Obrum MID Bizon CEV

     Notes:  The MID is a Polish combat engineer vehicle based upon the PT-91 chassis, and incorporating many features of the WZT-3 armored recovery vehicle below.  Its main characteristic is the heavy jib crane on the right side of the roof; this crane arm can be equipped with a gripper claw for removal of battlefield obstacles, or a digger bucker.  The crane has a capacity on 7 tons, and can extend a maximum of 7.94 meters away from the vehicle.  (It may not operate closer than 5.94 meters from the vehicle, as that is the arm’s minimum length.) The crane arm may rotate 240 degrees in seven seconds, covering the right side of the vehicle; it also has a depression of -55 degrees up to +60 degrees. On the front of the vehicle is a V-shaped dozer blade with a width of 4.2 meters; this is primarily a mine removal tool, moving the mine outside of the MID's track, but also can be equipped with a lower ripper claw to destroy road surfaces.  When used at a mine plow, it has an AV or 8. The bucket may also be equipped with a ripper claw, and this is more likely to be mounted. The ripper claw may be extended 5.94 meters; The individual ripper teeth are 0.45 meters long and the blade can dig out a 1-meter square and digger bucket can lift 0.96 meters square if it can grab on a vehicle that is large enough can lift up to 3.3 tons and pull, for example, a vehicle from the roadway.  Other attachments for the arm are a claw, a large circular saw that can cut through 500 centimeters of concrete per minute, a cable sling with a lifting capacity of 7 tons, and an auger that can dig a 1-meter-wide hole 1.5 meters deep per minute. The MID has a primary winch with a capacity of 45 tons, and a secondary winch with a capacity of 4.5 tons with 400 meters of cable.  The MID also carries integral welding gear.  If necessary, the MID can be equipped with a deep wading system that allows fording to a depth of 5 meters for up to 1000 meters.  Normal wading depth is 1.2 meters.  Finally, the M.I.D. is equipped with a smoke generation system that produces smoke that is opaque to IR detection systems (such as passive or active IR, or starlight scopes), as well as obscuring normal optical devices.  Other equipment includes basic and tracked vehicle tools, 2 sets of pioneer tools, a chainsaw, and a 5kW generator with a voltage converter, and can be used to recharge the batteries or take their place if they are drained. The RPK and RPG-7 come with the vehicle, but are not actually mounted; 50 kg of plastic explosive and an engineer demo chest are carried to reduce stubborn explosive obstructions. The RPG-7 is normally armed with FAE warheads for the rocket launcher, A secondary role for the MID is for the repair of buildings and field fortifications and roads, as well as their destruction.  In addition to its normal armament, the MID has an NSVT, and a RPK on the right hull and an PKT on the left side near the center in both cases, near the fender, and both have limited traverse and elevation, and may fired directly or by a remote uplink from the commander's or gunner's position. The seats are directly behind the driver, and gunner's seats. Four seats may carry up to four other engineers, It has well as four smoke grenade launchers on each fender.  It normally carries two bundles of 40 meter long trackway.   

     PZL-Wola in Poland developed the S-12U diesel engine, a modernized version of the T-72M1’s V-46-6. Though the higher 850-horsepower output cut the range of the Bizon, the increased performance was deemed a worthwhile trade-off. The Bizon has an automatic transmission.  The driver is on the front center and has vision blocks to his front and both sides.  The center block has a night vision channel.  He has access to an RPK-74 on the right bow and an RPK on the left bow. The commander is on the front left, and has a raised cupola with all-around vision blocks and a heavy machinegun that may be aimed and fired from within the vehicle.  He has a night vision channel on his center front block, and an aiming reticle with computer assistance.  The Bizon may carry a dedicated equipment operator. He also has all-around day/night CCTV cameras.  The vehicle may carry additional combat engineers; four seats are found in the hull for them.  The Bizon has a NATO-compatible BMS.  On either side of the glacis is a cluster of six smoke grenade launchers. It has air conditioning, heating, and NBC Overpressure protection, as well as an automatic fire detection and suppression system.

     Aside from Poland, the MID is used by the Malaysian Army, based on its version of the PT-91, called the PT-91M. This is the MID-M.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The MID was barely into production at the outset of the Twilight War, and perhaps fewer than 30 of these vehicles were built.

HSW MT-LB TRI Armored Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle

     Notes:  This Polish adaptation of the MT-LB is intended for reconnaissance of bridges, road conditions, structures, potential demolitions and trap sites, and possible fortification sites.  In this role, the MT-LB is fitted with a variety of standard and video cameras, an optical chemical sniffer, a Geiger counter, and specialized equipment for determining the state of repair and strength of roads and bridges, as well as open ground, ice, snow, river banks and bottoms, and beaches.  Water depth can also be measured.  A characteristic of the MT-LB Armored Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle is the large rail type antenna centered over the right side of the vehicle, for the 5 long-range radios.  The NSV machinegun is in a small cupola, and may be aimed and fired from within the vehicle.  The RPG-7s come with the vehicle, but are not mounted; the vehicle normally carries FAE warheads for its RPG, in order to reduce obstacles.  20 kilograms of plastic explosive and an engineer demolitions chest are carried for the same purpose. The crew's findings are radioed to higher headquarters via a high-gain antenna, and the radios can transmit digital, radio, and teletype information. It is not equipped for NBC purposes, and has no such detectors, though the front hull does have a mine detector in it. The crew consists of a driver and commander, as well as 1-6 additional engineers as necessary to operate the reconnaissance equipment. At the rear of the vehicle, on each side, are clusters of four smoke grenade launchers.

     Power is provided by SW680/167/1 turbocharged diesel developing 245 horsepower.

Bumar Labedy WZT-1

     Notes:  Originally based on the hull of a T-54 in prototypes, the WZT-1 was designed after the Russians developed a similar vehicle in the early 1950s. Later, the hull of the T-55 was used, and then later the T-55A.  Development was slow, with many new components added in, and finally in the late 1960s, Czechoslovakia and Poland bought the upgraded prototype version BTS-2, placed in production as the WZT-1. The WZT-1 hull was later used in the upgrade of the Newa SAM system to the Newa-SC standard.

The WZT-1

     The WZT-1 is out of service in both Poland and Czechoslovakia, as it is inadequate for recovering more than 40-ton vehicles (though it can repair them.  To the opposite side of the commander and behind the driver is the crane; this can lift 3 tons at 4.5 meters.  The main winch leads out the front and has a capacity of 49 tons, or 64 tons with block and tackle; it has 200 meters of cable.  The lead winch has a capacity 1.5 tons with 200 meters of cable.  To assist with everyday tasks, the WZT-1 has a 2kW APU; this also assists with powering the power tools, arc welder, and air compressor.  Also available are basic tools, tracked vehicle tools, wheeled vehicle tools, pioneer tools, and a selection of spare parts.  The dozer blade is full-width and has teeth to aid in obstacle-clearing and digging. Improved versions have IFF, data-capable radios, and printout capability, and analog components have been replaced with digital ones.  They also have automatic transmissions.  They retain the V-55A 580-horsepower engine. Some of the older vehicles have had their wheels and undercarriage replaced with those allowing them to operate on railroad tracks, to service trains. By 1978, the WZT-1 was replaced by the WZT-2. Towards the rear of the vehicle on each side is a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers.

The WZT-2

     The WZT-2 is also another ARV that is incapable of recovering most of the tank fleets used by the owners' countries.  It is based on the WZT-1, using a T-55A hull with a more powerful engine that also has a little more torque. Towing capacity is about 42 tons.  The WZT-2 is still the base RRV for Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, India, Serbia, and Croatia; it can carry out most repair duties on almost all of the vehicles in those fleets, but cannot tow the heavier ones -- in particular, tanks and the heavy ARVs cannot be recovered by the WZT-2.  It can, however repair most of these vehicles and recover some of them. Iraq also used the WZT-2, but most of those were scrapped or used as range targets after the Third Persian Gulf War, replaced by newer vehicles. Several WZT-2s have also been bought from Poland by museums or private owners.

     The WZT-2 carries a crew of 4; it can also carry the crew of the disabled vehicle, up to 3 persons; alternately, three extra mechanics or technicians may be carried.  Layout is similar to that of the WZT-1, though the interior is different due to the space for three members of the recovered vehicles' crew; in addition, the WZT-2 has an NBC Overpressure system.  Remote controls allow the use of the crane from inside the WZT-2. A rearranged interior, however, allows carriage without much loss of space for spare parts, and external stowage also allows for more carriage of spare parts and tools.  The crane, winches, and tools sets are the same as the WZT-1, and the WZT-2 also carries a 2kW APU.  Early versions of the WZT-2 had the same cupola as on the T-55; later, this was replaced with a square hatch that opened to right and had the weapon on a pintle.

     The engine for the WZT-2 is a V-55W 591-horsepower turbocharged diesel.  Most have been converted to automatic transmission; newer versions also have IFF, data and print-capable radios, and digital components. A number of these vehicles have been modified as railroad RRVs.

Bumar WZT-3 ARV

     Notes:  This Polish armored engineer vehicle is based on the T-72M MBT chassis, and is similar in appearance to the Russian BREM-1 ARV.  It was designed in the late 1980s, and is the last (so far) in a long line of Polish ARVs that started after World War 2. It has several differences from the BREM-1, however, to suit Polish needs.  It was designed to support the T-72 and smaller vehicles, as well as some vehicles still on the drawing board or experimental phase at the time.  In addition to Poland, Bulgaria uses the WZT-3, as does Malaysia. The WZT-3 was built only from 1988 to 1989, and only 20 were built.

The WZT-3

     As with the BREM-1, the turret of the T-72 is replaced with a raised superstructure.  The driver sits in the front left of the superstructure, with the commander in a cupola to the driver's right.  Two mechanics sit in the hull, behind the driver and commander's positions, and facing to the rear.  There is a hatch on the front of the roof for them to enter and exit, but it has no vision blocks. Behind the superstructure on the deck is a platform for power packs and other major components.  Just behind the driver is the crane, which has a reach of 5.8 meters and can lift 15 tons at that reach; if extended 5.8 meters or less, it can lift 15 tons.  At the front of the vehicle is a large dozer blade for excavating or bracing purposes, and has a width of 3.3 meters.  The main winch is driven by the engine and has a capacity of 65.3 tons, or 83.5 tons when block and tackle is used; this winch has 200 meters of cable.  The auxiliary winch has its own motor, has 400 meters of cable, and a capacity of 2.04 tons, but is not designed to be used with block and tackle. 

     The WZT-3 has specialized equipment carried include two tow bars, tow cables, electrical and gas welding gear, impact wrenches, basic and vehicle tools, electrical and electronic tools, and a chain saw.  A 6kW APU is provided to power the tools and the winches.  The WZT-3 also has a fuel pump to provide fuel from another source to itself or other vehicles. Tools include what is essentially a deluxe set of tracked vehicle, wheeled vehicle, basic, and power tools.  Other tools include a welding set, an air compressor, a chainsaw, a circular saw, a tool like the “jaws of life” that are used by most fire departments, and various larger and smaller saws and cutters.  The crane has a capacity of 15 tons at its maximum extension of 8 meters and 17 tons at a more normal extension of 5.8 meters.  The WZT-3 has two V-shaped tow bars, the vehicle is capable of towing the heaviest vehicles in Polish, Indian, or Malaysian service.  The WZT-3 is equipped with a dozer blade in front; this is normally used to clear obstacles to the recovery of vehicles, but can be used to dig fighting positions for other vehicles or itself.  The WZT-3 has a pump and three tanks to allow it to drain fuel, oil, or transmission fluid if it needs to do so before repairs can be effected.  It can also reverse this, pumping the fluids back into the repaired vehicle.  The fuel, oil, or transmission fluid cannot actually be used by the WZT-3 while in their holding tanks, though conceivably the WZT-3 could pump such fluids into it’s own partially-filled tanks.

     The WZT-3 has smoke grenade launchers on either side of the superstructure, but in clusters of five. The WZT-3 has NBC Overpressure air conditioner, and heating.  The WZT-3 series has an automatic fire and explosion detector and suppressor.

     The engine of the WZT-3 is the V-46-6 turbocharged diesel, with an output of 780 horsepower.  This and the high torque allows the WZT-3 able to tow 50 tons at half speed, or 75 tons at one-quarter speed. The dozer blade has a width of 3.61 meters, and is normally used for clearing obstacles to recovery, though it has a secondary role of digging fighting positions for itself or other vehicles.

The WZT-3M

     When the Polish brought the PT-91 Twardy into service, it was felt that the combination of the heavier Twardy and the advent of new technologies meant that the WZT-3 would have to be upgraded. The primary differences were the basing of the armor suite on the Twardy (the WZT-3M is based on the PT-91, instead of the stock T-72); and the use of the Twardy's S-12U turbocharged diesel, developing 850 horsepower,  though it also has a gun at the commander's position that may be aimed and fired from within the vehicle. 9 new WZT-3Ms were built for Poland and Bulgaria, and Poland later bought 59 more, and all other WZT-3s were upgraded to the WZT-3M standard. India (who calls the vehicle the ARV-3) went all out and bought 352 WZT-3Ms; they have another 204 on order. These 204 will be supplied in kits, to be assembled in India. Indian Army WZT-3Ms have the designation ARV-3. They are built in India by BEML. There are actually only demonstrator versions of “stock” WZT-3Ms; these were produced for international sales and field demonstrations, and most customers of the WZT-3M choose to add various upgrades to their WZT-3Ms. 

     The WZT-3M has a main winch capable of pulling 31 tons, or 62 tons with block and tackle, with 200 meters of cable. It has a secondary winch, which has 400 meters of cable and a pulling capability of 200 kilograms, or twice that with block and tackle.  They have a tool set similar to that of the WZT-3.  It also has the pumps to remove fuel, oil, and transmission fluid from the vehicle being repaired or recovered, with the same restrictions.

     Kuwait operates 15 ARVs which are functionally equivalent to the WZT-3, but is based on the Serbian M-84AB tank.  Their stats are somewhat different, but the results are similar. These are designated by the Kuwaiti military the M-84ABI. They continue to be powered by the V-46TK engine, developing 780 horsepower. These have inertial navigation and GPS, as well as the standard NBC overpressure, air conditioner, and heater, along with the other features of the WZT-3 and 3M.  The vehicles also have a small computer with a database of repair and recovery solutions.

     Polish and Indian WZT-3Ms are equipped with a BMS, allowing them to interact with higher headquarters and receive orders; Polish BMSs are NATO-compatible. It also carries computers dedicated to the BMS and interfacing with maps and the GPS, as well as one to provide technical information on virtually any Polish vehicle. Indian models also have a BMS and GPS, as well as inertial navigation backup. Indian BMSs are proprietary, but based on Russian models. Polish models have clusters of four smoke grenade launchers on the lower glacis plate on each side, but Indian WZT-3Ms use clusters of five.

     The vehicle has a self-protection heavy machinegun, but this is manner by the gunner/mechanic from a hatch on the center right of the superstructure rather than by the commander.  The WZT-3M has the same composite laminate armor found on the PT-91,and is better protected than most recovery vehicles.  The crew has an air conditioner with NBC filters and an NBC Overpressure system.  The engine remains the PZL-Sokol S12U turbocharged and fuel-injected diesel, developing 850 horsepower.  The WZT-3M has an automatic transmission.  Suspension is by torsion bars.  The WZT-3M has a more powerful APU of 10kW capacity.

WZT-4

     The Malaysians call their version of the WZT-3M the WZT-4.  It is almost identical to the WZT-3M, but uses an improved PT-91M tank chassis as a base.  The crane is improved and has a capacity of 20 tons at 5.8 meters and 18 tons at the maximum extension of 8 meters.  The WZT-4 also has a thermal smoke generating device, which produces a thick, oily smoke screen that defeats all visual and IR observation, including Thermal Imaging and FLIR viewers, by both injecting diesel fuel and special chemicals into its exhaust.  The WZT-4 also includes splints, burn gel and dressing, the equivalent of a doctor’s medical bag, bandages, slings, and refills for the crews’ and the recovered crews’ personal medical kits. This is because the recovery crew are cross-trained as semi-medics (about equivalent to an American Combat Lifesaver), and are expected to treat any injuries possible among the recovered vehicle’s crew. The Engine is an S-1000R turbocharged diesel with a capacity of 1000 horsepower, coupled to an automatic transmission with power steering and brakes.  The APU is replaced with one delivering 15.1 kW.  The winches are the same as on the WZT-3M, but the Malaysians use redesigned block and tackle and the main winch of the WZT-4 can pull 93 tons with their main winch.  It should be noted that the Malaysians use rope in their winches instead of cable; the rope is made of synthetic material and is almost as strong as steel cable, and is easier to repair than cable.  The Malaysians have also equipped their WZT-4s with GPS navigation with an inertial navigation backup, a mapping computer, a vehicle state computer, and a small laptop which contains information on repairing and recovering all vehicles found in the Malaysian military forces.