Tanks, tanks, tanks. If it weren’t for their purpose of killing, we’re sure there would be a separate class on every automotive news website out there. Let’s face it, what can be better than heavy machinery that is completely armored, works on tracks, is fast and, most of all, looks mean?
Hey, we’re not saying we support the weapon industry. Nor are we claiming guns should be replaced with roses. We’re just auto people here, so stop it with the condemning phase already. The only reasons we started this conversation in the first place is the fact they are using Formula One technology; it caught our attention.
Apparently, engineers at BAE Systems have successfully applied the Formula One active suspension systems to current variants of the CV90 combat vehicle family. The British defense contractor claims the technology - which first was introduced into Formula One in the 1990s - helped them to break speed records in rough terrain. They also managed to increase the tank’s agility by reducing the vehicle’s pitch acceleration by approximately 40 per cent.
In case you’re wondering how it works, we should start by telling some of the luxury cars currently on the market also have something similar integrated. The Active Damping system works by sensing the speed of the vehicle and layout of the terrain ahead and responding accordingly. It pressurizes the suspension to keep the vehicle on a level plane at all times.
The resulting increased stability across all terrain helps to reduce the wear and tear on the armored vehicles and subsequently reduce through-life repair costs for each vehicle.
“The suspension system usually operates on carbon fiber racing cars weighing no more than 700 kg, but engineers at BAE Systems have clearly adapted it to us on heavy tracked vehicles, some weighing as much as 35 tonnes. In recent trials a CV90 fitted with active damping set a new speed record on a rough terrain course, beating the Main Battle Tanks (MBTs),” the company explains in a statement.
Google News