Horstmann suspension is a type of tracked

Caterpillar track

Continuous tracks or caterpillar tracks are a system of vehicle propulsion in which modular metal plates linked into a continuous band are driven by two or more wheels...

 suspension

Suspension (vehicle)

Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...

 devised by the British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 engineer

Engineer

An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...

 Sidney Horstmann

Sidney Horstmann

Sidney Adolph Horstmann, OBE was a British automotive engineer and businessman.In 1913, Horstmann founded an automotive company that eventually became Horstman Defence Systems Ltd. He was responsible for developing a torsion bar suspension system known as the Horstmann bogie, which is used on...

 in 1922.

The system uses coil spring

Coil spring

A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces...

s and has the advantages of a relatively long travel and, consisting of a self-contained bogie

Bogie

A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...

 that is bolted to the hull, causing little or no encroachment on internal hull space. In addition, the entire suspension unit may be relatively easily removed and replaced if damaged, e.g., by mines

Land mine

A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....

.

The name "Horstmann suspension" also refers to suspension built by the Horstman company (now Horstman Defence Systems Ltd) whether of the bogie type, torsion beam design, hydrogas, hydropneumatic or other.

The Horstmann system was used on, amongst others, the following vehicles:

• Universal (Bren gun) carrier
  Universal Carrier
  The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong. Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by British Commonwealth forces during the Second World War...
  
  
• Loyd Carrier
  Loyd Carrier
  The Loyd Carrier was one of a number of small tracked vehicles used by the British and Commonwealth forces in the Second World War to transport equipment and men about the battlefield...
  
  
• Vickers light tanks
  Light Tanks of the UK
  Light Tanks of the UK include the Light Tanks Mk II to Mk V.Between the First and Second World Wars, the British produced a series of similar light tanks. They saw use in training, and in limited engagements with British Empire units such as the South African Army during the East African Campaign...
  
  
• Centurion
  Centurion tank
  The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades...
  
  
• Chieftain
  Chieftain tank
  The FV 4201 Chieftain was the main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s. It was one of the most advanced tanks of its era, and at the time of its introduction in 1966 had the most powerful main gun and heaviest armour of any tank in the world...
  
  

Horstman built suspension is used on

• Challenger tank
  Challenger tank
  There have been three tanks named Challenger in British military service.* Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger in service during World War II* Challenger 1 in service from the late 1980s to early 21st century* Challenger 2 in service from 1998 onwards...
  
  
• Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle
• AS-90
  AS-90
  The AS-90 is a lightly armoured self-propelled artillery piece used by the British Army. It was first delivered in 1993...
  
  self propelled gun