14 February 2015

India's Space Shuttle


ISRO's RLV-TD
INTRODUCTION:

Sriharikota Range, popularly known as SHAR is situated on an island off Sullurupeta - a small town in Nellore district, of the state Andhra Pradesh. This launch centre located at Sriharikota island, was named as Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR (SDSC, SHAR) in September 2002, in memory of Prof Satish Dhawan, who was Chairman of ISRO from 1972 to 1984. The activities at SDSC, SHAR are grouped under vehicle assembly and static test operations, range operations, liquid storage and service facilities and, solid propellant space booster plant. However, the most fascinating events that take place in this quaint location are the launches of giant rocket boosters. Unknown to many, ISRO is getting ready to launch a  high tech Reusable rocket, a capability which has no players but has aspirants aplenty.

BACKGROUND:

The Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) is an experimental spacecraft launched by ISRO in 2007, it is designed to demonstrate the capability to recover an orbiting space capsule, and the technology of an orbiting platform for performing experiments in micro gravity conditions. It was also intended to test reusable Thermal Protection System, navigation, guidance and control, hypersonic aero-thermodynamics, management of communication blackout, deceleration and flotation system and recovery operations.

The SRE-1 comprised of an aero-thermo structure, mission management unit, altitude sensors, inertial measurement unit, S-band transponder with unique belt array antenna embedded to ATS, power and electronics packages to support deceleration and flotation system. It also housed two microgravity payloads. The parachute, pyro devices, avionics packages of triggering unit and sequencer, telemetry and tracking system and sensors for measurement of system performance parameters were placed inside the SRE-1 capsule which performed flawlessly. All the above technologies will be applied in the Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) experimental vehicle.

Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD):


A winged Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) has been configured to act as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies, viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion towards realising a Two Stage to Orbit (TSTO) fully Reusable Launch Vehicle.

Major milestones reach for the RLV-TD include:

  • Completion of major actions identified by the National Review Committee during the Integrated Technical Review (ITR) of hypersonic experimental flight (RLV-TD HEX-01).
  • Mission analyses on the design of trajectory, autopilot and guidance have been completed.
  • The Avionics Bay powering for the Avionics packages in the Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (TDV) was carried out through Checkout System and On-Board Checkout Computer (OBCC).
  • The second phase of the full scale Flush Air Data System (FADS) model was successfully tested and validated at the Wind Tunnel Facility, IIT, Kanpur with modified algorithms and recalibrated sensors.
  • Radar Altimeter along with antenna was also validated through a Balloon test at TATA Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad and the capability of the system has been demonstrated.
  • Trial assembly of Thermal Protection System for qualifying the bonding procedure and trial assembly of Booster with Interstage and TDV have been completed.
  • The realisation of the flight hardware and its assembly and integration is in progress. The launch of RLV-TD HEX-01 mission is planned in 2014.
FIRST DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT:


The first test flight of the RLV-TD called as RLV-TD HEX-01 (Hypersonic Flight Experiment) is expected to occur in the month of March 2015. RLV-TD alone without the Solid Booster weighs about 3 tonnes, with a diameter of about 0.56 m and a length of about 10 m. The RLV-TD will be mounted on top of a S-9 Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) which weighs about 9 tonnes.

The main objectives of this test flight are:

1 - Validating the aerodynamic design characteristics during Hypersonic flight.
2 - Characterize induced loads during the Hypersonic re-entry into the atmosphere.
3 - Recovery of the HEX vehicle from the sea.
4 - Assess the performance of the carbon fibre used in construction of the nose of the vehicle.
5 - Demonstrating First Stage separation sequencing.

RLV-TD HEX-01 is the first out of four in the series of test flights. HEX-01 stands for Hypersonic Flight Experiment.The other four tests are:

1 - LEX (Landing Experiment)
2 - REX (Return Flight Experiment)
3 - SPEX (Scramjet Propulsion Experiment)

The conventional satellite launch vehicles PSLV and GSLV are not cost effective. Hence, currently efforts are being made to develop Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). The proposed vehicle is a two stage to orbit configuration with a semi-cryogenic winged booster and a cryogenic ballistic orbiter in which the first stage will fly back to the landing site near the launch pad like a conventional aircraft. It will serve as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies such as hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion.

The S-9 Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) undergoing tests at Liquid Propulsion Systems Center

The RLV-TD will possess wings and tail fins, and will be launched atop a 9 ton solid booster called S-9, similar to the ones on the PSLV.  RLV-TD is reported to be 9m long, with its wing span also measuring 9m. The RLV-TD plus the S9 Solid Rocket Booster stack will together weigh 12-ton. Following liftoff, the S-9 booster will climb to 100-km and accelerate several times the speed of sound with the RLV-TD. RLV-TD will then separate and glide down using its fin and wing controls and will land in  the Bay of Bengal, close to the shore.  The water landing is planned because India doesn't have a long enough runway which is more than 5 Km in length.

The next experiment would be to land the vehicle on a 2km runway after releasing it from an aircraft from a height of about 5km. The third step would be to take it to a higher altitude and try the ground landing.


SCRAMJET FLIGHT TEST:


Indian Space Research Organisation has developed a hydrogen based scramjet engine. All the ground based tests have been completed using the moderate size hypersonic wind tunnel and the conventional shock tunnel available within ISRO. The flight tests using the sounding rockets will commence shortly.

HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLE (HSTDV):


This program is to demonstrate a scramjet engine integrated vehicle performance in autonomous mode. In addition to proving the design and performance of the scramjet engine the HSTDV will also be able to prove the associated technologies including aerodynamic design, aero-thermal design, materials and hot structures at hypersonic flight Mach numbers. The HSTDV mission involves launching the hypersonic air-breathing vehicle called Cruise Vehicle (CV) to a Mach number of 6.5 at an altitude of 30-35 km using a rocket launch vehicle. A single scramjet engine burning kerosene fuel powers the cruise vehicle for a sustained operation of 20 second duration.

13 February 2015

Thorium as an Alternative Source of Cheap & Plentiful Energy



India's Prototype Fast Thorium Breeder Reactor (PFTBR) - the 200-tonne safety vessel being lowered into the reactor vault at the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) located at Kalpakkam about 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Chennai, India 

INTRODUCTION


“Safe enough for our back yard”

Electricity is a predominant input for the economic development of any country. In spite of the impressive strides in increasing overall installed capacity in the India, the country is still facing power shortages. Options available for commercial electricity generation are hydro, thermal, nuclear and renewable sources. In the energy planning of the country, a judicious mix of hydro, thermal, nuclear and renewable is an important aspect. Diversified energy resource-base is essential to meet electricity requirements and to ensure long-term energy security. With the limited resources of coal and oil available in India and the growing global concerns of greenhouse gases generated by fossil fuel fired stations, in the medium and long-term perspective nuclear power is designated to play a vital role. For a trillion dollar plus economy, like India, increase in the nuclear generation capacity is rational and an inevitable approach as it is environmentally benign, commercially viable and ensures the energy security of the country.

Current Scenario

Post Obama’s visit to India and the clearing of the nuclear deal between India and the US, a great amount of buzz has been generated on this issue. However, the focus has thus far been on using Uranium as a source of nuclear fuel and India getting access to this source of fuel besides the nuclear reactors.


         A Sample of Thorium

A couple of years back when the nuclear deal was first proposed during the UPA government’s stint in power, scientists in India vehemently opposed placing its fast breeder reactor technology under the preview of international nuclear watch dogs and pressed for focusing on Thorium based Fast Breeder Reactor technology for the future.

However, the previous UPA government followed an unwritten policy of severely downsizing both the Fast Breeder Reactor (FBT) as well as the thorium-based technology program, thereby making India dependent on foreign countries for advanced nuclear technology, this is claimed by many key scientists on condition of anonymity. 

Until 2005, Indian was at the forefront of thorium based research. It is also by far the most committed nation as far as the use of thorium fuel is concerned, and no other country has done as much neutron physics work on thorium as India. The country published about twice the number of papers on thorium as its nearest competitors during each of the years from 2002 to 2006.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) had the highest number of publications in the thorium area, across all research institutions in the world during the period 1982-2004. During this same period, India ranks an overall second behind the United States in the research output on Thorium. Analysis shows that majority of the authors involved in thorium research publications appear to be from India.

       Illustration of a Molten salt Reactor

Research and development of thorium-based nuclear reactors, primarily the Liquid fluoride thorium reactor, (LFTR), MSR design, has been or is now being done in the U.S., U.K.,Germany, Brazil, India, China, France, the Czech Republic, Japan, Russia, Canada, Israel and the Netherlands.

According to Siegfried Hecker, a former director (1986–1997) of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the U.S., "India has the most technically ambitious and innovative nuclear energy program in the world. The extent and functionality of its nuclear experimental facilities is matched only by Russia and is far ahead of the United States".

Back to circa 2015, India is back to counting on foreign suppliers for expensive Uranium fuel and reactors. And this is certainly the wrong direction taken by the policy makers on account of these following vital facts:

Thorium offers a form of energy that is stable, abundant, inexpensive, powerful, safe, continuous, domestically-sourced, non-polluting during both extraction and consumption, transportable, and for which India has at least a thousand-year reserve.

India's Research on Prototype Fast Thorium Breeder Reactor (PFTBR)

At present, there are no internal fertile blankets or fissile breeding zones in power reactors operating in the world. Thorium-based fuels and fuel cycles have been used in the past and are being developed in a few countries but are yet to be commercialized. However, BARC's Prototype Fast Thorium Breeder Reactor (PFTBR) is claimed to be the first design that truly exploits the concept of "breeding" in a reactor that uses thorium. The handful of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) in the world today - including the one India is building in Kalpakkam near Chennai, use plutonium as fuel. These breeders have to wait until enough plutonium to be accumulated through reprocessing of spent fuel discharged by thermal power reactors that run on Uranium. In February 2014, BARC presented its latest design for a "next-generation nuclear reactor" that will burn thorium as its fuel. The target date to commission the system is envisioned for 2016 and it would be a completely automated design which means it would not require any operator to run the reactor for more than two months. The commissioning of PFTBR would make India the most advanced country in thorium research. The concept has won praise from nuclear experts elsewhere. According to former BARC Director P.K. Iyengar, this new design is one way of utilizing thorium and circumventing the delays in building plutonium for India's FBRs. (Text based on reports from Times of India, Circa 2007)

Switching from Uranium to Thorium

India has chalked out a three-stage program to reduce its reliance on imported uranium seeks to make more substantial use of thorium, of which India holds 25% of the world’s total reserves. Although Th-232 is not fissile, it will absorb slow neutrons to produce fissile U-233 when placed in a reactor. (See the sidebar "Now you’re cooking with Thorium" in "Developing the next generation of reactors," POWER, April 2008.) A thorium-powered reactor would be based on a closed fuel cycle.

The first stage consists of setting up pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). Already 17 PHWRs with an installed capacity of 4,000 MW are in operation, and five reactors with an installed capacity of 2,660 MW are under construction. "The choice of PHWRs in the first stage is driven by the fact that in PHWRs, on account of the use of heavy water as moderator and on-power refueling, more neutrons are available to convert U-238 to Pu than in the case of Light Water Reactors (LWRs)," Anil Kakodkar, chair of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, said at a public lecture in Bangalore last year.

The second phase will start with the deployment of domestically designed fast breeder reactors (FBRs) fueled with mixed oxide, and then — when all "necessary technologies" have been developed and demonstrated — metallic fuel – based FBRs, Kakodkar said. These are expected to convert uranium – 238 into plutonium, increasing power generation to 300 GW for about 70 years.

The third stage will involve the gradual transition to thorium-based systems, likely through an advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR) being developed at the Mumbai-based Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). The uranium-233 required for third-stage breeder reactors will be obtained by the irradiation of thorium in PHWRs and FBRs. "Studies indicate that once the FBR capacity reaches about 200 GW, thorium-based fuel can be introduced progressively in the FBRs to initiate the third stage, where U-233 bred in these reactors is to be used in the thorium-based reactors," Kakodkar said.

Construction of a 500-MWe prototype FBR — the first in India — is already in full swing at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu (Figure 10). All research and developmental work by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) has been completed on the R35 billion ($680 million) reactor. The project, a joint venture between Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam, the Nuclear Power Corp. of India, and the IGCAR (which are all federal enterprises) — is expected to begin generating power sometime in 2010.

Types of thorium-based reactors

There are seven types of reactors that can be designed to use thorium as a nuclear fuel. The first five of these have all entered into operational service at some point. The last two are still conceptual, although currently in development by many countries:

  • Heavy water reactors (PHWRs) 
  • High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTRs) 
  • Boiling (light) water reactors (BWRs) 
  • Pressurized (Light) water reactors (PWRs) 
  • Fast neutron reactors (FNRs) 
  • Molten salt reactors (MSRs, LFTRs) 
Salient Features of Thorium Fuel and its Reactors

Thorium is Stable (fertile, not fissile)

  • Half life of 1.39x1010 years 
  • Stable in natural state 
  • Can be handled with care in solid form. Shavings or powder can self-combust in air. 
  • For energy purposes, we will be dealing with thorium as a liquid fluoride. 

Thorium is Powerful


Thorium, by itself, is virtually non-radioactive. It must be bombarded by neutrons to jump-start it. The fissionable result is 233U, which gives off 198 MeV or 82.0 TJ/kg. 
Per nucleus fission, the thorium fuel cycle is virtually as powerful as that of uranium. 

Thorium is Abundant

  • More common in the earth's crust than gold, mercury, tungsten, and tin.
  • More plentiful than uranium by 3.73 times.
  • Can be found in uranium mine tailings and coal power plant ash piles
  • India has 319,000 tons of Thorium
Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR)

  • Allow for continuous feed for higher fuel utilization 
  • Simplify chemical separation 
  • Provides self-regulation, i.e. higher temperature expands liquid which dilutes concentration, which lowers neutron absorption and fission, which lowers temperature 
  • Make xenon gas removal easy, thereby maintaining high efficiency 
  • Can process today's nuclear waste materials 
Fluorides

  • Chemically stable 
  • Combine with fission products and transuranics 
  • High temperature operation brings high efficiency 
  • No water cooling, control rods, or elaboratecontainment facility needed 
  • Salt plug safety mechanism 
Thorium

  • Very high percentage of a single isotope leads to single isotope fission, thereby a smaller set of fission products/waste. 
  • Thorium's high thermal neutron cross section (~90%) implies fewer higher mass actinides. 
  • Thorium fission products have less neutron absorption leading to significantly greater efficiency. 
  • Chemically separable on the fly from its fissile material (233U). 
  • Thorium fluoride has low water solubility. 
Current Reactor Safety

  • No spent fuel rods. instead molten fuel continuously consumed 
  • No melt down Instead passive cooling 
  • No water Instead molten salt for heat transfer and gas turbines for electricity generation 
  • No high pressure. Instead the reactor runs at high temperature, making the turbines more efficient 
  • No containment facility 
  • In the unlikely event of a fuel spill, the fuel turns solid. 
  • Low water soluble compounds, i.e. no ground water contamination if promptly addressed 
  • Overheated salt self-corrects itself to lower temperature 
  • Freeze plug for automatic and/or quick shutdown 
  • No water for steam explosion 
  • No O2 or other gases in the system to assist explosions 
  • Low pressure environment can't explode & spread fuel 
  • Must add fuel to keep reactor running 
  • No spent fuel stockpile to maintain/protect 
  • Radioactivity confined to reactor. chemical separators, 1st heat exchanger, & drain tank 
Can Thorium be used directly for a bomb?

Thorium is naturally stable. It is no good for a bomb in its elemental state. It is also stable in fluorides and other compounds.

Could a LFTR reactor be used as a bomb?

If you could somehow overload the reactor, the temperature would rise, the freeze plug would melt, and the fluoride would flow to an external reservoir where it would solidify because the geometry would not support fission. You would need a LFTR like environment to unfreeze it and re-stimulate fission to an extreme

Can one take radioactive material out of a LFTR and use it for a dirty bomb?

Yes, but these materials are extremely hot and giving off gamma rays that, nearby, could disable all electronics and kill a person within 72 hours. To then use this material, you would have to build a special reactor/bomb, a task about half the size of the Manhatten Project.

Will LFTR sites need security?

Yes. Even if only for the waste that must be controlled.

Waste Management comparison – Uranium Vs Thorium

  • Mine waste generation - Thorium solid waste advantage for this set of steps: 3667 to 1. 
  • Operation waste generation - Thorium solid waste advantage: 363 to 1
Reactor Waste Products per GigaWyr

Uranium Fuel Cycle

  • 250 tons inc. 1.75 t 235U 
  • 215 tons of depleted 238U inc. 0.6t 235U waste + 35t enrich U inc. 1.15t 235U 
  • Yields 33.4t 238U & 0.3t 235U & 1t fission products & 0.3t plutonium 
  • Products include Pu-238, 239 (50%), 240, 241, 242 and 0.1% Americium, neptunium, curium 

Thorium Fuel Cycle

  • 1 ton Thorium at start 
  • 83% of fission products are stable in 10 years 
  • 17% of fission products are stored for 300-350 years 
  • Zero thorium at end 
  • 0.0001 ton of plutonium 
  • Thorium products need sequestering on the order of 350 years versus 350,000 years for the plutonium products. 
LFTR Design Advantages

Built-in passive safety, proven, scaleable, site agile, manufacturable, carbonless, domestically sourced, potential export product, small footprint, transportable, manageable waste, abundant electrical power source, enrichment free, available fuel already, no mineral exploration needed, 1000+ year fuel reserve, can consume existing nuclear waste stockpiles, proliferation resistant, resilient to natural diasters, performance tunable/load following, on/off capable, low-cost fuel, waterless, higher electricity conversion efficiency, centralized quality control. 

Resilient to natural disasters could use further explanation. LFTRs are scalable in size. For general utility, the optimal size maybe modules about the size of cargo containers. These are relatively small and coud be built to shake as a unit during an earthquake. The relatively small size reduces the torque along any given axis. 
If the LFTR ends up under water, the control electronics will probably burn out. But if all fails, the fuel will solidify as it cools. 

LFTR development and production

  • Cost of 400MWe LFTR equal to Airbus A380 passenger jet 
  • LFTR modules can be built in factories 
  • Both have 400MW gas turbines 
  • Both are low pressure vessels ~10psi 
  • Production quantities may be similar. They do one a week 
  • Purchase price ~$320 million 

As you can see from the above statistics, Thorium is the Internet of Energy and can fulfill most of our energy requirement of the future.


6 February 2015

Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd: Military Vehicle Programs



Adding advantage, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL) is now fore sighting its presence into diversified Military Protective Vehicle Programs. The Kalyani group companies traditionally have been a pioneer in manufacturing of Axles, Aggregates & Drive line technology for Defence combat vehicles worldwide. Combining this with its deep foray into Engineering & Manufacturing knowledge and the flexibility to blend with new technology, KSSL along with its global partners is positioning itself in various Military protected vehicle programs of Indian Army.

  • Light Armored vehicle (LAM)
  • Light Strike Vehicle (LSV)
  • Mine Protected Vehicles (MPV)
  • Armor Personal Carrier (APC) 

LIGHT ARMOURED MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE (LAM): 



  • BFL LAM is based on modular flexible new design, which Integrates V-­hull, blast-­protection technology with a mountable Protective suit, that allows multiple configurations for different mission
  • The new vehicle is being designed keeping the recent requirement of the ground forces, for all-terrain light armored vehicle
  • The BFL 3.2 is completely indigenously designed vehicle to retain good mobility with adequately protection from the common IED threats currently encountered in the Indian naxalite effected areas. It combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, for crew capsule The vehicle is designed with exceptional cross country ability to maneuver in tight and short jungle terrains & also urban environments.
  • Prototypes are being completed with one due to undergo further blast tests
  • It is designed with a Gross vehicle weight of 8.0 tons, with a sufficient payload for 2+ 4 crew battle loads. The patrol version accommodates six soldiers (2+4),with the weapon carrier carries 2+2 while the logistical variant seats a crew of two
  • The vehicle is in house designed and armor protection in consultation with leading Composite manufacturers across the globe 
  • The crew compartments seats are designed to be interchangeable in term of directions and positioning to suit the mission , In patrol vehicle there is seating for two crew and four dismounts. vehicle has a large rear doors, two top hatches and overheads between the cabin and passenger compartment are provided ,The vehicle electronic equipment are properly positioned for smooth mobility .
  • The crew pod comes with an option for a tilting mechanism attached to the hull by hinges which are kept in place with pins. To carryout maintenance the wiring loom from the pod is disconnected together with the steering connection and the crew pod is then tilted to pull it over by another support vehicle, so as to have full access to all automotive parts. 
Specifications
Length4500mm
Width1850mm
Height1800mm
Track1670mm
Ground Clearance                         340mm
Approach Angle60 degree
Departure Angle68 degree
GVWR8000 kg
ArmamentA 7.62 or 12.7 mm can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle
Armor ProtectionMine Blast and Ballistic protection. For Protection add on kit is available                         
Range600 kmph
Options availablea.Modern war fighter catering to multiple mission profiles
b.Troop movement
c.Surveillance
d.Command and Control
e.Reconnaissance & Liaison
f.Electronic Warfare

LIGHT STRIKE VEHICLE (LSV):




  • The LSV uses modular armor packs to adjust its level of protection to its mission requirements. 
  • The LSV is available in twin seat combinations of 4/5seats.
  • The armour protection is upgradeable by the replacement of armour packs within the vehicle's external skin. The basic add-on armour pack provides ballistic protection against small arms fire and a heavier kit provides protection against ambush.
  • LSV can be fitted & equipped with RCWS weapons stations which can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
  • The LMV is available in two different wheelbases, 3.2 m (126.0 in) and 3.5 m (137.8 in).[2] A two door, two seater is also available.
  • Available in 4x4, the LSV is design is on military off-the-shelf chassis, combined with a ballistic steel protected crew cell. This cell incorporates the driver's cab and cargo, which are communicating, offering more than 13 m^3 of volume in the standard 4x4 version, and can be increased to 16 m^3 for the ambulance version.
  • The LMV has been designed to meet the stringent demands of military operations at the same time as providing a high level of ride and crew comfort
Variants
  • LMV Ambulance
  • LMV Command Post
  • LMV SF
Technical Data

Armament

The BFL LSV can be fitted with a remote controlled weapon station armed with weapons up to 12.7 mm in caliber, shelter, box-type or even pick-up style bodies can be mounted behind a smaller two-seat cab. 

Design and protection 

The BFL LSV can be fitted with modular armour, which gives a protection against ballistic threats, favoring crew protection versus vehicle integrity. The LSV is designed to provide the crew with the maximum possible safety against anmmunition threats. The ground clearance has been maximized, moving away the origin of the explosion. The high payload of the LSV can be exploited for installed add-on armour kits. The basic kits provides ballistic protection against light weapons fire, while the heavier kit can protect the crew from ambushes.

Propulsion

The LMV utilizes a conventional C-section chassis but with longitudinal reinforcements and tubular cross-members to give the required torsional rigidity. At present two wheelbase lengths are available, the standard 3.2 m and the extended 3.5 m, these giving overall lengths of 4.704 and 5.504 m respectively. The LSV is motorized with a 140 KW(HP) power engine coupled to an automatic or a mechanical gearbox with with 6 forward gears and 1 reverse.

Accessories

The cab is fitted with two front adjustable and suspended seats, plus three suspended seats at the rear. A winch is mounted to the front of the vehicle. The LSV vehicle has been designed with a compact profile that allows one vehicle to be carried inside a CH-47 helicopter, while a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft can carry two systems internally.

Specifications
Length<5000mm
Width<2250mm
Height<2250mm
Track3200mm - 3500mm
Ground Clearance300mm
Approach & Departure Angle35 degree
Gradeability60 %
GVWR4500 kg
ArmamentA 7.62 or 12.7 mm can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle
Armor ProtectionBallistic protection & Floor Protection Options for add on Armor kit is available
Range500 kmph
Options availablea.Modern war fighter catering to multiple mission profiles
b.Troop movement
c.Surveillance
d.Command and Control
e.Reconnaissance & Liaison
f.Electronic Warfare




APC-ARMOR PERSONNEL CARRIER-CLASS II:


  • A multi-role armored wheeled vehicle developed with cutting edge technology in response to the challenges posed to the mechanized infantry forces taking into account the versatile current and future operational environments and customer requirements, APC also assist in Transporting Infantry troops rapidly and safely under combined protection against bullet and mine threat as well as NBC weapons.
  • The BFL-APC is different from its other models, which are primarily based on truck platforms. Instead, is a monocoque hull design consisting of armor steel. The armor steel can withstand to NATO standards to STANAG Level III , in withstanding 5.56 and 7.62 mm bullets. A new torsion bar suspension system has been designed for this model. Currently, the engine is six-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine being used Gears consist of six forward and one reverse.
  • The driver sits on the right of the vehicle while the vehicle commander is on the left. Communications equipment and GPS with night vision equipment included. Emergency exits are present on both sides of the APC, as well as a mounted video camera at the rear of the vehicle.
  • The ADD ON base steel armor of the crew cell provides a high level of ballistic protection and this can be further enhanced through the use of appliqua © protection to meet the predicted threat
Family of Vehicles
  • APC (Armored Personnel Carrier)
  • IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle)
  • ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle)
  • ACV (Armored Command Vehicle)
  • AAV (Armored Ambulance Vehicle
Overall Characteristics
  • High mobility and maneuverability
  • Excellent cross-country performance
  • High level of commonality and modularity with FOV by modular design
  • Long operational range
  • Various types of armament adaptation due to large payload
  • All round armor protection
  • Observation and fire fighting capabilities in all direction
  • Simple systems with high reliability
  • Easy operation and maintenance
  • Low noise and vibration in the crew compartment
  • Versatile operational equipment’s (CTIS, ABS, Air conditioning, Winch) Mobility
  • High performance power pack and 100% locking differentials
  • All wheel independent suspension and disc brakes
  • Ground pressure adjustment according to terrain conditions with CTIS
  • All tires equipped with run flat elements
  • Deployable by air, sea and land transport
Fire Power

The BFL APC roof structure with cupola is so designed that can accept a variety of weapons & its mounts depending on customer requirements, including 7,62mm or 12,7mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher. The RWS is controlled remotely from inside the APC via joystick. Bulletproof shutters can be opened and closed from inside the vehicle when needed as an option. 

Power Pack

  • Highly reliable and compact power pack system enabling ground hopping for preventive check
  • Hydrostatic fan drive system with automatic speed control
  • High efficiency of corrugated fin and tube type of aluminum radiator and intercoole
  • Vetronics system providing with electronic engine control and diagnostic monitoring 
Independent Suspension & Axle System

  • Type: Independent double wishbone with coil spring & shock absorber
  • Providing high mobility on various types of terrain by eliminating any influence of wheels among each other 
Protection 

Large tyres fitted with run-flat inserts optimize absorption of blast energy, whilst deflector plates lining the wheel, arches maximize energy dissipation. All occupants are provided with specially designed shock dampened seats which are suspended on special mounts, avoiding direct transmission of blast shock to the crew.

Specifications
Vehicle Type6x6x4 Wheeled, Armor Personal Carrier
Engine Power to Weight Ratio194Kw, V-6,4 Cylinder,Torque-755Nm at 1800 Min rpm
Gear BoxMin 6 Forward and one reverse gear
Turret360 Degree Rotating Turret on roof with closed hatch and universal gun mount for 7.62 MMG
Protection LevelStanag Level III 7.62mm x 51 NATO ball/ 5.56mm x 45 NATO SS 109 Add – on armor concept for optional upgrades
Tyres14.0" x 20.0" All terrain run flat tyres, run minimum 50 kms after HIT
Ground clearance400 MM
Payload1500 KG
GVWMax 20 Ton
Maximum Vertical Obstacle600mm
Maximum Side Inclination30%
Maximum Slope60%
Maximum Fording1 Mtr.
Maximum Turning Radius9.80 Mtr
Fuel capacity370 ltr/ Diesel
FrameHull based , chasis less, minimum four hatches for emergency exit
Troops Carrying CapacityMinimum 10 persons (Including driver)
Quality AssuranceInternationally accepted quality assurance certificate for the protection level
Other FeaturesAll major components like fuel tank, gear boxes, air tanks, transfer case, engine etc are housed inside hull.



APC-ARMOR PERSONNEL CARRIER-CLASS I:



  • BF-ELBIT APC is based on Rugged & proven Military Truck vehicle platform
  • "Fully integrated protection" is the key to the BF-ELBIT APC formula ,which is combined with a cutting edge bespoke automotive & armoring solution, which can offer high levels of protection up to B 7 ,& mine/blast protection ,up to 8kg TNT Explosives, The BF-ELBIT APC is go anywhere with supreme cross-country performance , as well as provides the protection required to operate in an urban environment
  • BF-ELBIT APC , comes fitted with ,Armored replaceable windows ,Run flats, All terrain tyres, Self-recovery winch, Rotating turret with Weapon mounting station
  • The BF-ELBIT APC is equipped with Rugged military engine coupled with semi-automatic gearbox and differential locking system, permanent all-wheel drive with automatic tyre pressure regulation (optional),The APC family can effortlessly take on slope and ride alongside slopes and driven upto range of more than 700 km without refueling .
  • All crew members are provided with specially designed shock dampened seats which are suspended on special mounts avoiding direct transmission of blast shock to the crew.
Features:
  • Air Conditioning
  • Up-Armoring
  • Winch up to 15 T capacity
  • Material Handling Crane
  • NBC
  • Emergency Power Steering
  • ABS
Specifications
Vehicle TypeWheeled, Mine Protective Vehicle
EnginePower to Weight Ratio - 17 HP / Ton, 224 hp @ 2400 rpm, 825 Nm torque @ 1400 – 1700 rpm, Euro 3 or Euro 4
Turret360 Degree Rotating Turret on roof with closed hatch and universal gun mount for 7.62 MMG or GPMG
Protection LevelFull STANAG 4569 L2 including multi hit
7.62mm x 51 NATO ball
5.56mm x 45 NATO SS 109
5.56mm x 45 NATO M 193
7.62mm x 39 API BZ
Add – on armor concept for optional upgrades
Mine Blast ProtectionMine
Triple anti – tank mine (21kg TNT) under any wheel
Double anti – tank mine (14kg TNT) under hull
IED protection – 14 kg TNT + 500 gr shrapnel @ 3 meters side blast
Tested by TNO independent lab
MobilityMinimum 4X4 with cross country mobility with differential lock,
TyresAll terrain run flat tyres, run minimum 50 kms after HIT, with minimum 2 spare tyres
Ground clearance340 mm
Payload1500 KG
GVWMaximum 30 Ton
Gradeability70%
FuelDiesel
FrameHull based , chassis less, minimum two hatches for emergency exit, door at the driver’s side and with rear door.
Troops Carrying CapacityMinimum 12 persons (Including driver)
Quality AssuranceInternationally accepted quality assurance certificate for the protection level which certify that the Armoured plates used in the vehicle is manufactured by certified company.
Other FeaturesAll major components like fuel tank, gear boxes, air tanks, transfer case, engine etc are housed inside hull.

MINE PROTECTIVE VEHICLES:


BFL-ELBIT.. MPV is based on an indigenously designed and integrated, mobility chassis; This not only provides outstanding mobility but also allows the customer to exploit modular logistic support system also. BFL ensures spare parts availability and allows automotive support to be on hand worldwide, contributing to the reduction of life-cycle costs. Fully developed in India, the MPV design exploits the technical expertise of two of the major companies involved in Armoured vehicles production, Elbit systems & BFL . An agreement was signed between the two companies, enabling BFL to respond to specific national/international capability requirements. Thus, BFL are leading the development on a 4x4 platform in the 13 T, class category to meet FORCEs requirements. 4 x 4 versions of MPV have already undergone very extensive trials in INDIA and abroad, and have proved to be an excellent match for the particular demands of the users.

Variants:

  • The BFL MPV-designed platform, due to its flexibility, can be declined in several other versions, while maintaining the level of protection of basic configuration. Some of the possibilities already under development are: - Explosive Ordnance Devices Disposal (EODD) - Electronic Warfare (EW-RCIED); - Command Post (CP);
  • BF-ELBIT M P V - (A Perfect Mine Protection vehicle), is based on Rugged & proven MAN vehicle platform ,by creating the maximum distance and protection between the seat of a crew members and expected mine explosion . Front wheel base, to the rear wheels, is protected with Armor “V” shape hull and is free of welding joints ,so that if a heavy mine detonates under the wheel , the burst of explosion is diverted outwards, thus minimizing the damage to the crew cabin. 
  • Fully integrated protection" is the key to the BF-ELBIT MPV formula ,which is combined with a cutting edge bespoke automotive solution, which can offer high levels of protection up to B 7 ,& mine/blast protection ,up to 14kg and 21 kg TNT Explosives,
  • The BF-ELBIT MPV is go anywhere with supreme cross-country performance , as well as provides the protection required to operate in an urban environment BF-ELBIT MPV will be a highly effective and ’useable ™ solution for operations against Naxalite . BF-ELBIT MPV, comes fitted with ,Armored replaceable windows ,Run flats, All terrain tyres, Self-recovery winch, Rotating turret with Weapon mounting station,
  • The BF-ELBIT MPV is equipped with MAN engine coupled with semi-automatic gearbox and differential locking system, permanent all-wheel drive with automatic tyre pressure regulation (optional),The MPV family can effortlessly take on slope of up to 60% and ride alongside slopes up to 30% at a range of more than 700 km without refueling .
  • All crew members are provided with specially designed shock dampened seats which are suspended on special mounts avoiding direct transmission of blast shock to the crew.
Specifications
Vehicle TypeWheeled, Mine Protective Vehicle
EnginePower to Weight Ratio - 17 HP / Ton, 224 hp @ 2400 rpm, 825 Nm torque @ 1400 – 1700 rpm, Euro 3 or Euro 4
Turret360 Degree Rotating Turret on roof with closed hatch and universal gun mount for 7.62 MMG or GPMG
Protection LevelFull STANAG 4569 L2 including multi hit
7.62mm x 51 NATO ball
5.56mm x 45 NATO SS 109
5.56mm x 45 NATO M 193
7.62mm x 39 API BZ
Add – on armor concept for optional upgrades
Mine Blast ProtectionMine
Triple anti – tank mine (21kg TNT) under any wheel
Double anti – tank mine (14kg TNT) under hull
IED protection – 14 kg TNT + 500 gr shrapnel @ 3 meters side blast
Tested by TNO independent lab
MobilityMinimum 4X4 with cross country mobility with differential lock,
TyresAll terrain run flat tyres, run minimum 50 kms after HIT, with minimum 2 spare tyres
Ground clearance340 mm
Payload1500 KG
GVWMaximum 30 Ton
Gradeability70%
FuelDiesel
FrameHull based , chassis less, minimum two hatches for emergency exit, door at the driver’s side and with rear door.
Troops Carrying CapacityMinimum 12 persons (Including driver)
Quality AssuranceInternationally accepted quality assurance certificate for the protection level which certify that the Armoured plates used in the vehicle is manufactured by certified company.
Other FeaturesAll major components like fuel tank, gear boxes, air tanks, transfer case, engine etc are housed inside hull.

The BFL MPV roof structure is so designed that can accept a variety of weapons & its mounts depending on customer requirements, including 7,62mm or 12,7mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher. 
Protection 

The crew compartment is based on the "MONOCOQUE" concept, providing a high level of survivability to the occupants against ballistic and mine threats. Besides its high levels of protection, MPV also possesses one of the best volumes. The base steep armor of the crew cell, provides a high level of ballistic protection. The base steel armor of the crew cell provides a high level of ballistic protection and this can be further enhanced through the use of appliqué protection to meet the predicted threat. Protection against mine and IED attacks as per STANAG 4569 is provided, both through the dew-sing of the hull, with its large stand-off, under body deflector plates and blast energy management system, especially incorporated in the SEATS & FLOORS and through a series of design features which has be tested and approved by international agencies . 

Propulsion 

The MPV- 4x4 is equipped with the MAN engines coupled with semiautomatic gearbox and differential-locking system, permanent all-wheel drive with automatic tyre-pressure regulation and run-flat tyres. The MPV family can effortlessly take on slopes of up to 60% and ride alongside slopes up to 30% - at a range of more than 700 km, or 430 miles, without refueling. 

Accessories 

Large tyres fitted with run-flat inserts optimize absorption of blast energy, whilst deflector plates lining the wheel arches maximize energy dissipation. All occupants are provided with specially designed shock dampened seats which are suspended on special mounts, avoiding direct transmission of blast shock to the crew.