Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/713424
Leopards 2A7, with which Puma will cooperate, it amounts 17.2 kW/t (23.4 hp/t). The engine is coupled into one system (power- pack) with hydromechanical power transmis- sion Renk HSWL 256. The transmission includes i.a.: a torque converter with converter clutch, an automatic planetary gearbox, a forward-re- verse shuttle, a hydrostatic turn transmission, a set of disc brakes with air and oil cooling, and a hydrodynamic retarder. The steering is governed by an electronic module. However, there is also an emergency mechanical system. The transmission gearbox connected with for- ward-reverse shuttle has six forward and six reverse gears; for safety reasons, the two high- est gears are blocked when driving backwards. The maximum forward speed is 70 km/h, while backwards is 30 km/h. The turning mechanism allows making a turn with any calculative ra- dius and to rotate on the spot, with track belts spinning in opposite directions. The drive unit also includes an electric gener- ator with power of 170 kW/230 hp. The com- pactness of the drive unit is a great achieve- ment of the designers. Because of that, it has been decided to apply electrically controlled fans. Due to the fact that they are not connect- ed with the engine by a kinematic chain, they may be placed on the sides. Air for the engine and cooling systems is supplied through a hole in the upper front hull slab and forced out through an outlet in the right side. Contrary to the prototype, the designers abandoned the idea of leading exhaust out through the back of the hull – now, the outlet of exhaust gases is on the left side of the vehicle, between the first and the second drive wheel. Under field conditions, replacement of the drive unit takes about two hours. The fuel capacity is 950 liters. The engine takes fuel directly from a small tank with the capacity of 50 liters that is placed in the drive compartment. The rest of the stock is in tanks with the capacity of 450 liters each. They are integrated within the suspension modules. The maximum operational range is 600 km. VEHICLES