The combat systems such as battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles etc, are mobile protected platforms designed to defeat similar systems of the enemy. In future, these combat systems will require all-round protection against various forms of threats namely, enemy tanks, Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), Armed attack helicopters (AAH) and anti-armour mines etc.
Technological Requirement of Future Combat Systems. The future combat systems including battle tanks and infantry combat vehicles must be highly maneuverable and have enhanced protection against various forms of threats, namely, tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, armed attack helicopters and anti-armour mines. Other technologies which are necessitated so as to enhance the vital ingredients of mobility, lethality and survivability are:-
(a) Mobility. Compact power packs and electro mechanical drives and advanced suspension systems remain the primary concerns. The platform be capable of operating not only on land but also have an amphibious capability.
(b) Lethality. The imperative are:-
(i) Development of electronic guns exceeding muzzle velocities of conventional tubes.
(ii) High velocity Kinetic Energy ammunition along with chemical, High Explosive Anti Tank and thermo-baric munitions/missiles.
(iii) Trajectory Correction munitions systems that would provide enhanced accuracy and lethality.
(iv) Advanced fire control systems.
(c) Survivability. Smaller and more compact armoured vehicles coupled with effective signature management to enhance survivability along with protection and counter-measure systems.
Broad Framework of the Design Competition
While the detailed guidelines and the operational requirements/design philosophy of the FRCV will be articulated later, the broad framework of the proposed Design Competition is as under:
(a) The Design Competition will be open to tank design bureaus/ agencies from within and outside the country, and will be conducted in two stages.
(b) In the first stage, based on the operational requirements and design philosophy given out, participants will submit broad concept designs, giving out the outline configuration and layout of the platform. These will be evaluated and shortlisted by the Design Selection Committee, under the aegis of DGMF.
(c) In the second stage, shortlisted participants will be asked to submit detailed designs of the FRCV platform on a common software platform. The detailed designs will be evaluated by the Design Selection Committee. The best design(s) will be shortlisted in order of innovative design and suitability for Indian Army. The winning design(s) will carry suitable cash prize(s).
(d) The winning design(s) will become the sole property of the Indian Army.
The agency/bureau whose designs are selected will require to continue to work on the project through the prototype and the Limited Series Production (LSP) stages. For this, a separate contract will be drawn. The agency/bureaus participating in this competition will mandatorily have to give an undertaking to this effect while applying for the competition.
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