK-4 independent suspension system systems to a large amount of its fire trucks. [6] [7]

Most recently the latest TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system has been fitted to Oshkosh's L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical – All-Terrain Vehicle), this selected to meet the US Army and Marines JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) requirement. [8]

Oshkosh remains the market leader as of 2024 for independent suspension systems above the 5000 kg threshold, almost exclusively for large commercial vehicles, and excluding Striker and Pierce products, has equipped in the region of 30,000 military vehicles with the TAK-4 independent suspension system set-up. [5] This figure will increase as JLTV production ramps up. [8]

To date the TAK-4 independent suspension system has accrued in excess of 1,000,000 actual durability test miles, most of these in extreme conditions. [9]

Description

The Oshkosh TAK-4 (and TAK-4i) suspension is known as double wishbone independent suspension. This is an independent suspension design using two wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each arm has two mounting points to the subframe and one joint at the knuckle, and in the case of TAK-4 independent suspension system these arms are of unequal length. The shock absorber and spring mount to the lower arm to control vertical movement. The double-wishbone suspension can also be referred to as ‘double A-arm,’ though the arms themselves can be A-shaped, L-shaped, or even a single bar linkage. The complete TAK-4 independent suspension system set-up also includes a subframe which contains the axle differential, half shafts, and wheel ends with steering attachments and brakes. [1] [10]

TAK-4 independent suspension system accepts various spring mediums, but the vast majority of systems supplied by Oshkosh to date have been fitted with coil springs. Exceptions are the rear axles on the LVSR and the wrecker variant of the MTVR which are hydro-pneumatic struts with Hendrickson components. [2] [4]

The original TAK-4 independent suspension system coil spring set-up as fitted to MTVR, LVSR and PLS A1 (front axles), M-ATV and upgraded MRAPs offers around 16-inches of vertical wheel travel and for MTVR, [4] LVSR and PLS-A1, and has an off-road gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 12,020 kg. The slighter lighter-capacity version fitted to the M-ATV has an off-road GVWR of 10,433 kg. [11] The light version offered as a potential HMMWV upgrade has a GVWR of 10,000 kg and offers around 14-inches of vertical wheel travel. In all cases the operating profile of the system is 70% off-road, 30% on-road.

The new Oshkosh TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension provides 20-inches of wheel travel, and again a 70% off-road, 30% on-road operating profile. TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension is fitted to Oshkosh's JLTV/L-ATV. TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension is an ‘intelligent’ independent suspension, providing variable ride height through gas springs. [8]

To promote TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension, Oshkosh has stated the following: “In fact, Independent testing proves that the Oshkosh L-ATV provides the same ride quality at speeds 70 percent faster than today’s industry gold standard for off-road mobility, the Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV).” [9]

TAK-4 Applications

(coil springs unless stated)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck</span> US Army heavy tactical truck, in service since 1982

The Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) is an eight-wheel drive, diesel-powered, 10-short-ton (9,100 kg) tactical truck. The M977 HEMTT first entered service in 1982 with the United States Army as a replacement for the M520 Goer, and since that date has remained in production for the U.S. Army and other nations. By Q2 2021, around 35,800 HEMTTs in various configurations had been produced by Oshkosh Defense through new-build contracts and around 14,000 of these had been re-manufactured. Current variants have the A4 suffix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oshkosh Corporation</span> American industrial company

Oshkosh Corporation, formerly Oshkosh Truck, is an American industrial company that designs and builds specialty trucks, military vehicles, truck bodies, airport fire apparatus, and access equipment. The corporation also owns Pierce Manufacturing, a fire apparatus manufacturer in Appleton, Wisconsin, and JLG Industries, a manufacturer of lift equipment, including aerial lifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers and low-level access lifts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement</span> Family of 6x6 tactical trucks with 7-ton payload (U.S. tons)

The Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) is a series of vehicles used by the U.S. Marines. The first MTVRs were delivered in late 1999. The MTVR is the equivalent of the U.S. Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV); the Marines do not use the FMTV and the Army does not use the MTVR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six-wheel drive</span> Type of drivetrain with all six wheels driven

Six-wheel drive is an all-wheel drive drivetrain configuration of three axles with at least two wheels on each axle capable of being driven simultaneously by the vehicle's engine. Unlike four-wheel drive drivetrains, the configuration is largely confined to heavy-duty off-road and military vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, armored vehicles, and prime movers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles</span> Series of US military trucks since 1996

The Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) is a series of military vehicles that are based on a common chassis and vary by payload and mission requirements. The FMTV is derived from the Austrian Steyr 12M18 truck, but substantially modified to meet United States Army requirements, these including a minimum 50 percent U.S. content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TerraMax</span> Trademark for autonomous/unmanned ground vehicle technology

TerraMax is the trademark for autonomous/unmanned ground vehicle technology developed by Oshkosh Defense. Primary military uses for the technology are seen as reconnaissance missions and freight transport in high-risk areas so freeing soldiers from possible attacks, ambushes or the threat of mines and IEDs. The technology could also be used in civilian settings, such as autonomous snow clearing at airports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logistics Vehicle System</span> American military vehicle family

The Logistics Vehicle System (LVS), nicknamed by U.S. Marines as "Dragon Wagon", is a modular assortment of eight-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle unit combinations used by the United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infantry mobility vehicle</span> Wheeled armored personnel carrier

An infantry mobility vehicle (IMV) is a wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) serving as a military patrol, reconnaissance or security vehicle. Examples include the ATF Dingo, Iveco LMV, Oshkosh M-ATV, AMZ Dzik, AMZ Tur, Mungo ESK, and Bushmaster IMV. This term also applies to those vehicles fielded as part of the MRAP program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Light Tactical Vehicle</span> Light tactical vehicle

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is a U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and Special Operations Command program to partially replace the Humvee fleet with a family of more survivable vehicles having a greater payload. Early studies for the JLTV program were approved in 2006. The JLTV program incorporates lessons learned from the earlier Future Tactical Truck Systems program and other associated efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRAP</span> Armoured vehicle designed to survive IED explosion

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected is a term for United States military light tactical vehicles produced as part of the MRAP program that are designed specifically to withstand improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes. The United States Department of Defense MRAP program began in 2007 as a response to the increased threat of IEDs during the Iraq War. From 2007 until 2012, the MRAP program deployed more than 12,000 vehicles in the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.

Plasan is an Israeli-based company that now specializes in survivability solutions for all domains, the design, development and manufacture of protected vehicles, and most recently maneuvering robotics.

The Humvee replacement process was an effort by the U.S. military to replace the current AM General Humvee multi-purpose motor vehicle. The Humvee had evolved several times since its introduction in 1984, and is now used in tactical roles for which it was not originally intended. The U.S. military pursued several initiatives to replace it, both in the short and long term. The short-term replacement efforts utilize commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles, while the long-term efforts focused on building requirements for the Humvee replacement and technology research and evaluation in the form of various prototype vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M1120 HEMTT Load Handling System</span> 10-ton, 8×8 heavy tactical truck

The M1120 HEMTT LHS is a M977 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck with a load handling system in place of a flat bed/cargo body. The HEMTT is an eight-wheel drive, diesel-powered, tactical truck used by the US military and others. The HEMTT is manufactured by Oshkosh Defense and entered Army service in 1982, with the M1120 variant first produced in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oshkosh M-ATV</span> Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP), light utility vehicle

The Oshkosh M-ATV is a mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle developed by the Oshkosh Corporation for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program. Intended to replace M1114 HMMWVs (Humvee), it is designed to provide the same levels of protection as the larger and heavier previous MRAPs, but with improved mobility.

Motor transport (MT) refers to the operation and maintenance of a military vehicle fleet, and sometimes to the servicemembers to operate and maintain them. Traditionally, motor transport organizations are responsible for a unit's military trucks and associated equipment, as well as the transport of personnel and material from one place to another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oshkosh L-ATV</span> Military light utility/combat multi-role vehicle

The Oshkosh L-ATV is a light utility/combat multi-role vehicle that won the US military's Army-led Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. In the very early stages of the program it was suggested that JLTV would replace the AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) on a one-for-one basis. It is now suggested that the JLTV will partly replace the HMMWV, not replace it on a like-for-like basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logistic Vehicle System Replacement</span> 10x10 tactical trucks with up to 16.5 / 22.5 ton off-road / on-road payload (MKR18 cargo)

The Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) is a family of heavy-duty military logistics vehicles of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) based on a common 5-axle ten-wheel drive (10x10) chassis. The vehicles vary in individual configuration by mission requirements, with three variants in service: a cargo, a wrecker and a tractor truck. The LVSR was designed and is manufactured by Oshkosh Defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oshkosh P-19R Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle</span> Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle

The Oshkosh P-19R is an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle and it was selected by the United States Marine Corps in 2013. The first delivery occurred in June 2017, Initial Operating Capability (IOC) followed in February 2018, and in service the P-19R serves as a first-response vehicle in aircraft fire emergencies at military bases and expeditionary airfields.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Advanced suspension technology". Oshkosh Defense. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Oshkosh (6 × 6) Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and trailers". IHS Jane's. 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  3. 1 2 "Oshkosh (10 × 10) Palletized Load System (PLS)". IHS Jane's. 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Oshkosh Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR)". IHS Jane's. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Retasking MRAP: Life after Afghanistan". IHS Jane's. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  6. 1 2 "Overview". Pierce. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  7. 1 2 "Striker". Oshkosh Airport Products. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)". IHS Jane's. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  9. 1 2 "Oshkosh Defense Features the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle at Eurosatory 2016". Oshkosh. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  10. "Smooth ride: tracing the path to improved mobility". IHS Jane's Robin Hughes. 2014-08-18. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  11. "AUSA 2015: Oshkosh unveils 6x6 M-ATV". IHS Jane's. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  12. "Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)". IHS Jane's. 2016-09-03. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  13. "U.S. Marine Corps' Advanced New Firefighting Vehicle From Oshkosh Defense Featured at Marine South". Oshkosh. Retrieved 2016-08-09.