The Raport-wto 02/2010 wrote (as first source) about successful start of long awaited project of Polish defence industry. In January 2010, Gliwice OBRUM (R&D Dept. Of mechanical constructions) had begun the work on technology demonstrator of future polish ACV – the ACV of XXIst century.

The hull with basic armour awaits for chassis and power pack

Right now, we have found that the tempo of work had not slowed down. The vehicle begins to take shape, and we now know more about it.

We have to stress here that it has to be universal, tracked combat platform, one of most modern in Europe. It should constitute a base for Polish light tank (PCL), and additionally for family of vehicles with large commonality of structures. Such a vehicle is very needed in modernizing Polish army. It is (or will be) a reality under one condition: that army and ministry o defence will accept and actively support this direction of Polish armament industry’s action.

The project (that OBRUM has received very small quote of money to finance) is financed by Ministry of Education, and the sum obtained makes 17,1 million of PLN (about 5 million $). Owing to stubbornness of Silesian designers will be most probably finished before September 2010, and the first real vehicle should be demonstrated at Kielce MSPO 2010 (6-9 September 2010). This would make the record of speed of realization, for all the European Continent. We can recall that in other countries of EU (that can be envied for their steady support for their armour industry like Germany, France, UK even Spain), the sum paid by governments for such projects are about tenford as much and effects of them are planned after 5 years at least.

We will stress to Ministry of Defence

Right now it is possible to inform that PCL project had its very hot supporter in the person of OC of Polish Land Forces- general Tadeusz Buk (he was one of victims in 10,04,2010 aircraft crash near Smolensk). He was heard to say proudly ‘ I am a “tin cover man” AKA AFV man, and I think, we should have modern AFV’s- all tales about the end of tank ERA, are nuts’.

We can only wish to his successors to keep this line and follow his ideas.

It seems that the best form of memorial for him, would be making the OBRUM project, the full, official program of modernizing the Armed Forces in most important for them period – 2009-2018 (M.D. vaguely promises this form some time). It has been said that this has to be done during MSPO 2010 fair. We will repeatedly recall this, anyway.

Details of OBRUM vehicle

The hull of AFV designed by OBRUM and finished in cooperation with Polish subcontractors ( ZM Bumar- -Łabędy and AMZ Kutno) in May 2010 is complete to be equipped all sub systems – hatch covers, hatches, rear ramp with doors are nearing finishing. Prepared for assembly are (supplied by WZM Siemianowice Śląskie), complete hatch for driver, driver’s seat, infantry seats and front lights.

Gliwice, in cooperation with subcontractors (ZM Bumar Łabędy, Axtone, Diehl) finished elements of running system. This contains wheels, torsion shafts, bumpers of elastomer, rocker arms with friction dampers, track shoes with rubber pads, and track tensioning system.

Prepared for installation id internal equipment containing:

Air conditioning system

APU (made by ENTE – Gliwice)

Night vision periscope PNK – B for driver, designed and supplied by PCO

Observation systems for crew, designed and supplied by WB Electronics fire- retarding and anti- explosion system STOPFIRE-SF-01, adapted for this vehicle and supplied by WSK-PZL Warszawa II.

Gliwice have already the engine – 8V199 TE 20 / Photos: OBRUM

Currently, on specially designed and built test stand, OBRUM tests, integrates and prepares for installation in the hull, main elements of power pack

-8V199 TE20 engine from MTU

-cooling system designed especially for this vehicle, very modern design by OBRUM, containing:

-fan engines made and designed in cooperation with KOMEL

- fan rotors made and designed with WIROPOL

-coolers, supplied by NISSENS

-air filter especially adapted and supplied by IGMA

-main gear system

-high voltage system made for this vehicle by Germany ESW- third 120 KW starter- generator

Elements of the system are in final assembly and tests in subcontractors works.

The installation of self defence system against ATGMs is planned soon. On this demonstrator installation of Ukrainian Zasłon (only maquette) choice. There are other options possible.

The eyevew of the turret

The turret block has been designed by OBRUM. Currently it is in finishing state of mechanical treatment, prepared for assembly of subsystems.

Subsystems, like hatch covers are in final state of building. Prepared is also ( to be installed in the turret) the 120mm CGT gun supplied by Swiss RUAG, and gun driving system supplied by German ESW.

Awaiting also for final assembly are:

-turret ring

-turret blocking system

-turret internal equipment (floor, floor posts etc.)

-turret internal seats.

The gun loading automatical system (made by OBRUM), currently in final assembly state of mechanical elements is prepared for installation of electrical drive by subcontractor of managing system AREX.

Awaiting also in prepared status is turret equipment

-self defence system OBRA III in new configuration adapted to PCL – by PCO ZM Tarnów and OBRSM Tarnów

-panoramical periscope for commander, made by Carl Zeiss Optronics

-radio equipment from RADMOR

-intercom system (BMS by Fonet) and informatic system by WBE Electronics

-terrestrial navigation system TALIN made by WZE Zielonka.

It is worth of mention that this vehicle – as first one – will have installed new generation sighting device designed by PCO.

The vehicle that arranges integration of Polish Armament Industry

Parts of armour for hull and turret are currently under ballistic tests to obtain the safety on required level. It will be comparable with most advanced world solutions. Gliwice are discussing supplies with producers of technology that was not available during design of famous AAV producing corporations, and the progress in this area is colossal. News about new vehicle emerging in Poland, cause big interest in most modern solutions designers over the world.

WB Electronics works upon informatical net programming that should integrate all subsystems of the PCL.

We risk the conclusion that modern, tracked combat platform from Gliwice should in the effect make a system of most advanced solutions from Polish AAV industry, and can possibly integrate all subcontractors in this project of a new reality. Similar role was planned in a warship industry for Gawron corvette. For a time, because of obstacles put by Ministry of Defence, it does not work. Perhaps next try will end up better.