Morozov BAT-2

     Notes:  The BAT-2 is a combat engineer vehicle used by Russian and Pact forces.  The vehicle is based on an MT-T chassis, which is itself a derivation of the T-64 chassis.  It’s primary purpose is cutting or scraping a path through uneven ground for following vehicles, including mine clearing, but can also function to a limited extent as a CEV, primarily due to it’s large obstacle-clearing power tool set.

     The BAT-2 has a large V-shaped dozer blade mounted at the front, used primarily as a mine plow. It is a little wider than the width of the vehicle, and has a variable bow to the “V” shape; the plow can actually be pulled into a flat dozer shape or angled into a grader shape. In mine plow shape, the blade is 4.2 meters wide, while in dozer configuration, it is 4.5 meters wide. The mine plow may be lifted to 90 degrees, entirely clear of the front. At the rear is a soil ripping spike, which may be lowered or raised, and is the width of the vehicle. Ditches and fighting positions may also be prepared, and banks on rivers may also be prepared; depending on the material and density of soil or rock, 200-250 cubic meters may be moved per hour.

     The BAT-2 has a crane with a capacity of 2 tons that may reach out 7.3 meters from the vehicle, and may be fitted with pincer-type tools, an auger, or a bucket.  Mounted on the same platform as the crane is a 25-ton capacity winch with 100 meters of cable. 

     The BAT-2 has a cab up front with large bullet-resistant windows on the front and sides, and it contains the driver on the left and commander on the right.  In the rear section of the cab is an entire combat engineer squad; they have bullet-resistant windows on either side of their compartment. The vehicle is protected by an NBC Overpressure system.

     The BAT-2 is equipped with a V-64-5 710 horsepower turbocharged diesel. This engine is derived from the one on the T-72.  The BAT-2 can ford up to 1.3 meters.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$125,031

D, G, AvG, A

3.65 tons

39.7 tons

2+6

29

Headlights

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

130/91

36/25

1000

262

Stnd

T6

HF8  HS3 HR3

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

None

Engineer Demo Chest, 75 kg C4

*The front blade may protect the vehicle with an AV of 10Sp.  What it protects depends on how high the blade is raised.

 

Sozvezdie R-330ZH Borisoglebsk 2

   Notes: Also known as the R-330 Mandat (primarily during development), the R-330ZH is part of a recent push to modernize Russia’s ground EW capability, the first ten Borisoglebsk 2s were deployed with Russian units along the Polish border in August 2015, with 14 more being delivered and deployed in Poland and, though the Russians deny it, at least one has been spotted in Ukraine.  In October 2015, one was spotted in Syria near the Turkish border. Ten more were delivered in 2016, and an unknown number were delivered in 2017; these appear to have been sent to eastern Russia.  The Borisoglebsk 2 has not yet been offered on the international market, but rumors state that the Russians are surreptitiously looking for buyers.

     The Borisoglebsk 2 is based on the chassis of new-build MT-LBu tracked carriers.  The MT-LBu chassis is equipped with special electrical systems and wiring harnesses to support the powerful EW gear.  The Borisoglebsk 2 essentially fills the role of four older EW platforms. It can also interact with Russian AWACS-type aircraft. It has its own surveillance radar, mostly used in GSR mode, but also scanning the skies.

     The R-330ZH appears for the most part to be a standard MT-LBu hull, but atop this is a pair of long rectangular boxes which contain the ELINT and EW equipment. These boxes unfold to four times their normal height, with equipment unfolding under it, when the EW suite is operating The radar dish unfolds and rotates into position at the left rear; the right rear roof has a powerful APU to power the electronics, as well as three canisters with spare parts and tools for the electronics.  Despite the power, the system must sometimes be augmented by running the engine. The dish is not protected and has only an AV of 2, but the APU is in an armored box and tuns off the R-330ZH’s fuel, supply, or an external fuel supply may be hooked up, or fuel may be added manually to the APU’s reservoir by hand.  Like all MT-LBus, the R-330ZH has an optical chemical detection device mounted in front of the commander’s position.  The normal MT-LBu’s inertial navigation system has been replaced with a GPS and a mapping computer, while keeping the INS as a backup. The radios receive and transmit via a mast-mounted 30-meter antenna, or operate at a shorter range (and without the satellite connection) using a shorter 12-meter mast.  Both may be used to increase bandwidth.  (The 30-meter mast is normally used only when stationary, as for it to be stable guy lines need to be attached.)

     The driver and commander retain their positions and hatches, but there is no weapon’s position; the normal such position is plated over under the EW boxes, as are all the firing ports, other roof hatches, and vision ports.  The rear doors remain, but their vision ports and firing ports are plated over. The entire interior of the vehicle is equipped with air conditioning and heating, with NBC filters.  In addition, the crew is protected by an NBC Overpressure system.  In a remote, little-used, cramped corner is a small chemical toilet, one of a very few military vehicles which have one.

     Being based on an MT-LBu hull, the Borisoglebsk 2’s hull has that look of a larger version of the MT-LB. It is equipped with a 500-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine; this engine is actually an upgrade of a truck engine common in Russia. The vehicle may be driven at normal speed with the EW suite unfolded and active, but Driver rolls to increase speed are one level harder when the EW suite is open.  However, it cannot be driven while the antennae are elevated, as shearing off of the antenna is almost guaranteed.

     Up to nine R-330ZHs may be electronically linked provided each is within 5 kilometers of each other (i.e., they may be laid out in a chain) and have an LOS radio connection to each other.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$24,406,880

D, A

374 kg

18.07 tons

2+3

49

Image Intensification (D, C), FLIR (Mast), Color Day/Night BW (Mast) Night CCD TV (30 km/20 km) (Mast), Radar (100 km)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

191/134

53/37/5

540

185

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

 

Combat Equipment

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

ELINT 4, ECM 3, ECCM 2, Secure Data Capable Radios (1 Satellite, one 1500 km AM, two 300 km, one 120km, two 40 km), 24kW APU

None

None

None

None

 

Uralvagonzavod BREM-1 ARRV

     Notes:  This is an ARRV (Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle) based on the T-72A.  The basic BREM-1 is designed to support the T-72, T-64, and T-80. Though the Soviets reported it as entering service in 1975, other official sources state that is did not enter full production until 1984.  In either case, 342 were built by 1990 when production stopped.  Besides Russia, the BREM-1 is used by various African nations, India, Venezuela, and several former Soviet Republics.  Most these are the improved BREM-1M, designed to support the T-90S tanks that many of these countries also field. It’s main role is to recover damaged or stuck or overturned tanks and IFVs from the battlefield, and its armor suite helps in this regard, as it is meant to work on the front lines.

 

BREM-1

     The turret of the T-72A has been removed and replaced with a raised superstructure.  The chassis remains that of the T-72A, including the suspension and the V-46 780-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine, with an automatic transmission.  Normal fording capability is 1.2 meters, but with preparation, five meters may be forded.

     The main vehicular repair tool is a 4.4-meter crane, able to lift 19 tons at 2.2 meters and 3 tons at its maximum reach of 4.4 meters. It can be used to help recover stuck or overturned vehicles, but its main role is to lift turrets clear of a tank for repair and to acts as a jack to facilitate roadwheel, suspension, and track repairs (though the BREM-1 also carries two hydraulic jacks). The BREM-1 may move if the crane is lifting no more than 3 tons, but the suspension locks if the BREM-1 tries to move with more than 3 tons on the crane.  The crane folds along the left side of the superstructure for travel. The main winch has a base pull of 25 tons, but this may be doubled with block and tackle, or quadruple that with double blocks and tackle.  The cable is 200 meters.  An auxiliary winch can pull 530 kg, with 425 meters of cable.  The BREM-1 can tow vehicles of up to 50 tons, at a Tr Mov of 48/33.  The dozer blade is primarily used to brace the BREM-1 when using the crane or winches, but can also be used to clear obstacles and dig fighting positions.  It is 3.1 meters wide.

     The BREM-1 has a full complement of tools, including all basic types of tools, an arc welder, and an air compressor.  On the roof is a flat area large enough for a full tank powerplant or 1.5 tons.  A selection of spare parts, including several roadwheels and track sections, are carried. A 5kW APU is carried to power the equipment without turning on the engine. There are V-shaped towbars and tow cables, as well as ropes and hooks of various sizes.  As a Repair and Recovery Vehicle, the BREM-1 carries a copious supply of spare parts for most tanks in the Russian arsenal, as well as some for other vehicles in the Russian inventory.

     The driver is on the front left, with the commander on the front right.  His machinegun is equipped with a VK-10T sight using a collimating telescope. The crane operator is on the top of the superstructure in a cupola with all-around vision blocks.  A fourth mechanic can be carried inside the vehicle as necessary.

 

BREM-1M

     The BREM-1M is the same base vehicle, but is more powerful to support the T-90S tank.  The main improvement is the use of a V-92S2 engine, developing 1000 horsepower.  The crane is improved to be able to lift a base weight of 28 tons at 2.2 meters or 4.4 tons at 4.4 meters.  The main winch can pull 35 tons base pull, or up to 140 tons with the proper block and tackle setup.  The lead winch is the same as that on the BREM-1. The right side of the BREM-1M’s superstructure has bins for carrying spare parts as well as some of the smaller tools. Many recovery and some of the repair functions may be carried out while the crew remains under armor. The BREM-1M is BMS-compatible, as well as having a GPS and a small computer with repair solutions.  Other details are as per the BREM-1.

 

Vehicles

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BREM-1

$342,470

D, A

2.84 tons

41 tons

3+1

49

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

BREM-1M

$924,439

D, A

2.98 tons

45 tons

3+1

52

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicles

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

BREM-1

137/96

38/27

1000+400

290

Stnd

T6

HF140Cp  HS22Sp  HR12**

BREM-1M

155/109

43/30

1000+400

371

Stnd

T6

HF140Cp  HS22Sp  HR12**

 

Vehicles

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BREM-1/1M

+1

None

NSVT (C)

840x12.7mm

*The front dozer blade may serve as ad hoc armor; what it protects depends upon how high it is raised. The blade protects with an AV of 5Sp.

**Roof AV is 8; Floor AV is 8Sp.

 

Kurganmashzavod BREM-2 ARRV

     Notes:  This is a recovery vehicle based on the BMP-1, in the same way that the BREM-1 is based on the T-72.  It is intended for recovery and repair of the BMP-series of infantry fighting vehicles.  It saw first service in 1982.  Some BMP-1s were also converted to BREM-2s, starting in 1986.  Previous to the adoption of the BREM-2, the Soviets were using the BREM-1 for recovery and repair of the BMP-1 and BMP-2; however, this created a deficit in the number of BREM-1s available for recovery and repair of tanks and that the BREM-1 was basically overkill for the recovery of light armored vehicles and IFVs.  AS more BMP-2s were built, an increasing number of BMP-1s became available for conversion to BREM-2s. Russia and other Pact forces use the BREM-2. Russia and other Pact forces use the BREM-2, though many have been replaced with newer vehicles.  Russia, in particular, is in the process of replacing the BREM-2 with the BREM-L (below).

     The turret of the BMP-1 is replaced with an armored plate, and the rear of the vehicle is fitted with a load-carrying platform able to carry a BMP powerpack or something of equivalent weight. The upper hull mounts a crane with a capacity of 1.5 tons. An auxiliary crane may be mounted to increase this weight to 7 tons, though this crane may not work on its own. The interior of the vehicle houses a 6.5-ton capacity winch, which may be lead out the sides or front or rear.  It’s pulling capacity may be raised to 19.5 tons with two sets of snatch blocks.  Various recovery tools are placed in stowage positions at various locations on the hull roof and sides, including a tow bar, 200 meters of rope, basic, tracked vehicle, small arms, and heavy ordinance tools, and excavating tools.  In addition, a hydraulic jack, arc welder, and air compressor is carried, along with a selection of spare parts. The front of the vehicle has a large dozer blade which is used to brace the BREM-2 in recovery operations and when using the crane. 

     The driver remains on the front left of the vehicle.  The commander is on the front right.  The crane is operated from the driver’s position; the driver is also the crane operator.

     There are 12 smoke grenade launchers on the BREM-2, in two clusters.  One of these clusters is a standard 902V Tuchna smoke grenade cluster, while the second cluster is a TDA thermal grenade launcher.  The layout leaves the driver in his standard position on the front left.  The commander is in the front, slightly offset to the right; he has a pintle-mounted machinegun. The other crewmembers are in seats in the hull; the firing ports of the BMP-1 have been deleted, but the vision blocks are retained.  The rear doors, with their fuel tanks, were also retained, and like the BMP-1, their crews often fill them with water or sand to stop rear hits from setting them on fire. The BREM-2 carries a lightweight folding table and a tent to extend the work area at the rear of it. Later, the sideskirts/mudflaps of the BMP-2 were added, making it more stable when swimming.  The crew is protected by an NBC Overpressure system.

     The engine is inherited from the BMP-1, and is a UTD-20 multifuel developing 300 horsepower.  The BREM-2 also inherits the BMP-1’s manual transmission, and its torsion-bar suspension with shocks on the first and last roadwheels.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$134,126

D, G, AvG, A

2.37 tons

13.6 tons

3

13

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

154/108

43/30/5

460

89

Stnd

T3

HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

PKT (C)

1000x7.62mm

*The dozer blade may function as armor for the front of the vehicle; what part of the front it protects depends on how high it is.  The blade functions as AV 5Sp.

 

Omsk BREM-80U

     Notes:  The intent of the BREM-80U was to replace the BREM-1 with a much improved recovery vehicle based on the T-80U tank chassis. It’s specific design role was to provide a recovery vehicle for the T-80 series, though it has a secondary role of recovering other tanks and some smaller vehicles. It was designed in the late 1980s, but did not enter service until 1998.  The advent of the T-80, with its gas turbine engine, introduced complexities in recovery and repair efforts that it was felt only a new ARV could address.  The BREM-80U has its own deficiencies (including its faulty gas turbine engine inherited from the T-80U) and many feel that the need would be better met by a set of improvements to the BREM-1.  The need for the BREM-80 was made more acute by the introduction of the T-80 series onto the international market.  Many say that while the BREM-80U is an important step, and will do as a stopgap, it cannot meet the needs for which it was designed and may soon have to be upgraded or replaced.  The only export customer so far are Cyprus and Russia, who also run a number of T-80Us. It should be noted that the BREM-80U received only low-rate production orders, and never entered full production.  With the acquisition of newer tanks and recovery vehicles, the BREM-80U is rapidly being retired.

     The BREM-80U is generally similar in layout to the BREM-1, but is greatly improved. The turret of the T-80U is removed and the front half of the vehicle is replaced by a raised superstructure.  There are several external stowage boxes on the sides, and roof of the vehicle. (Though the stowage boxes are not armored, the vehicle underneath is.)

     Mounted on the front left of the BREM-80U is its crane; it has a capacity of 18 tons, or 30 tons with snatch blocks.  Those 18 tons are easily enough to lift out the T-80U’s powerpack or lift its turret, but it should be noted that the typical Western tank-based ARV has almost double this lifting power (without snatch blocks). The rear deck can carry the T-80’s powerpack or other large cargoes.  It can rotate 240 degrees.  The main winch can pull 35 tons bare, though with sufficient block and tackle this can be increased to 140 tons.  (Again, note the superior winching power of Western vehicles.)  The main winch has 120 meters of cable; an auxiliary winch can pull 3.5 tons and has 320 meters of cable.  The BREM-80U can easily tow a T-80-series tank, as well as similarly-sized or smaller vehicles.  If necessary, the tracks of the BREM-80U can be replaced with a set that has claws to help traction when using the winch or crane or when towing a vehicle over soft ground.

     Tools include basic, tracked vehicle, small arms, heavy ordnance, electrical, and electronic tools; also included are two sets of pioneer tools.  The BREM-80U also has an arc welder, air compressor, a tow bar, and two hydraulic jacks.  A selection of spare parts (with the accent on T-80 parts) is carried, usually in the outer lockers or attached directly to the hull.  The BREM-80U has a front-mounted dozer blade to brace the vehicle when using the crane or winching; a bracing leg can also be lowered at the rear. The BREM-80U has a 16kW APU to allow for most operations, including crane and winch operations, without having the engine on.

     The driver of the BREM-80U, due to the position of the crane, is moved to the top center of the vehicle, with three vision blocks to the front, one of which has a night channel.  The commander is behind him on a raised, rotatable cupola with a machinegun that may be aimed and fired from within the vehicle with the hatch closed.  The mount has a modicum of stabilization, and the cupola has access to a night channel. (Note that the night vision devices for the commander are actually on top of the hull to the right of the commander’s cupola.) The rest of the crew normally consists of two other members with seats in the hull, though there is a seat for a fifth crewmember if required.  (This crewmember is often a dedicated welding technician.) The vehicle is protected with an automatic fire detection and suppression system, and an NBC Overpressure system.  The vehicle also has air conditioning and heating.  A small computer with repair and recovery solutions is mounted inside the hull on the left side.  The vehicle is equipped with GPS or GLONASS, depending on the wishes of the buyer. The BREM-80U is equipped with two clusters of five smoke grenade launchers; one is a standard 902V Tuchna smoke grenade cluster, while the second cluster is a TDA thermal grenade launcher.

     The BREM-80U is powered by the GTD-1250 gas turbine engine, developing 1250 horsepower. Some early models used a GTD-1000F gas turbine, but these were quickly found to be inadequate and replaced with the GTD-1250. The engines are known to be difficult to maintain and have high fuel consumption; while the intervals between routine servicing is longer, when they have a problem, it’s usually a big one.  The BREM-80U is equipped with a deep wading kit that takes 15 minutes to install; this allows wading (but not swimming) up to 5 meters depth. Wading is otherwise limited to 1.3 meters.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BREM-80U (1250 hp Engine)

$601,828

D, G, JP, AvG, A

4.42 tons

45 tons

4+1

61

WL/IR Spotlight (C), Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C)

Shielded

BREM-80U (1000 hp Engine)

$599,968

D, G, JP, AvG, A

4.31 tons

45 tons

4+1

61

WL/IR Spotlight (C), Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

BREM-80U (1250 hp Engine)

186/130

52/36

1100

535

Stnd

T6

HF152Sp  HS21Sp  HR14

BREM-80U (1000 hp Engine)

155/109

43/30

1100

446

Stnd

T6

HF152Sp  HS21Sp  HR14

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Basic

NSVT (C)

800x12.7mm

*The dozer blade may function as armor for the front of the vehicle; what part of the front it protects depends on how high it is.  The blade functions as AV 5Sp.

 

Kurganmashzavod BREM-L Berglianka

     Notes:  The BREM-L is an ARV (Armored Repair Vehicle) based on the BMP-3 chassis. It is specifically designed to take care of the BMP-3, but also has a role in taking care of other members of the BMP series.  Unlike most vehicles in Russian service, the BREM-L was exported first, to several Mediterranean, South American, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian countries. After that, full-rate production began for the Russian Army. It is based on the BMP-3 chassis and engine, and so has decent armor protection, speed, and agility.  It is regarded as one of the world’s best light ARVs.

     In the BREM-L, the BMP-3 turret is removed and replaced with a small armored cupola on the center right of the vehicle, mounting a PKT machinegun. Though most sources state that the BREM-L uses a UTD-29 turbocharged engine developing 500 horsepower, some sources assert that the BREM-L’s engine is actually a UTD-29T, with high torque and developing 450 horsepower.  Though this would make the BREM-L slower, it would actually increase towing capability and winching ability (if the winches are being powered by the engine).The transmission is manual.  The suspension is hydropneumatic, allowing the driver to adjust the suspension to suit the ground being covered, or to hunker the vehicle lower to the ground for extra stability when using the winch or the crane.

     The left side of the roof has a crane that can lift 6 tons, or 12 tons if a pulley block is installed first; this is to the left and rear of the commander.  This crane can lift the BMP-3’s entire power pack, the turret, or, with a little work, the passenger compartment of the BMP-3.  The crane is capable of 360-degree slewing, and a reach of 4.852 meters. The BREM-L can move slowly (no more than Com Mov 5) with a load on the crane. The vehicle's winch has a 20-ton capacity, or 40 tons if a pulley block is installed first, or up to 80 tons with two such blocks.  It has 150 meters of cable. Usually, when the winch is used, a dozer blade mounted at the front of the vehicle is first lowered; this can also be used for obstacle clearance and for general preparation of fighting positions.  The blade is slightly wider than the front of the BREM-L.  There is a load area on the rear hull roof for carrying large stores such as BMP engines and transmissions.  Towing is up to 30 tons; however, at 20 tons, Tr Mov and Com Mov are halved. The BREM-L is equipped with two pulley blocks, a tow bar, various lengths of rope and cable, and basic tools, tracked vehicle tools, small arms tools, and heavy ordinance tools.  It has welding sets for steel and aluminum.  It has an air compressor, and a hydraulic jack, and a selection of spare parts. These are normally carried in external lockers or on the hull of the BREM-L.  A 20kW APU is carried to run the vehicle while the engine is turned off.

     The BREM-L may swim with a little preparation.  If the vehicle being towed can also swim, the BREM-L may swim while towing the stricken vehicle.  To the left of the commander is a bank of four smoke grenade launchers.

     As stated, the commander is on a raised cupola with all-around vision blocks.  His center front block has a night channel.  He is armed with a machinegun which can be aimed and fired from within the vehicle.  Behind the commander is a spotlight on a mast, along with a CCTV day/night camera; this may be rotated by any crewmember needing it, except from the driver’s position. The driver is on the front left; he has vision blocks to the front.  The center block is a wide-angle block and has a night channel. Normally, there is only one other crewmember, seated in the hull; however, the BREM-L may carry two other crewmembers if the need arises. The large doors in the rear of the BMP-3 are deleted, but there is one smaller hatch.  This does not have a firing port, but does have a vision block.  Other vision blocks have been retained, but not the firing ports. The crew has air conditioning and heating and an NBC Overpressure system, as well as a fire detection and suppression system.  They have a small computer loaded with manuals pertaining to its roles.

     The BREM-L has a tertiary role: reconnaissance.  In this role, the BREM-L uses its internal BMS and GLONASS and vision equipment to spot enemy groups and positions and relay them to higher units.  The vehicle’s BMS helps in this regard. It is also equipped with FLIR, a laser rangefinder, and a laser designator.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BREM-L (500 hp)

$858,374

D, G, AvG, A

3.37 tons

18.7 tons

3+2

16

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), FLIR (C), WL Spotlight (G), Day/Night CCTV (G)

Shielded

BREM-L (450 hp)

$858,946

D, G, AvG, A

3.15 tons

18.7 tons

3+2

16

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), FLIR (C), WL Spotlight (G), Day/Night CCTV (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

BREM-L (500 hp)

180/130

52/36/10

460

193

Stnd

T3

HF9  HS5  HR4

BREM-L (450 hp)

165/116

46/32/9

460

167

Stnd

T3

HF9  HS5  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Basic

PKTM (C)

2000x7.62mm

*The dozer blade may function as armor for the front of the vehicle; what part of the front it protects depends on how high it is.  The blade functions as AV 5Sp.

 

Volgograd JSC BREM-D

     Notes: The BREM-D is based on the BTR-D and is meant to service and recover the BMD series of IFVs.  The BREM-D entered service in the late 1990s, and is currently in service with Russia and most of the former Soviet Republics that inherited part or all of the BMD-1 and BMD-2 forces in their countries.  It is a very light ARV, with construction very similar to the BTR-D and BMD-1’s chassis’.

     The BREM-D uses an A-frame crane that can rotate through 180 degrees, enabling it to reach over the front or rear of the vehicle.  It has a reach of 3 meters in either direction.  Its base capacity is 1.5 tons, but this may be doubled, quadrupled, or octupled depending on how many times the cable is run through the pulley and the top of the vehicle.  The crane rests over the rear of the vehicle and is locked down in a retaining frame for traveling or parachute drops.  The crane is powered through the BREM-D’s vehicular hydraulic system, though it can be powered by a hand pump if the engine is switched off.  The crane is controlled by the vehicle commander.  The BREM-D’s winch is capable of a single pull of 3.5 tons, though again this may be doubled or greater through the use of successive snatch blocks, to a maximum pull of 10.5 tons.  The cable is 100 meters long and runs through several internal rubber rollers in a framework inside the vehicle, ultimately unrolling from a reel inside the front of the vehicle.  The dozer blade is used to brace the vehicle during crane and winch operations; the blade has no actual mechanism and is deployed by one man lifting or lowering on each side of the blade to the ground position, travel position, or obstacle-dozing position.  The blade cannot be used to dig fighting positions.  Instead of a towbar, the BREM-D has twin telescoping towbars with internal shock absorbers, and powered by vehicle hydraulic power.  Other tools include basic, power, electrical, electronic, tracked vehicle, small arms, and heavy ordnance tools.  It also carries a welding set powered by the vehicle’s electrical system (the engine must be on, as the welding set would otherwise drain the batteries almost immediately), and an air compressor.  It does not carry a hydraulic jack; the crane is used for this purpose instead.  A set of pioneer tools is carried, along with several ropes, cables, and snatch blocks, and a selection or spare parts.

     The commander/crane operator has a cupola on the front right; this cupola is manually-rotating and has all around vision blocks.  It is armed, usually with a PKT, AGS-17, or AGS-30.  The commander has an elevated periscope and a spotlight on a mast. A crewmember is seated to the right of the driver; he may fire a PKTS machinegun, though this is mounted in the bow ahead of the gunner and has no more than 15 degrees of traverse and elevation.  The driver is on the front left.  The three firing ports on each side of the BTR-D are retained on the BREM-D, though not normally manned.  Crewmembers exit and enter through the various hatches on the roof; there is no rear hatch and the engine is in the back.  The crew has a heater and a collective NBC system to plug their protective masks into.

     The engine is that of the BTR-D, a Type 5D20-240 diesel engine, developing 240 horsepower.  The transmission is automatic. The suspension is specially-designed for the BREM-D’s role; it is a variable-height hydropneumatic suspension that allows the BREM-D to “squat” when being carried in aircraft and being airdropped.  The roadwheels are likewise small, and the tracks are a mere 230mm wide.  A side-effect of this suspension appears to be a relatively decent ride.  The BREM-D is amphibious with a little preparation – a trim vane must be erected, bilge pumps turned on, and a periscope must be inserted into a socket and extended by the driver.  The bilge pump has a manual backup. This preparation takes 10 minutes.  Propulsion in the water is by hydrojets. The hydrojets have shutters which allow for surprising maneuverability when swimming – the BREM-D can turn a complete circle in place while floating.  This is aided by the hydrojets’ being able to suck in water as well as expel it.  The BREM-D can tow another vehicle while swimming if that vehicle is also amphibious.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$86,265

D, A

2.02 tons

8 tons

4

11

Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

198/139

55/39/8

300

89

Stnd

T4

HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

PKT, AGS-17, or AGS-30 (C), PKTS (Bow)

2000x7.62mm, or 1000x7.62mm and 254x30mm

*The dozer blade may function as armor for the front of the vehicle; what part of the front it protects depends on how high it is.  The blade functions as AV 5Sp.

 

Volgograd JSC RKhM-5 Povozka

     Notes: The RKhM-5 is based on the BTR-D chassis and is designed to provide NBC reconnaissance to Russian Airborne troops, and to a lesser extent, Naval Infantrymen.  It entered very limited service (3 vehicles) in March 2012, and the Russian Army began testing these first examples in 2011.  Acquisition has been hampered by budgetary problems, and it is still in a low LRIP at this time.  It is used only by Russia at this time, but is available for export, but no such orders have been made.

    The NBC suite is almost the same at that of the RKhM-4-01 (see Russian Wheeled Engineer Vehicles), but it does not carry as many flags, and if airdropped the flag dispensers have to be mounted after it reaches the ground. (They are secured to the same pallet as the RKhM-5, but they would be ripped off in the slipstream if dropped connected to the vehicle). It also carries a smaller crew of specialists, and the NBC instruments are more advanced (for the most part, the same as the RKhM-4-01 for game purposes). The RKhM-5 has a Geiger counter, two dosimeters, an automatic chemical contamination alarm, devices for determining what agent is causing chemical contamination, and devices to analyze general weather conditions, especially wind direction and speed.  Gamma, beta, and alpha radiation can be detected and analyzed from within the vehicle.  The RKhM-5 has special arms on one side of the vehicle to take samples and bring them into a special compartment for analysis. The RKhM-5 can detect most types of chemical contamination used or stockpiled today. The arm is dexterous enough (assuming the operator is dexterous enough) to take in leaves, earth, and reach up to two meters into a tree or other surface to take materials for analysis.  The RKhM-5 can also take air samples and analyze them. It can also detect some types of biological contamination, such as bacteria and food poisoning.

     On the rear and sides of the RKhM-5 are three warning flag dispensers, each with 30 flags.  They can be deployed from within the vehicle or set to deploy automatically at a certain interval, and come in different colors to denote radiation and chemical contamination. The RKhM-5 has an eight-barreled signal flare launcher, which may be manually triggered or set to fire automatically upon detecting chemical or radiological contamination.  The RKhM-5 has a meteorological set, detecting wind speed and direction, humidity, and temperature. The RKhM-5 carries a complete set of reloads for the flare launcher.  The RKhM-5 has GPS navigation and a small computer to act as a mapping module, advise the commander of the proper routes, and convert areas to map coordinates. The RKhM-5 also conducts general route reconnaissance, and can note condition of roads, bridges, and areas of high water and put them on the map. The RKhM-5 has several short-range and long-range radios, which are data-capable, and is equipped with a BMS.

     The RKhM-5 has more advanced armor than the rest of the BMD series.  It is spaced on the front and the body of the vehicle is made from alternating steel and aluminum plates.

     The driver is on the front center, and the driver also mans an RPKS-74 automatic rifle.  The RPKS-74 can be removed and used as a dismounted weapon, but doing so reportedly requires a contortionist to accomplish. The mount gives its weapon about 30 degrees of traverse and elevation and 10 degrees of depression.  The commander is on the front right, and has a manually-rotating cupola with all-around vision blocks.  Both have night vision.   The driver has an overhead hatch, and has three vision blocks to the front. The commander is armed with a machinegun on a pintle mount connected to the cupola. The three firing ports on each side of the vehicle are retained. Three NBC specialists are in the center crew compartment of the RKhM-5, along with scads of instruments, radios, and a computer; the crew compartment is a bit cramped, and the specialists cannot stand all the way up; they normally use most of their instruments while seated or crouching.  They have two hatches on the center deck.

     The engine used on the RKhM-5 is a 2V-06-2 450-horsepower supercharged diesel, coupled to an automatic transmission.  This gives it excellent speed, needed when conducting reconnaissance missions possibly behind enemy lines. The suspension type is the same – a hydropneumatic variable-height suspension, but the height adjustment capability is different (130-530mm, versus 100-450mm for the BMD-1 and BMD-2).  The roadwheels are small, and the tracks are a mere 230mm wide.  A side-effect of this suspension appears to be a relatively decent ride.  Preparation for amphibious operations and amphibious performance is largely the same as the BMD-1 and BMD-2. RKhM-5 is amphibious with a little preparation – a trim vane must be erected, a periscope must be inserted into a socket and extended by the driver, and bilge pumps turned on.  The bilge pump has a manual backup. This preparation takes 10 minutes.  Propulsion in the water is by hydrojets. The hydrojets have shutters which allow for surprising maneuverability when swimming – the RKhM-5 can turn a complete circle in place while floating.  This is aided by the hydrojets’ being able to suck in water as well as expel it. 

 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$906,499

D, A

471 kg

13.2 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

222/157

62/44/16

300

167

Stnd

T4

HF11Sp  HS7  HR4

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

PKT (C), RPKS-74 (D)

2000x7.62mm, 2160x5.45mm

 

ZTS BTS-1

     Notes:  The BTS-1 was one of the Soviet Union's first post-war armored recovery vehicle designs.  The first version, the BTS-1, is a rather primitive design with very limited capabilities.  It entered service in the early 1950s.  The BTS-1 underwent a long series of upgrading and refurbishment throughout its career, both in Soviet service and in the services of the many countries it was used by.  The BTS-1 did establish the basic form of tank-based ARVs.

 

BTS-1

     The BTS-1 established for basic form for tank-based ARVs: the turret removed and replaced by a raised superstructure.  In the BTS-1, only the front of the vehicle is a raised superstructure; the rear has eight large stowage boxes to carry its equipment, personal equipment, and spare parts.  There is no flat platform, and the BTS-1 cannot carry a powerpack on top.  If it needs to bring an engine and/or transmission, it usually does this with a trailer.  The BTS-1 has a light crane with a bare lift capacity of 1 ton, though by increasing cable runs between the pulley and the rear of the vehicle, up to 4 tons may be lifted.  The BTS-1 is hampered in recovery efforts by its lack of a winch; it is limited to hooking rope or cable onto the vehicle to be recovered and pulling with the BTS-1 itself, though the BTS-1 is inadequate for recovering something like a T-55 or heavier tank in this way.  It has a dozer blade in the rear to brace itself during crane operations.  Equipment carried includes most basic toolsets, an air compressor, and a hydraulic jack, along with a large selection of spare parts.  Also carried are several ropes, cables of various thicknesses, snatch blocks, and a chain saw.

     Notes: The driver is on the front left, and the commander is on a manually-rotating raised cupola armed with a weapon.  The third crewmember is the crane operator; he has a hatch on the center left, and his seat faces to the rear.  Up to two other mechanics may be carried in the hull.

     The Finnish version of the BTS-1, which they designated the BTS-2 (not to be confused with the BTS-2 below), is equipped with a crane capable of a basic lift of 12 tons.  It is otherwise like the BTS-1.

     The engine of the BTS-1 is the same as early T-54s: a 500-horsepower diesel V-54 engine.

 

BTS-1M

     This was an attempt to replace the BTR-1 with a vehicle capable of providing more support to the T-54, T-55, and other vehicles.  In the center rear deck is a flat space surrounded by drop sides.  The BTS-1M has a more powerful V-55 580-horsepower engine, and a more capable crane of 20 tons (but still no winch). The superstructure is extended to the rear, and the stowage boxes are moved to the sides and the roof.

 

BTS-2

     The BTS-2 is different from the BTS-1M largely in that is based on the T-55A hull rather than the T-54.  It also adds a winch with a basic pulling force of 30 tons.  The cargo capacity is greater than either iteration of the BTS-1. 

 

BTS-4

     The BTS-4 is similar to the BTS-2, but it carries a long snorkel device to allow it to crawl along the bottom of bodies of water up to 8 meters deep.  The entire vehicle is watertight because of this, but it cannot actually swim.  Mounting the snorkel takes 20 minutes.  The snorkel connects to the commander’s hatch and there is a platform at the top for the commander to stand on.  On the outside of the snorkel is a ladder to allow the commander to climb to the top. Mounting the snorkel is a three-man job.  Removing the snorkel is also a 3-man job, and takes 10 minutes to dismount the snorkel.  At this point, the snorkel may be left behind, or 4 more minutes may be taken to lock it back down on top of the vehicle.  It locks down just left of center. Alternatively, a slight explosive charge may be fired which jettisons the snorkel from the vehicle; I suppose one could give the commander a big surprise and fire the charge while he is in the snorkel, but generally the commander climbs back down into his hatch and locks it down before the charge is fired. After the snorkel operation, the commander’s machinegun must be tilted down to empty the barrel of water.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BTS-1

$193,590

D, A

1.29 tons

36 tons

3+2

21

Active/Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

BTS-2 (Finnish)

$224,290

D, A

1.29 tons

36.03 tons

3+2

21

Active/Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

BTS-1M

$227,634

D, A

1.39 tons

34 tons

3+2

21

Active/Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

BTS-2

$244,739

D, A

1.93 tons

32 tons

3+2

17

Active/Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

BTS-4

$254,634

D, A

1.91 tons

32.14 tons

3+2

18

Active/Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

BTS-1

108/76

30/21

812

149

Stnd

T6

HF63  HS12  HR8

BTS-2 (Finnish)

108/76

30/21

812

149

Stnd

T6

HF63  HS12  HR8

BTS-1M

126/88

35/25

812

173

Stnd

T6

HF63  HS12  HR8

BTS-2

132/93

37/26

812

173

Stnd

T6

HF60  HS12  HR6

BTS-4

132/92

37/26

812

173

Stnd

T6

HF60  HS12  HR6

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

(All)

None

None

PKT (C)

2000x7.62mm

*The rear of the BTS series has a dozer blade.  It can be used as ad hoc armor, what it protects depends on how high the blade is raised.  The blade provides an AV of 5Sp.

 

Rubisovsk RM-G

     Notes: Called by the Russians the Repair Tracked Vehicle or RTV, this vehicle is in service only with the Russian Army, and has not been offered for export sales.  Though specifically designed to service the BMP series, the RM-G is capable of performing repairs on a wide variety of vehicles to one degree or another. The RM-G has a secondary role of technical reconnaissance, primarily to find out when vehicles are suitable for recovery or should be abandoned or destroyed, and to see if the damaged or destroyed vehicle has any parts worth scavenging. The RM-G often operates in conjunction with a BREM-2 or BREM-L ARV.

     The RM-G is built on the chassis of the BMP-1, though it is modified almost beyond recognition.  However, a different turret is mounted at the rear of the vehicle, and this turret mounts the crane, with which the crane is able to slew 228 degrees. The RM-G is designed for repair, and features a complete toolkit composed of all types of tools as well as pioneer tools.  The RM-G also has a welding set, air compressor, hydraulic jack, a hand-held circular cutter, and a slave cable.  The RM-G has space for one ton of spare parts, including several roadwheels and track sections. The RM-G has a crane with a capacity of 3 tons and a range of 228 degrees, and a reach of 4.01 meters.  The RM-G is a repair vehicle, not a recovery vehicle, and does not have a winch for recovery or a dozer blade for bracing (though it does carry two tow bars). It does have, however, a small computer with repair and BDAR solutions for various vehicles.

     Due to the RM-G’s secondary role of technical reconnaissance, the RM-G is equipped with a TV camera and two long-range data-capable radios.

     The driver is on the front left, with the commander to the rear of him in a small turret (bigger than a cupola, but otherwise the same).  The turret does not actually mount a weapon; the weapon is on a mount on the turret ring, Atop this turret is a hatch. The vehicle’s weapon can be aimed and fired from inside the vehicle. The driver has one wide angle vision block to the front and two more to the front and two others looking left.  The commander’s turret is ringed with vision blocks.  The driver’s middle block has a night vision channel, as does the front block and gunsight on the commander’s cupola.  Two other mechanics are seated in the hull behind the commander’s turret; one of these has a position behind the commander with a simple hatch, and he operates the crane.  The crew is protected by NBC Overpressure with a collective NBC backup, and a heater.  The RM-G retains the BMP-1’s rear doors and firing ports.

     The RM-G has the BMP-1’s engine and transmission, and so has torsion bar suspension with shocks on the first and rear roadwheels.  The engine is a UTD-20 diesel developing 300 horsepower.  As it is amphibious, it is cable of performing repairs while swimming, though the crane is not useable when swimming, and performing repairs while swimming can be problematic.

     Most RM-Gs are based on the BMP-1 chassis; however, newer conversions (the RM-GM) have been based on the BMP-2 chassis.  This variant is nearly identical for many game purposes, but does have some differences, such as a different armor suite and the addition of a BMS, GLONASS navigation system, a Vehicular State system, and test equipment for damaged vehicles to help determine if they are salvageable.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

RM-G

$164,864

D, A

447 kg

14.8 tons

4

11

Passive IR (D, C), WL Spotlight (C), TV Camera (CO)

Shielded

RM-GM

$635,238

D, A

467 kg

14.88 tons

4

15

Passive IR (D), Image Intensifier (C), WL Spotlight (C), CCD Camera (CO)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

RM-G

143/100

40/28/5

462

89

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TS6  HF8  HS4  HR4

RM-GM

143/100

40/28/5

462

89

Trtd

T3

TF11  TS7  TR6  HF9  HS5  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

RM-G/GM

+1

Basic

PKT (C)

2000x7.62mm

 

OKB-520 IMR

     Notes: This predecessor of the IMR-2 was first seen in 1973.  It is based on the chassis of a T-55. The IMR is no longer being used by Russian regular or reserve units or Eastern European countries, but still equips some Russian Mobilization-Only units.  In addition, it is being used in regular or reserve units by China, several Middle Eastern nations, and some African countries.  The IMR is a CEV, but has a secondary role as an NBC reconnaissance vehicle.

     In the IMR, the turret of the T-55 is removed and replaced by large crane. In the IMR, the T-55 turret is removed and replaced with the crane turntable (in the center of the vehicle) and other combat engineer equipment.  The crane is telescoping and is normally carried back on the center, telescoped fully in. The crane can turn through 360 degrees and has a capacity of 2 tons.  The crane head may be equipped with a standard lifting head, or other accessories, including a pincer for grabbing, a bucket, or an auger.  The pincer can be used for clearing obstacles and ripping down items such as trees and building supports. The front of the IRM has a dozer blade for digging fighting positions, clearing obstacles or mines, or other work. 

     The IMR normally carries an assortment of tools, including basic tools, excavating tools, power tools, construction tools, and air compressor, and a welding and cutting set. A fascine roll is often carried above the dozer blade, strapped to the front below the driver’s position, and it is ejected from the commander’s position.

     The IMR has a winch with a basic pulling capacity of 20 tons, and the cable goes out through the front.  In front is a large mine plow that can also be used to brace the vehicle during crane operations.  The blade also has teeth to rip up roads and asphalt, and concrete surfaces.  The crane has variable geometry and can be pulled almost straight to aid when digging fighting positions or when the crane arm is being operated.  The blade may also be used with the teeth removed and used to construct dirt roads, at the rate 8 kilometers per hour.  It can be used to smooth over existing roads and fill trenches, or dig fighting positions.

     The commander and driver both have raised cupolas; the commander’s is manually-rotating, while the driver’s is non-rotating.  The commander’s cupola has all-around vision blocks and a night vision device, as well as a rotating periscope.  The driver has vision blocks to his front and both sides; the center front vision block may be removed and replaced with a night vision block.  The commander operates all of the external tools, including the crane and its accessories.  The driver operates the winch, with the commander (out of the vehicle paying out the cable); he also operates the mine plow.  Inside the IMR, the crew has the protection of NBC Overpressure, as well as an automatic fire detection and suppression system.  The commander has a rotating spotlight for use when operating the arm or clearing obstacles. The IMR also carries 20 kilograms of C4 and the equivalent of an engineer’s demo kit (though the items are distributed around the inside of the vehicle in lockers).

     The IMR, being based on the T-55, uses a V-55 580-horsepower diesel, modified to produce high torque. It has a manual transmission.  The IMR can be hermetically sealed, allowing fording in water of up to 5 meters; an 8-meter snorkel is used at the commander’s position when deep fording is done.   On each side of the vehicle are banks of 4 smoke grenade launchers.  The IMR can also produce a thick, oily smokescreen by injecting diesel into its exhaust. The IMR has a DP-38 retenonmeter for radiation detection and measuring the amount of contamination.  The IMR has VHPR device, which detects chemical contamination and to a limited extent, the type and degree of contamination.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: During the Twilight War the IMR was still being used by many second-line Warsaw pact countries, China, several Middle Eastern nations, and some African countries. 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$2,990,714

D, A

1.69 tons tons

37.5 tons

2

27

Active/Passive IR (D, C), WL/IR Searchlight ©

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

117/82

33/23

812+380

173

Stnd

T6

HF67  HS16  HR8

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

RM-G/GM

Nil

Nil

None

50 kg C4, Engineer Demo Kit

*The IMR has an armored mine plow in front which can function as ad hoc armor.  What it protects depends on how high the plow is raised.  The plow has an AV of 12Sp for this purpose.

 

Uralvagonzavod IMR-2

     Notes:  This is a more advanced Russian combat engineer vehicle than the IMR, being based on a T-72 chassis.  That said, the IMR and IMR-2 are similar designs, except for their chassis. They entered service in 1982, and had replaced most of the IMRs in Russian, Czech, and Polish service by 1987.  The IMR-2 saw some action in Chechnya and was also used to help bury the breached reactor at Chernobyl, due to its high protection against radiation. 

     The turret of the T-72 has been replaced by a large turntable/small turret, from which is controlled the crane.  The crane is locked to the rear during traveling. The crane can be traversed through 360 degrees and has a capacity of 2 tons at a reach of 8.15 meters.  The crane may use several heads, including a lifting hook, pincer claws, and an auger.  The front of the IMR-2 has a V-shaped mine plow that is armored against mines and is 1 meter high and 3.38 meters wide.  It has a variable geometry; angle grading as well as straight plowing is possible with this blade.  The plow is also hinged near the bottom, allowing it to operate as a grab bucket. The front of the blade also had an extendible probe that is used to send radio signals to trigger the fuses on mines, explosive shells, and other such hazards.  It is 65% likely to detonate any such device it encounters if the fuse is a contact, tilt rod, or radio type.  When not in use, the plough is raised completely upwards to the 90-degree position. The IMR-2 carries a wide assortment of tools, including basic tools, excavating tools, power tools, construction tools, and air compressor, and a welding and cutting set. The IMR-2 series does not have a winch.

     The crew consists of a driver and commander/crane operator; the driver is in the center front and the commander is in the small space in front of the crane.  (It really is cramped.) He has a pintle-mounted weapon to his front, but he is not on a cupola, though he does have a wide-angle vision block on each side of him, and his seat rotates.  They are protected by an NBC Overpressure system and an automatic fire detection and suppression system.  The driver and commander’s positions connect through a small tunnel, and there is also a space to keep personal gear, branching off this tunnel.

     The IMR-2 uses a V-84-1 turbocharged diesel engine developing 840 horsepower, modified to produce high torque, and is controlled by an automatic transmission.  With preparation, the IMR-2 may ford up to 5 meters; instead of a snorkel, the IMR-2 is completely watertight, and the commander gives instructions to the driver using a periscope. On each side of the vehicle are banks of 4 smoke grenade launchers.  At the rear of the vehicle are a pair of MICLIC launchers for minefield breaching.

     There were several variants produced over the years.

     The Klin-1 is a remote-control version of the IMR-2 and did much of the ground work at Chernobyl.  The Klin-1 was essentially a hasty modification of existing IMR-2s. It could be controlled over a range of one kilometer, but control over the crane arm and tools got noticeably fuzzy at ranges of over 600 meters.  The Klin-1 was equipped with external TV cameras, and while it did have space and controls for a crew, a crew is not normally present except when the vehicle is moving on roads or cross-country at high speed.  The Klin-1 does not normally carry the manual tools the IMR-2 carries, such as a welding set or something like that, or stuff like fascine rolls, but it is capable of carrying them, normally if a crew is present. The Klin-1 is equipped with a DP-38 retenonmeter for radiation detection and measuring the amount of contamination.  Most Klin-1s were parked in an open field near Pripyat after their use at Chernobyl and, contaminated more than Soviet decontamination could deal with, they have been left to this day to “cool off.”

     The IMR-2M1 is identical, except for a difference in weight and speed caused by the removal of the MICLIC launchers; the hydraulic system is also more protected and has a backup system. 

     The IMR-2M2 is designed for NBC reconnaissance as well as normal combat engineer jobs. The IMR-2M2 has a DP-38 retenonmeter for radiation detection and measuring the amount of contamination.  The IMR-2M2 has VHPR device, which detects chemical contamination and to a limited extend, the type and degree of contamination; it is roughly equivalent to an optical chemical detector.  It adds to the tool set for the crane arm with a more useful digging bucket.  The mine plow has additional armor. The commander’s machinegun, however, is removed; the small quarters never really allowed it to be used effectively in battle; for the commander, small arms are more easily used.  It also does not have the MICLIC launchers.  It does, however, have extra mine protection in the form of extra armor plate for the floor. It entered service in 1990, as did the IMR-2M1.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

IMR-2

$1,286,732

D, A

1.53 tons

44.3 tons

2

29

Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

IMR-2 Klin-1

$752,706

D, A

1.53 tons

41.87 tons

2

31

Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

IMR-2M1

$923,410

D, A

1.65 tons

43.64 tons

2

27

Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

IMR-2M2

$797,160

D, A

1.76 tons

44.28 tons

2

31

Passive IR (D), WL Spotlight ©

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

IMR-2

139/97

39/27

1000+400

310

CiH

T6

TF30Sp  TS30Sp  TS30Sp  HF140Cp  HS22Sp  HR12*

IMR-2 Klin-1

145/102

40/28

1000+400

310

CiH

T6

TF30Sp  TS30Sp  TS30Sp  HF140Cp  HS22Sp  HR12*

IMR-2M1

141/99

39/27

1000+400

310

CiH

T6

TF30Sp  TS30Sp  TS30Sp  HF140Cp  HS22Sp  HR12*

IMR-2M2

139/97

39/27

1000+400

310

CiH

T6

TF30Sp  TS30Sp  TS30Sp  HF140Cp  HS22Sp  HR12**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

IMR-2/2M1

None

None

NSVT (C)

500x12.7mm, 50 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest

IMR-2 Klin-1

None

None

None

None

IMR-2M2

None

None

None

50 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest

*The dozer blade can act as ad hoc armor for the frontal arc of the IMR-2 series.  What part of the front the blade protects depends on how high it is raised; the blade can be raised so high that it protects the front of the top armor (and this is actually the travel position for the blade of the IMR-2).  The blade has an AV 12Sp. For this purpose.

**The dozer blade of the IMR-2M2 can be used as ad hoc armor as other IMR-2s, but the AV is 14Sp.  The IMR-2M2 also has strengthened belly armor which has an AV of 12.

 

Uralvagonzavod IMR-3

     Notes:  This is the Russians' newest combat engineer vehicle, based on the chassis of the T-90 tank.  It was in LRIP as early as 1991, but full production did not occur until 1999. It is also known as the IMR-2MA, IMR-2A and IMR-3MA. Its primary job is to clear obstacles, smooth damaged roadways, and clear rubble from urban areas.  This vehicle is only in Russian service, and has seen action in Chechnya and Ukraine.  The IMR-3 has always been a limited-production vehicle.

     As is usual for these converted tanks, the turret is removed; in its place is the turntable for the jib and the commander’s turret.  The dozer blade can smooth a road of about 6 km by the width of the vehicle in one hour, depending on the degree of difficulty of the obstacles, or clear earthwork at a rate of 300 cubic meters per hour, or loose rubble at a rate of about 400 cubic meters an hour.  The dozer blade is also almost mine proof for purposes of clearing mines.  It uses a lighter dozer blade (though just as strong) called the KMT-3R.  This blade is described by many sources as “massive” or “huge.”  It comes in two wings, which may be operated individually, allowing for a greater variety of obstacle-clearing scenarios.  It is usually used in a V-shape, as a mine plow; it can be used straight, though, for bulldozing.  Even through asphalt or concrete, the blade can dig 450 centimeters per pass. The front of both wings also had an extendible probe that is used to send radio signals to trigger the fuses on mines, explosive shells, and other such hazards.  It is 85% likely to detonate any such device it encounters if the fuse is a contact, tilt rod, or radio type.  This type of detonation does not damage the plow. 

       The IRM-3 has a crane with a capacity of 3 tons, a main winch with a capacity of 35 tons and 100 meters of cable, and a secondary winch with a capacity of 15 tons and 120 meters of cable.  Normal tools carried include basic tools, excavating tools, power tools, construction tools, an air compressor, and a welding and cutting set.  The jib is designed to use three tools; an auger, a lifting hook, and a combination excavator bucket/pincers.  However, replacing tool heads is a long process, requiring 15 minutes and the crew to leave the vehicle and work with tools to accomplish the task.  (For some reason, the Russians chose not to use the snap-in tools they used on early versions of the IMR.) For this reason, the head normally used, the bucket/pincers, is almost always mounted. The arm is mounted on the left side of the vehicle, about one-third of the way back, next to the turret.  It has a reach of 8 meters and has a swing of 360 degrees.

     There are two crewmembers.  The driver is in the front center; he is in the front center and has three large windows to the front, with the sides angled to the left and right sides.  The windows may have armored shutters lowered over them, in which case the driver sees through vision blocks above the windows.  One has a day/night channel.  The driver has an overhead hatch, but getting into it past all the plow machinery is a little difficult.  The commander has a conical-shaped small turret, which has a cupola at the top with all-around vision blocks and a night channel on the front block.  The cupola is manually rotatable.  Between the commander and driver is a small tunnel which connects the two positions, along with a space to put personal items.  The commander’s machinegun can be aimed and fired from under armor. The driver’s and commander’s position are much more roomy than on an IMR-2, as is the space for personal and vehicle equipment and for electronic equipment.

     The IMR-3 has a DP-38 retenonmeter for radiation detection and measuring the amount of contamination.  The IMR-3 has VHPR device, which detects chemical contamination and to a limited extend, the type and degree of contamination.  There is a 5kW generator to power the tools, winches, and crane when the engine is off.  The engine is the same as the early versions of the T-90 – a V-84MS 840-horsepower turbocharged diesel.  The armor level is also the same.  IMR-3s in service with the Russian Army have a BMS and GLONASS.  The crew is protected by an NBC Overpressure system and a fire detection/suppression system.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle is extremely rare in the Twilight 2000 timeline, with perhaps 12 having been built before the start of the War.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,298,437

D, G, AvG, A

2.49 tons

47.4 tons

2

32

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), Thermal Imaging (C), WL Spotlight (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

132/93

37/26

1200

311

CiH

T6

TF50Cp  TS30Sp  TR16  HF180Cp  HS30Sp  HR18

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Basic

Kord (C)

1050x12.7mm, 20 kg C4, Engineer Demo Chest

 

Kurganmashzavod IRM Zhuk

     Notes:  This vehicle is described by the Russians as an "Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle,” and is based on a lengthened BMP-1 chassis (seven roadwheels instead of six).  Used only by the Russians, the IRM’s job is to conduct route reconnaissance, checking the conditions or roads, trails, bridges, and fording sites.  It is also used to detect mines and minefields.  It has a secondary role as an artillery observer vehicle, and can also detect radiation and chemical contamination.  A tertiary role is electronic intrusion to listen into enemy radio networks.

     The IRM is fully amphibious, and may operate fully submerged along the bottom of a body of water with the aid of a 10-meter snorkel.  The IRM does this with small ballast tanks, a trim vane, and some sandbags in the hull. The IRM can also swim, using two propellers at the rear to propel itself and maneuver. The IRM is also equipped with two mine detectors on booms, a sensor for determining the load-bearing capacities of a piece of terrain, devices to determine water depth, surf action, terrain angles, and the thickness of ice.  The vehicle is also equipped with a laser rangefinder/designator, an artillery aiming circle inscribed into the top of the turret, and two radios with a range 300 kilometers in addition to the normal vehicle complement.  These radios are data capable, and can also transmit visual data from the vehicle’s cameras. The IRM also has a medium-range radio and a short-range radio. The IRM is equipped with a rocket-powered grapple for self-recovery, even under enemy fire.  At the rear is a bank of 12 solid rockets to assist in this recovery if necessary.  The IRM may generate a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into its exhaust. Other tools consist of the vehicle’s basic and tracked vehicle tools, a chainsaw, and an air compressor.

     The IRM is equipped with sensors for detecting the amount or type of chemical contamination, and the amount and type of radioactive contamination.  To aid in this, the IRM is equipped with a small arm that allows the crew to snag a piece of vegetation or some other interesting piece of debris. The arm is long enough to reach the ground and into the low branches of a tree.  These are then brought into a special container in the vehicle’s wall for analysis.

     The IRM carries a crew of six; of these, one is the driver and another is the commander, who is in a small turret armed only with a medium machinegun.  The other crewmembers are specialists who each have their own duties in the vehicle. The turret is in the center left of the vehicle; the driver is on the front left.  Naturally, the IRM has NBC Overpressure protection; it also has an automatic fire detection/suppression system, and unusually for a Russian vehicle, air conditioning (with NBC filters and four replacement filters) and heating. There are four MOPP suits and masks for every crewmember, as well as extra filters for the masks. The specialists have CCTV cameras on the center roof and rear roof connected to a monitor on one side of the IRM, as well as an internal computer to aid in their analyses. The commander and driver navigate with a mapping computer module and inertial navigation. Digital information may be sent back to higher HQ up to 300 kilometers away, though using this much range requires the extension of a long-range antenna. There is a laser designator and laser rangefinder, normally operated by the commander through an interactive LCD screen (the actual rangefinder and designator are on a post on the roof).

     The IRM may use BMP-1 appliqué armor on the hull, but not on the turret, which is more akin to a BTR-80’s turret than a BMP-1’s turret. It may also mount lugs for ERA, over the appliqué armor.

     Being a BMP-1 variant, the IRM has a 300-horsepower UTD-20 diesel engine, with a manual transmission.  Suspension is by torsion bar, with shocks on the first and fifth roadwheels. However, the suspension also has an extra shock absorber attached to the center roadwheel, which does smooth the ride somewhat.  The BMP-1 turret is removed; instead, there is an armored plate where the turret was, and there is a small turret up front. The roof where the turret was also has a number of the instruments for the crew; they are mostly mounted on retractable masts.

     The IRM-M1 is essentially a modernized IRM, equipped with a BMS and GLONASS and better, modernized electronics. The radios’ long-range antenna is replaced with a smaller retractable antenna which extends from the right rear of the roof.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

IRM

$1,368,038

D, A

943 kg

17.2 tons

2+4

19

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), FLIR (C), 4xDay/Night CCTV

Shielded

IRM-M1

$1,476,479

D, A

986 kg

17.31 tons

2+4

21

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), FLIR (C), 4xDay/Night CCTV

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

IRM

132/94

36/25/8

600

89

CiH

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR4

IRM-M1

131/92

36/25/8

600

89

CiH

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

IRM

None

None

PKT

2000x7.62mm, 50 kg C4, Engineer Demo Kit.

IRM-M1

+1

Basic

PKT

2000x7.62mm, 50 kg C4, Engineer Demo Kit.

 

Chelyabinsk MTP Technical Support Vehicle

     Notes:  Russia and Pact forces used this armored repair vehicle.  Though it has long been out of service in Russian and Pact units, it is still being used by several Third-World nations, and some Mobilization-Only Russian units are equipped with them. It is based on the closed-top version of the BTR-50, and is used to support armored personnel carriers such as the BTR-series and BMP-series. It is not considered a recovery vehicle, but one to assist in field repair and BDAR of BTR and BMP-class vehicles. It is able to pull out stuck vehicles to an extent, and tow damaged vehicles up to 18 tons in weight (at half-speed). It was used by virtually all countries who used the BTR-50 or early versions of the BMP or BTR series, though most MTPs are long out of service in the world, except in the Third World and some Russian Mobilization-Only units.  Most were out service by the early 1970s. Museums are more interested in the actual BTR-50 though some are used as OPFOR vehicles when they are still running.  They are old, and parts for them are difficult to find, and most ended up as range targets.

     The chassis of the MTP is, for the most part, the same as the BTR-50PK, differing only in minor details.  The upper hull, however, differs greatly from the BTR-50PK, as the raised superstructure of the BTR-50PK extends all the way back on the MTP, and is tall enough for crewmembers to stand within it.  This allows for ample space for work and carrying of personal gear and spare parts and some tools.  Other tools and spare parts are kept in boxes on the sides and rear of the MTP. There is space on the rear deck for carrying a power pack or other large spares. Other equipment carried includes anchors, tow bars and cables, block and tackle, oil and fuel pumps, a 5kW APU, a complete welding set, an air compressor, and a set of tools appropriate for working on wheeled and tracked vehicles.  Ample room is provided for spare parts, and the MTP also has a crane with a capacity of 1.5 tons and a reach of 2.85 meters, and a winch with a capacity of 8 tons (15 tons with block and tackle installed) and 60 meters of cable.

     The MTP has a raised superstructure with hatches for the crew and commander in it.  The driver's hatch is in the normal place, and there are two doors in the rear, above which is kept an extension tent to increase the available covered room for work.  A folding trestle table is carried on the outside for use in these circumstances.  There is a firing port in each side of the crew compartment and in one of the rear doors that can take an AK-series assault rifle or the PK machine gun. The commander’s position is a simple hatch with a pintle-mounted weapon.  He can also bring out an RPG-7 from a rack near his position. Three other mechanics have seats in the hull.  The vehicle has no heater or air conditioner and does not even have a collective NBC system; the crew is reliant on their own MOPP gear and protective masks in case of chemical attack.  There is not even an automatic fire detection/suppression system – there are five fire extinguishers instead for the crew compartment, and one mounted by the engine.

     The MTP can carry bulk amounts of fuel or POL to units which are hard to reach on wheels.  This necessitates removing all but the base crew, and removing the internal lockers for tools and spare parts.  A high-speed fuel pump is added in this case, though most other tools and spare parts are removed.

     As a derivative of the BTR-50PK, the MTP uses the same V-6B 240-horsepower diesel, with a manual transmission.  Suspension is by torsion bars, with no shock absorbers.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$53,668

D, A

1.64 tons

15.5 tons

5

15

Headlights

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

133/67

37/18/6

400

69

Stnd

W(3)

HF3  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

PK, RPG-7 (C)

1250x7.62mm, 4x73mm

 

Kharkiv MTP-LB Technical Support Vehicle

     Notes:  Similar in concept to the MTB technical support vehicle listed above, this vehicle is based on the MT-LB chassis.  It was designed to be a replacement for the MTP and is designed to service the BMP and BTR-series of vehicles.  Like the MTP, it is not considered a recovery vehicle, but one to assist in field repair and BDAR of BTR and BMP-class vehicles. The MTP-LB does not appear to have been exported, nor was it built in large numbers.

     The basic form of the MT-LB is unchanged, except for the addition of a crane, winch, and platform on the rear deck for carrying engines and other large assemblies. The crane is driven by the winch (the winch and the crane cannot be used at the same time), and has a capacity of 1.5 tons.  The crane is an A-frame structure mounted on the front of the vehicle that has a reach of 4.2 meters.  The winch may be used by itself, in which case the capacity is 6.12 tons with 80 meters of cable.  There is a jack located on the front of the vehicle which may jack up to 15 tons.  (This jack must be moved to the cargo platform before amphibious operations can take place.)   Other equipment carried by the MTP-LB includes tow bars and tow cables, chock blocks, electric and gas welding and cutting gear, a vehicle decontamination kit, and a full range of tools, including a welding set/cutter, air compressor, and tow bar.

     The MTP-LB is amphibious, and can make amphibious repairs (with the MTP-LB partially in the water, not full swimming) as well as land repair. The MTP-LB is able to pull out stuck vehicles to an extent, and tow damaged vehicles up to 18 tons in weight (at half-speed). The MTP-LB may tow a vehicle over water, if the vehicle can also swim or ford to depths of no more than 5 meters.  (It would be a very slow tow.)

     The MT-LBs commander’s cupola has been removed and replace with a simple hatch and four vision blocks.  And there are crew hatches on the roof between this area and the cargo platform; one is a position for operating the crane, with an elevated seat and four wide-angle vision blocks and a simple hatch.  There are also two doors on the rear of the vehicle.  The driver is in the front left; normally, no other persons are carried, but there are seats and space for two other mechanics.  The vehicle has NBC Overpressure and a heater. While most versions of this vehicle are armed with a PK, the Polish version of the MTP-LB is armed with an NSV heavy machinegun.

     The MTP-LB has the same engine as the MT-LB: A YaMZ-238 240-horsepower diesel.  This is coupled to a manual transmission.  Suspension is by torsion bar, with no shocks.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

MTP-LB

$58,459

D, A

2.08 tons

12.3 tons

2+2

13

Headlights

Shielded

MTP-LB (Polish)

$62,927

D, A

2.08 tons

12.3 tons

2+2

13

Headlights

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

MTP-LB (Both)

143/100

40/28/4

450

71

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

MTP-LB

None

None

PK (C)

2500x7.62mm

MTP-LB (Polish)

None

None

NSV (C)

1500x12.7mm

 

Omsk MTU-20

     Notes:  This is a tracked bridging vehicle based on a T-55 chassis. Russian and Pact forces rarely use the MTU-20, but the MTU-20 is used by Afghanistan, Egypt, Finland, India, Israel, Nigeria, and Syria. Israel uses captured versions.

     The turret has been removed so the bridge span can lay flat on the deck area. The bridge can span 18 meters.  It weighs 7 tons and can support 50 tons, taking 5 minutes to deploy and 7 minutes to recover.  The bridge is 3.3 meters wide and many vehicles, even those of the right weight, cannot negotiate the MTU-20’s bridge for that reason. The bridge is 20 meters long, with an effective length of 18 meters. The bridge is a semi-cantilever bridge; the ends are deployed like a scissors bridge, and then the entire assembly is extended out horizontally. The end ramps fold up and down to decrease the size of the bridge when it is in travel position. The bridge has a double treadway, with the treadways made of box-type aluminum girders. Two legs in the front are lowered into the ground as far as possible before bridgelaying or recovering takes place.

     The crew consists of a driver on the front left and the commander/bridge operator behind and to the right of him.  The commander has a rotating cupola with all-around vision blocks, and the crew need not crack their hatches to deploy the bridge.  The commander has a machinegun, but due to the bridge supports and machinery, shooting while the bridge is mounted is very difficult; especially, clear shots to the front of the vehicle are virtually impossible. The MTU-20 has NBC Overpressure protection.  Just behind each bumper is a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers.

     Two variants of the MTU-20 were made, each differing only in their engines.  The older version uses a W-2-54 diesel developing 520 horsepower.  The newer versions use a W-2-55 diesel developing 580 horsepower.  Both have manual transmissions.

 

     And Then There Was the MTU-12…

     The MTU-12 (variously known, depending on the country, the MTU-54, K-67, MTU, MT-54, or Object 421 during development) was an earlier design for an AVLB based on the T-54 chassis.  The bridge of the MTU-12 was a single-span bridge that deployed by being slid forward and down from its berth atop the chassis. The MTU-12 was used for a couple of decades; though the bridge is shorter at 12 meters (and able to span a gap of 11 meters), it was an MLC 60 bridge, able to take more weight than the MTU-20.  The bridge can be deployed in five minutes and recovered in eight minutes.  Like the early versions of the MTU-20, the MTU-12 has a 520-horsepower engine, NBC Overpressure protection, and the crew can deploy and recover the bridge without so much as cracking a hatch.  And, like the MTU-20, the commander has difficulty firing his machinegun while the bridge is mounted.  However, this is not so much about the bridge deployment machinery as the lack of head space when the bridge is mounted, though his hatch does pivot to the right instead of opening vertically.

     In its day (1950s-1970s), the Soviets and Warsaw Pact made good use of the MTU-12, but now the few examples still working are found primarily in some African nations. Most MTU-12s, however, are in museums or are range targets, though some have been sold on the collector’s market and may be found in various countries in collectors’ hands.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

MTU-20 (Early)

$583,875

D, A

436 kg

34 tons

2

51

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

MTU-20 (Late)

$584,107

D, A

436 kg

34.04 tons

2

51

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

MTU-12

$693,119

D, A

390 kg

32 tons

2

51

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config*

Susp

Armor

MTU-20 (Early)

118/83

33/23

960

153

CiH

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF67  HS16  HR8

MTU-20 (Late)

128/90

36/25

960

171

CiH

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF67  HS16  HR8

MTU-12

124/87

34/24

960

153

CiH

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF67  HS16  HR8

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

(All)

None

None

DShK (C)

500x12.7mm

*The Crew-in-Hull refers to the bridge as a turret.  If the bridge is deployed, the Configuration is Stnd.

 

Uralvagonzavod MTU-72

     Notes:  This AVLB is based on the T-72B or T-72M1 chassis. (Some sources say that some MTU-72s were made using new-built T-72 chassis, but I have no further information on that.)  The MTU-72 is used only by Russian and former Pact forces.

     It uses a bridge similar in design, but much larger and heavier then, the bridge of the MTU-20 listed above.  This bridge can span a gap of 18 meters (although it is a total of 20 meters in length) and support 50 tons.  By utilizing a second MTU-72’s bridge, a gap of 30 meters can be spanned. (MTU-72s are watertight with the hatches closed and can ford and can ford 5 meters of water, or run underwater with the aid of a pair 8-meter snorkels for the engine.) Three minutes are required to lay the bridge, and 8 minutes to recover it.  The bridge is of aluminum alloy construction and weighs 6.4 tons.  The bridge is extremely strong for such an item – it was made to withstand small arms fire and some artillery and rocket attacks. The bridge is laid in the same manner as that of the MTU-20 – the center portion is slid out, and then the ends are deployed. The MTU-72 carries a dozer blade at the front to clear obstacles to bridge laying or otherwise prepare bridging sites.  The MTU-72 uses the V-46-6 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 780 horsepower. It has an automatic transmission.

     The bridge of the MTU-72 is unusual in that the ends of the bridge have no center section.  They are wide enough to take most military vehicles, but one must cross very carefully.

     The commander has a full, rotating cupola; he is armed with a medium machinegun.  Unfortunately, the commander has poor visibility to the front and is physically obstructed by part of the bridge machinery. The commander is in the center of the vehicle; he is also the bridge operator.  The driver is ahead of him, in the front center.  The crew has a heater and NBC Overpressure protection, as well as an automatic fire detection/suppression system.

     The MTU-72M is T-72B-based; it has an 840-horsepower engine. They are equipped with inertial navigation systems and mapping systems. The MTU-72M is otherwise the same as the MTU-72.

     There is a similar vehicle in Czech service called the MT-72. It is essentially the same vehicle, but is heavier in weight even though the bridge is lighter (6 tons). This is partially due to a heavier ammunition load for the commander’s machinegun, their small arms, and an RPG-7 stored inside, as well as a more substantial stabilizing blade. It is based on the Czech version of the base T-72, the T-72M3 CZ.  The Czechs equipped them with NATO-compatible BMSs and Vehicle State computers, as well as a mapping system. Though they were built for the former Czechoslovakian Army, they are all used by the Czech Republic today.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

MTU-72

$791,241

D, A

344 kg

40 tons

2

27

Passive IR (D, C)

Shielded

MTU-72M

$923,630

D, A

352 kg

41.1 tons

2

30

Passive IR (D, C)

Shielded

MT-72

$1,205,184

D, A

351 kg

41.5 tons

2

33

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config*

Susp

Armor

MTU-72

142/100

40/28

1000

288

CiH

T6

TF20  TS20  TR20  HF138Cp  HS20Sp  HR12**

MTU-72M

147/103

41/29

1000

310

CiH

T6

TF20  TS20  TR20  HF148Cp  HS24Sp  HR12**

MT-72

138/97

38/27

1000

288

CiH

T6

TF20  TS20  TR20  HF129Cp  HS17Sp  HR12***

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

MTU-72

None

None

DShK (C)

500x12.7mm

MTU-72M

None

None

NSVT (C)

500x12.7mm

MT-72

None

None

NSVT (C)

1000x12.7mm

*The Crew-in-Hull refers to the bridge as a turret.  If the bridge is deployed, the Configuration is Stnd.

**The stabilizing blade can act as ad hoc armor to the front of the vehicle; what it protects depends on how high it is raised.  The blade has an AV value of 4Sp.

***The MT-72 has the same sort of stabilizing blade as the MTU-72 and MTU-72M, but its AV value is 5Sp.

 

Uralvagonzavod MTU-90

     Notes:  This is an AVLB based on the T-90 chassis.  It is being looked at by many of the same countries that use the T-90S export version of the T-90 tank.  The Russians meant to replace the MTU-72 with the MTU-90, but budgetary versions kept them from acquiring more than just a few, even though it was approved for service with the Russian Army in 1997.  So far, the MTU-90 is officially in LRIP, but it has received no production orders as of yet.  However, rumors state that in 2010, production went into general and more of them are now available to the Russian Army.

     This bridge weighs 6.62 tons and can span a 23-meter obstacle, supporting a vehicle weighing 50 tons.  The bridge is easy to lay and recover, requiring only 2 minutes to lay and 2.5 minutes to recover.  The MTU-90 chassis offers the same armor protection as the early T-90, and the chassis is in fact nearly identical to the early T-90.  It can also be fitted with appliqué armor, track skirts, and ERA.  The bridge is strong – similar in protection to the MTU-72.  It is laid by unfolding the rear section, lowering the two sections across the obstacle, and as this is done, the third section automatically swings into position. The crew need not open the hatches to lay or recover the bridge.  The crew has night vision channels to their vision blocks and the bridge can be lain and recovered at night, still without the crew opening the hatches.  The bridge is operationally compatible with the bridge on the truck-mounted TMM-6, though they are different chassis.

     The commander/bridge operator is in the center of the vehicle; he is in a manually-rotating cupola with the center front vision block being a wide-angle block that has a night vision channel.  The driver is in the center front.  The vehicle has air conditioning, heating, and an NBC Overpressure system, as well as an automatic fire detection/suppression system.  The commander’s cupola is not armed; the crew relies on their small arms and grenades for defense.  The MTU-90 has a BMS and GPS as well as a vehicle state computer and a mapping system.

     The MTU-90 uses the same 840-horsepower turbocharged multifuel, coupled with an automatic transmission. It can use a deep wading kit allowing submerging up to 5 meters, but cannot actually swim. The wading kit takes 5 minutes to mount.

     The MTU-90M was designed to attract export customers; the Russian Army cannot afford them, even though they were accepted for Russian service in 2013. Again rumors state that the MTU-90M is currently in slightly-greater-then-LRIP production for the Russian Army. Azerbaijan ordered an undisclosed number of MTU-90Ms in 2014, and they went into service as soon as they were received and readied. It uses a shorter bridge able to span 19 meters, but is an MLC-60 bridge.  The bridge is essentially like the standard MTU-90 bridge, but the center section is much shorter, as are the wings; they unfold in the same manner.  The MTU-90M is based on the T-90S chassis, but it is identical to the T-90 chassis for most purposes. However, it does not have the Shtora-1 APS as the bridge, when mounted, makes the Shtora-1 ineffective.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

MTU-90

$1,257,032

D, G, AvG, A

282 kg

45.5 tons

2

30

Passive IR (D), Image intensification (C)

Shielded

MTU-90M

$1,334,436

D, G, AvG, A

282 kg

45.3 tons

2

30

Passive IR (D), Image intensification (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config*

Susp

Armor

MTU-90

137/96

38/27

1200

310

CiH

T6

TF20 TS20  TR20  HF180Cp  HS30Sp  HR18

MTU-90M

137/96

38/27

1200

310

CiH

T6

TF20 TS20  TR20  HF180Cp  HS30Sp  HR18

*The Crew-in-Hull refers to the bridge as a turret.  If the bridge is deployed, the Configuration is Stnd.

 

KVZ PMM-2 Wolna

     Notes:  This Russian vehicle has the tracks and suspension of the T-64 tank, and upper chassis of the PTS-2 amphibious carrier; it also uses components of the MDK-5 trench-digger and the MT-T tracked transporter.  (And of course, the MT-T have common suspension components with the T-64.) It is service only with Russia.  Production is now complete, but the assembly lines can resume at any time if necessary; however, if production does resume, it will probably be in the form of a PMM-2M, but based on an older version of the T-72, and be designated something like PMM-2M2 (with the PMM-2M becoming the PMM-2M1). Currently, there is no information on this possible variant, so it is not covered below. Originally, the Soviets were going to base this vehicle on a modified ZIL-135 heavy truck, but this proved unsatisfactory and a tracked chassis was chosen.

     The PMM-2M has seen use in the recent fighting in Syria; a pontoon bridge 210 meters long was built of PMM-2Ms near Deir ex-Zor as part of a Russian military operation, with the PMM-2Ms being supplied power by an offshore generator..

     The PMM-2 is used as a floating bridge, and may be used as either a bridge or ferry, or grounded at the bottom of a body of water.  The vehicle opens like a clamshell when being used. When used as a bridge or ferry, the PMM-2 can carry 42.5 tons, but it is unable to carry this weight on land.  Up to 10 PMM-2 vehicles can be latched together to form long bridges; each PMM-2 unit can bridge a gap 17 meters wide (or float vehicles that long), and float 80 tons.  If three PMM-2s are latched together, the weight limit is 127 tons.  This does not require anyone to leave the vehicles, but they must be maneuvered in such a way that the vehicles latch together. PMM-2s can operate in bodies of water with currents of up to 2 meters per second.  The PMM-2 uses retractable anchors and waterjets at the rear corners to maintain position if being used as a ferry or floating bridge. When the bridge is opened, it has a width of 20 meters; it can carry vehicles that wide, but practically only 17 meters are useful. Vehicles, troops, or cargo can be loaded via loading ramps which are 5 meters long and pull back into the platform for travel.  A similar ramp is at the front for unloading. The vehicle takes 10 minutes to ready for use as a ferry or bridge.

     The cab is at the front, with large bullet-resistant windows to the front and sides.  They are watertight; in fact, the entire vehicle is watertight down to a depth of 3.6 meters. The cab carries 3: the driver, the commander, and the bridge/ferry operator.  The bridge/ferry operator is responsible for unfolding the sections above, and re-readying it for travel.  The other crewmembers are in the hull, and they monitor the integrity of the vehicle when the vehicle is submerged and ensure the engine and batteries operate properly. The PMM-2 is not armed.  The engine used is a variant of the T-64’s V-64-4 diesel engine, with 710 horsepower and turbocharging.  Transmission is automatic.  When submerged, the PMM-2 is powered by banks of batteries that are the equivalent of a 20kW generator, though they discharge in 2.5 hours and must be recharged or the vehicle recovered at that point.  The PMM-2 has an air conditioner, heating, and NBC Overpressure. The PMM-2 has inertial positioning, GPS, and a map computer, but not a true BMS.  The PMM-2 has an automatic fire detection/suppression system.

     The new version, the PMM-2M1, has a load carrying capacity when used as a bridge or ferry of 45 tons base.  However, the spotters have been removed and there are only three crewmembers. It is otherwise mostly the same as the PMM-2 for game purposes.

     The Chinese bought PMM-2Ms from Ukraine in 1993, and designated them GZM-003; these are virtually identical to the PMM-2M except in minor details.  It should be noted that as of now (Sep 2021), these were the last PMM-2Ms built.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

PMM-2

$855,829

D, A

563 kg

30 tons

5

22

Headlights

Enclosed

PMM-2M

$908,155

D, A

563 kg

29.86 tons

3

22

Headlights

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

PMM-2

163/114

45/32/11

1000

263

Stnd

T6

HF6  HS3  HR2

PMM-2M

163/114

45/32/11

1000

263

Stnd

T6

HF6  HS3  HR2