John Pritchard, Vice President Operation and Site Director for FPT Industries, comments: "Traditional fuel systems for armoured vehicles are designed to be gravity-fed from pannier tanks. The Terrier system represents a technological step forward. This is a centrally mounted system that uses all the available space in the vehicle yet constantly provides the correct air-free flow of fuel to the engine at all operational attitudes and despite being centrally-mounted."
The new fuel system was designed and produced in only 26 weeks and will meet both design and performance specifications for the system. To guarantee the fuel flow, FPT Industries developed a pioneering 'tank-internal' valve array which provides air-free fuel pick-up at all vehicle attitudes and in all conditions. The first prototype system was delivered on schedule on 12th July 2004, eight months before customer installation. A further four systems for the demonstrator vehicles will be delivered this year with full production commencing in 2007, when the 60 units will be delivered at a rate of one per month.
The contract awarded by BAE Systems covers the complete system including the rotationally moulded fuel tank with weir plate, explosion suppressant safety foam, fuel level transducer, filter/water separator, filler and breather assemblies, interconnection pipes/hoses with dry-break couplings and refuel/de-fuel pump, plus the full support package for the vehicle.
GKN Aerospace, FPT Industries has extensive experience supplying elastomeric and semi-rigid fuel tanks and flotation systems for military vehicles to customers such as Alvis and Vickers. The Company also designed the complete fuel system for the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.
The photograph of the Terrier is available at:
http://www.aerospace.gknplc.com/content/S632854472983906250/terrier.jpg
GKN Photo Library is available at:
http://www.aerospace.gknplc.com/photolib.aspx
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