Tata LPTA

Tata LPTA
Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)'s LPTA 715 4X4 Truck for the Indian Army
TypeHeavy/medium tactical truck
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2015–present
Used byIndian Army
Production history
DesignerTata Motors
Designed2012
ManufacturerTata Motors
Produced2015–present
Variants
Specifications
Mass23,000 kg (51,000 lb) (6×6)
27,200 kg (60,000 lb) (8×8)
Crew2/4

Armorup-armour ready
EngineCummins ISLe/ ISXe
6-cylinder inline, water-cooled diesel[5]
155 hp (116 kW) - 525 hp (391 kW)[6]
Payload capacity8.5tons to 33tons
TransmissionManual(6×6,8×8)
Automatic (12×12)[7]
SuspensionFront : Parabolic Suspension
Rear : Semi Elliptical Multi Leaf Springs
Fuel capacity400 L (106 US gal)
Operational
range
600 km (loaded)
Maximum speed 80 km/h
Steering
system
Hydraulic Power Steering - Pneumatically Tiltable & Adjustable Telescopic Steering Column, air brakes

The Tata LPTA is a military truck family developed and produced by Indian automobile manufacturer Tata Motors. The trucks are available in 4×4,6×6,8×8,10×10 and 12×12 configurations. With extreme off-road capabilities, they are proposed as replacement for Czech-designed Tatra trucks currently used by Indian armed forces.

History

The Indian Army is one of the biggest users of Tatra trucks in the world with over 10,000 trucks of various types in service. Because of their high-operational flexibility and functional adaptability they formed the backbone of army's tactical & mobilisation capability. These trucks were license-produced in India by BEML, a public sector company. Following the Tatra bribery scam, a ban was imposed on Tatra and the supply of these trucks stopped. Thus, the development of multi axle tactical trucks was started by Tata to meet Army's requirements.[8]

Design

The vehicles have cab over engine modular design. The cab can hold two crew and four passengers. There are 2 roof hatches for firing, observation and emergency exit. The trucks are equipped with a hydraulic crane for loading/unloading equipments. They also come with Central tire inflation system which inflates/deflates tyres according to terrain requirements. For driver's comfort, cab is equipped with HVAC.[clarification needed] There is a self recovery winch in the front as well.[9]

The 6×6 and 8×8 variants are powered by a Cummins ISLe engine developing 375 horsepower while the 12×12 variant comes with a Cummins ISXe engine with a maximum of 525 horsepower. 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 variants are mated to a 10 speed (9F+1R) manual transmission while the 12×12 variant comes with an automatic transmission.[6]

Production

In July 2015, Tata won a contract for supplying 1,239 trucks of 6×6 variant to the Indian Army. In March 2016, an additional order for 619 more trucks was placed. The total order was worth 1300 crores making it the biggest order to a local private supplier.[10]

The 8×8 variant has been selected to be the platform for SPYDER Short Range Surface to Air Missiles. Tata has also proposed the 12×12 variant for Nirbhay missile Transporter erector launcher and 8×8 for Pinaka MBRL.[citation needed]

Around 15,000 trucks of 4×4 variant are also in service with Indian Army, all manufactured by the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ).

Specifications

Model Drivetrain Power Cargo capacity Gross weight Notes
713 4x4 115.5 kW (154.9 hp)[11] 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)[12] 7,750 kg (17,090 lb)
1628 4x4 115.5 kW (154.9 hp)[13] 7,750 kg (17,090 lb)
2038 6x6 276 kW (370 hp)[5] 8,500 kg (18,700 lb)[5] 23,000 kg (51,000 lb)
1826 6x6 276 kW (370 hp)[14] 7.5T tow[14] 13,945 kg (30,743 lb) Recovery vehicle
3138 8x8 276 kW (370 hp)[7] 18,000 kg (40,000 lb)[15] 27,200 kg (60,000 lb)
5252 12x12 391 kW (524 hp)[6] 33,000 kg (73,000 lb)[16] 53,800 kg (118,600 lb)

References

  1. ^ "Tata LPTA 716 4×4". Military Today.
  2. ^ "Additional order for Tata LPTA 6×6". CV News.
  3. ^ "Tata LPTA 3138 8×8". Military Today.
  4. ^ "Tata LPTA 5252 Special Wheeled Chassis | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Tata 6×6 tech specs" (PDF). Tata Motors.
  6. ^ a b c "12×12 tech specs" (PDF). Tata Motors.
  7. ^ a b "8×8 tech specs" (PDF). Tata Motors.
  8. ^ "Tatra offers force 8×8 to india". CommercialVehicles.in.
  9. ^ "Tata bags order of 1,239 trucks". Overdrive.in.
  10. ^ "Tata bags multi axle truck order". Rushlane. 10 July 2015.
  11. ^ "LPTA 713 TC/32 4x4 BSIII CLB" (PDF). tatamotors.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Defence Load Carrier LPTA 713 | Tata Motors Limited". 15 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Technical specifications" (PDF). tatamotors.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Technical specifications" (PDF). tatamotors.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Tata LPTA 3138 Heavy Utility Truck". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Tata LPTA 5252 Special Wheeled Chassis". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
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