ASTRUM - Tank Tracks and Armour

ASTRUM, formerly William Cook Defence, is one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of tracks for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs).

A key supplier to the British Army, ASTRUM also exports tracks worldwide for Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), and specialised armoured support vehicles such as engineer vehicles and armoured vehicle launched bridges. Through the latest technology, we have delivered, and continue to develop, new and improved track systems that provide long-term cost savings.

STEEL-CASTED AFV TRACKS

Where the shapes of these items are too complex for fabrication and enhanced mechanical properties are required, the steel casting process is ideal. ASTRUM is able to provide cast components in many grades of steel, including cast armour: examples include the baseline turret for the Challenger 2, cupola upstands for the Engineer Tank System (ETS), annulus castings for the final drive mount for Challenger 2, optical chassis for CVR(T) and machine gun mounts for the ETS. ASTRUM provides a complete track, running gear and structural component solution for AFVs.

ASTRUM'S AFV TRACK DESIGNS

ASTRUM's own AFV track designs are designated TR10, TR15, TR30 and TR60 systems, with the figures indicating the approximate gross combat weight of the vehicle.

The new TR60DP track for Challenger 2 was selected for the BAE ETS, which is now entering service with the British Army. The ETS consists of the TROJAN breacher and TITAN armoured vehicle launch bridge. 66 vehicles are being delivered (33 TROJANs and 33 TITANs).

ASTRUM has made tracks for the BAE Systems land systems FV180 Combat Engineer Tractor (CET). The CETs in service with the British Army will shortly be replaced by the BAE Systems land systems TERRIER® Manoeuvre Support Vehicle (MSV), but ASTRUM's single pin track meets the hard operational environment of the TERRIER MSV and uses plastic backing plate technology to save weight.

AFV TRACK R&D PROGRAMMES

ASTRUM places great emphasis on R&D programmes to develop higher strength and wear resistant components. The systems provided by ASTRUM are a matrix of cast, forged and machined steel parts and rubber components, and the company is continually looking for performance improvement opportunities.

ASTRUM have funded their own independent R&D of a segmented rubber band track to meet the potential future user requirements. The segmented rubber band track retains the low weight, low vibration and low acoustic features of a traditional one-piece rubber band track, but adds the logistical advantages of a conventional linked track system for storage and transportation.

The ASTRUM modular track system allows troops to remove a damaged section of band track instead of having to replace the complete track. Additionally, elements can be taken out to shorten the track for traditional wear and tear which cannot be accomplished with a complete rubber band track.

ASTRUM has developed unique testing equipment to measure the key performance characteristics of pad compounds under simulated running conditions, as well as a wide range of track and sub-system component testing. Our test facilities are available to customers.

REVERSE ENGINEERED AFV TRACKS

ASTRUM has produced reverse engineering tracks for a wide range of AFVs, and can provide these tracks with greater reliability and improved performance by incorporating new design features or new and more advanced materials

CONTAINER SECURING EQUIPMENT

ASTRUM has designed and manufactured civil and military corner castings, twistlocks, interconnectors and other container securing devices for 40 years.

Corner castings for dry freight containers are located in each corner of a container and used to both lift and secure the container to a road vehicle, rail wagon or crane. Twistlocks and interconnectors are used to safely secure the containers, via the corner castings, to either the mode of transport, or other containers.

The standard International Standards Organisation (ISO) container is 20ft x 8ft x 8.5ft, but the military also uses smaller containers such as 5ft x 8ft x 8.5ft. ASTRUM has designed interconnectors that allow four of these smaller ISO containers to be locked together for transport and then disassembled on arrival at their destination.

Twistlocks and interconnectors are manufactured in a variety of materials – including castings and forgings – dependent on the operational strength requirement and complexity of design.