Eurosatory: Tank turret drive powers up

Curtiss-Wright will supply its Electric Gun Turret Drive Upgrade Kit to Raytheon as part of a turret drive and stabilisation system upgrade solution for M60 and Challenger 1 main battle tanks (MBT), the company announced on 13 June.

The kit is designed to replace older, less accurate hydraulic and hybrid-based turret stabilisation systems on the M60 and Challenger 1 with a full electro-mechanical drive.

According to the company, the system provides for a lighter and safer turret that is able to rotate faster and accurately fire while the tank is on the move. 

The kit has been delivered to Raytheon for integration into both vehicles, and successful live fire testing of the upgraded tanks has been carried out. 

Lynn Bamford, senior vice president and general manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, said: ‘We are very proud to team with Raytheon to upgrade M60 and Challenger 1 MBTs with a modern electro-mechanical turret drive system that provides a quick, cost-effective solution for significantly boosting the performance of these older hydraulic and hybrid turret drive systems, enabling them to competitively meet the threat posed by newer and far more costly contemporary platforms.

‘We are working together with Raytheon to provide our Electric Gun Turret Drive Upgrade Kit, which can help ensure that thousands of MBTs, currently in use around the world, continue to be vital and effective for years to come.’

The Electric Turret Drive Upgrade Kit can significantly improve tank crew survivability by eliminating flammable hydraulic fluids in the turret and can help to extend the operating life of thousands of tanks that are currently in use around the world. 

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