A Design of Experiments Methodology for Evaluating Configuration for a Generation Next Main Battle Tank

Abdur Rahman Hafeezur Rahman; Shaik Ameer Malik; Jagath Rajesh Kumar; Vadivelu Balaguru; Palanivel Sivakumar

doi:10.14429/dsj.68.12182

Abdur Rahman Hafeezur Rahman Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India
Shaik Ameer Malik Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India
Jagath Rajesh Kumar Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India
Vadivelu Balaguru Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India
Palanivel Sivakumar Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.68.12182

Keywords: Configuration, Evolutionary design, Revolutionary design, Regression, Systems

Abstract

Combat vehicles for generation next main battle tank requires state-of-the-art technologies to counter advanced threats both from conventional and un-conventional sources across various theatres of operation. In addition, they require strategic mobility by road, rail, air and sea. Under such conditions, the trend across the world has been to converge on configurations that are lethal, agile, modular systems and interchangeable mission based turret configurations along with higher survivability which imposes limitations on mobility as mass increases. To achieve all the user objectives as laid down in the qualitative requirements, it is prudent to focus the attention on weight management. The traditional approach of weight management is time consuming, for which an alternate approach using design of experiments is proposed in this paper. To carry out this study, two configurations are selected namely evolutionary and revolutionary design. Keeping the outer boundary as the constraint, a simple linear regression and analysis of variance are carried out with mass and volume data from various systems and sub-systems. Subsequently, the accuracy of the analysis is ascertained using a test of hypothesis using PHStat software. Although this study discusses configuration, the factors responsible for reduced system mass and volume namely technology, materials, intelligence etc have not been discussed. Finally, from the outcome of the study it is observed that the revolutionary design configuration fares better compared to the evolutionary design configuration with a combat mass of only 41 t.

Author Biographies

Abdur Rahman Hafeezur Rahman, Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India

Mr A. Hafeezur Rahman has completed his MSc (Military Vehicles Technology) from the Defence Academy, Cranfield University, United Kingdom, in 2013. He is currently serving as Scientist ‘E’ in Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai. His research areas include: Design of structures, shock and vibration fixtures, structural and ballistic composites, honeycomb structures, weight optimisation of armoured fighting vehicles structures and design configuration for future combat vehicles.

His contribution to the current study include problem definition, complete DOE approach, DOE analysis using PH Stat, methodology used to compare the evolutionary and revolutionary configurationand full paper preparation.

Shaik Ameer Malik, Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India

Mr Ameer Malik Sheik has completed his MSc (Military Vehicles Technology) from the Defence Academy, Cranfield University, United Kingdom in 2014. He is currently serving as Scientist ‘C’ in Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai. His research areas include indigenisation of louvres, development of weight reduced hull structure, composite cover plates, self-sealing fuel tanks and feasibility study for future combat vehicles.

His contribution to the present study include collation of data for both configurations.

Jagath Rajesh Kumar, Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India

Mr J. Rajesh Kumar has completed his MSc (Military Vehicles Technology) from the Defence Academy, Cranfield University, UK, in 2005 and MTech (Machine Design) from IIT, Madras, in 1999. Currently he is pursuing his PhD from IIT, Madras. He is currently serving as Scientist ‘G’, Addl Dir (Systems) in Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai. His research areas include : System engineering, design, analysis, development, trial evaluation and productionisation of various mechanical sub-systems pertaining to armoured fighting vehicles.

His contribution in this study include arriving at the optimal parameters for the study, comparison of both configurations and overall guidance.

Vadivelu Balaguru, Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India

Mr V. Balaguru has completed his MTech (Machine Design) from IIT, Madras, in 1998 and currently pursuing his PhD from Annamalai University, Chidambaram. He is currently serving as Scientist ‘G’, Additional Director for the Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai. His research areas include design, development and trial validation of systems that augment lethality, survivability and mobility for armoured fighting vehicles.

His contribution in this study include arriving at the optimal parameters for the study, comparison of both configurations and overall guidance.

Palanivel Sivakumar, Main Battle Tank Division, DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai - 600 054, India

Dr P. Sivakumar has completed his Ph D in Machine Design from IIT, Madras, in 2011. He is currently serving as Distinguished Scientist and Director DRDO-Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Chennai. His research areas include design and development of AFV automatic transmission in the range of 150-1500 hp, combat aircraft transmission, conceptualisation of configuration for main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, armoured repair and recovery vehicles, self-propelled catapult vehicles, carrier command post, and unmanned ground vehicles.

His contribution in this study include revolutionary MBT configuration and overall guidance.