BAE Systems has incorporated Formula One (F1) suspension technology into its CV90 infantry fighting vehicle family to help improve the vehicle’s handling and speed across the battlefield.
Fitted with the ‘active damping’ system, the vehicle can reportedly travel up to 40% faster than the existing main battle tanks (MBTs) on a rough terrain course.
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Initially introduced into F1 racing in the 1990s, the system is also credited to have increased the CV90’s agility by reducing the vehicle’s pitch acceleration by approximately 40%.
The system functions by sensing the speed of the vehicle and lay-out of the terrain ahead and responding by adjusting the suspension to keep the CV90 level, which reduces the wear and tear on the armoured vehicles.
In addition, the increased stability across all terrain reduces through-life repair costs for each vehicle, despite enabling each to travel 30% to 40% faster on rough terrain.
Originally operational on carbon-fibre racing cars weighing no more than 700kg, the suspension system has been modified for the first time, to work on heavy tracked vehicles weighing up to 35tn.
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By GlobalDataBAE Systems CV90 platform manager Dan Lindell said: "Adapting the active damping system for the first time from a lightweight car to a heavy tracked vehicle, such as CV90 was a unique challenge for us, but this advanced technology will deliver results to our customers in terms of vehicle performance and savings on the through life costs, as well as providing real benefits to the front line solider."
The technology benefits the CV90 crew by providing a smoother ride, reducing fatigue, apart from reducing vertical motion that increases the gunner’s probability of finding and hitting targets.
Built by BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds, the CV90 is claimed to be one of the largest families of armoured combat vehicles, and is currently operational with the armed forces of Norway, Finland and Denmark.
Image: A CV90 fitted with the F1 active damping system a new speed record on a rough terrain course. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.
