HTMV

HTMV is an indian project to develop a half-track Multi-role Vehicle. It have wheels on the front for steering and tracks on the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load. Its developer is Vehicle Research and Development Establishment,Ahmednagar, a unit of DeFence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Development

Design and development of Half Track Multirole Vehicle (HTMV) was sanctioned by Ministry of Defence in August 1983. It was inspired by Army's projected requirement in 1981.

Half Track Multi-role Vehicle MK-I The Half Track Vehicle attempts to combine the advantages of tracked and wheeled vehicles at moderate cost and reduced complications. It combines the road performance and ease of operation of a wheeled vehicle and off-the -road capability of a tracked vehicle.

The high road speed and accurate steering allow the Half Track Vehicle to be deployed with standard wheeled vehicles while its cross country mobility enables it to be used with equal facility in the company of fully tracked vehicles.

Power assisted integral steering on the front axle with the brake assisted steering on the rear axle provides the vehicle a tight turning radius and excellent manoeuvrability.

Brake-assisted-coordinated-steering is a unique feature of verde designed vehicle not found on any other vehicle developed so far. hydronumatic disk brake on the sprocket and mechnical parking brakes on the rear propeller shaft assure the vehicle safety at high speeds and steep gradients. Large capacity fuel tank provides high range of operation in cross country.

The Step-climbing and trench crosing abilities of the vehicle are comparable with light traacked vehicle in service. The higher approach and departure angles add to the versatility in cross country moves. The vehicle can be easily transported by aircraft when required.

The torsion bar suspension, the under carriage and the interface are a few of the assemblies developed by VRDE. The indigenous track and running gear have been successfully used for the a high road and cross country mobility with a payload of 3 tonnes. Transfer case, with high and low facility provised transation even in the most difficult terrain. A three tonne capacity winch for self recovery is a mobility multiplier in very difficult terrains. A tillable cab facilitates approach to engine and ease of maintenance. Pneumatic suspension used for the first time in a cross country vehicle, facilites conversion from tracked to eheeled mode and back, providing high ride comfort during travel on wheels. Centralised tyres inflation system and michelin tyres on the front axel enable the groung pressure to be reduced substantially for negotiating soft sand.

VRDE developed two prototypes, which were trial evaluated in 1986 during which serious deficiencies unacceptable to the user came to notice. In July 1987, in a presentation of the project the Chief of the Army Staff, while emphasising the firm requirement for HTMVs, desired improvement in the design with higher engine power,better ground clearance, aluminium rubberized tracks and cost effective performance.

Half Track Multi-role Vehicle MK-II As these were considered to be major changes in General Staff Qualitative Requirement, in October 1988 the Government sanctioned another project for proving and finalising the design of HTMV leading to its bulk production.

While the work of finalisation and modifications of the design of HTMV was in ProgresS, the Army authorities In March 1989 desired their preference for Kolos Tatra vehicles as being user friendly and more cost effective. Although DRDO continued in their efforts to increase the engine power and overcome the shortcomings of HTMV the project was paralysed by repeated engine failures and breakdown, which failed to satisfy the user. In July 1992 the Army finally lost interest in HTMV, as a comparative evaluation of Tata 4 tons and HTMV showed that the former was more cost effective.

Cancellation

In January 1994, DRDO decided after more than 10 years of development to close the Half Track Multirole Vehicle Project without achieving any mass production.

Technology Demonstrator In November 2000 Drdo stated that the expenditure incurred on the can not be treated as loss since Half Track Technology had been established which can be used for future projects.