At the 2024 Singapore Airshow, Singapore’s defense industry champion ST Engineering unveiled the latest version of its 8×8 armored platform, which aims not only to improve performance in the operational field, but also to enhance intelligence. .
The Singapore Air Show was born primarily to provide a showcase for the aviation industry, but has evolved to include other defense-related equipment and technology as well. Therefore, it is no surprise that ST Engineering will be announcing new products at this event. This year’s main product is the Terrex s5 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle. The name “s5” is based on the five performances of the new vehicle incorporating the company’s advanced technology: “Smartness,” “Superiority,” “Sustainability,” “Survivalability,” and “S5.” Serviceability. This obviously includes all sorts of new electronic features, so before we get started, it’s important to note that the Terrex S5 leverages the knowledge of the ST Engineering Cybersecurity Business Unit to ensure maximum protection against cyber-attacks. Let me say this.
The electronic architecture is designed to take full advantage of new technologies and incorporate as much intelligence into the vehicle as possible. The driver and commander are sitting next to each other, no longer separated, and in front of them he has three large color displays, the main display in the center and his two smaller ones. It is on the side at a slight angle. Man-machine interface is provided by his three consoles, one in the center and one on each side, and his two game-style commands for driving, allowing driving responsibilities to be switched between the two front crew members. The screen provides see-through armor functionality. The vehicle is equipped with enhanced image processing that provides a stereoscopic effect that gives the occupants a sense of depth, making vision more realistic and particularly useful for driving. From the vehicle deck her two operators can set a planned course through waypoint driving. This is a solution that significantly reduces the driver’s workload and controls unmanned air and ground assets (a multipurpose UGV with a pan-tilt-zoom camera is pictured in the brochure next to the combat) The vehicle version) works in conjunction with a vehicle and utilizes an automatic target detection and tracking system, also developed by the company, to carry out its mission. This introduces machine intelligence algorithms and further developments are planned following continuous improvements in this area. Of course, the key to all this was computing power. ST Engineering leveraged edge computing to address the needs of all of these functions, but image processing was perhaps the most demanding of computing power. EDR On-Line understood that realistic imaging is not limited to the forward arc, but covers all 360 degrees around the vehicle.
High-end image processing also ensures obstacle detection capabilities along with low-light image enhancement, providing a bird’s-eye view that provides orientation and range of objects around the vehicle, all of which increase survivability and operational efficiency. improve. This is achieved thanks to a tethered UAS complemented by a 360° prism camera system developed by ST Engineering.
All of this requires quite a bit of onboard power, and the Terrex s5 is equipped with a 910A alternator, and a lithium-ion battery is available onboard, delivering over 12kWh. A smart power management system ensures optimal distribution and prioritization. The Terrex s5 has a gross vehicle weight of 35,000 kg, of which 13,000 kg corresponds to the payload. The vehicle is 8.3 meters long, 3 meters wide and 2.7 meters high at the hull roof. Due to its fairly large payload, a fire support version with a turret equipped with at least a 105 mm rifle gun, and possibly a 120 mm smoothbore gun, other types include infantry fighting vehicles, command posts, anti-tank missile carriers, and mortar carriers. A car can be considered. ST Engineering also proposes an amphibious version of the Terrex s5. In that case, the GVW would be limited to 32,000 kg, which the company believes is the maximum firepower a turret with a 30 x 173 mm gun can be installed.
The IFV configuration seen at the Singapore Air Show has 10 disembarkers mounted in the rear compartment of the vehicle, arranged in two rows of five facing each other. The vehicle is equipped with an Adder Remotw Weapon Station 30 armed with his 30×173 mm cannon with a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, ready for 250 and 500 rounds, respectively. It is fully stabilized and equipped with automatic surveillance, automatic target detection and tracking, target classification, touchscreen target designation, and video tracking. The maximum elevation angle is +60°, making it suitable for operation in urban canyons, while the depression angle is -20°. Combat weight he is less than 2,000 kg, leaving a payload of another 11 tons for the standard vehicle and 9 tons for the amphibious version. A portion of this can be used to upgrade the turret protection to level 4 according to STANAG 4569. The turret can also incorporate anti-tank guided missiles and anti-UAS sensors. The protection the vehicle provides to its occupants is Level 4 ballistic and Level 4 A/B against explosives. Improvements have been made to the V-hull compared to the Terrex s3 and the considerable load capacity allows for an even higher level of protection depending on the customer’s choice. New vehicles are designed to accept active protection systems.
The Terrex s5 is powered by a turbo diesel engine producing 711 horsepower coupled with an automatic gearbox with seven forward and two reverse speeds. It is equipped with independent suspension and can be upgraded to be height adjustable or even active suspension. The vehicle on display is equipped with 16R20 tires, 14R20 is proposed as an option and is fitted with run-flat inserts. Terrex s5 has a central tire inflation system. Newer vehicles are equipped with hydraulic power steering. As standard, the front axle is steerable, but customers can request a steerable rear axle as an option. The respective turning radii are less than 10 meters and less than 8.5 meters. Terrex s5 is equipped with a pneumatic brake system with ABS. Considering a maximum road speed of 120 km/h and a range of 1,000 km at cruising speed, it provides sufficient capacity if a 35-tonne vehicle needs to be stopped.
Mobility data is almost the same as the previous model, with limited front and rear overhand, approach and departure angles of 40 degrees, maximum slope of 60%, side slope of 30%, maximum vertical obstacle of 0.7 meters, The trench crossing capacity is 2.0 meters. The non-amphibious version has a wading depth of 1.8 meters.
Remember, the “s” is maintainability. To ease the logistics burden, the Terrex s5 is equipped with onboard diagnostics, condition and usage monitoring system sensors, and smart sensors that provide condition-based maintenance data and improve the user’s operating experience. Equipped with maintenance functions.
The vehicle displayed at the Singapore Air Show will undergo a series of tests overseas. In terms of manufacturing, the company leveraged the work and know-how gained from manufacturing the Hunter armored fighting vehicle to optimize the design of the Terex S5 and take full advantage of robotized operations to reduce production costs and improve accuracy. Improved.
Under the sustainability ‘S’ rating, ST Engineering states that the Terrex s5 is ‘Hybrid Electric Drive Ready’. The company has already been working on diesel-electric hybrid propulsion for several years, first on Next Generation Light Attack Vehicles and then Next Generation Light Attack Vehicles. Next Generation Protected Vehicle (NGPV). EDR On-Line understands that the R&D department is developing a hybrid solution in parallel with the development of his Terrex s5. The chosen solution is a serial hybrid and starts using an e-axle. So far, tests with a 20 tonne NGPV have yielded good results, and the required axes for the latest version of Terrex are fairly similar considering single axle loads. However, ST Engineering developers are interested in hub drive solutions. This allows for much greater design freedom and eliminates many mechanical elements that have a negative impact on maintenance and protection, especially against abdominal explosions.
Photo courtesy of J. Roukoz