Ashok Leyland FAT
| Ashok Leyland Field Artillery Tractor[1] | |
|---|---|
 FAT 6×6 undergoing trials | |
| Type | Medium/Heavy truck (4×4 and 6×6) |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017-present |
| Used by | Indian Army Tanzanian Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ashok Leyland Defence Systems |
| Manufacturer | Ashok Leyland |
| Produced | 2017–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9,945 kg (9.945 t) (4×4) 22,000 kg (22 t) (6×6) |
| Length | 6282 mm (4×4) 8730 mm (6×6) |
| Width | 2500 mm (4×4) 2600 mm (6×6) |
| Height | 2950 mm (4×4) 3300 mm (6×6) |
| Crew | 4 operators + 6 additional spaces |
| Engine | 8.1 L I6 Neptune CRS turbo-diesel 160 hp (4×4) 360 hp (6×6) |
| Payload capacity | 3,000 kg (4×4) 8,000 kg (6×6) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (4×4) 8-speed manual (6×6) |
| Suspension |
|
| Ground clearance | 300 mm (4×4) 400 mm (6×6) |
| Fuel capacity | 212 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]
There are two variants of the truck
- Ashok Leyland FAT 4×4 or Ashok Leyland Topchi (payload capacity of 3 tonnes)[3]
- Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 or Ashok Leyland GTV 6×6 (payload capacity of 8 tonnes)[2]
Development
[edit]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
[edit]Ashok Leyland FAT 4×4
[edit]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
[edit]
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
[edit]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
[edit]
India
Indian Army – Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 4×4 and Gun Towing Vehicle (GTV) 6×6
Tanzania – Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 4×4[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "FAT 6x6 tech specs" (PDF). Ashok Leyland Defense Systems. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "FAT 6x6". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "FAT 4x4". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 – 2016 DefExpo". Sagar Patel. Rushlane. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland FAT". Military Today.
- ^ "ASHOK LEYLAND FAT 6X6 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW". OverDrive.in. Rahul Richard.
- ^ "Review:Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6". BBC TopGear. Sriram Narayanan.
- ^ Patel, Sagar (30 March 2016). "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6 - 2016 DefExpo (LIVE)". RushLane. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland wins Rs 800 crore order from armed forces". Times of India. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland bags orders worth Rs 800 crore from Indian Army". The Economic Times. 17 July 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland bags Rs 800-crore worth of defence orders". BusinessLine. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland bags Defence orders worth Rs. 800 Cr". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 26 August 2024.