DRDO to Upgrade Arjun Mk1A with Advanced Hydro-Gas Suspension Unit (AHSU) for Enhanced Mobility and Firepower

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken a significant step forward for its Arjun Mk1A main battle tank (MBT) with the unveiling of the Advanced Hydro-Gas Suspension Unit (AHSU).

Designed to replace the Hydro-Pneumatic Suspension Unit (HSU) found in the Arjun MkI, this new technology introduces several compelling advancements aimed at improving the tank's overall performance.

Understanding the AHSU​

The AHSU is a trailing arm suspension system, a common design in modern tracked vehicles. Its core components are a gas spring and an integrated hydraulic damper. This combination provides a multitude of benefits for the Arjun Mk.1A:

• Enhanced Off-Road Mobility: The AHSU's focus lies in providing superior cross-country mobility at high speeds. This means the Arjun Mk1A will be able to traverse rough terrain more quickly, boosting its tactical flexibility and responsiveness to combat situations.
• Stable Firing Platform: A key aspect of the AHSU's design is ensuring the tank retains a stable firing platform, even during movement. This translates to a higher probability of successful first-round hits when engaging moving targets, a crucial capability in modern tank battles.
• Maintaining Ride Comfort: The Arjun series has benefited from the advantages of hydro-pneumatic suspension systems, known for excellent ride quality. The AHSU aims to continue offering this superior ride comfort alongside its added strengths.

Trade-offs and Future-Proofing​

It's worth noting that while hydro-pneumatic systems, such as the AHSU, offer enhanced performance, they tend to be more complex in their construction and maintenance compared to torsion bar suspension systems commonly used in other tanks.

The DRDO's development efforts likely focus on achieving a balance between advanced features and the cost considerations associated with these systems.

Furthermore, the Arjun Mk1A already carries more weight than the MkI due to its upgraded armor package and other features. The AHSU's ability to support tanks up to 70 tons ensures it can accommodate this increased weight and makes the Arjun platform more adaptable to potential future upgrades that may add more weight.

Conclusion​

The introduction of the Advanced Hydro-Gas Suspension Unit signals the DRDO's commitment to refining and modernizing the Arjun Mk1A, a platform designed to form the backbone of India's armored forces.

The AHSU's improvements in mobility and firing stability will likely bolster the tank's battlefield capabilities, ensuring it remains a formidable force in the evolving landscape of land warfare.

 

[Akhil]

No idea why they require new suspensions when Arjun1 already had pretty good ride comfort. Is this an army requirement or DRDO over engineering?
Unless it's somthing that has huge improvement, it's better use of time to improve sub-par systems as improving these has a huge impact on overall system performance.

 

[sanket]

But all this improvement will translate into additional orders............????

 

[DMS]

No idea why they require new suspensions when Arjun1 already had pretty good ride comfort. Is this an army requirement or DRDO over engineering?
Unless it's somthing that has huge improvement, it's better use of time to improve sub-par systems as improving these has a huge impact on overall system performance.

DRDO over engineering and making MK1A as lab rat for FMBT

 

[GMR]

Very good, but pray that the tank finally rolls out of the podn. line and gets inducted. It seems like ages since the order was placed 😊

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

No idea why they require new suspensions when Arjun1 already had pretty good ride comfort. Is this an army requirement or DRDO over engineering?
Unless it's somthing that has huge improvement, it's better use of time to improve sub-par systems as improving these has a huge impact on overall system performance.

Weight of mk1a is much more than mk1, that is why better suspension was necessary. Mk1a is over 70tons.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I saw a video of a british challenger or a german leopard, balancing a jug of beer on the end of its barrel while it was on the move. I want to see IA doing similar by balancing a cup of tea on the barrel of our arjun. I want to see how stable our arjun is on the move.

 

[Akhil]

But all this improvement will translate into additional orders............????

Brother Arjun1 was 10X better than t72 and atleast as good as T90 with superior armoured defense. Time of light armoured tanks is gone with proliferation of cheap kamikaze drones, ATGMs. Mark my words in 20 yrs, IA will be making RFI for 75-100 tonne tanks. These will be more heavily armoured, more heavily armed for anti-drone warfare and helping survivability of lower armour tanks and work as command and communication centre for integrated battlefield environment. West is already moving towards that.

But only alien tech can satisfy Indian army and even then they will give limited orders.

 

[Mango]

Why waste money and effort on it when we know Indian Army is not interested in it.

 

[NSR]

Great news if it improves the stability of the tank as firing shells needs stability of tank.