The Spanish company Piedrafita Systems, in consortium with Repack-S and IB Fischer CFD+Engineering GmbH, has set a significant milestone in the field of land defence by successfully concluding the design phase of the SRB Project. This project, part of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) 2020, aims to develop a revolutionary rotary hydropneumatic suspension system for armoured vehicles.
This new system has been designed to fit a range of existing battle tanks without significant modification. Major MBTs such as Abrams, Leopard 2, Merkava and Leclerc, among others, are able to utilise this cutting-edge technology to achieve unparalleled mobility in demanding terrain.
Technically, the new design eliminates the torsion bar, increases suspension travel and offers unmatched performance in service. It ensures high mobility in challenging and extreme conditions, providing a crucial tactical advantage in high-intensity missions.
The system is suitable for vehicles from 8 to 70 tonnes, tracked or wheeled, manned or unmanned, making it a versatile solution to modernise armed forces and meet future threats with confidence and determination.
Piedrafita Systems brings to the consortium its know-how in the design of damping systems that have already been validated and are being used in several platforms around the world. The company has a new test bench, recently inaugurated and presented to the main actors of the Spanish industry and national defence. The bench is capable of reproducing the loads suffered by shock absorbers found on armoured vehicles of up to 70 tonnes, and performing advanced and demanding tests, validating the suspension system in its entirety.
To better understand the innovations and challenges that this rotary hydropneumatic system can overcome, an explanatory video has been prepared. In this video, key concepts such as mobility, survivability and protection are highlighted, as well as the system’s ability to adapt to different terrain and combat conditions.
In summary, Piedrafita Systems’ rotary hydro-pneumatic suspension represents a significant evolution in land defence technology. Thanks to its easy integration with new generation armoured vehicle fleets and full compatibility with legacy platforms, it is the ideal choice for legacy platforms.
With its ability to improve the mobility and protection of armoured vehicles, this innovation is ready to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield.
The following explanatory video puts the spotlight on the innovations and challenges that this novel high-mobility solution is capable of overcoming.
This project has received funding from the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) under Grant Agreement No. EDIDP-SME-2020-064-SRB
