Oshkosh TAK-4 Independent Suspension System

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Oshkosh TAK-4 Independent Suspension System
TAK-4 independent suspension system is a family of independent suspension systems designed and manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation for use on military, severe-duty and emergency vehicles.
Place of originUnited States of America
Production history
DesignerOshkosh
ManufacturerOshkosh Corporation

TAK-4 independent suspension system is a family of independent suspension systems designed and manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation for use on military, severe-duty and emergency vehicles. The system was developed from the mid-1990s.[1]

In addition to third party usage for

U.S. Army and Marines Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) fleet upgrades, TAK-4 independent suspension system is fitted by Oshkosh to a variety of its military vehicles and by its business unit, Oshkosh Airport Products, to its Striker Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks and Pierce Manufacturing to its fire apparatuses.[1]

Development

In 1999 Oshkosh was awarded a United States Air Force (USAF) contract to supply P23 ARFF trucks. These, and the earlier P23 supplied to the Air Force between 1994 and 1996 by Teledyne and Emergency-One (E-One) were fitted with independent suspension designed by Timoney Technology of Ireland.

The success of the P23, and subsequent interest in an independent suspension solution for US Army and Marines 5-ton truck upgrade projects led to Oshkosh (and the then Rockwell) approaching Timoney with regard to a licence arrangement for the suspension. Following discussions with both, Timoney opted to enter into a licence arrangement with Rockwell (now Meritor).

Oshkosh then developed two, possibly three independent suspension systems, including the set-up that came to be marketed as TAK-4 independent suspension system.

The latest TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system has been fitted to Oshkosh's L-ATV, this selected to meet the US Army and Marines JLTV requirement.

The first use of TAK-4 independent suspension system was on an M939 5-ton truck as part of the Marines’ plan to upgrade its

M939 fleet. The upgrade approach was ultimately abandoned, this replaced by a new-build approach for which the Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement
(MTVR) was selected.

The first production contract for the MTVR was awarded in February 1999 and the type remains in production for the US Marines. The MTVR is fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension system independent suspension and was the first US mass-produced military truck with fully independent suspension (Tatra had been mass-producing independently suspended military trucks since the 1930's).[2]

Oshkosh has since fitted TAK-4 independent suspension system to its

Cougar MRAPs, BAE Systems’ RG-31 and RG-33 MRAPs.[5] Oshkosh business units Pierce Manufacturing and Oshkosh Airport Products fit TAK-4 independent suspension system systems to a large amount of its fire trucks.[6][7]

Most recently the latest TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system has been fitted to Oshkosh's

L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical – All-Terrain Vehicle), this selected to meet the US Army and Marines JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) requirement.[8]

Oshkosh remains the market leader as of 2024 for independent suspension systems above the 5000 kg threshold, almost exclusively for large commercial vehicles, and excluding Striker and Pierce products, has equipped in the region of 30,000 military vehicles with the TAK-4 independent suspension system set-up.[5] This figure will increase as JLTV production ramps up.[8]

To date the TAK-4 independent suspension system has accrued in excess of 1,000,000 actual durability test miles, most of these in extreme conditions.[9]

Description

The Oshkosh TAK-4 (and TAK-4i) suspension is known as

brakes.[1][10]

TAK-4 independent suspension system accepts various spring mediums, but the vast majority of systems supplied by Oshkosh to date have been fitted with coil springs. Exceptions are the rear axles on the LVSR and the wrecker variant of the MTVR which are hydro-pneumatic struts with Hendrickson components.[2][4]

The original TAK-4 independent suspension system

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 12,020 kg. The slighter lighter-capacity version fitted to the M-ATV has an off-road GVWR of 10,433 kg.[11] The light version offered as a potential HMMWV
upgrade has a GVWR of 10,000 kg and offers around 14-inches of vertical wheel travel. In all cases the operating profile of the system is 70% off-road, 30% on-road.

The new Oshkosh TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension provides 20-inches of wheel travel, and again a 70% off-road, 30% on-road operating profile. TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension is fitted to Oshkosh's JLTV/L-ATV. TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension is an ‘intelligent’ independent suspension, providing variable ride height through gas springs.[8]

To promote TAK-4i intelligent independent suspension system suspension, Oshkosh has stated the following: “In fact, Independent testing proves that the Oshkosh L-ATV provides the same ride quality at speeds 70 percent faster than today’s industry gold standard for off-road mobility, the Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV).”[9]

TAK-4 Applications

(coil springs unless stated)

Gallery

  • Oshkosh TAK-4 Independent Suspension System
  • The first use of TAK-4 independent suspension system was on an M939 5-ton truck as part of the Marines’ plan to upgrade its M939 fleet.
    The first use of TAK-4 independent suspension system was on an M939 5-ton truck as part of the Marines’ plan to upgrade its M939 fleet.
  • Oshkosh's MTVR is fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension and was the first mass-produced military truck with fully independent suspension.
    Oshkosh's MTVR is fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension and was the first mass-produced military truck with fully independent suspension.
  • Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system is an option on the Pierce Arrow (F), Enforcer (F), Impel (F/R), Dash CF (F/R), Velocity (F/R) and Quantum (F/R) custom chassis.
    Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system is an option on the Pierce Arrow (F), Enforcer (F), Impel (F/R), Dash CF (F/R), Velocity (F/R) and Quantum (F/R) custom chassis.
  • Oshkosh's MRAP – All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) is fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension. About 10,000 M-ATVs have been built to date
    Oshkosh's MRAP – All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) is fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension. About 10,000 M-ATVs have been built to date
  • The front axle pair of Oshkosh's Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) 2022 are fitted with TAK-4, the rear axles are hydropneumatic struts with Hendrickson International components
    The front axle pair of Oshkosh's
    Logistic Vehicle System Replacement
    (LVSR) 2022 are fitted with TAK-4, the rear axles are hydropneumatic struts with Hendrickson International components
  • Oshkosh's Striker range of specialized Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicles are fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension
    Oshkosh's Striker range of specialized Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicles are fitted with TAK-4 independent suspension
  • Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system is an option on the front or rear axles of the Pierce Dash
    Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system is an option on the front or rear axles of the Pierce Dash
  • Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system has been retro-fitted to US Army/Marines MRAPs including the General Dynamics/Force Protection Cougar
    Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension system has been retro-fitted to US Army/Marines MRAPs including the General Dynamics/Force Protection
    Cougar
  • A single example of the British Army's Ridgback MRAP (UK-specific version of Cougar) has been fitted with Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension for evaluation
    A single example of the British Army's Ridgback MRAP (UK-specific version of Cougar) has been fitted with Oshkosh's TAK-4 independent suspension for evaluation

References

  1. ^ a b c "Advanced suspension technology". Oshkosh Defense. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  2. ^ a b c d "Oshkosh (6 × 6) Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and trailers". IHS Jane's. 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  3. ^ a b "Oshkosh (10 × 10) Palletized Load System (PLS)". IHS Jane's. 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Oshkosh Logistic Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR)". IHS Jane's. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Retasking MRAP: Life after Afghanistan". IHS Jane's. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  6. ^ a b "Overview". Pierce. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  7. ^ a b "Striker". Oshkosh Airport Products. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  8. ^ a b c d "Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)". IHS Jane's. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  9. ^ a b "Oshkosh Defense Features the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle at Eurosatory 2016". Oshkosh. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  10. ^ "Smooth ride: tracing the path to improved mobility". IHS Jane's Robin Hughes. 2014-08-18. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  11. ^ "AUSA 2015: Oshkosh unveils 6x6 M-ATV". IHS Jane's. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  12. ^ "Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)". IHS Jane's. 2016-09-03. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  13. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps' Advanced New Firefighting Vehicle From Oshkosh Defense Featured at Marine South". Oshkosh. Retrieved 2016-08-09.

External links