The largest armored personnel carrier. The best fighting vehicles in the world: collection
The military conflicts of recent decades, in which the center of combat clashes has mostly moved to urban areas, have made adjustments to the development trends of armored vehicles. In addition, the rapid development of anti-tank weapons and the appearance in the armies of many countries of large-caliber snipers, or as they are called in the West, “antimaterial guns,” which can be translated as rifles against equipment, also played a role. In this regard, armored vehicle designers began developing armored vehicles designed to equip motorized infantry (motorized rifle) units, with a higher level of protection, approximately the same as a tank. The most rational way to create such combat vehicles for infantry was to convert obsolete tank models into armored personnel carriers. By a strange coincidence (and perhaps quite naturally), the most common type of tank, which served as the basis for the creation of heavy armored personnel carriers, became the Soviet T-55. In this issue, we offer readers materials about the transformation of the T-55 into an infantry vehicle, and will also tell you about some other types of heavy armored personnel carriers.
RUSSIA. HEAVY ARMORED TRANSPORTER BTR-T
Creation
To provide a higher level of protection for infantrymen of motorized rifle units operating in conjunction with tanks, in Russia, based on the T-55 tank chassis, the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (KBTM) developed a prototype of a new heavy armored personnel carrier, designated BTR-T (heavy armored personnel carrier). It was first demonstrated at the VTTV-97 arms exhibition in Omsk in 1997.
The construction of the BTR-T heavy armored personnel carrier was carried out at the Omsk Transport Engineering Plant (Omsktransmash).
According to the designers, the large number of T-55 tanks available in Russia, which can be converted into BTR-T, would provide the army with relatively inexpensive and highly protected infantry fighting vehicles. According to some sources, the export price of the BTR-T is 600 thousand USD, respectively, the conversion of the T-55 tank into the BTR-T is much cheaper.
Design
The new heavy armored personnel carrier BTR-T is based on the chassis of the T-55 tank, from which the turret was removed and the hull was enlarged to provide additional space for the crew and troops in the front of the vehicle and the engine compartment was retained in the rear of the vehicle.
The crew of the car consists of two people. The driver is in the front part in the same place and the commander-gunner is in the turret. The troop compartment can carry five fully equipped infantrymen.
For landing and landing of troops there are hatches in the roof: in front on the right and behind the turret. Since the roof of the habitable compartment is higher than the level of the hull roof, two more hatches were made in the rear part of the cabin. The covers of these hatches open upward and have built-in prism blocks for observation. For the same purpose, the troop compartment is also equipped with periscope devices.
The BTR-T heavy armored personnel carrier has a combat weight of 38.5 tons (compared to 36 tons of the standard T-55 tank). If we take into account that the BTR-T body has a mass of 27 tons, it becomes clear that the bulk of the BTR-T’s increased weight by more than 10 tons went to strengthening the armor protection of the vehicle.
The frontal armor parts and sides are equipped with the latest generation Kontakt-5 dynamic protection package, which provides a high level of protection not only against cumulative, but also against armor-piercing sub-caliber ammunition. A similar remote sensing system is used on modern Russian T-80U and T-90S tanks.
In addition, the BTR-T has a reinforced hull bottom to increase the vehicle’s survivability when detonated by anti-tank mines. This is ensured by additional armoring of the bottom, which is welded to it at intervals, forming an air gap between the additional armor and the bottom itself, which significantly reduces the impact of a blast wave when detonated by a mine.
In order to compensate for the increased mass and maintain mobility at the same level, no lower than it was on the T-55 tank, a more powerful V-46-6 engine was installed on the vehicle, developing a power of 780 hp. The car's transmission has also been improved.
A low-profile turret is installed in the front part of the hull, on which elements of the weapon system are mounted.
The weapon system on the BTR-T may have a different composition, because it is made in the form of various modules that can be installed on the machine depending on its purpose or customer requirements.
Weapon options for installation on the BTR-T
The following armament options for the BTR-T are provided:
1. 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon and two Konkurs ATGM launchers;
2. 30-mm automatic cannon 2A42 and 30-mm automatic grenade launcher AG-17;
3. Two double-barreled 30-mm machine guns 2A38;
4. 12.7 mm NSVT-12.7 “Utes” (or “Kord”) machine gun and two “Konkurs” ATGM launchers;
5. 12.7 mm NSVT-12.7 “Utes” (or “Kord”) machine gun and 30 mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher.
In addition, in addition to the use of Russian-designed and produced weapons as part of modules with a weapon complex, they can also be equipped with Western-made weapons.
Like many Russian-made armored combat vehicles, the BTR-T has thermal smoke equipment for setting up smoke screens by injecting fuel into the exhaust tract. In addition, there are four blocks (three launchers each) for launching smoke or aerosol grenades. Smoke (aerosol) curtains from these blocks are placed in front of the vehicle.
Main tactical and technical characteristics of the heavy BTR-T:
Combat weight, t - 38,5
Crew + troops, persons - 2+5
Maximum speed, km/h - 50
Engine
- brand- B-46-6
- power, hp - 780
Armament (option):
- basic- 30 mm automatic cannon 2A42
- additional- 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun
- PU ATGM "Konkurs-M"
Ammunition, (shots):
- for 30 mm gun 2A42 - 200
- for PKT machine gun - 2000
- for ATGM - 3
Armor protection- provides protection against RPGs and ATGMs
JORDAN. HEAVY APC AB14 TEMSAH
"Temsah", armed with a 20 mm cannon and a 4-pod ATGM launcher
If just two decades ago the construction and even modernization of armored vehicles was the fate of only a small number of states with a high level of industry, then recently there has been an increase in manufacturers of such equipment. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has recently joined their ranks. For almost the last ten years, the Jordanian company KADDB (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) has been presenting its developments in the field of armored vehicles at international arms exhibitions.
With regard to tanks, KADDB was modernizing them, but with regard to heavy infantry fighting vehicles, it was able to present a new development. However, this is understandable; heavy armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles were born in the Middle East, although they first appeared on the other side of the Jordan. Due to certain circumstances, Arab countries do not adopt Israeli experience and do not invite specialists from this country. In addition, there are no Soviet-built tanks in Jordan. With the participation of the Mechanology Design Bureau (MDB) from South Africa, the American General Dynamics Land Systems and the Jordanian CLS, a highly protected infantry fighting vehicle AB14 Temsah was created. It is designed on the basis of the Centurion tank chassis. However, it had to be considerably rearranged, so we can say that “Temsah” is a purely Jordanian creation.
Layout
The layout of the new car is made with a front-mounted power plant. In other words, the hull of the Centurion tank was turned 180 degrees. The vehicle's power plant uses an American AVDS 1790 diesel engine with a power of 950 hp, which is also used in the modernization of M60A1 tanks in Jordan. The transmission is automatic CD 1000, has two forward gears and one reverse gear. The suspension of the armored personnel carrier is hydropneumatic balanced. The dynamic stroke of the roller is +350 and -100 mm.
Interior "Temsah"
The vehicle's armor has been significantly enhanced compared to the base chassis of the Centurion tank. It provides protection for the crew and troops inside the vehicle not only from small arms fire, but also from artillery ammunition. The design of the hull provides for the installation of dynamic protection, which will make the heavy armored personnel carrier more survivable when exposed to fire from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers. True, it is not reported whose developments formed the basis of the proposed dynamic protection. In addition, the developers believe that the front location of the power plant increases the survivability of the vehicle’s crew on the battlefield when fired from the frontal projections. The body of the armored personnel carrier has a relatively small height, just over two meters, which also, in the opinion of the vehicle’s creators, increases its survivability on the battlefield. The hull superstructures—turrets with various weapon systems—are uninhabited and controlled remotely from the vehicle’s hull.
Recently, KADDB presented another example of the Temsah heavy armored personnel carrier, which does not have any weapon system at all. On the roof of the vehicle body there is a small superstructure with relatively large armored glass on all sides, providing good visibility from the vehicle. If necessary, these glasses are covered with armored shields, which have slots for observation.
Jordanian heavy armored personnel carrier "Temsah" with a superstructure (driver's turret) and without weapons
The crew of the Temsah armored personnel carrier consists of two people: a driver and a commander, who is also the operator of the weapons complex. The airborne infantry fighting vehicle squad is designed to accommodate 10 infantrymen in full gear. It should be noted that it is quite spacious and has a length of 3350 mm, a width of 1770 mm and a height of 1455 mm.
The vehicle is not equipped with loopholes for firing personal weapons. However, to monitor the terrain by the landing party, television cameras can be installed, and there are 4 liquid crystal television monitors inside the landing compartment. The infantrymen in the vehicle are positioned along the sides, with their backs to them. For landing and landing of troops, the vehicle is equipped with a folding ramp in the rear with a mechanical drive. There are also hatches in the rear of the troop compartment roof. Their number, depending on the version of the machine, can be different - from one to six.
Inside the vehicle, under the landing seats, there are stowages for dry rations and water for all people in the vehicle. According to the developers, water and food supplies provide the vehicle with the ability to operate autonomously for 48 hours.
Options
The vehicle's armament may vary. Until now, two weapons variants of the Temsah armored personnel carrier have been demonstrated: one, as part of the armament complex, uses a large-caliber machine gun installed in a remotely controlled turret module, and two INGWE ATGM launchers, manufactured in South Africa. In another version - with an automatic 20-mm cannon, a coaxial machine gun and 4 INGWE ATGM launchers, also installed in a remotely controlled turret module.
The Temsah's weapons are stabilized in two planes. The rate of fire of the automatic cannon is 200 rounds per minute, its ammunition load is 300 shells, of which only 150 are ready for use. The rest are stowed in the vehicle and need to be loaded after using up the ammunition belt located on the turret. The target firing range of the cannon is 2000 m. The cannon can fire in single shots or in bursts.
"Temsah", armed with a 20-mm automatic cannon and a two-container ATGM launcher (ZT-35 "Ingwe") in the turret
The M240 coaxial 7.62mm machine gun is a tank version of the famous Belgian FN MAG. The target firing range is 1200 m, the ammunition load is 2600 rounds, of which only 600 are ready for use. The remaining 2000 are. stowed inside the troop compartment of the vehicle. The ATGM ammunition load is 4 missiles - only those in the launchers. The firing range of the INGWE ATGM is from 500 to 5000 m.
To set up smoke screens, smoke grenade launchers are mounted on the tower module.
The weapon is aimed remotely from the vehicle body. Observation of the battlefield and aiming is carried out on a liquid crystal television monitor installed at the vehicle commander’s workplace. The elevation angles of the weapon range from -8 to +40 degrees, which, in my opinion, is not quite sufficient, since the vehicle is designed to operate in urban and mountainous terrain, which is more than sufficient in Jordan.
Options are envisaged for using the Temsah armored personnel carrier chassis as a tracked armored medical vehicle, a command post, as well as a base for self-propelled guns and mortars.
BTR "Temsah" as a platform for weapons
As standard, the machine is equipped with collective protection systems, air conditioning and a fire protection system.
The main tactical and technical characteristics of the heavy armored personnel carrier "Temsah":
Combat weight, t - 49,5
Crew + troops, persons - 2+10
Dimensions, mm:
- length - 7962
- width - 3766
- height along the roof of the building - 2080
- ground clearance - 500
Engine
- brand- AVDS 1790
- power, hp - 950
Specific power, hp/t - 19,2 - 4
Armament (option):
- basic- 20 mm automatic cannon
- additional- 7.62 mm M240 machine gun
- guided weapons complex- PU ATGM INGWE
Ammunition, (shots):
- for 20 mm gun - 150+150
- for the M240 machine gun - 600+2000
- for ATGM - 4
Fuel capacity, l - 950
Armor protection- provides protection against RPGs
ISRAEL. HEAVY ARMORED TRANSPORTER "ACHZARIT"
Creation
Israel is considered a pioneer in the creation of heavy armored personnel carriers. Israeli engineers were prompted to this by the experience of the war in Lebanon in 1982, most of the fighting was fought in urban conditions. If the American-made M60A1 tanks in service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were to some extent protected from fire from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers by the dynamic protection (RA) used for the first time, then the American M113 armored personnel carriers became easy prey for Arab grenade launchers. Israeli Merkava Mk1 tanks were not equipped with dynamic protection. It was believed that the level of protection and survivability on the battlefield of this vehicle was already quite high. But in vain. The Merkavas were burning from grenade launcher fire, like all the other tanks. But still, armored personnel carriers and the infantry sitting in them suffered the most.
Having studied the experience of that war, the SDI leadership developed tactical and technical specifications for the development of a heavy armored personnel carrier, which later received the name “Achzarit”. In accordance with them, it was supposed to be a highly protected vehicle, capable of operating in local conditions together with the main Merkava tanks. The idea of creating such a vehicle was prompted by the successful use in urban conditions as a means of delivering infantry to the battlefield of the Puma engineering barrier vehicle, made on the chassis of the Centurion main tank.
Israeli heavy tracked armored personnel carrier "Akhzarit" Mk1 created on the basis of the T-55 tank
The development of heavy armored personnel carriers in Israel initially involved the use of a variety of chassis, including the chassis of the Merkava and Centurion tanks. The first prototypes of the Achzarit armored personnel carrier were built in 1987. Subsequently, an option was developed to create a vehicle on the chassis of the T-55 tank, which in large quantities went to the Israeli army as trophies during the Arab-Israeli wars and then for several years were restored for SOI.
Akhzarit Mk1 armored personnel carrier with an additional commander's cupola
Tests of prototypes of the Achzarit vehicles based on the T-55 showed some advantages compared to previously tested versions and especially the lower cost of the vehicle. They were adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces as a heavy armored personnel carrier and the start of their mass production took place in 1988. The production of heavy Achzarit armored personnel carriers was carried out in SOI workshops and at the Military Plant located in Tel Hashomer, which is not far from Tel Aviv.
According to various estimates, there are currently approximately 400-500 such vehicles in the Israeli armed forces.
Heavy armored personnel carrier "Akhzarit" Mk1 overcomes the descent
Machine design
When converting a T-55 tank into a heavy armored personnel carrier, its chassis is completely disassembled and then restored, but with some modifications. The tank's turret is dismantled and an additional superstructure is welded onto the vehicle's body in the area of the crew compartment, which forms the control compartment and the troop compartment. The engine and transmission compartment is located at the rear of the vehicle, but instead of the standard engine and transmission, a power plant from the Israeli company NIMDA is installed in it, which has slightly smaller dimensions and a more powerful engine.
Additional armor developed in Israel is installed on the body of the vehicle, which, according to the developers, provides this vehicle with the best protection among all available vehicles of this type in the world.
The habitable compartment of the vehicle can accommodate up to 10 people, including a crew of three: the vehicle commander, driver and machine gun gunner. The driver's seat remains at the front left. Above it there is a separate hatch, the lid of which opens to the left. Four periscope daytime surveillance devices are installed in front of the hatch, one of which in the center can be replaced with a passive night surveillance device for night driving.
The commander of the vehicle is located to the right of the driver and has a rotating periscope daytime observation device mounted on the roof of the vehicle and a square hatch, the lid of which opens backwards. On the right in front of the vehicle is the machine gun gunner, who controls the RAFAEL Overhead Weapon Station with a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun mounted on it. The machine gun is stabilized in two planes and is aimed using remote control from inside the vehicle. The installation's sighting complex is equipped with day and night thermal imaging sights.
In addition to the remote-controlled machine gun mount, the Achzarit armored personnel carrier also has three additional 7.62 mm machine guns mounted on pivot mounts: one on the vehicle commander’s hatch and two in the rear of the vehicle’s troop compartment. To fire from these machine guns, you need to open the hatch covers and lean out of them.
Seven infantrymen are accommodated in the rear crew compartment of the vehicle: three in a solid bench seat on the left side, three in individual jump seats on the right, and one centrally located at the rear of the troop compartment.
Aft door with ramp for infantrymen to exit
The driver, commander and gunner of the machine gun mount each have their own hatch. The commander's hatch cover can be opened halfway for observation. Behind the vehicle crew hatches there are two additional hatches: one in the center of the troop compartment and the other slightly to the left and behind.
The stock B-55 diesel engine and manual transmission were removed and a NIMDA power plant was installed. This unusual and extremely compact power plant made it possible to make an exit for the landing force at the rear of the vehicle on the right side, closed by an armored hydraulically hinged door. Its lower part folds down and serves as a ladder, and the upper part opens upward. The aft exit for the landing was made without changing the configuration of the vehicle hull. In addition, infantry can embark and disembark through hatches in the roof of the crew compartment.
The power plant combines various units, the main ones of which are identical to those used on the modernized version of the Soviet T-55 tank in Israel, which received the name “Samovar” there, as well as on the American 155-mm self-propelled gun M109. Both of these types of vehicles are used in large numbers by the Israeli Defense Forces.
The power plant of the Achzarit Mk1 armored personnel carrier, supplied by the Israeli company NIMDA, consists of an American two-stroke liquid-cooled diesel engine Detroit Diesel 8V-71 TTA, developing a power of 650 hp. The engine is mounted across the vehicle body and connected to an Allison XTG-411-4 hydrodynamic automatic transmission, also manufactured in the USA.
Air intake from the engine is carried out either through the fighting compartment or through the engine-transmission compartment. In both cases, the air enters initially through a pre-filter that has a dust emission fan, and then through a paper air cleaner, similar to those found on cars.
Interior
The chassis of the T-55 tank, consisting of five road wheels, a drive wheel at the rear and a idler wheel at the front on each side, was also modernized. The suspension units of the road wheels are equipped with new torsion shafts, which increase the dynamic travel of the roller, and the first and last suspension units are equipped with hydraulic stops manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, which are also used on Merkava tanks. This suspension upgrade provides the vehicle with better mobility over rough terrain and allows it to operate in conjunction with main tanks.
The combat weight of the Achzarit armored personnel carrier increased to 44 tons compared to 36 tons for the T-55 tanks. As already mentioned, the T-55 turret is dismantled when converting it into an Achzarit armored personnel carrier. The main difference in weight between the weight of the Achzarit armored personnel carrier, which has 44 tons, and the T-55 hull weight of 27 tons, is explained by the installation of additional armor protection to increase the survivability of the vehicle on the battlefield. The total height of the hull roof is approximately 2 m, and the width of the vehicle is 3.64 m.
On both sides of the hull in the front part there are six launchers of CL-303Q smoke grenade launchers manufactured by Israel Military Industries. Such grenade launchers were originally installed on Israeli Centurion, M48/M60 and Merkava tanks. They can fire various types of grenades as the vehicle moves.
Standard equipment of the Achzarit armored personnel carrier includes the Spectronix fire detection and extinguishing system, a collective protection system against weapons of mass destruction and thermal smoke equipment for setting up smoke screens, using the principle of fuel injection into the engine exhaust manifold located on the left side of the hull.
Currently, the SDI has a variant of the heavy armored personnel carrier "Achzarit" Mk2. This vehicle has a new power plant, also supplied by the Israeli company NIMDA. It includes an American Detroit Diesel 8V-92 TA diesel engine, developing 850 hp, connected to an American Allison XTG-411-5 automatic transmission. This power plant provides the vehicle with higher power density and better acceleration characteristics. To date, the “Achzarit” Mk2 model is the last example of this heavy armored personnel carrier.
Israeli heavy armored personnel carrier "Ahzarit" Mk2
In addition, on the basis of the heavy armored personnel carrier "Achzarit", a version of the command and staff vehicle was created, which differs from the standard armored personnel carrier in the absence of machine guns on the roof of the vehicle and the addition of additional radio stations to perform specialized control functions.
The main tactical and technical characteristics of the heavy armored personnel carrier Achzarit:
Combat weight, t - 44
Crew + troops, persons - 3+7
Maximum speed, km/h - 50
Engine
- brand- “Detroit Diesel” 8V-92 TA
- power, hp - 850
Weapons:
- basic- 7.62 mm M240 machine gun with remote control
- additional- two 7.62 mm FN MAG machine guns
Armor protection- provides protection against RPGs
INDIA. HEAVY ARMORED TRANSPORTER TBHA
Heavy Indian armored personnel carrier TBHA
India, which also has a large number of Soviet-built T-55 tanks, also decided to turn to the experience of creating heavy armored personnel carriers. Not without the influence of Israel, they also took the good old T-55 tank, removed the turret, welded an “interior” of multi-layer thick armor onto the hull, and that’s it. This is how the Indian heavy armored personnel carrier TBHA turned out - T-55 Based Heavy APC (APC - armored personnel carrier - armored personnel carrier in our opinion).
The spacious “interior” of the vehicle can accommodate up to 11 people (together with two crew members – the driver and the commander, who is also the machine gun gunner). I must say that the “salon” is equipped comfortably, you can stand upright, and the interior is lined with carpet.
To monitor the surrounding area, the commander uses the sighting system of a remote-controlled machine gun mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The image from the combined sight is displayed on the liquid crystal screen. The installation is equipped with a 12.7-mm machine gun, type NSVT-12.7 “Utes”, stabilized in two planes, which allows targeted fire from a machine gun on the move. According to the developers, “the interior armor can withstand being hit by an RPG-7 grenade from all sides,” which looks very doubtful. True, the developers of the RPG-7 say something slightly different: “Today there is no model of armored vehicles whose armor has not been penetrated by an RPG-7 grenade.”
The transmission and engine of the T-55 tank were replaced with an Israeli power plant from NIMDA, similar to what the Israelis did on the Achzarit Mk2 armored personnel carrier. It is slightly more compact than the previous one, and combines an American 850-horsepower Detroit Diesel 8V-92 diesel engine and an Allison XTG-411-5 automatic transmission. This is an Israeli assembly made from American components. The new power plant made it possible to make an exit at the rear of the vehicle for transported infantrymen. Its armored door, when opened, also serves as a ladder for ease of getting into and out of the car.
Naturally, TBHA is equipped with systems for collective protection against weapons of mass destruction, fire extinguishing, air conditioning and smoke screens. At the request of the customer, additional weapons systems, surveillance systems, etc. can be installed on it.
The disadvantage of this version of the heavy armored personnel carrier is the impossibility of firing from the personal weapons of the landing forces located inside the vehicle and the presence of only one machine gun. So there will only be two people in action - the driver and the commander, the rest will simply ride along the specified route as passengers.
The main tactical and technical characteristics of the heavy armored personnel carrier TBHA:
Combat weight, t- about 45
Crew + troops, persons - 2+9
Maximum speed, km/h - 50
Engine
- brand- Detroit Diesel 8V-92 TA
- power, hp - 850
Armament- 12.7-mm machine gun NSVT-12.7 “Utes” with remote control
Sighting system- combined with optical and thermal imaging channels, with remote control
Armor protection- provides protection against RPGs
Thus, there is a global trend of using obsolete types of tanks (mainly Centurion and T-55) for further service as heavy armored personnel carriers. At the same time, such armored personnel carriers are significantly lower in cost of new combat vehicles, which allows many armies to have a sufficient number of such armored personnel carriers. The main purpose of heavy armored personnel carriers is to transport and provide fire support to infantry units during independent or joint actions with tank units in special conditions (battle in mountainous and wooded areas, in the city, etc.). Powerful armoring of heavy armored personnel carriers makes it possible to reduce losses of both personnel and the vehicles themselves from fire from large-caliber rifles and machine guns, small-caliber automatic guns, as well as from mine explosions.
Again, most wheeled armored vehicles are modified chassis of serial all-wheel drive SUVs and army trucks, the bodies for which are assembled by specialized companies. The most respectable armored cars are produced by large military-industrial companies, using a special chassis and automotive components.
Most of these vehicles are equipped with powerful diesel engines that comply with Euro-3 to Euro-6 standards, automatic transmissions, independent suspensions and numerous electronic systems for controlling chassis units, weapons, communications, navigation and orientation. Particular attention is paid to the strength of the armored hulls that protect the crew and vital organs of the vehicles. Typically these are durable steel welded structures with inclined panels and powerful bottom armor. The most effective is the spatial V-shaped MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) system, which reflects the explosion energy of infantry and even anti-tank mines laid on the road.
Armored vehicles of automobile companies
Loyal suppliers of wheeled armored vehicles are large automobile corporations and factories, which use their own serial chassis and specially designed variants for this purpose, but for all companies these products have always occupied a secondary place.
Daimler AG
In the program of this corporation, there was only room for light armored vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, built on the chassis of G-series SUVs, the famous Gelendvagens. This year, the company limited itself to showing one LAPV 6.1 armored vehicle with a V6 engine with a power of 184 hp. With. and portal axles providing ground clearance of 412 mm.
Light five-door armored vehicle Mercedes-Benz LAPV 6.1 on the G300CDI chassis
IVECO
Until recently, the main light armored vehicle in the IVECO Defense Vehicles program was the 190-horsepower LMV model in several versions with different add-ons. This year it was represented by a turret version with a heavy machine gun and the Hitrole multi-purpose reconnaissance system.
At Eurosatory-2016, the modernized LMV-2 armored vehicle appeared for the first time on an extended chassis with a more powerful 220-horsepower engine, a reinforced roof for heavy weapons and a payload increased by 40% - up to 1.5 tons, of which, according to the company, 500 kg accounts for electronic equipment.
Renault
This brand hides the military products of the Renault Trucks Defense division, which includes small companies ASMAT, Panhard and the American Mack. The latter's participation consists only in the supply of French military equipment under its own brand to distant markets.
At Eurosatory-2016, the ASMAT company, specializing in simple vehicles for African countries, presented at the training ground the capabilities of its Bastion armored personnel carrier with a 340-horsepower engine and MRAP mine protection.
A new product from the Panhard department was the compact Dagger armored vehicle with a 200 hp power unit. With. and a high hull for transporting six paratroopers, replacing the previous 160-horsepower PVP version.
Demonstration of a six-seat Panhard Dagger armored vehicle without weapons
The Renault brand is carried by the main range of military equipment of the Renault Trucks Defense company. It is headed by the most extensive family of multifunctional Sherpa machines, which cannot be discussed in a short review, but is worth devoting to them in a separate article. In addition to them, the company assembles several more original Renault armored vehicles.
At the current show, as a new item, there was an amphibious armored personnel carrier VAB-3 (6x6) with MRAP protection, which differs from its predecessor VAB in having an increased payload of up to four tons, reinforced armor and a body lengthened by 700 mm for the installation of powerful weapons. The car uses a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 320–340 hp. p., six-position automatic transmission and independent suspension.
A sensation at the Renault stand was created by a prototype of the Griffon armored personnel carrier (6x6) with an MRAP system and an original modular front part of the hull, made in the style of a “predatory” design with pointed edges. The vehicle, with a combat weight of 24.5 tons, is equipped with a 400-horsepower Volvo diesel engine, a modular combat superstructure with a cannon and grenade launchers located around the circumference.
A prototype of the promising eight-seat Griffon armored personnel carrier
MZKT
The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT) brought its MZKT-490100 (4x4) armored vehicle to France on a special chassis with a YaMZ-5345-10 engine with a power of 240 hp. s., automatic six-position gearbox, independent spring suspension and five-door armored body. Its combat weight is 11 tons, maximum speed is 105 km/h.
Driver's workplace of the MZKT-490100 Volat combat vehicle
Armored vehicles of military-industrial companies
KMW
On the open area of the pavilion of the military-industrial company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), called Leopard’s Home (House of the Leopard tank), an armored personnel carrier Dingo-2HD with an updated design, created on a 306-horsepower special chassis FGA-14.5, appeared. A hull with an MRAP system is mounted on it, assembled from special types of armor steel and composite materials and withstanding the explosion of an infantry or anti-tank mine.
General Dynamics
As part of the creation of the two-axle Eagle-V armored vehicle, the European branch of the American group General Dynamics, created on the site of the former MOWAG company, presented a three-axle version of the Eagle-V (6x6) with a combat weight of 15 tons with a 285-horsepower Cummins engine and a spacious multi-purpose armored hull. Its maximum speed is 110 km/h.
Street
The most dynamic and progressive transnational company Streit Group assembles its various wheeled armored vehicles at 12 enterprises in different countries and claims to be the leading corporation in this field. At Eurosatory 2016, she brought almost the entire range of armored vehicles, which never cease to amaze visitors with their extravagant appearance. They are based on serial or special chassis and are equipped with diesel engines, automatic or manual transmissions, reinforced underbody armor or MRAP protection.
One of the smallest representatives of this family is the Cobra light, high-speed armored vehicle for tactical or special operations. It is built on a 232-horsepower Toyota SUV chassis, weighs about 6 tons and reaches a speed of 140 km/h.
Compact armored vehicle Streit Cobra LAMV with a three-door body
The Gladiator heavy armored vehicle with a massive five-door body is based on a Renault Midlum truck (4x4) with a 276-horsepower engine and is equipped with a ZF six-speed manual gearbox, all disc brakes and leaf spring suspension. With a combat weight of 13 tons, it reaches a speed of 120 km/h.
The Scorpion combat vehicle on a special chassis is equipped with a Cummins diesel engine with a capacity of 300 hp. with., a welded hull with a capacity of up to eight people with an MRAP mine protection system and independent spring suspension on all wheels. With the same mass of 13 tons, its maximum speed was reduced to 105 km/h.
At Streit's extensive stand, for the first time, a 400-horsepower Alligator armored personnel carrier (6x6) of an original configuration was demonstrated on a special chassis with two closely spaced front pairs of steered wheels and a single rear axle. A brochure with its description could be obtained from the booth attendants, but it would not be possible to show you an image of the car: the company’s employees surrounded it with flags and forbade taking photographs.
Armored vehicles of small specialized companies
Achleitner
At Eurosatory-2016, this Austrian company showed a modernized patrol and reconnaissance armored vehicle Survivor-1 with a total weight of up to 12.5 tons with a turret machine gun mount, a durable flat bottom and an automatic tire inflation system. Depending on the load, at the buyer’s choice, engines with a power of 245 or 285 hp are mounted on it. With. The heavy 18-ton version of Survivor-2 is designed to use power units of 280–330 hp. With. and installation of more powerful weapons.
IAG
At the stand of the transnational company International Armored Group (IAG), they demonstrated a new Guardian armored personnel carrier for transporting 10 soldiers and mounting weapons on the reinforced roof of the armored hull. Buyers have a choice of several types of power units - diesel V8 and one petrol V10.
The IAG exhibit also included an eight-seat Jaws patrol vehicle, based on a 232-horsepower Toyota SUV, and a similar Sentry armored personnel carrier with a welded hull and a fully rotating turret.
Light armored personnel carrier Sentry with an eight-seat armored hull and a turret superstructure
Nexter
This multifunctional company gained fame in the automotive industry by releasing the successful Aravis armored vehicle on the Unimog U5000 chassis, which was present at Eurosatory 2016 in a version for UN troops. New original Titus armored personnel carriers (6x6) in army and police versions, created on a special Tatra chassis with Cummins engines with a capacity of 440 and 500 hp, were presented at different ends of the showroom. With. and a folding rear door with hydraulic drive.
The highlight of this design lies in three pairs of wheels evenly spaced from each other, of which the front and rear are steerable, which made it possible to reduce the turning radius to 13 m. On the highway, the car reaches 110 km/h.
SVOS
The largest armored personnel carrier, Vega (6x6), was shown at the show by the Czech company SVOS. It is assembled on the units of a 408-horsepower Tatra T815-7 car with an automated 14-speed electronically controlled transmission. Its main feature is the independent adjustable hydropneumatic suspension of single wheels with final drives and tire inflation. The combat weight of the vehicle is 29 tons, the maximum speed is 110 km/h.
A previously unknown manufacturer of armored vehicles, the Cypriot company Lacenaire from Nicosia, appeared at the show for the first time. She presented two armored vehicles of the Oncilla brand - a multi-purpose one with a machine gun turret and one with a folding assault ladder on the roof. They are equipped with Deutz or IVECO diesel engines with a capacity of 190 and 210 hp. With. and automatic transmissions. With a mass of 8.8 tons, their speed reaches 120 km/h. And one more piquant detail: they are assembled by one of the Polish military factories.
Cypriot nine-seater armored vehicle Lacenaire Oncilla with a turret module
At Eurosatury 2016, the small French company Soframe, the Israeli Plasan and a number of Ukrainian enterprises also demonstrated their small-scale assembled wheeled armored vehicles. The Turkish Navy and Otokar companies presented updated serial armored vehicles.
In conclusion - a scene in the press center at Eurosatory-2016. An English-speaking group, convinced that there could be no Russians around, discussed the current relationship with Russia. And suddenly one of them jumped up and shouted: “What are you talking about? They have a huge army and crazy soldiers... They will still win.”
America loves Ukrainian gunsmiths. Many years ago, during the time of President Yushchenko, the United States financed Iraq’s purchase of half a thousand BTR-4 armored personnel carriers produced by the Malyshev Design Bureau. The funny thing about the deal was that at the time the contract was concluded, such an armored personnel carrier simply did not exist. However, the Americans did not act disinterestedly - scandals with hundred-million-dollar bribes and kickbacks have been thundering for two years now.
BTR-4 on the territory of the plant First acquaintance with the Iraqis.
Kharkov designers did the impossible and, in the shortest possible time, embodied their developments in metal. Pilot production quickly began riveting BTR-4s and sending them to Iraq. But a miracle did not happen - the project, which was not tested and completed, constantly “glitched”, the units did not dock, the gun did not want to fire at all where it was supposed to. One small consolation is that the gun block was not made in Kharkov.
The photo shows an unprofitable product from the Kitezhgrad Magnetic Equipment Plant (just kidding).
But it’s really unprofitable -
fines, penalties and bribes paid ate up profits. One consolation was that there was money to pay salaries from.
BTR-4, produced at the State Enterprise “Plant named after V.A. Malyshev” entered the top ten in the world, reports the information and analytical portal Inpress.ua. The local press is delighted - “Ukrainian weapons and military equipment enjoy an excellent reputation due to their reliability and simplicity.”
And all because the BTR-4 was included in the top ten best armored personnel carriers in the world according to Army Technology. This was reported by the press service of the Ukrspetsexport Group of Companies. According to the report, the BTR-4 entered the top ten in terms of protection, firepower and mobility.
In addition to it, the top ten included the Finnish Patria, the German Boxer, the Swiss Piranha V, the Austrian Pandur II, the Russian BTR-82A, the American Stryker, the Turkish ARMA and AV8, and the Singaporean Terrex (developed by the Irish company Timoney).
One involuntarily recalls a message in the Great Concordia press about the loss of its rider in an amateur race with an earthly university: “Our rider turned out to be worthy of his great ancestors and showed an excellent result for the first time, taking second place. His earthly rival was able to come second to last.”
Not a single word of lie. An excellent description of a competition involving two sides.
So it is with the Ukrainian BTR-4. While the press is drooling, ship "Sea Pacifica" on board which are 42 Ukrainian BTR-4s rejected by Iraq, is heading back to Odessa. This was announced by a representative of the Odessa carrier company Varamar, managing director of the company Alexander Varvarenko. Prior to this, Kharkov armored personnel carriers that left the Odessa port in March of this year were arrested in India along with the ship. It all started with the fact that on April 26, a dry cargo ship docked off the coast of Iraq, but it was never allowed into the port and Ukrainian armored personnel carriers refused to unload it.
“In the port of Odessa, the vehicles were accepted by a commission that included representatives of Iraq. But in Iraq, unloading did not begin. The excuse was defects in the body. Long days of negotiations resulted in three months of downtime in the Persian Gulf. The ship was never unloaded, and it went to the shores of India to unload a shipment of Ukrainian metal,” said Alexander Varvarenko. He forgot to clarify that the contract had already expired, and the Ukrainian side had not met the delivery schedule even once. I also forgot about the fines I had paid earlier.
Then the Indians filed claims against the company, to whom the goods, about 70 thousand tons of metal, were almost three months late.
“Ukrainian military cargo has become a hostage. An Indian court arrested the ship, and they demanded a penalty of 500 thousand dollars from us. The metal supplier told us to resolve the issues, but how can we do this? We were delayed only because the issue with armored personnel carriers was being resolved,” Varvarenko said.
According to the Vesti publication, Varamar still had to cover the damage, and the Ukrainian company Ukrspetsexport owed it about 700 thousand dollars; the carrier intends to demand compensation for this amount in court.
As for the armored personnel carriers themselves, they should arrive in Odessa in early January: the ship has now entered the Red Sea and is heading towards the Suez Canal.
REFERENCE: The contract between Ukrspetsexport and Iraq was concluded back in 2008. At that time, the deal was called the largest in the history of independent Ukraine (in addition to armored personnel carriers, it was planned to produce tanks and aircraft for a total of $2.4 billion). The lion's share of the contract was intended for the Kharkov Malyshev plant - 450 BTR-4 units. Only 100 pieces were shipped to the customer.
Well, for the really picky ones, the magazine didn’t hold any competitions or evaluations. Moreover, according to the specified characteristics. He simply listed " some of the finest armored personnel carriers in service today." Without comparing them or positioning them as better or worse /Modern APCs such as Patria AMV, Boxer and Piranha V offer enhanced protection, enabling safer infantry deployment in high-threat areas. Army-technology.com lists some of the best armored personnel carriers operated today, based on protection and mobility/.
Below are some examples of delight from the local press and bureaucrats:As Inpress.ua previously reported, the positive indicators of the final activities of the enterprises of the State Concern “Ukroboronprom” indicate the effectiveness of its work, including in international markets. This was stated by First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Policy Sergei Kaltsev.
Based on the results of work for the nine months of 2013, enterprises that are part of the Ukroboronprom State Corporation showed an increase in the volume of products (industrial production) by 35% compared to the same period in 2012.
The Ukrainian military-industrial complex is experiencing rapid development. Many foreign countries are interested in samples of Ukrainian military-defense equipment. Our state also actively presents its achievements at international exhibitions and cooperates with many countries in the development of new types of military equipment.
Thus, the domestic military industry cooperates most closely with Thailand, to which the Kharkov plant plans to send a series of tanks. Fire and sea trials of five Oplots are being carried out at the training ground in Chuguev (Kharkiv region). By the new year, the combat vehicles will be sent to their new homeland, but in the meantime, 32 Thai military personnel are being trained at the Morozov Design Bureau, who will have to work with new equipment at home.
In general, Ukrainian manufacturers of military equipment liked working in the Asian market. By arming Thailand with armored personnel carriers, domestic enterprises will supply India with combat aircraft missiles. State Holding Company "Artem" ensured the delivery to India of the first batch of medium-range air-to-air guided missiles, manufactured by order of the local Ministry of Defense.
In addition, the state concern “Ukroboronprom” and the Czech ALTA have outlined plans for cooperation in the technical re-equipment program of the state concern’s enterprises.
Due to the fact that large-scale armed unrest is taking place in the world, Ukraine has the opportunity to increase the share of its military exports. The unstable Middle East finds a profitable partner in our country. The Soviet weapons familiar to the Arabs are cheaper than their Western counterparts, of high quality, and therefore most in demand.
In general, beneficial partners in cooperation in the defense industry for Ukraine are Russia, the countries of Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. This was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on National Security and Defense Anatoly Kinakh.
Thus, Ukraine will be able to provide both its army and the world market with new types of weapons and military equipment. This opinion was expressed by Yulia Malyshenko, Deputy Head of the Defense and Security Economics Department of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
Unloading an armored personnel carrier BTR-4 in Iraq, spring 2012 (c) UkrMil.blogspot.com via militaryphotos.net
REFERENCE. Ukraine won the contract for the supply of 49 Oplot tanks to Thailand at the end of 2009, back under Yushchenko. Since then, all that has been reported is the unprecedented victory of the Kharkov tank builders. Over the past 4 years, Thailand has not received a single tank. Just as the plant producing tanks does not receive any real profit. All dividends are collected by officials who joyfully tell how well things are going.
BTR-4 is an armored personnel carrier developed by the State Enterprise “Kharkov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau named after Morozov”. The BTR-4 has been adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is mass-produced at the State Enterprise “Plant named after V.A. Malysheva". The Zhytomyr Armored Plant State Enterprise, part of the Ukroboronprom State Concern, is mastering the production of a new combat module on the BTR-4.
Production of the BTR-4 commenced in 2008 with limited deliveries to the Ukrainian Army. The vehicles are being operated by the armies of Ukraine and Iraq. Image courtesy of Malakhov Vladimir.
Continuing the “Top 10” rating from the Discovery Channel, I would like to draw your attention to another funny selection. This time, the experts came to the attention of “Armored Personal Carriers” - a general designation for all types of armored vehicles intended for transporting personnel. The review included both light armored personnel carriers weighing 5 tons and heavy infantry fighting vehicles. Despite the seeming absurdity, this is quite logical - all this equipment, tracked or wheeled, regardless of its size, performs the same task - transporting people and cargo in military conflicts, protecting them with its armor. For example, there are no strict differences, for example, between an armored personnel carrier and an infantry fighting vehicle. The only thing that distinguished them in theory was that an infantry fighting vehicle is capable of supporting infantry in battle, when an armored personnel carrier only delivers them to the battlefield. With the disappearance of a clearly defined front line, and this is precisely what is observed in all local conflicts of the last quarter of the twentieth century, the armored personnel carrier and the infantry fighting vehicle now perform the same functions. Modern armored vehicles, regardless of their weight, often carry the same weapons and serve as a platform for the creation of specialized military equipment - from command post and ambulance vehicles, to self-propelled howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems.
In contrast to the controversial and contradictory rating “10 best tanks according to the Military Channel”, the rating “10 best armored vehicles”, in my opinion, is very adequate and, in general, correct: it contains really worthy vehicles. It would not be out of place to add that you should not take such ratings seriously - after all, this is an infotainment program. Therefore, dear readers, I recommend that you pay attention not so much to the places in the ranking, but to the cars themselves. For example, I myself, not being an expert in the field of armored vehicles, did not suspect the existence of many of them. And yet, this review has a serious conclusion - the review shows the most promising directions for the development of armored vehicles, the right decisions and the mistakes of designers. After all, if the landing party prefers to move ON the armor, and not UNDER the armor, then there is really something wrong with the armored vehicles.
The comparison criteria, as always, will be technical excellence, innovative solutions when creating this model, manufacturability and mass production and, of course, the main judge - experience in combat use.
Well, that's probably all I wanted to add on my own, this is the end of the prelude, let's move on to the rating. There are many decent cars in the world, but exactly 10 fit into the top ten.
10th place – Marder
Bundeswehr infantry fighting vehicle, combat weight - 33 tons. Year of adoption - 1970. Crew - 3 people + 7 landing troops.
It was created as a response to the Soviet BMP-1. The armament complex includes a 20 mm Rheinmetall-202 automatic cannon and Milan ATGM. Speed (up to 75 km/h on the highway), excellent security, German quality - what else does a good infantry fighting vehicle need? The overall picture is slightly spoiled by the Marder’s lack of combat experience - with the exception of occasional participation in operations in Afghanistan, this armored vehicle almost never traveled beyond the highways of Germany.
In total, the Germans assembled 2,700 of their miracle infantry fighting vehicles, including a self-propelled air defense system based on them. A good car in all respects. Tenth place.
9th place – M1114
American armored vehicle. As you might have guessed from the pictures, this is the legendary Humvee with a set of armor. By the mid-90s, based on the experience of combat use of the M998 chassis, it became clear that the army needed a light armored personnel carrier based on it, which had anti-fragmentation armor and, most importantly, durable mine protection. The M1114 had all these qualities, combining mobility, protection and firepower with a total weight of less than 5 tons. The M1114's range of detachable weapons includes everything from roof-mounted light machine guns, to remote-controlled 12.7mm machine gun mounts, MANPADS and anti-tank missile systems.
From here you should take a short excursion into the Humvee (aka the M998 HMMWV chassis). Adopted by the United States in 1981 as a “highly mobile multi-purpose wheeled vehicle,” the Humvee has become one of the symbols of the American army, appearing in all conflicts of the last 30 years. According to General Motors, 200,000 of all Humvee variants have been produced to date. One of the most important properties of this half-truck, half-jeep was the versatility of the design. Here are just some of the cars based on it:
M998 - open cargo vehicle,
M998 Avenger - variant with the Stinger anti-aircraft missile system,
M966 - armored jeep with TOW anti-tank system,
M1097 - two-seat pickup truck,
M997 - ambulance jeep with a four-seater cabin,
M1026 - version with a fully enclosed four-seater body and a winch,
M1035 - sanitary version with a four-door cabin,
M1114 - light armored personnel carrier, one of the most popular versions of the Humvee
General Motors designers were able to find the optimal balance between carrying capacity, allowing it to perform all the functions of a universal army vehicle, mount a variety of weapons and armor protection, and, at the same time, not overload the vehicle, maintaining the dimensions of a large jeep. The Humvee has become the standard in its class. Now army SUVs in all countries of the world borrow its technical solutions, layout and appearance.
Army equipment a priori cannot be successful in the civilian market in conditions of free competition. This axiom always serves as proof of the justification of exorbitant military expenditures: “If you don’t want to feed your army, you will feed someone else’s,” etc. in the same spirit. In the case of the Hummer, we see the opposite - a stylish army vehicle, having retained the main components (including a 6 liter engine, transmission, suspension), became a successful commercial project - in 1992 its civilian version, the Hummer H1, went into production with minimal cosmetic changes, further developing into the iconic luxury SUV “Hummer H2” with a luxury interior and automatic transmission.
The armored army version of the Humvee M1114 fought a lot around the world, often came under fire, burned, exploded, got stuck in the mud, but nevertheless saved the lives of the soldiers sitting inside. This is what is required from real army equipment.
8th place – The Universal Carrier
The British multi-purpose armored personnel carrier-tractor is the main assistant of the British soldier. An unprepossessing-looking car with a crew of 5 people dashingly moved at speeds of up to 50 km/h across the battlefields of World War II. The Universal Carrier fought on all fronts: from Europe and the Eastern Front to the Sahara and the jungles of Indonesia. Later he managed to take part in the war on the Korean Peninsula and ended his career gloriously in the 1960s.
Weighing only 4 tons, The Universal Carrier had decent maneuverability and was protected by 10 mm armor. The armament of linear armored personnel carriers included a 14 mm anti-tank rifle and/or a 7.7 mm Bren machine gun. In addition to the basic version, the troops received the “Wasp” flamethrower vehicle created on its platform and a self-propelled gun with a 40 mm gun.
In total, over the years of serial production from 1934 to 1960. 113,000 of these small but useful machines were produced at factories in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada.
7th place - Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251
A formidable combat vehicle that crushed the countries of Europe, the sands of North Africa and the icy expanses of Russia with its wheels and tracks.
The SdKfz 251 half-track armored personnel carrier fully complied with the Blitzkrieg strategy - a fast, spacious and well-protected vehicle with high maneuverability. Crew – 2 people + 10 landing troops, speed on the highway 50 km/h, wheel-tracked propulsion, all-round armor up to 15 mm thick. Like any German equipment, the armored personnel carrier was equipped with a huge number of different options and equipment to perform any task. The German engineering genius went into full force, just appreciate the scale: SdKfz 251 was equipped with a variety of surveillance and communication devices, cranes and winches, radio stations of all types and frequencies, assault bridges, sets of removable armor and a variety of weapons, among which there was even such exotic as jet multiple launch rocket systems Wurframen 40 caliber 280 mm.
A great variety of specialized vehicles were created on the SdKfz 251 platform: in addition to the basic model, ambulances and command and staff vehicles, surveillance and communications vehicles, mobile telephone exchanges, artillery spotter posts, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns with automatic 20 mm MG 151/20 guns, and flamethrower vehicles were produced. , mobile firing points with 37 mm and 75 mm anti-tank guns, engineering equipment...
Among these designs were truly unique examples of armored vehicles, such as the Schallaufnahmepanzerwagen - a noise direction finder for determining the position of enemy artillery positions out of sight, or the Infrarotscheinwerfer - a self-propelled infrared searchlight for illuminating the night sights of Panther tanks.
On my own behalf, I can add the following: lovers of revelations and followers of the work of Vladimir Rezun, who meticulously count the number of German armored vehicles, somehow always forget to include in their lists 15,000 SdKfz 251 armored personnel carriers produced by German industry, although these armored vehicles were superior in their capabilities to many tanks of that period .
By the way, the SdKfz 251 armored personnel carrier was so good that it was produced in Czechoslovakia until 1962.
6th place - M1126 “Stryker”
The youngest recruit in the US Army. The Stryker family of wheeled combat vehicles was created specifically for low-intensity conflicts and “colonial wars”, when the use of heavy armored vehicles, Abrams tanks or Bradley infantry fighting vehicles is redundant, and light brigade combat groups are not effective enough. The fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan confirmed the correctness of this decision.
The basic version of the M1126 became the first wheeled armored vehicle of its class in the American army. Thanks to its exceptional smoothness, the armored personnel carrier received the nickname “Shadow” among the troops. Particular emphasis during the creation of the M1126 was placed on increasing the protective properties of the vehicle. The steel spaced armor is supplemented with MEXAS mounted armor modules weighing 1700 kg. This type of armor contains a ceramic layer adhesively bonded to a layer of high-strength Kevlar fibers. The purpose of the aluminum oxide ceramic layer is to break up the projectile and distribute kinetic energy over a larger base area. In terms of durability, MEXAS, with the same weight as steel armor, is twice as strong. Much attention was paid to mine protection - the double bottom of the vehicle, shock absorption, additional armoring of the most vulnerable places - all this, according to American designers, should reduce the likelihood of damage to the crew of the armored vehicle.
The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a high-tech weapons complex, including a remote-controlled installation with a .50 caliber machine gun and a 40 mm Mark-19 automatic grenade launcher with an ammunition load of 448 grenades. The detection and targeting module includes a night sight and a laser rangefinder.
The 18-ton armored personnel carrier reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h on the highway, and the 8x8 wheel arrangement and tire pressure reduction system provide sufficient maneuverability. A serious drawback for cars of this type is that the Stryker cannot swim.
The Styker family, in addition to the armored personnel carrier, includes
M1127 fighting reconnaissance-de-Gorodal vehicle, M1128 fire support machine with 105 mm gun, 120-mm self-propelled mortar M1129, KSHM M1130, artillery adjustment post M1131, M1132 engineering machine, M1133 armored medical evacuator, M1134 self-propelled anti-tank missile system with TOU-TOUS 2” and the M1135 radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance vehicle.
"Strikers" have been serving in Iraq since 2003.
5th place - אכזרית (Achzarit)
Heavy tracked armored personnel carrier of the Israel Defense Forces. It is the most protected armored vehicle of its class in the world.
The 200 mm armor of the Soviet tank (believe it or not, the Achzarit is a captured Syrian T-54 and T-55 with the turrets removed) was reinforced with overlay perforated steel sheets with carbon fibers, and a set of dynamic protection was installed on top. The total weight of the additional armor was 17 tons, which, combined with the low silhouette of the vehicle, made it possible to provide an exceptionally high level of protection for the armored personnel carrier.
On the way to the border
The Soviet engine was replaced by a more compact 8-cylinder General Motors diesel engine, which made it possible to equip a corridor along the right side of the tank leading from the troop compartment to the rear armored door. When the stern ramp is folded down, part of the roof is raised hydraulically, making it easier for the troops to dismount. In addition, the partially open aft door is used as an embrasure.
Achzarit is equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun mount OWS (Overhead Weapon Station) from Rafael. Three 7.62 mm machine guns are used as additional weapons: one on the pivot mount of the commander's hatch and two on the rear hatches.
As a result, the 44-ton monster is an excellent weapon for fighting in urban environments, where there may be an RPG launcher in the opening of every window. Achzarit is not afraid of point-blank fire from all weapons in service with Hezbollah and Hamas militants, reliably covering its 10 crew members with its armor.
To be fair, it is worth noting that the most protected armored personnel carrier in the world is still the Namer (weighing more than 50 tons) on the chassis of the Merkava tank, but only a symbolic number of Namers were produced - 60 pieces, unlike the Achzarit, in which 500 T-54/55 tanks were converted.
4th place – BMP-1
An armored infantry vehicle (that's exactly what American experts believe) has significantly increased the offensive power of motorized rifle units. The ingenious concept of the BMP-1 was to increase the mobility and protection of infantry operating in conjunction with tanks. The car was demonstrated to the world community during a parade on Red Square in 1967.
The body of the BMP-1 was welded from armor plates with a thickness of 15...20 mm, according to calculations this was enough to provide all-round protection from bullets fired from a hand-held rifle, and at heading angles it provided protection even from small-caliber gun shells.
The 13-ton combat vehicle reached speeds of up to 65 km/h on the highway and up to 7 km/h afloat (to increase buoyancy, even the track rollers were made hollow). Inside there were 3 crew members and 8 paratroopers. The weapon system consisted of a 73 mm 2A28 Grom smoothbore grenade launcher, a PKT machine gun and a 9M14M Malyutka anti-tank missile system. Separate embrasures were equipped for the paratroopers sitting inside. All this, in theory, turned the BMP-1 into a new generation universal vehicle.
Alas, everything turned out to be more complicated. The Americans strictly criticized the decisions of Soviet designers, especially the design of the rear doors of the troop compartment (indeed, very dubious): “Perhaps this is thick armor that reliably protects the crew of the vehicle? No! These are fuel tanks! If the vehicle was hit, this arrangement turned the infantry fighting vehicle into a fire trap.
Based on the results of the battles in the Middle East and Afghanistan, it quickly became clear that the designers had skimped on armor in vain - the BMP was confidently hit by the DShK machine gun. Low protection from mines, small arms and grenade launchers has led to the fact that soldiers prefer to move while sitting on armor, not daring to go down into the fighting compartment of the vehicle. The shortcomings of the weapons also made themselves felt - in mountainous areas, the "Thunder" turned out to be useless due to its low elevation angle.
Those same tanks in the aft hatches
Soviet designers made an attempt to correct errors in the next generation car. The new BMP-2 received an automatic 30 mm cannon with an elevation angle of 85 degrees. The next model, the BMP-3, despite loud calls from the military to increase its protection, was the apotheosis of absurdity: while possessing almost tank-like weapons, it still has “cardboard” armor.
And yet it is worth paying tribute to the Soviet designers. The infantry fighting vehicle has become a fundamentally new class of armored vehicles. Despite its innovation, the BMP-1 has survived more than a dozen military conflicts around the world. In addition, it was cheap and widespread: a total of 20,000 vehicles of this type were produced.
3rd place – MCV-80 “Warrior”
British infantry fighting vehicle. There's more to her name than just "Warrior." Combat weight - 25 tons. Speed on the highway is 75 km/h. The armored body of the MCV-80 is welded from rolled sheets of aluminum-magnesium-zinc alloy and protects from 14.5 mm bullets and from fragments of 155 mm high-explosive fragmentation shells, and the bottom - from 9 kg of anti-tank mines. The sides and chassis are covered with rubber anti-cumulative screens. The Warrior's armored hull has an internal lining that protects the crew from armor fragments and also serves as sound insulation. The space between the backs of the landing seats and the sides of the hull is used for stowing spare parts and equipment of the infantrymen, which creates additional protection for the troop compartment. Externally, the armor is reinforced with dynamic protection. Armament: 30 mm L21A1 “Rarden” automatic cannon, coaxial machine gun, 94 mm LAW-80 grenade launcher. The crew of the car is 3 people. Landing party - 7 people.
The British command had high hopes for their promising infantry fighting vehicle. And the “Warrior” did not let its creators down - of the 300 vehicles that took part in “Desert Storm,” not a single one was lost in battle. A noteworthy incident occurred in Al-Amar (Iraq) on May 1, 2004: a Warrior patrol vehicle was hit by 14 RPG grenades. The heavily damaged vehicle managed to fight back and came out from under fire under its own power, saving the lives of the soldiers inside it (the entire crew was burned and injured). The commander of the BMP Johnson, Gideon Beeharry, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
In 2011, the UK government allocated 1.6 billion pounds for the modernization of the MCV-80 under the WCSP program. In particular, it is reported that the BMP will receive a new weapon system with a 40 mm automatic gun.
This is the MCV-80 “Warrior” - a machine that soldiers trust.
2nd place – M2 “Bradley”
American infantry fighting vehicle. Combat weight - 30 tons. Speed – 65 km/h on the highway, 7 km/h afloat. Crew – 3 people. Landing party - 6 people.
Multi-layer armor made of steel and aluminum with a thickness of 50 mm provides all-round protection against small-caliber artillery shells. The mounted dynamic protection system serves as a reliable barrier to RPG rocket-propelled grenades. The case has a Kevlar lining on the inside, which prevents the formation of fragments. On the latest modifications, 30 mm steel screens are additionally mounted on the sides.
Armament: 25 mm M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon with a computerized fire control system, TOW ATGM and 6 M231 FPW machine guns. The armored vehicle's equipment includes such luxuries as the TACNAV tactical navigation system, the ELRF laser range finder, the infrared passive ATGM protection system and the MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) food ration warmer.
At the time of its appearance, in 1981, the US military doubted the combat qualities of the new infantry fighting vehicle. But in 1991, during Desert Storm, all doubts were dispelled: Bradleys, using shells with depleted uranium cores, destroyed more Iraqi tanks than M1 Abrams main battle tanks. And only 1 infantry fighting vehicle was lost from enemy fire.
The well-deserved combat vehicle has become one of the most popular infantry fighting vehicles in the world - a total of 7,000 M2 Bradleys were produced. Its base also produces the M3 combat reconnaissance vehicle, the M6 self-propelled air defense system and the M270 MLRS launcher for MLRS and tactical missiles.
1st place – M113
M113 of the Lithuanian Armed Forces on parade in Kaunas
Floating tracked vehicle weighing 11 tons. All-round protection is provided by 40 mm aluminum armor. Excellent capacity - 2 crew members and 11 paratroopers. The standard weapon is the M2 heavy machine gun. Fast (highway speed up to 64 km/h), passable and easy to maintain, the vehicle has become the most famous armored personnel carrier in the world. 85,000 M113 of all modifications were in service in 50 countries. The M113 has seen through every conflict from the Vietnam War to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and, as of today, is still in production and is the primary armored personnel carrier of the US Army.
In addition to the armored personnel carrier, the M113 existed in the form of a command and staff vehicle, a self-propelled 107 mm mortar, a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (armed with everything from a six-barreled Vulcan to a Chapperel air defense system), a repair and recovery vehicle, an ambulance, a tank destroyer with a TOW ATGM. , radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicles and MLRS launcher.
, a family of wheeled armored combat vehicles is one of the most widespread in the world: it includes carriers of various weapons systems and armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance, command and communications vehicles that “serve” in the army and marine corps of more than 20 states. And they are being improved everywhere: over 40 years, according to various sources, from 5,000 to 8,000 “Piranhas” of various variants and upgrades have been produced.
Ambulance vehicle MO WAG Piranha photo
At the end of the 1960s, the Swiss company MO WAG began developing a new armored personnel carrier, the Piranha, which was conceived in two versions: with 4x4 and 6x6 wheel arrangements. The first was designed to transport a combat group of 10 people and turned out to be in demand only by the Argentine army. For it, under the name “Grenadier”, 80 of these seven-ton armored personnel carriers were delivered in the early 70s
The fate of the 6x6 version turned out to be much more interesting. serial production of which began in 1976. It was developed for the Swiss army; its dimensions were chosen based on the possibility of travel on mountain roads, and the propulsion system had to function in high altitude conditions. However, first of all, it was again exported: to Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
But the greatest success in the foreign market came from barmored personnel carrier Piranha
with a wheel formula of 8x8.
The armored personnel carrier was arranged according to a common scheme: the engine and transmission compartment is in the front, the driver is located to the left of it, the fighting compartment is in the rear, and there are two doors in the rear for boarding and disembarking. The body is welded, made of high-strength steel, resistant to 7.62 mm bullets. With the help of two propellers at the rear, movement through the water is carried out.
The power of the turbocharged diesel engine "Detroit" 6V-53T is 300 hp. The suspension of the four rear wheels is torsion bar, the two front wheels are on a coil spring, hydraulic shock absorbers are installed on all wheels. The Michelin wheels have two independent chambers and tires reinforced, which increases resistance to holes. According to the company MOWAG, on bullet-proof wheels, an armored personnel carrier can cover up to 30 km on the highway and up to 10 km off-road.
In 1977 armored personnel carrier Piranha
- 6x6 was selected by the Canadian Armed Forces. There it was produced under license from 1979 to 1982 under the name “Grizzly”. In addition to the armored personnel carrier. Canadians launched the Cougar fire support vehicle and the Husky repair and recovery vehicle. Production was mastered by General Motors of Canada (GMC). The contract provided for the production of 491 vehicles for the Canadian army, some of the components were supplied from Switzerland. 269 Grizzlies, 195 Cougars and 27 Huskies were released.
The chassis can be used to mount AIM-120 anti-aircraft missiles
IN 1980, licensed production of Piranhas was started by the Chilean company Cardoin. In a year and a half, it produced about 50 cars in different versions. In 1986, the Swiss finally ordered 310 Piranha 6x6 armored fighting vehicles. Western experts rated the car as one of the most advanced in its class. However, Swiss designers did not stop there and developed a car of the same family with an 8x8 wheel arrangement.
All Piranha vehicles have the same layout: the driver-mechanic is located in front on the left, the power unit is to his right, and the troop compartment is at the rear. Most of the components and assemblies are also the same
It was supposed to be armored personnel carrier Piranha , for transporting infantry, with the ability to install a variety of weapons. It was the Piranha 8x8 armored fighting vehicle that achieved the greatest success in the foreign market. Many modifications have been developed on its basis in different countries - experts even talk about a separate family. Moreover, most of these armored fighting vehicles were not built by MOWAG. and the Canadian GMC, where several dozen 8x8 Piranhas were produced: armored personnel carriers similar to the Swiss ones, wheeled infantry fighting vehicles. ambulances and transport vehicles.
Schematic diagram Armored personnel carrier APC Piranha
True success is armored personnel carrier Piranha 8x8 came from the other side of America. Military-political events in Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf in 1978-1980 prompted the US leadership to create the Rapid Deployment Forces. Their basis was to be the Marine Corps, and it needed a new combat vehicle - an amphibious vehicle with high maneuverability, protection and firepower that could be transported by heavy transport helicopters and hovercraft. Such a vehicle was selected on a competitive basis under the auspices of the LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) management. The British "Elvis" and the American "Martin-Marietta" presented the tracked armored personnel carrier "Spartan"; American Cadillac, two variants of the Commando wheeled vehicle. Canadian GMC fielded an 8x8 Piranha, which won.
US Marine Corps LAV-25
Initially I decided to purchase LAV armored fighting vehicles in different versions from GMC 969, but over time the order was reduced. The most numerous was the LAV 25 armored personnel carrier. It is a regular 8x8 Piranha chassis with weapons installed in a double turret of the American company Delco Systems. The turret contains a twin 25 mm M242 Chain Gun automatic cannon with 210 rounds of ammunition and a 7.62 mm machine gun with 400 rounds of ammunition. Two quadruple blocks of smoke grenades are attached to the front of the turret. The hull can carry additional ammunition.
Armored Infantry Vehicle (IAV) Stryker
For each of the three Marine divisions, 147 LAV-25 vehicles were produced. and within each of them a LAV battalion was formed. Units armed with “wheeled infantry fighting vehicles” faced a variety of tactical tasks: fire support for infantry and motorized infantry, reconnaissance and sabotage operations behind the front line, engineering reconnaissance of enemy defenses. The threat from tanks was supposed to be neutralized by LAV-AT combat vehicles armed with Tou anti-tank missiles, and the LAV-AD armored fighting vehicle was created to protect against helicopters. In addition, the Marine Corps received 81 mm self-propelled mortars, command post mortars, and repair and recovery mortars. ambulances and an option for transporting goods.
Piranha IV wheeled vehicle (8x8) with installed Scoranger anti-aircraft system
The creation of a fire support vehicle ended in failure. The development and implementation of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery system took a long time. The Americans tried several options for combining automatic cannons with Stinger guided missiles and unguided Hydra-70 missiles, settling on the option with a five-barreled 25 mm GAU-12 Galling cannon and eight Stinger missiles. While the rest of the LAV vehicles were produced in 1983-1987, the LAV AD was brought into mass production only in 1996.
Photo of the shifter, the wheel drive diagram is clearly visible
Armored vehicles of the LAV family experienced their baptism of fire during the capture of the island of Grenada in 1985. All three LAV battalions participated in Operation Desert Storm 1990-1991. Information about losses was classified. But it is known that by order of the Pentagon, GMC had by that time built 759 LAV armored fighting vehicles, and by the beginning of 1996 there were 735 vehicles in service. The difference is 24 units. Some of them were probably given to research organizations, others may have been lost in road accidents, but most of them remained forever in the deserts of Iraq.
Piranha II vehicle of the Swiss ground forces, equipped with a turret with a 30-mm cannon from Kuck. Note the attachment points for additional steel armor on the sloped armor
Despite the success of the LAV in the United States, the Canadians did not adopt it for a long time. However, in 1988, on its basis, in just seven days, GMC designers developed the Bison armored personnel carrier. Two years later, its deliveries to the Canadian army began; in total, it received 199 such armored personnel carriers. It is distinguished by a strongly raised roof at the rear, where eight paratroopers are located, the absence of a turret and a stern ramp instead of doors. Since 2001, "Bisons" have worked in Afghanistan. Special climatic conditions and real combat experience prompted the Canadians to modernize these armored personnel carriers from 2002 to 2008, during which the engine power was increased, new torsion bars and fittings with additional armor were installed, air conditioning, etc. Since 1994, a number of LAV 25s under the name "Coyote" have been delivered to Canadian reconnaissance units.
LAV-25 - modern Canadian version of the Piranha armored personnel carrier
The success of LAV was one of the reasons for the activation of the 8x8 Piranha program in Switzerland. The M0WAG designers created the Piranha II and Piranha III, which differ from their predecessors in their larger size, more powerful engine and larger wheels. also received improved armor protection, hydropneumatic suspension with adjustable ground clearance and a lowered stern ramp instead of doors. In 1990, the possibility of a contract for the supply of Piranhas to Saudi Arabia arose, but as a result of well-known events, the government of traditionally neutral Switzerland imposed a ban on the export of military equipment to the countries of the Middle East. M0WAG managers found a way out in organizing the production of Piranhas in the UK on shares with the GKN company, which had certain hopes that they could be pushed into service with the British army. This trick failed, but deliveries of armored personnel carriers to Saudi Arabia. armed with a 25 mm cannon, were completed by 1995. Their turret was for the most part the same as that installed on the LAV-25. but single Tou ATGMs were mounted on its sides. And in 1997, deliveries to the Wahhabi kingdom of “Piranha II” with a 90 mm cannon in a Belgian turret began.
PIRANHA II is also interesting because a version of it was created with a 10x10 wheel arrangement
The car is also interesting because a version of it was created with a 10x10 wheel arrangement. This five-axle monster has four front wheels - steerable, the six rear wheels are driven, but if necessary, power transmission can be switched on to all the front ones. The prototype was equipped with a three-seat French GIAT TML 105 turret with a 105 mm GIAT G2 cannon, which has an initial projectile speed of 1495 m/s. A 7.62 mm machine gun is coaxial with the cannon, and GALIX grenade launchers are also installed in the front of the turret for launching smoke and anti-personnel grenades. The turret and gun drives are electro-hydraulic. Ammunition consists of 12 shells in the turret niche and 26 shells stored in the hull. Interestingly, this monster turned out to be suitable not only for cabinets of curiosities. "Piranha" 10x10 were ordered by Saudi Arabia and Sweden, and a command staff version was specially developed for the Scandinavians for coastal defense artillery batteries.
Piranha" 10x10 were ordered by Saudi Arabia and Sweden, the Movag Piranha III armored fighting vehicle (10X10), equipped with the latest Bofors CV-9040B turret, armed with a 40 mm cannon, during testing in Sweden
Based on the PIRANHA III, the Canadians developed the LAV-III Kodiak wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, which entered service in 1999 and became the main vehicle for mechanized infantry in this country. The vehicle also attracted the attention of the New Zealand military, where in 2003-2004, under the name NZLAV, it replaced the outdated American M113 armored personnel carriers. In total, 651 Kodiaks were delivered to the Canadian army, and 105 NZLAVs to the New Zealand army.
BMP LAV-MI "Kodiak" from the Canadian company SMS
Compared to other versions of the Piranha, the Kodiak has improved armor protection. Basic armor provides all-round protection against 7.62 mm armor-piercing bullets; Cosmetic trims can be added if necessary and protect against 14.5 mm machine gun fire. Some sources claim that frontal armor with appliqué plates can withstand 30 mm projectiles. The mine protection of the bottom has been strengthened. Due to all these improvements, the weight of the LAV-III reached 17 tons. The turret, developed by the same Delco Systems, is equipped with a 25 mm M242 automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Another 5.56 mm M249 machine gun is mounted on the turret. To accommodate property, in addition to the lattice basket on the tower, there is a large box on the aft part. Unlike the Piranha III, which has an additional seat behind the driver, the Kodiak has an air intake device with a powerful filter. Thus, the driver’s mechanic’s seat is isolated from the fighting compartment, which can hardly be considered an advantage of the car. Despite the fact that the basic armored personnel carrier has two propellers driven by the main engine and can swim through water obstacles, the Canadian Kodiak does not have such an ability - its security is a higher priority than amphibiousness.
Since 2012, Canadians have been modernizing the LAV III. which will extend their service life until 2035.
Overseas armored personnel carrier Piranha
also served as the basis for the American M1126 Stryker armored personnel carrier and a family of vehicles based on it, the total number of which should be over 2000 units.
Spanish Marines, joint exercises with the United States
Original Swiss-made vehicles were readily purchased in a variety of countries already in the new millennium. Brazil purchased 30 such vehicles, Ireland - 80. Two large contracts were signed in February 2006: according to one of them, 724 armored fighting vehicles were to be delivered to Saudi Arabia by October 2012 , the other provided for the delivery of 242 vehicles to Belgium by January 2015.
Swiss designers don't stop there.
INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLE armored personnel carrier APC Piranha FIRING
In 2001, they developed the Piranha IV, which turned out to be noticeably larger and heavier than all previous options - its weight reaches 15-26 tons and its engine power is 544 hp. Power reserve - 750 km. Crew - 2-3 people, landing party - up to 9-10. The vehicle can be equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun, a 25 mm or 30 mm automatic cannon, and a 105 mm low impulse gun. The steel body provides all-round protection from 14.5 mm bullets, and its special shape allows the armored fighting vehicle to reduce its radar and thermal signature. Mine protection has been improved - the bottom of the hull can withstand an explosion of up to 8 kg of explosives.
Piranha II with 8x8 wheel arrangement equipped with a Cockerill turret with a 90-mm LKTs cannon
M0WAG presented the Piranha V combat vehicle, originally designed as a wheeled infantry fighting vehicle. Its length reached 8 meters, width - 2.99. Weight in various versions ranges from 17 to 30 tons. The main armament is a 30-mm automatic cannon and a 12.7-mm coaxial machine gun. Crew - 3 people. landing - 8. An all-welded steel body with an integrated addition of composite modular armor provides all-round protection against 14.5 mm bullets and shell fragments in the basic version. Additional armor guarantees all-round protection against 25 mm armor-piercing shells. The double-layer bottom with a V-shaped bend allows it to withstand an explosion of up to 10 kg of explosives under any wheel. All seats also have a mine-resistant design. At the stern there is a rear ramp. Diesel engine with turbocharging MTU 6V199 TE21 with a power of 580 hp. There is a central tire inflation system. Control - steering. A variant - "Piran's Desert" - was created for conducting combat operations in desert areas.
There have been no orders for these two new machines yet, but M0WAG managers seem fully committed to success. The extraordinary adventures of the “armored Piranha” continue.