An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 14 | Timoney Technology An Irish Success Story by CPL LEE COYLE PhotoS by TIMONEY TECHNOLOGY moen built a development of this vehicle, designated as the BDX, under license. They produced 120 vehicles for the Belgian Air Force and the Belgian Gendarmerie. Further license agreements and direct sales followed to the UK, Argentina, Middle East, Africa and the Far East. In 1994 the company partnered with Singapore Technologies Ki- netics (STK) to design the driveline and power pack for an articu- lated all terrain, tracked vehicle (ATTC) known as the Bronco. This went into production in 1999 for the Singapore Armed Forces. The UK MoD also procured a variant known as the Warthog in 2010 that saw service in Afghanistan. Over 1000 Broncos have been made in a variety of configurations. In recent years the company has moved away from design- ing and manufacturing its own vehicles and instead does the designs, tests and builds prototypes, before licensing the design to a manufacturer. One of its early deals was teaming with ADI, which subsequent- ly became Thales Australia, to design and produce the Bushmas- ter Protective Mobility Vehicle used by the Australian, Nether- lands and British Armies. This is a 4x4 wheeled vehicle that was innovative with the use of large windows giving great visibility, it was also the first military vehicle to pass all Australian Road Traf- fic Regulations. The company won the contract from a group of 21 other bids, and over 1000 have been built to date. An Cosantóir magazine was recently invited to visit Timoney Technology and tour its facility in Navan, Co Meath. Timoney Technology is a leading international designer and provider of mobility technology associated with suspension, axels, steering and drivelines for AFVs and big off-highway vehicles. Seamus Timoney founded the company in 1967, at the time he was a professor of engineering at University College Dublin. Initially the company focused on research and development in the diesel engines market but fairly soon Professor Timoney saw a gap in the market for mobility solutions, and started research and development in this field. Over the last 50 years the company has grown to be a world leader in mobility systems for heavy and specialist vehicles. Designing prototypes and producing drivelines (driveshaft's, gear- boxes and transfer boxes) and independent suspension systems (wishbone, shock absorbers and springs). They were among the first to develop the double wishbone independent suspension system, which is now in wide spread use in both military and civil heavy off road vehicles. In the early 70s Timoney became involved in designing and producing complete vehicles and one of their first was a 4x4 wheeled APC for the Irish DF. Belgian company Beherman De- A De Rooy Truck fitted with a Timoney suspension system took part successfully in the Dakar Rally.

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