Astrum(UK) Limited - Track System Design for Armoured Fighting Vehicles

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Astrum, formerly William Cook Defence, is based in the North East of England and is one of the worlds leading designers and manufacturers of Track Systems for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV).  In addition, Astrum manufactures and supplies Cast Armour, Suspension and Running Gear components.   Astrum has a long and proud history of being at the forefront of the design and manufacture of track systems, which includes:

  • Track Links
  • Track Pads
  • Sprocket Rings
  • Support Wheels
  • Idler Wheels
  • Road wheels

Our focus on quality, service and delivery makes us the preferred choice of many of the worlds Armies and leading AFV platform OEM’s.

Track Systems - Armoured Fighting Vehicles

With over 40 years experience Astrum’s focus is on providing highly reliable and durable track systems, and this has resulted in Astrum being the principle supplier of track systems to BAE Land Systems for vehicles such as the CHALLENGER 2, WARRIOR, FV430, CVRT Scorpion and more recently the TERRIER® MSV and many other Armoured fighting vehicles. Furthermore, our track systems are fitted to almost all armoured vehicles in service with the British Armed Forces.

Track System Design

Our Research and Development Centre focuses on providing highly durable and reliable products that offer reduced maintenance and lower whole life costs. Extensive use is made of 3D CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to optimise track system design in terms of minimum weight and maximum strength.  Metal Flow Analysis software is used to optimise the manufacture of the cast steel track link bodies and other components, and NDT techniques, including Real Time Radiography and automated Magnetic Particle Inspection, are used to guarantee product quality.  Mechanical testing is carried out using in-house test rigs to prove the strength and reliability of all components before fitting to a vehicle. Products are finally tested through intensive vehicle trials, working in partnership with key customers and using our own test vehicles.

Reverse Engineered Solutions

Where customers cannot always procure replacement track from their original source Astrum has extensive experience in reverse engineering track for a wide range of AFVs, regardless of the country of origin.  Astrum can further improve these tracks for greater reliability and improved performance by incorporating new design features or using new and more advanced materials.  Examples of this type of service are the supply of BMP-3 track to the Middle East BMP-1 to Scandinavia and SK105 to Africa.  In addition to the track links for the vehicles mentioned above Astrum is able to supply track for the M113, M109, AMX-10, AMX-30, T Series and Leopard AFV’s to name but a few.

Contact Details:
Astrum (UK) Limeted
Stanhope
County Durham
DL13 2YR
United Kingdom

Tel: 01388 528248
Fax: 01388 528879

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