Kestrel 8x8 RT40 - Joint operation between Kongsberg Defence & Tata motors

Suggestions Ground
1

KESTREL 8x8 RT40

TYPE: Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle

ARMAMENT

Spoiler

  • Remote Turret: 1x Kongsberg Remote Turret 40
    -Weight: 2450 Kilogram
    -Rotation and elevation: 360, -10 + 45 degrees
    -Stabilization: 4 axis fully stabilized
    -Armor: According to STANAG 45-69 Level 1-3
    -Day camera
    -Thermal Imager
    -Laser Range Finder (LRF)
    -Laser warning system
    -Integrated Combat Solution (ICS)

    • Integrated main weapon: 1x 30x173mm Bushmaster Mk.44 cannon
      -First round select
      -Ammunition: 150 ready rounds
      -Weight: Starting at 1250 kg
      -Ammunition: All NATO ammunition
      -Ammunition Handling: Linkless ammunition feeding 2x75 ready rounds
      -Cameras/Sensors: Day camera, Thermal Imager and Laser Range Finder (LRF)

    • Integrated coaxial weapon: 1x 7.62x51mm FN MAG coaxial machinegun
      -Ammunition stowage: 400 ready rounds
      -Placement: on a plate on top of the main cannon

    • -Additional secondary weapon (external): 1x 127mm Javelin ATGM missile
      -Placement: mounted onto the right side of the turret
      -Ammunition stowage: ca 6x missiles
      -Mass: 22.3 kg
      -Length: 1.1m (missile)
      -Barrel length: 1.2m
      -Diameter: 127mm
      -Calibre: 12 mm
      -Effective firing range: From vehicle: 4,750m
      -Sights: Optical sight & thermal imaging
      -Warhead: Tandem-charge HEAT
      -Warhead weight: 8.4 kg
      -Detonation mechanism: Contact fuze
      -Penetration: Stated as being in excess of 760 mm RHA
      -Propellant: Solid-fuel
      -Flight ceiling: 150 m (top attack mode) 60 m (direct attack mode)

  • Remote controlled weapon station: 1x Kongsberg M153
    -Placement: on top of the Remote controlled turret, right side
    -Thermal sight: 3rd Gen TS-III
    -Color Day Camera: 1° to 45° with continuous Field of View (FOV)
    -Thermal: 3° & 11.0 ° FOVs (standard CROWS); up to 45° wide FOV (Tech Refresh)
    -Four-axis targeting system; Three-axis vector stabilization; Laser range-finder; Auto scan/auto focus; Auto lead/auto tracker

    • Integrated main weapon: 12.7x99 M2 Browning machinegun
      -Ammunition mixture (2x MP, 1x MP-T) :
      -Armor penetration RHAe NM160MP-T: 22 Millimeter at 100 Meter
      -Armor penetration RHAe NM140MP: 10.6 Millimeter at 100 Meter

    • -Additional secondary weapon: 1x 127mm Javelin ATGM missile
      -Placement: Upper right corner on the outside of the weapon station
      -Ammunition stowage: ca 6x missiles
      -Mass: 22.3 kg
      -Length: 1.1m (missile)
      -Barrel length: 1.2m
      -Diameter: 127mm
      -Calibre: 12 mm
      -Effective firing range: From vehicle: 4,750m
      -Sights: Optical sight & thermal imaging
      -Warhead: Tandem-charge HEAT
      -Warhead weight: 8.4 kg
      -Detonation mechanism: Contact fuze
      -Penetration: Stated as being in excess of 760 mm RHA
      -Propellant: Solid-fuel
      -Flight ceiling: 150 m (top attack mode) 60 m (direct attack mode)

TECHNICAL DATA
Weight: 24 tonnes
Length: 7.85 metres
Width: 3.00 metres
Height: 2.3 metres
Crew: 3+ 9 passengers
Armor: Applique and composites along with welded steel
Engine: Cummins ISXe 600 diesel engine 600 Hp
Power/weight: 23hp/ton
Transmission: Allison 4500SP automatic transmission
Suspension: Live axle with independent hydropneumatic suspension
Maximum speed: 100 km/h on road
Maximum speed: 10 km/h in water

HISTORY
Some time prior to 2014 the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace entered a joint operation with the Indian company TATA Motors to present a new 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle for the Indian army, TATA with the 8x8 Kestrel vehicle and Kongsberg with the MCT-30/RT40 turret. It was first shown to the public in 2014 at the Defence Exhibition Organisation in 2014, where it was exhibited by TATA and Kongsberg. The vehicle was to my knowledge not tested by the Indian army, but faces strong competition with soviet era bmp-2’s that had been upgraded, and this version has not been adopted by India or any other nation, and remained a prototype or so called technology demonstrator.

The vehicle is the TATA Kestrel which is an Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle, and developed by TATA motors and Defence Research and Development Organisation, and were intended to replace their aging BMP-1 & 2’s from the soviet era.

This vehicle is equipped the MCT-30 or the RT40 as it has been renamed at a later point which has been integrated by the word leading supplier of remote weapon stations and systems, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and features the Kongsberg Remote turret RT40 which houses one 30x173mm BNushmaster Mk.44 cannon and an 7.62mm FN MAG coaxial machinegun, and on top of this it has the Protector Crows weapon station with a 12.7mm M2 Briwning integrated. The vehicle has two Javelin anti tank guided missiles as well, one integrated with the crows weapon station and one being mounted on the right side of the remote turret.

I always name the MCT-30 as the RT40 for easier identification, the earlier variant of the MCT-30 however is a little different in design/looks than the newer RT40’s. The RT40 was the only Remote Turret product before Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in late 2020 decided to rename their products and introduce two more versions, which was the RT20 which is the more lightweight and cheap model, for lighter vehicles and for lower prices, and the RT60 which is the heavier one with more technology and features, like the twin ATGM launcher for example. The only differences on the turret is the design/looks and everything else is similar, and i therefor choose to use the RT40 name for easier identification, as many still just call the turrets for MCT-30 even after the renaming, which can cause confusion, at least it has confused me a number of times.

IN GAME
This is a really cool vehicle which can be added for Both Norway (Wich is the nation i have suggested this for, and India. Its mobile and its firepower is great, two Javelin ATGMs to fight heavy armor and a 30mm autocannon that can penetrate most of the armor it faces, in addition to the ability to fight aircrafts.

AMMUNITION 30x173mm

Spoiler

  • HEI/HEI-T
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    -High Explosive/Incendiary rounds suitable for anti-materiel/anti-personnel
    -Projectile weight: Approx. 378 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,100 m/s
    -Max. dispersion Typical H&V deviation: < 0.5 mils
    -Penetration: N/A
    -Tracer: > 4 p
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • HEI/SD & HEI-T/SD
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    -High Explosive/Incendiary rounds suitable for anti-matériel/anti-personnel
    -Projectile weight: Approx. 363 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,100 m/s
    -Max. dispersion Typical H&V deviation: < 0.5 mils
    -Penetration: N/A
    -Tracer/self-destruction: > 4 s/Between 4 s and 9 s
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • SAPHEI/SD & SAPHEI-T/SD
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    -Armor Piercing/High Explosive/Incendiary rounds with steel cartridge case for use against a variety of targets (light armour and matériel)
    -Projectile weight: Approx. 363 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,100 m/s
    -Max. dispersion Typical H&V deviation: < 0.5 mils
    -Penetration
    30 mm NATO plate at 30° at 200 m
    20 mm NATO plate at 60° at 200 m
    -Tracer/self-destruction: > 3 s/Between 4 s and 9 s
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • NM 222 MP-T/SD
    -(NM) Meaning: Norwegian Model
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    -MP-T SD - Multi purpose tracer self destruction
    -Projectile weight: 363 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,070 m/s
    -Max. dispersion: < 0.4 mils at 1,000 m
    -Penetration
    10 mm RHA 60° NATO at 1,000 m
    Tracer/self-destruction: + 3,000 m
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • NM225 APFSDS-T
    -(NM) Meaning: Norwegian Model
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    -Armor Penetrating Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot Tracer round
    -Projectile weight: 230 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,430 m/s
    -Max. dispersion: < 0.3 mils at 1,000 m
    -Penetration
    100 mm RHA at 1,000 m
    -Tracer/self-destruction: N/A
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • NM219 TP-T
    -(NM) Meaning: Norwegian Model
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    Projectile weight: 363 g
    Muzzle velocity: 1,070 m/s
    Max. dispersion: < 0.4 mils at 1,000 m
    Penetration: N/A
    Tracer/self-destruction: N/A
    Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • NM245 TPDS-T/APDS-T
    -(NM) Meaning: Norwegian Model
    -Caliber: 30 mm × 173
    -Projectile weight: 190 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,480 m/s
    -Max. dispersion: < 0.4 mils at 1,000 m
    -Penetration:
    70 mm RHA at 1,000 m
    -Tracer/self-destruction: N/A
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

  • MK258 APFSDS-T This is a naval round, but it can be fired in this cannon
    -Projectile weight: 230 g
    -Muzzle velocity: 1,430 m/s
    -Max. dispersion: < 0.4 mils at 1,000 m
    -Penetration:
    100 mm RHA at 1,000 m
    -Service temperature: -46°C to +63°C

AMMUNTION 7.62x51mm

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All ammunition classified of Norwegian definitions & exact used mixtures i am not sure of, but here is the ammunition it CAN use

  • 7.62 mm x 51 NATO BALL
    Projectile weight 9.45 g (146 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 810 m/s
    Maximum dispersion SD ≤ 200 mm at 550 m
    Penetration 3.5 mm NATO plate at 550 m
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

  • NM258 7.62 mm x 51 BALL 11 LONG RANGE
    -NM258: Norwegian Model 258
    Projectile weight 10.9 g (168 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 780 m/s
    Maximum dispersion ≤ 1 MOA
    Penetration 3.5 mm NATO plate at 550 m
    Powder Temperature stable
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

  • 7.62 mm x 51AP 10
    Projectile weight 9.85 g (152 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 845 m/s
    Maximum dispersion SD ≤ 200 mm at 550 m
    Penetration 7 mm RHA at 300 m
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

  • 7.62 mm x 51 BALL NON TOXIC 9 HP
    Projectile weight 9 g (139 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 860 m/s
    Maximum dispersion SD ≤ 150 mm at 550 m
    Penetration 3.5 mm NATO plate at 900 m
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

  • 7.62 mm x 51 NATO TRACER
    Projectile weight 9 g (139 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 820 m/s
    Maximum dispersion SD ≤ 300 mm at 550 m
    Penetration 140 m – ≥ 775 m
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

  • 7.62 mm x 51 TRACER NON TOXIC 9
    Projectile weight 8.7 g (134 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 850 m/s
    Maximum dispersion SD ≤ 250 mm at 550 m
    Tracer 140 m – ≥ 775 m
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

  • 7.62 mm x 51 DIM TRACER (IR) 9
    Projectile weight 9 g (139 grain)
    Muzzle velocity 840 m/s
    Maximum dispersion SD ≤ 300 mm at 550 m
    Tracer 13–775 m (typically visible to 1 250 m)
    Service temperature -54°C to +52°C
    Safety temperature -54°C to +71°C

SOURCES

Spoiler

Showing combinations & overall info
Kongsberg PROTECTOR MCT-30R turret solution on TATA Motors Kestrel 8x8 armoured vehicle 0702143
TATA Kestrel - Wikipedia
India gets WhAP with Kongsberg 30mm remote-controlled cannon
The Indian army test-drives Kestrel
https://defense-update.com/20140206_tata-introduces-kestrel-8x8-armored-scout-vehicle.html
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Defence Exhibition Organisation - Wikipedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQuZysqnO44

RT40 Turret data, somehow haven’t been released in a datasheet by KDA like the other models yet
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kongsberg-RT40-data.jpg

Ammunition data and specs
https://www.nammo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/nammo-handbook-2023.pdf

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This post was made by
Til_Dovre_Faller