8×8 Black Widow Spider (BWS)
armored wheeled vehicle
In early 1998, the Royal Thai Army completed field trials of competing designs to fulfill a requirement for up to 200 wheeled armored personnel carriers (APCs). The new vehicles were to be incorporated into elements of the Thai 2nd Division, although it was unknown whether the new vehicles were to replace or supplemented existing types.
The following systems: Giat's VAB-NG, Steyr-Daimler-Puch's Pandur, the Sisu XA-180; Thyssen Henschel's Fuchs; Textron Marine and Land Systems V-600; the Chinese WZ 551 (all of the 6 configurations); General Motors of Canada's LAV (reportedly an ASLAV-PC- LAV Bison - leased from the Australian Army) and a version of the Russian BTR-80, conducted trials over several weeks. All vehicles were reportedly of the basic APC configuration, reflecting the requirement for a troop carrying vehicle, rather than a dedicated infantry fighting vehicle.
In 2007 the military interim government announced the purchase of 96 BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers (APCs) worth THB 4bn (about $117m). By 2010 none had been delivered to Thailand, as supposedly the engines by German manufacturers Deutz tended to overheat. In September 2010 Thailand confirmed the order for 96 BTR 3E1 APC from Ukraine. But Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakiri said he learned that a Muslim organisation had asked Germany not to sell the engines for the APCs because the vehicles could be used in suppression of Muslims in Thailand’s deep South. Commander-in-chief] Gen Anupong wanted to push through the purchase of the additional 121 APCs before he retired in September 2010.
Thai MOD Defence Technology Institute prototype of its Black Widow Spider 8X8 looked very similar to the Singapore Terrex 8X8. DTI was set up to develop Thailand’s defence technology capability and to help build the local defence industry; the Black Widow Spider represents its first major military vehicle program.
The BWS 8×8 is fitted with RWS turret (which suspiciously looks like Singapore’s Terrex II turret). In 2013 when armor project was created by government policy, at that time teh government wanted to own self-defense technology, reduce to import weapons and budget cuts, and so accelerated the development of armor of DTI. Thailand’s researchers developed a design all together, based on high-performance prototype vehicles from all over the world as a comparison. Research and development to be appropriate to the use and needs of the country.
At the International Defense and Security Exhibition with takes place in Bangkok (Thailand) from the 2 to 5 November 2015, the Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand introduced a new of 8×8 armoured vehicle under the name of Black Widow Spider.
Thai Defence Technology Institute (DTI) has introduced the first “Black Widow Spider” armored car that is to be built in Thailand at the Defense and Security 2015 exhibition. Gen Sompong Mukdasakul, the DTI director was quoted as saying Monday by Bangkok Post news daily that the Black Widow Spider 8x8 armoured car has the same specifications as those made for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The vehicle was jointly developed by Thai researchers from the DTI, the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre and private organisations with expertise in automotive safety.
By mid-September 2016, DTI's 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle had been tested for the first time since DTI developed a prototype of the armored wheeled vehicle. In the first experiment, the test run distance 64 kilometers using the straight-run back to the road conditions in general. The distance over 8 km and 8 km held four rounds of testing to test the performance of the car in the primary/turn System/acceleration test (by running at an average speed of 40-60 km/hr). The engine and various electronic systems in this first test were considered successful as anticipated.
Second test – safety testing (17 Sep 2015) were a very important aspect for armored wheeled BWS 8×8 is the armor bombs test (Mine Blast Test) with method of ignition weight 6 kg put at the center under the vehicle and beneath the wheel to test the armor and the chassis of the vehicle to tests explosive effect as designed made or not. This is a test to the standard AEP-55 V.2 Edition 1 (STANAG 4569 Level 2a and 2b) or military standards of NATO member countries and the outcome of the test was successful with body armor and secure so it is not damaged.
Third test – top performing on full power ( 21 Sep 2015) increased even more detailed testing. By the start of the engine’s acceleration, top speed and sound testing, performance of brake system, steering system, suspension systems test and so on up the slope.
The DTI's Black Widow Spider can be used both on land and water, is capable of holding 12 people and is equipped with a 30mm machine gun. It is resistant to all kinds of small arms and a .57 calibre machinegun fire, and is capable of negotiating steep and sloping terrain. "During 2015-2016, the DTI has carried out more than 20 projects on research and development of defence technology. Many of the fruits of these efforts, which are on display at this exhibition, have been handed over to the armed forces for their use,” Thai Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs, Prawit Wongsuwon said.
Defense Technology Institute(DTI) and Naval Research & Development Office held a handover ceremony of Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier(AAPC) 8x8 wheeled amphibious armored vehicle prototype to Royal Thai Marine Corps Division Headquarters for trial evaluation, 20 September 2018. The delivery ceremony of the prototype followed just two weeks after the vehicle's performance was tested at Hat Klot, Amphibious Vehicle Battalion. Marine Corps Brigade Between 6-7 September 2018. It was an important milestone of the development project since its first launch at the Defense and Security 2017 exhibition at Impact Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand, 6-9 November 2017. Demonstration of military operations at the opening ceremony of Defense and Security 2019 International Armaments Exhibition were held at Impact Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand on November 18, 2019. Defense Technology Institute (DTI: Defense Technology Institute) has brought its research and development of 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles to participate in the demonstration at the opening ceremony and exhibited in its exhibit during the 18- 21 November 2019.
Black Widow Spider (BWS) 8x8 APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) for the Royal Thai Army The prototype was renovated in the factory of Preecha Thavorn Industry. Ltd. (Preecha Thavorn Industry Co.,Ltd.) in June 2019 with the installation of a Remote Weapon Station (RWS: Remote Weapon Station) that is likely to be a model ADDER DM 40/50 of ST Engineering Singapore. Defense Technology Institute DTI Thailand has ordered the purchase of heavy machine gun turrets. 12.7 mm / 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and accessories installed on the prototype APC wheeled armored vehicle (the 1st car), limit 25,072,000 baht ($800,000) from ST Engineering Land LTD. Singapore.
The ADDER DM 40/50 Singapore model consists of a 40x53mm STK 40 AGL automatic grenade launcher, 32 shells capacity, and a .50caliber (12.7mm) STK 50MG heavy machine turret with a capacity of 100 rounds, ADDER DM 40/50 RWS turret has a stabilization system It operates day and night with an uncooled thermal imaging camera, 360degree pan and tilt -10degree to +60degree tilt, weighs less than 350kg, and is controlled from an in-vehicle fire station via the touch screen display. Earlier at Defense & Security 2015, the prototype Black Widow Spider 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle was equipped with a 30mm Israeli Elbit Systems UT30MK2 RWS turret.
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