ST Kinetics

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ST Kinetics
Type	Subsidiary of ST Engineering which is publicly listed on SGX
Founded	1967 as CIS
Headquarters	Singapore
Key people	Sew Chee Jheun, President
Industry	Defence Commercial Vehicles Automotive Services
Products	Ammunition Firearms Weapons IFV/APV Specialty Vehicles Distribution Vehicles Vehicle MRO Services
Revenue	> S$1b (2007)
Employees	> 6,000 (2007)
Website	www.stengg.com

ST Kinetics (Chinese: 新科动力; pinyin: Xīnkē Dònglì) is the land systems and specialty vehicles arm of ST Engineering. In 2000, ST Engineering acquired the Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) through ST Automotive, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, and the new company was named ST Kinetics. Given the initial charter of CIS to support the local defence requirements, the main defence customer of ST Kinetics remains to be the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Besides manufacturing small arms and munitions, some of ST Kinetics' key military products include the SAR-21 rifle, the Bionix AFV, the Bronco ATTC. These weapons and ammunition are often made to U.S. or NATO specifications for export. The company holds a number of subsidiaries overseas, mainly in U.S., Canada and China. Recent mergers and acquisitions between 2004 and 2006 have seen new construction, urban and distribution vehicles being brought into ST Kinetics' stable of products, which was previously dominated by military weapons and platforms. Together with the other ST Engineering companies, ST Kinetics is part of the Singapore Defence Ecosystem of users, developers and producers in support of the Third Generation SAF, or 3rd Gen SAF.^[1]

Contents 1 History 1.1 1967~1986 - Rapid Growth and Expansion 1.2 1987~1996 - Reformation 1.3 1997~present - Reinvention 2 A Sample of Military products 2.1 Ultimax 100 5.56 mm Section Automatic Weapon 2.2 SAR21 5.56 Assault Rifle 2.3 40 mm Weapon & Munition Systems 2.4 50MG Machine Gun 2.5 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (120SRAM) 2.6 FH2000 Field Howitzer 2.7 Pegasus 155mm Lightweight Howitzer 2.8 Primus Self-propelled Artillery 2.9 Bionix Armoured Fighting Vehicle 2.10 Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carrier 2.11 Terrex AV81 8x8 AFV 2.12 Other Military & Para-military Products 3 Commercial products 3.1 Construction Vehicles 3.2 Distribution Vehicles 3.3 Urban & Emergency vehicles 4 Automotive Services 4.1 MRO Services for Military Vehicles 4.2 Accident Repair & MRO for Commercial & Passenger Vehicles 4.3 Component Servicing 5 References 6 External links 6.1 Subsidiaries 6.2 Joint Ventures 7 Picture gallery

[edit] History

[edit] 1967~1986 - Rapid Growth and Expansion

CIS itself was originally incorporated in 1967 where it started out by producing ordnance for the SAF.^[2] CIS' first product was the 5.56 mm round; other CIS products include the license-built Colt M-16S1 (equivalent to the M-16A1), and locally designed weapons such as the Ultimax 100 SAW, the SAR-80 and the SR-88 assault rifles. Several other companies were formed under CIS over the span of the next 2 decades with the expansion of the defence business, such as Unicorn International (UI) in 1971, Ordnance & Development Engineering (ODE) in 1973, Singapore Test Services (STS) in 1980 and Chartered Chemicals (CCI) in 1982. Shortly after the formation of CIS, the Defence Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee, went on to set up several other government-linked defence industry to provide indigenous support for the SAF. One of the them was the Singapore Automotive Engineering (SAE). SAE was to support automotive-related services for the SAF and its first immediate task was to service and maintain the fleet of V200.^[3] By 1982, amidst a young, thriving Singapore economy and having built up its capability in automotive servicing and standards, SAE saw the potential in the commercial sector and decided to incorporate the SAE Inspection Centre for vehicle inspection and servicing. The following year, the Singapore Commuters, a taxi service, was formed.

[edit] 1987~1996 - Reformation

On 20 Aug 1991, SAE was publicly listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange.^[2] In the same year, SAE was renamed Singapore Technologies Automotive (ST Auto). STA Detroit Diesel-Allison was formed to take on the maintenance of the Detroit diesel engines and Allison transmission used in the Bionix as well as to distribute the Detroit Diesel parts in the Asian region. ^[4] Singapore Commuters was merged with Singapore Airport Services Ltd (SABS Taxi Ltd) and Singapore Bus Service Taxi Pte Ltd (SBS Taxi Pte Ltd) to form CitiCab in April 1995.^[5] By 1996, CIS through its various subsidiaries were producing various ordnance for the SAF and for export overseas. The Chartered Ammunition Industries (CAI), was producing small, medium and large caliber ammunition, explosives, pyrotechnics and anti-tank weapons. ODE was producing medium to large caliber weapon systems (mortars, medium caliber cannons, FH88, FH2000). The Chartered Firearms Industries (CFI) was producing infantry and crew-served weapons, including the SR88A assault rifle, Ultimax 100, 7.62mm GPMG, the 40 mm grenade launchers, and the 40/50 Cupola Weapon system. The Allied Ordnance of Singapore (AOS) offers a range of advanced low-level air defence equipment, including the 40mm L70 air defense gun system, and missile and Optronic fire control systems. For the automotive business, ST Auto took on the AMX-13 Light Tank upgrading project, and refurbished the M113 APC, Commando V100 and V200 armored vehicles, LARC V amphibious. ST Auto also signed a contract with the SAF to overhaul, maintain and repair its military ground equipment. The Chartered Electronics Industries (CEI) was manufacturing electronic fuses, military communications equipment, small arms training simulators and fleet management systems, and the Chartered Electro-Optics (CEO), was into thermal imagers, laser systems, vehicular sights and multi-sensor payloads. Singapore Test Services by then was offering specialized tests and inspection services to both military and civilian customers.^[6]

[edit] 1997~present - Reinvention

In 1997, ST Auto, together with Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Singapore Technologies Electronics, and Singapore Technologies Marine, were merged to form the present Singapore Technologies Engineering.^[7] In Oct 1999, ST Engineering acquired CIS at S$78m ^[8]. ST Auto and CIS were merged in Feb 2000 to form ST Kinetics ^[9]. The following year, ST Kinetics reorganized itself into 3 divisions, namely Automotive, Munitions and Weapons, and and Services, Trading & Others ^[10]. A series of flagship products were developed by the early 21st century, including the SAR21 assault rifle, the Primus self-propelled artillery gun, the Pegasus 155 mm lightweight howitzer, the Bronco all-terrain tracked vehicle and the Terrex 8x8 armoured fighting vehicle. ST Kinetics went on to invest in several companies overseas to enhance its engineering capabilities. An example would be the acquisition of Silvatech Industries Inc, a Canadian company specialising in forestry equipment, and promptly renaming it as Kinetics Drive Solutions (KDS)^[11] to further enhance the Infinitely Variable Transmissions (IVT) that Silvatech had developed for its forestry equipment. 2003 was the year ST Kinetics decided to venture into the new commercial vehicles business to leverage on the engineering and fabrication capabilities it has acquired through the AFV projects. That year, ST Kinetics went into an equal-share joint venture with Beijing Heavy Duty Truck Plant (BHDTP) to form the Beijing Zhonghuan Kinetics Heavy Vehicles Co. Ltd (BZK).^[12]. In 2005, ST Kinetics formed the VT Specialized Vehicles Corporation (VT-SVC) in U.S. when it wholly acquired both Hackney and Kidron, 2 market leaders in the U.S. beverage truck bodies business.^[13] In the same year, ST Kinetics signed a 60-40 joint venture with Guiyang City Industrial Investment Holding Corporation (GIIHC) to form Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics Co., Ltd. (GJK) that manufactures excavators^[13], and set out STAR Guangzhou and STAR Hangzhou. In June 2006, ST Kinetics wholly acquired Leeboy through ST Engineering's U.S. subsidiary, VT Systems. Leeboy is a U.S. industry leader in self-propelled commercial asphalt pavers.^[14] In 2007, ST Kinetics reorganised itself into 3 business groups. The Land Systems & Solutions Group handles all military business, the Specialty Vehicles & Services Group manages the new commercial vehicle businesses, and the Total Support & Services Group consolidates the automotive and other services ^[15]. ST Kinetics continues to align its business along these 3 divisions with the divestment of its electric bicycle business, Shanghai Elite Electric Vehicles Co., Ltd., in China.^[16]

[edit] A Sample of Military products

[edit] Ultimax 100 5.56 mm Section Automatic Weapon

Main article: Ultimax

The Ultimax 100 was designed by Jim Sullivan, widely known for his work on redesigning the Eugene Stoner's 7.62mm AR10 assault rifle into a smaller 5.56mm version, the M16. The Ultimax 100 was considered by experts as one of the most manageable light machine guns in the world.^[17] The Ultimax 100 makes use of Sullivan's patented counter recoil mechanism that makes the Ultimax 100 "not just a manageable full-automatic weapon, but a machine gun that can be aimed".^[18][19]

[edit] SAR21 5.56 Assault Rifle

Main article: SAR-21

In the mid 90s, the SAF decided to develop an indigenous rifle to replace the aging M16S1, most of which had been in service since the 70s. The other option was to procure new - and more expensive - weapons, with the chief contender being the M16A2. The Advanced Combat Rifle was conceived, and it eventually became the SAR21. The SAR21 is the first production assault rifle of its class to incorporate a built-in Laser Aiming Device (LAD) (powered by a single "AA" battery) as standard. The rifle incorporates various patented safety features, such as a Kevlar cheek plate and overpressure vent that protects the shooter in the unlikely event of a chamber explosion or catastrophic failure. It also has an integral 1.5x optical scope that is built into its carrying handle. The scope aids in target acquisition, particularly under low light conditions. The scope is factory-zeroed, and requires minimal further zeroing to suit different users.^[20] This minimizes non-training range time to zero the weapons and maximises live-firing training hours.

See also

• SAR-80 - 5.56 mm assault rifle
• SR-88 - 5.56 mm assault rifle

[edit] 40 mm Weapon & Munition Systems

Main article: ST Kinetics 40mm munition & weapon system

ST Kinetics is one of the few producers of both 40mm munition and weapon systems. The range of 40 mm rounds include low velocity, high velocity, less-than-lethal, camera^[21], self-destruct, airburst and enhanced blast insensitive explosive rounds. There are currently 3 weapon systems available, namely the 40mm Grenade Launcher (40GL), the 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (40AGL) and the 40mm Lightweight Automatic Grenade Launcher (40LWAGL, a portable version that is half the weight of conventional AGLs). The 40AGL was made in 1990, followed by the 40LWAGL in 2001 (previously called the 40mm Super Light Weight AGL). The 40AGL is mounted in combination with the 12.7-mm 50MG in the ST Kinetics' 40/50 cupola weapon system, installed on the M113 and Bionix. The 40AGL weighs 33 kg without mount or ammunition. The objective of ST Kinetics in designing the 40LWAGL was to keep the grenade launcher's weight to below 20kg, or half the weight of conventional AGLs. Prototype weapons weighed around 14kg and small quantities have been sold to a few countries, including Sweden, mostly for evaluation. St Kinetics is also collaborating with Australia's Metal Storm and Electro Optics System to develop a new high-speed and recoilless 40mm grenade launcher called the [[ST Kinetics 40mm munition & weapon system#Redback Lightweight Remotely Operated Weapon System .28Redback.2 Redback Lightweight Remotely Operated Weapon System.^[22] The company is reportedly the world's largest producer of the 40AGL, with more than 2,000 of the 40AGLs sold to the SAF and overseas customers.^[23].

[edit] 50MG Machine Gun

The 50MG was developed in the 80s by CIS to replace the obsolete 12.7mm Browning M2HB machine guns used by the SAF. The CIS engineers learnt from the lesson of the unsuccessful American “Dover Devil GPHMG” programme, to create a modular weapon suited for modern tactical doctrines and production techniques.^[24] They succeeded and in 1988, CIS introduced the new 12.7mm machine gun, simply names it the "CIS 50MG”. The SAF used the 50MG in its infantry regiments and as a mounted weapon on armoured vehicles and naval craft. The CIS 50 MG is a gas operated, air cooled, belt-fed weapon. It has a quick-detachable barrel equipped with a carrying handle. The gun is operated using dual gas pistons, located in two gas tubes placed on either side of the barrel. The barrel is locked by means of a rotary bolt with multiple radial lugs that engages the barrel extension, eliminating the need for headspace adjustments. The CIS 50MG utilizes the same “constant recoil” system used in the Ultimax 100. A unique feature of the 50MG is its dual belt feed system that allows for fast and easy switching of ammunition from standard ball to armor-piercing SLAP. Such systems are more commonly used in modern automatic cannons.^[24][25]

[edit] 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (120SRAM)

The 120SRAMS is developed specifically for rapid and close range requirements of the battlefield. The semi-automatic Ammunition Transfer System and the patented Valve System in the breech mechanism provides an effective vent for the trapped air to let the bomb "free-fall" into the barrel. This reduces the projectile's in-bore travel and reportedly allows the 120SRAM to achieve the highest continuous firing rate of up to 18 rounds per minute - 3 times faster than a conventional mortar system which can fire up to 6 rounds per minute.^[26] Recent product information has indicated the firing rate at a more modest 10 rounds per minute.^[27] The patented Cooling System is able to reduce the temperature that builds up in the barrel quickly to enable continuous firing without blockage. The patented Blast Diffuser reduces the blast overpressure by about 8 to 10 decibels. The 120SRAM is also currently the only system in the world with a recoil of less than 20 tonnes, which allows the 120SRAM to be mounted onboard a 4x4 wheeled vehicle. The 120SRAM has a navigation and positioning system, power gun drives and integrated with an automatic fire control system, which require just a 3-person crew to operate the weapon.^[26]

[edit] FH2000 Field Howitzer

Main article: FH-2000

The FH2000 is a 155 mm 52-calibre towed howitzer gun and the "first 52 calibre field howitzer in service and in series production".^[6] Designed and built locally in Singapore by CIS, the FH2000 deploys a crew of 8 and can use a low-powered self-propelled engine to travel at 10km/h without towing. It fires projectiles to a maximum range of 42km using special extended range ammunition that was field tested in New Zealand.

[edit] Pegasus 155mm Lightweight Howitzer

Main article: SLWH Pegasus

The Pegasus is the world's first heli-portable 155mm 39 calibre self-propelled light howitzer, capable of offering aerial mobility for shoot and scoot. The Pegasus' automatic ammunition loading system, advanced sight, lightweight material and innovative recoil management make the Pegasus highly survivable, fast to deploy and easy to use.

[edit] Primus Self-propelled Artillery

Main article: SSPH Primus

The Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 (SSPH 1) Primus is a self-propelled artillery unit armed with a 155 mm howitzer jointly developed by the SAF, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and ST Kinetics. Primus provides the range, firepower and accuracy of the artillery while keeping its weight below 30 tons and width below 3m. Other self-propelled guns such as the U.S. (M109 Paladin), Britain's (AS90 Braveheart), Japan's (Type 75) and Russia's (2S3M1) were either too heavy, at over 50 tons, or too wide, beyond 3m, for the tropical rainforest and swampy terrains. The chassis is based on the proven United Defense M109 155 mm self propelled howitzer, with a new power pack similar to the one fitted on the Bionix infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). The power pack consists of a Detroit Diesel Corporation 6V 92TIA diesel engine developing 550 hp coupled to a General Dynamics Land Systems HMPT-500-3EC fully automatic transmission. The maximum road speed of the Primus is 50 km/h, with an operating range of 350 km, its combat weight is of 28.3 tons allows it to use the SAF 's current military bridging systems. The Primus could be deployed by the future Airbus A400M Transport aircraft.

[edit] Bionix Armoured Fighting Vehicle

Main article: Bionix AFV

The Bionix was the first local armoured fighting vehicle, designed and developed by ST Kinetics. It is a medium-weight tracked vehicle, weighing between twenty-two to twenty-eight tonnes, to replace the aging M-113A2 armoured personnel carriers. The Bionix was commissioned by the SAF in Sep 1997 and operated under the 42nd Battalion of the Singapore Armoured Regiment (42 SAR). During the commissioning parade in Jul 1999, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr Tony Tan, declared the Bionix IFV to be "a highly effective indigenous armoured vehicle". ^[28] The Bionix was eventually succeeded by the Bionix II, which was jointly developed by the SAF, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), and ST Kinetics.^[29]

[edit] Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carrier

The Bronco all-terrain tracked carrier (ATTC) is one of 2 armoured ATTCs in the world. The other being BAE Systems Hägglunds' BVS10. The Bronco has a higher payload at 5 tons and longer range than the S10. The company is also manufacturing the firefighter and other civilian variants of the ATTC under its U.S. subsidiary, Hackney ^[30] where it is positioned as a disaster recovery vehicle with its ability to access uneven and soft terrains impassable to normal vehicles after earthquakes, floods or other major urban catastrophes. Another commercial variant, the All Terrain Tracked Emergency-Engineering Car 全地形履带式工程抢险车^[31], is also under development by its China subsidiary, GJK, in a bid to leverage on China's cost advantage. Competition would include the Russian Vityaz DT-(10/20/30)P models^[32] and BAe Hagglunds' BV206.

[edit] Terrex AV81 8x8 AFV

Main article: Terrex

The Terrex AV81 is an armoured fighting vehicle weighing between 25 to 30 tons an 8x8 wheeled chassis and modern armour. Multiple weapon platforms are supported, including both the remote and overhead weapons stations. The Terrex's modular design allows for different level of armour protection and weapon systems. It is designed to be air-portable by C-130s or equivalent cargo aircraft. The Terrex uses a patented independent double wishbone suspension, which greatly improves ground mobility and comfort during rides over rough terrains. The use of automatic traction control and the capacity for large footprint off-road tyres enables the Terrex to reach high speed on soft ground. The vehicle has a double hull with an external V-hull that improves mine blast survivability. Add-on armour provides further protection for troops. It is also capable of providing full chemical, biological and nuclear protection in extreme operational conditions. The baseline configuration fully amphibious. 2 water jets mounted on either side at the back of the hull propel the vehicle through water at 10km/h. Initially developed for export sales from the number of emerging wheeled armoured vehicle requirements including U.S. Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) concept, which calls for the need of wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) as opposed to tracked AFVs. In 2006, the SAF decided to purchase 300 units to replace their aging V-200 armoured vehicles. The Indonesian Army also indicated plans to purchase 420 units and to produce the Terrex under license locally.^[33]

[edit] Other Military & Para-military Products

Munitions

• 81 mm Mortar
• 120 mm Mortar
• 155 mm Large Calibre Munition
• Hand grenades
• Pyrotechnics

Small Arms

• 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)

Platform

• Spider Light Strike Vehicle (LSV)
• Light Armoured Multi-Role Vehicle (LAMV)
• Mini All Terrain Vehicle (MATV)
• Asset Maintenance
• Contract Manufacturing

Homeland Security Solutions

• Rapid Deployment Solution
• Security Tamper Evident Bags (STEB)
• Demul X Biological & Chemical Decontamination System (BCDS)
• Integrated Mail Screening System (IMSS)
• Demilitarisation services (Demil)
• Analysis, Test and Evaluation (AT&E)
• Advanced Logistics Proactive Solutions (ALPS)

[edit] Commercial products

ST Kinetics started on the commercial vehicle business in 2004 and has yet to establish a presence in the global marketplace even though its subsidiaries are well-established brands within their respective countries. In 2008, ST Kinetics began to market selected commercial vehicles and the hybrid drive solutions as ecological products.

[edit] Construction Vehicles

ST Kinetics' BZK JV in China produces fixed and articulated off-road dumptrucks ranging from 20 to 52 ton. BZK also produces complementary products like cement carriers and mixers and terminal port tractors for container ports operation. Jonyang excavators has been in operation in China and surrounding regions over 30 years. These wheeled and tracked hydraulic excavators are also customisable to suit special conditions, such as operation in swampy areas and mini-excavators for smaller operations. LeeBoy has been a producer of small, commercial asphalt pavers and grading products since 1964 and has maintained a leader within the U.S. market.

[edit] Distribution Vehicles

Both Hackney and Kidron are the respective market leaders in aluminium and refrigerated truck bodies in the U.S. respectively. Hackney beverage trucks, with its optimised compartmentalisation and light-weight aluminium bodies, is able to provide low lifecycle cost to the operators. Kidron pioneered multi-temperature distribution with its Adjustable Compartmentalised Multi-temperature System (ACMT) of movable partitions. The ACMT allows easy configuration of loads requiring different temperature and compartment sizes.

[edit] Urban & Emergency vehicles

Hackney emergency vehicles are designed for high payloads and mobility in crisis and natural disaster situations, ranging from conventional fires and vehicle accidents to building collapses and hazardous materials containment and mitigation. ST Kinetics also produces a series of Urban vehicles, such as ambulances, HAZMAT vehicles, fire engines, terminal prime movers for local use. Customers include PSA International, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Singapore Police Force.

[edit] Automotive Services

The automotive services have continued since the SAE days to become the Total Support & Services arm of the present day ST Kinetics. ST Kinetics continue to provide MRO services to military, commercial and general customers.

[edit] MRO Services for Military Vehicles

As part of the integrated logistics support system for the major platforms, ST Kinetics has established the MRO services under its Kinetics Integrated Services (KIS) arm. KIS also provides maintenance of the existing SAF fleet of MAN trucks.

[edit] Accident Repair & MRO for Commercial & Passenger Vehicles

ST Kinetics' STAR Automotive Centre provides accident repair and general MRO for commercial and passenger vehicles. In recent years, STAR has ventured into China and opened 3 centres in Hangzhou, Guangzhou & Zhejiang.

[edit] Component Servicing

SDDA is both Detroit Diesel and Allison transmission's Asia distribution centre as well as a service hub for the overhaul of automotive engines, Allison transmissions and fuel injection pumps, and the servicing of electrical, electronic & hydraulic components.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• ST Kinetics Official Website
• ST Engineering: parent company of ST Kinetics
• VT Systems: sister company in U.S.

[edit] Subsidiaries

• Hackney
• Kidron
• Singapore Test Services
• STA Detroit Diesel - Allison (Singapore) Pte Ltd
• STA Vehicle Inspection
• STAR China 星时达专业汽车维修中心
• STAR Singapore
• VT Leeboy
• VT Specialised Vehicles Corporation

[edit] Joint Ventures

• Beijing Zhonghuan Kinetics Heavy Vehicles Co., Ltd. 北京中环动力重工有限公司
• Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics Co., Ltd. 贵州詹阳动力重工有限公司

[edit] Picture gallery

Jonyang Wheeled Excavator Model JYL80	Jonyang Wheeled High Speed Multipurpose Engineering vehicle GDG130	Jonyang Tracked Excavator Model JY230E	Kidron Glacier Van
Kidron Optimum Dairy Reefer	Hackney Multi-purpose Operations & Support Vehicle	Leeboy Asphalt Paver Model 8510	The Ultimax 100 5.56mm SAW
ST Kinetics' 40GL	Pegasus test-firing	Primus in action

v • d • e Singapore-designed weapons Small arms SAR-80 · SR-88 · Ultimax 100 · SAR-21 Anti-tank weapons Armbrust · MATADOR Guns FH-88 · FH-2000 · SLWH Pegasus · SSPH Primus Armoured vehicles Bionix · Terrex Naval vessels Endurance class landing platform dock ship Military-industrial complex Singapore Armed Forces · Defence Science and Technology Agency · ST Kinetics