Tata Motors' army-spec Light Specialist Vehicle spied on test

Tata Motors' army-spec Light Specialist Vehicle (LSV) has been spotted testing in Pune. The Tata LSV was first showcased at the 2008 Indian Defence Expo. The Light Specialist Vehicle platform is a versatile one and is designed to operate in varied conditions. The LSV can be customized to play the role of a troop carrier, a reconnaissance vehicle, a vehicle meant for counter insurgency operations, an ambulance and even a mobile communications terminal. 

The Light Special Vehicle comes with a 3 liter, common rail-turbo diesel DICOR engine that outputs 115 Bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of peak torque. The engine transmits torque to all four wheels through an adaptive automatic transmission. In troop carrier and ambulance guises, the LSV is capable of hitting speeds of up to 100 Kph. In mobile communications terminal guise, the LSV gets considerably heavier and is hence capable of a lower top speed of a 70 Kph.

Power steering, air conditioning and weapon carrying ability are standard features on the LSV. The vehicle is also equipped with GPS and fire fighting equipment. The LSV can haul a payload of 1,200 kilograms.

Other specifications of the Light Specialist are:

• Gradeability of 60% 
• Water fording ability of 750 mm
• Vertical obstacle climbing ability up to 300 mm
• 45 degree approach angle
• 45 degree departure angle
• 250 mm ground clearance
• Ability to operate in temperatures between -20 and +55 degrees celsius

The LSV is a part of a range of new tactical vehicles that Tata Motors has developed to suit the defence forces, especially the Indian army. The army is likely to procure 54,000+ crore rupees worth of tracked infantry vehicles. Tata Motors plans to corner about two thirds of the total contract size. In light of that, the Indian car and utility vehicle giant is building a production facility at Dharwad, one that will cater mainly to defence vehicles. 

Spyshot courtesy Motorbash