Power Pack Prototype Development for the Altay Main Battle Tank to be Completed in 6 Years
Top priority for the project is the use, to the greatest extent possible, of existing domestic facilities and capabilities for the original design, development, prototype production, test and certification of the power pack to be utilized as part of the Altay Main Battle Tank. The project calls for the acquisition of technical support from abroad where required. Tümosan general manager Mr. Kurtuluş Öğün said that establishing the infrastructure necessary for the development of the diesel engine and the hydro-mechanical transmission would play a lead role in Turkey’s industrialization efforts and its quest for competency, and added “since 2004, we have been investing in research and development efforts in the area of diesel engine and transmission technologies, and we are pleased that we’ll be using the knowledge we have accumulated towards the realization of the Altay Main Battle Tank Power pack Project.” Mr. Öğün said that the development program would help to minimize Turkey’s foreign dependence with respect to the modernization and production of wheeled and tracked vehicles for the Turkish Armed Forces, and would also eliminate third-country export restrictions. Mr. Öğün added that the development program would also contribute to the efforts towards indigenous production in the civilian sector, especially for diesel engine and transmission development in the Turkish automotive industry.
The development process targets Tümosan gaining design capability for diesel engines in the 300 to 1,600 horsepower range and associated hydro-mechanical transmissions. The Altay Main battle tank power pack is comprised of the engine component (V-type, turbo diesel, water-cooled, rated for operations in the ambient temperature range of -45 °C to +49 °C), the transmission (electronic-control system, hydrodynamic/hydrokinetic, 1,500 horsepower), cooling system, air intake system and exhaust system.
The program will entail two phases – the prototype development phase and mass-production. Defence industry sources anticipate a five to six-year period for the completion of the first phase. Following successful completion of the contract, the second phase (i.e. the mass production of the power pack) would then be negotiated by the Defence Industry Executive Committee at that time.
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BTW the transmission type they are looking into according to the article, is the same type used in Japan's Type-10 MBT