Overhaul Activities

Overhaul of all power packs (owned by TLFC-Turkish Land Forces Command) such as M48A5T1/T2 and Leopard Tanks, M44 and M52 SpHs, M88, TAMAY recovery vehicles and MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System); transmissions of Mercedes, Faun and Volat tank carrier, tracks; suspension systems of all armored vehicles (track, road wheel, support roller, sprocket and hydraulic suspension); and all sub systems belonging to armored vehicles…etc are done at 1st Base Maintenance Centre Command.

Production Activities

Plant has a very wide range of production capability. Tracks-pads, road wheels, support roller and sprockets, spare parts and rubber spare parts (for the need of field maintenance and base maintenance centre command) and production of binocular, spherical and non-spherical lens, prism, mirror and reticle, non spherical lens -which belong to missile alarm system- and collimator instrument, are all made in the plant. In order to establish this wide range of products, all workshops are integrated and 1200 machines and workbenches are in action.



Workbenches

Turret and hull main structure production process cycle starts with cutting armor steel and continues with the formation of main structure at the welding positioners. After machining at the heavy work machining centre, integration of turret and hull is finalized at the assembly lines. Following the integration of turret and hull, synchronizations and tests are done

Track production and overhaul of all tracked vehicles in the inventory are both made by 1st Base Maintenance Centre Command. In the production of tracks which are designed for battlefield conditions; first the 4140 quality steel is cast (steel is melt in the arc furnace at 1680 0C) by using shell mould technology. After various production and heat treatment processes, tracks are vulcanized with rubber which is produced at rubber workshop and has a genuine formulation. Each production party is tested at rubber laboratory and on durability test apparatus

One of the most important productions of the plant is conventional optical systems. Needed in the processes which start by cutting of block glass and end up with thin layer coating- (applied for producing binocular, prism, all spherical and non-spherical elements) workbenches have high and developed technology. The classical optical production lines are unique in Turkey.



Modern K/M SpH project

In the term between January 1995 and June 1998, the first prototype SpH was produced; with the experience and know-how of previous one, the second prototype T 155 K/M TUSpH FIRTINA was produced in 2000. Summer and winter shooting tests of second prototype T 155 K/M TUSpH FIRTINA were done in the term between February and July 2001 and mass production was started in January 2002



Technical Specifications of FIRTINA

T 155 K/M TUSpH FIRTINA has the abilities of emplacing in 30 seconds, firing on a target within 30 seconds after receiving fire command, completing fire mission and relocation in 90 second within 6-8 rounds in a minute.

Armor welding and machining, complete vehicle assembly-integration and tests are done at 1st Base Maintenance Centre Command.

In the production of T 155 K/M TUSpH FIRTINA, all systems of main hull structure except power pack and all systems of main turret structure are produced by the plant with national sources.



The Enhancement of Leopard Tank Project

The project of Leopard 1A1/A4 in the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) inventory was started to increase the first round hit probability, to implement night vision capability and to provide shooting ability while the tank is in motion. In the mean time overhaul of the tanks were proposed.

Leopard improvement project was started in May 1999 and a protocol with ASELSAN was signed in January 2002. Type approval was given on the 14th of October 2005. Modernized tanks were named as Leopard 1T and mass production has been continuing since then.

ASELSAN is responsible for the fire control system manufacturing; and 1st Base Maintenance Centre Command for turret machining, hull overhaul, hull-turret integration and fire control system integration as well.



Quality Management Activities

Plant was given the AQAP 120 quality assurance system certificate in January 1998 and AQAP 2110 certificate on the 14th of October 2005. Mechanical calibration laboratory is giving support to 57 units in the sense of quality assurance activities.

Oil laboratory (Oyap) is giving support to 116 units. With Oyap physical and chemical deformation is detected beforehand thus engine and transmission problems are prevented and this program makes all materials last longer in the inventory.

Certification Activities

TSE (Turkish Standards Institution) and TSEK certificates were taken for T217A, T417A, and T517A tracks in 2002; certificates for 7x50 standard binocular, 20x120 far distance telescope and M17 glass periscope were taken in 2003. Also in May 2002, brand registration certificate; in November 2002 industrial design registration certificate and in November 2003 plant security certificates were given in terms of national secret and NATO secret levels



Track Improvement and Development Activities

Adams atv track program is used in the track design for the computer aided simulation and determination of the variable load distribution. Moreover Ansys is used for the strength analysis.

With the help of these programs, durable tracks with lower vibration and lower weight track could be designed. Following the prototype manufacturing, 6000 km durability test is done in terms of vibration test, wear determination, track life and determination of wear criteria. These tests are performed in the ratio of % 60 cross country, % 20 paved road and % 20 gravel road.

Optical Improvement and Development Activities

Due to the binocular need, in 1996 the first binocular was produced by reverse engineering method in the 1st Base Maintenance Centre Command. In 2001, with the previously gained experience, having the same opticalproperties with fewer components, a 6x30 new-design binocular prototype was manufactured. Following the given design training, 7x50 binocular, which is used in developed countries as a standard, was produced in March 2002 and mass production was started in 2003. In November 2004, adjustable support and additional laser filter were ready to use in 7x50 binocular.

Prototype production of 20x120 telescope, M 140 collimator instrument, M 17 glass periscope and position periscope are shown on the left.

Furthermore, laser filter coating studies for periscopes are under research due to the protection of 694 1064 nm wavelength laser threats.

Supports to Turkish Defence Industry

1st Base Maintenance Centre Command is a production and technology base for Turkish defence industry with its existing abilities. In terms of the concepts and needs of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), final products are prepared for units by starting from the design step of all kinds of armored vehicle platforms; within manufacturing process starting from armor plate cutting; assembly; integration and test activities.



Also, both for the existing projects and for the production of other spare parts needed by other units, there is a wide workbench park. Every manufacturing step is tested and controlled in order to provide perfect utilization of the product in the sense of quality system needs.



Various materials (manufactured in production and overhaul projects) used for the production of SpH, tanks and their subsystems, are manufactured in the plants workbenches as well as procured from experienced national companies of the Turkish defence industry and are utilized in production lines. Therefore domestic production is provided and dependency to offshore sources is reduced to minimal degree by improving the defense industry. Across the country, totally 1700, an in the year 350 different companies provide different amount of materials for utilization in the production line.



In the enhancement of Leopard tanks and manufacturing of FIRTINA; subsystems such as thermal and optical stabilization and display units of fire control systems, 155mm weapon system of SpH, turret race ring, hydraulic systems, hydropneumatic suspension system and final drive are manufactured by national companies that are expert in their fields, therefore manufacturing technology is implemented in the defence industry, and national industry is being prepared for the future manufacturing programs (modern tank, air defence system, etc.)

1st Base Maintenance Centre Command has the most important role of Turkish defence industry in terms of classical optical and coating production technologies. For the conventional optics, spherical and nonspherical lens and prism production, coating ability and capabilities for laser threats are unique for Turkish industry. Joint studies are conducted with TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) and several universities for the improvement and development activities.



Within the capabilities mentioned above and background of successful projects, 1st Base Maintenance Centre Command is capable and powerful to produce every kind of armored vehicle with a very wide range of manufacturing spectrum in its own integrated plant.