Spider Light Strike Vehicle - The Ultimate Benchmark In Tactical
Mobility
Singapore, 23 February 2004 - Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST
Kinetics) has unveiled a new design Light Strike Vehicle (LSV)
named "Spider" at Asian Aerospace 2004 in Singapore.
The Spider LSV is differentiated from its predecessor by its
six-seater capacity which gives potential users greater flexibility
to deploy the vehicle for a wider range of operations. The new and
improved design also offers a collapsible roll cage frame that
readily allows two vehicles to be stacked for rapid air deployment,
enhancing the efficiency of air transportability by allowing more
LSVs to be transported in a single go. With this feature, it is now
possible to accommodate six Spiders comfortably in a C130
aircraft.
Mobile
With a new 130-hp engine, ST Kinetics' Spider moves faster and
performs better in a variety of terrain conditions. It is designed
for unmatched performance in off-road conditions such as
mountainous, cross-country or desert terrain. The Spider LSV has a
four-wheel drive design with improved, independent suspensions for
better shock absorption and crew comfort. It scales inclines of up
to 60%, traverse side slopes of up to 50% and manoeuvre through
dense vegetation with ease. Its low centre of gravity and top speed
of 120 km/h makes it ideal in providing close fire support for
infantry troops and special operations forces. As an added
advantage, the Spider's environmentally friendly engine is
certified up to Euro III emission standard.
Deployable
ST Kinetics' Spider has a light weight space frame that greatly
improves its air portability. Its patented space frame allows for
the vehicle to be internally carried by transport aircraft, while
its versatile layout allows for a crew configuration that can
accommodate up to 6 men. Its centre-drive design translates into
more efficient utilisation of space and manpower on board, compared
to conventional left or right hand drive models. Coupled with
commonality in its "family of vehicles" concept, the Spider is an
ideal basic building block for an air mechanized force of the
future.
Multi role platform
ST Kinetics' Spider LSV offers a high payload to accommodate a wide
range of weapon systems from heavy machine guns, grenade launchers
and canons, to mini UAVs, sensor and surveillance systems. Its
configurable roll cage system enables easy modification of the
vehicle to suit a variety of missions that include attack,
surveillance, reconnaissance, ambulance, emergency and combat
support roles. Its "family of vehicles" concept enables commonality
of parts for optimised logistics and maintenance support.
Crew safety and protection
For added safety, the Spider LSV is fitted with power-assisted
brakes for better control over off-road terrain. It is built with a
removable windscreen for protection against the elements of
weather. As an added advantage, the Spider can also be easily
fitted with capsulised armour for protection against small arms of
up to 7.62mm.
Aside from a conventional power source, the Spider can also be
fitted with a Motor Generator (MOGEN), a hybrid electric and motor
unit. When operated on its electrical power, the MOGEN enables a
vehicle to move in the silent (stealthy) mode thereby increasing
the survivability of its crew operating in the frontline. The MOGEN
can also provide back-up power as an auxillary power source.
Future developments
Future Spider LSV designs will incorporate a patent-pending
retractable wheel system. In operations, this offers the Spider a
lower centre of gravity for better stability and manoeuvrability at
high speeds in off-road conditions. With the wheels fully
retracted, the Spider takes on a more streamlined profile that
allows it to be internally transported in narrow-body carriers such
as the V22 Osprey aircraft.
It can also be readily configured for unmanned operations as an
effort to protect troops who need to perform surveillance roles in
the battlefront.