Defence Technology Institute ( DTI) continues its development projects 8×8 armored wheeled version of Black Widow Spider (BSW) to support armors of Thailand. The vehicle tested with a strength safety standards, and military standards. Test results revealed a satisfactory ensured that could support the development of the armors of Thailand’s full potential.

First test – distance runner (16 Sep 2015)

By mid-September, DTI 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles have been tested for the first time since has developed a prototype of armored wheeled. Back to the year 2013 when armor project was created by government policy at that time which wanted to own self-defense technology, reduce to import weapons and budget cuts, thus accelerating 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.

In this 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, which has 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) and the engine and various electronic system which results from this first test is considered successful as anticipated.

Second test – safety testing (17 Sep 2015)

Testing for later, called 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 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 does not get damaged in any way.

Third test – top performing on full power ( 21 Sep 2015)

After a test long distances run, and then blast barrier properties, the third test has 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.
Summary of the test results

Test acceleration of the engine by the speed of 0-60 km and 0-90 km is running straight and tested five times for an average reasonable. During the test, which had installed a video camera recording the dashboard display driving to save all the runs such as speed, oil temperature range, etc., and installed cameras on the left and right of the car to see the work of the propulsion system, the eight wheels to test the wheel when turn and leaks.

Top speed and sound test, test runs starting from 0 – max speed km/hour for five times to find the time to do speed and the maximum speed possible. To test this topic installed a sensor to measure the temperature in the gearbox and installation of sound test to keep the noise on pace.

Testing the performance of the braking system by means of settling for a brake on the odometer and began running tests at speeds of 90 km, then on through then. Staff will give primary signal so that the driver applies the brakes fully to the bus stop. Then measure the distance and record the temperature of the brake, and in the work of this brake system must run at a speed test all the running speed from 80, 70, 60 to 20 km/h.

Steering Test by staking another way to measure the distance from the run to the car. The test run, turn left until you return to the original, and then measure the distance to the turn. And do the same in the end turn right. You also need to check the leakage of hydraulic oil on it.

Suspension Test and steering by the cones in a straight line distance of 15-20 meters and is equipped to measure the tilt of the center car parks. Then turn left and right to run tests like changing lanes indirectly and zig-zag.

Up Tilt test with the up slope testing degrees from 20-60 percent barrier test by running the timber, ran into a mud puddle, splash test by running down the well at a depth of about 0.8 meters. and final test run in the terrain by running a distance of 10 km to tests the vibration in the car.

From all tests BWS 8×8 can meet such a test as well. DTI, which from now on will be to develop the test, all tailored to be suitable for the deployment of forces within the country. Which is regarded as a major challenge to prove themselves. Armors that can be created for use in the country without having to import from abroad, successful or not in the future.