Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1497523
The following versions of BTR-4 exist: Ä BTR-4A, with BM Grom turret module, Ä BTR-4B, with BM Parus turret module, Ä BTR-4E, also featuring the BM Parus turret, developed for Iraq, Ä BTR-4E1, a modified BTR-4E, with stronger armor, Ä BTR-4MV, in which the front portion of the turret was redesigned, for reinforcing the armor, it uses the Deutz BF6M105CP engine, Ä BTR-4MV1 is a variant of the BTR-4MV with reinforced armor, Ä BTR-4M is a variant developed for Indonesia. It features extra floata- tion elements, enhancing its amphibious capabilities, Ä BRM-4K - a reconnaissance variant, Ä BTR-4K - a command vehicle, Ä BTR-4KSh - a command-staff vehicle, Ä BREM-4K - an ARV, Ä BSEM-4K - MEDEVAC platform. The Russians, meanwhile, operate the well-known BTR-80/80A, and BTR-82/82A APCs. The BTR-80 has been designed back in the 1980s in the USSR. Its purpose was to replace the BTR-60 and BTR-70 platforms from which it was derived, replicating the design layout, with a command and control compartment in the front, and combat and troop compartment in the middle, and an engine compartment in the back. BTR-80 IS A VEHICLE THAT IS RELA- TIVELY SIMPLE IN DESIGN. It has no advanced features, so characteristic in the case of the western-made APCs, especially in the electronics department. Starting from the commander's station - he is seated on the right, in the front, next to the driver, and has several peri- scopes and a large front window at his disposal. It is possible to cover the window with an armored shutter. The commander uses the TKN-3, or TKN- -3M periscope, derived from the T-72 main battle tanks. The driver is seated on the left side of the vehicle. He has a large window at his disposal that can also be protected with the use of an armored shutter. Four TNPO-115 periscopes can be used by him. For night operations, the central TNPO-115 periscope is replaced with the TNVE-4B night observation system. In general, vehicle handling is similar to a truck. The main armament is placed in a small turret, and it includes a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun, with 500 14.5x114 mm rounds. PKT general purpose machine gun acts as the auxiliary weapon, with 2,000 rounds of 7.62x54R ammunition. The turret and the weapons are stabilized, while the whole mo- dule is moved manually. The weapons operator has a single 1PZ-2 sight at his disposal, allowing him to engage land and air threats, and TNP-205 periscope alongside. The top portion of the turret features the TNPT-1 peri- scope, for observing what's behind the turret. The 1PZ-2 sight offers a variable magnification range (1.2x-4x), and a verti- cal movement range of -10° to +81° - although the primary armament can move vertically, within the -4° to +60° range. The sight also offers basic ni- ght vision capability supported by the OU-3GA2M illuminator, allowing for target identification at a distance of up to 400 meters. Some of the BTR-80 vehicles, throughout the upgrade, received a more mo- dern TKN-4GA-01 targeting system, identical to the one used on the upgra- ded BTR-82 platform. The magnification range for the new instrument varies from 1x to 8x in the daytime tract, and fixed 8x magnification is provided for the night channel. In the night mode, the sight may be used with the PL-1-01 laser beam projector replacing the IR illumination device. PL-1-01 can also be used as a laser rangefinder, at distances ranging from 200 to 3,000 meters. BTR-80 vehicles and their derivatives also have 8 ports for the soldiers to use their small arms. Six can be used for firing AK rifles, two can accommo- date the PK family GPMGs. The vehicle can carry up to 8 troops, whereas the vehicle commander is the commander of the vehicle and a member of the troop squad at the same time. Two two-part doors are used to board and leave the vehicle, they are located on the hull sides. The lower portion forms a small ramp, that opens downwards, while the top portion is opened to the side, and front, providing scarce protection from small arms fire. Further hatches are placed on top of the hull, with gun ports with shutters. The hull and turret have been made out of RHA 2P high-hardness steel (388- 495 BHN), and 1,450 MPa expansion resistance. The thickness of the plates ranges from 8 to 14 mm, and they protect 7.62 mm AP rounds. The vehic- le can also withstand .50-cal. fire from the front. Furthermore, the BTR-80 and its derivatives can be equipped with slat armor, protecting them from RPGs, and extra armor panels, protecting them from heavy machine gun AP rounds. When it comes to THE ENGINE, the BTR-80 was initially equip- ped with the KamAZ-7403 diesel engines, with a power output of ca. 260 HP. In 1993 the vehicles began to be fitted with the YaMZ-238M2 engines, with 240 HP power output. That solution was, however, short-lived, and it resulted on the grounds of fire at the KamAZ facility that happened during the same year. With the vehicle weighing 13.6 tonnes, it can attain speeds of 80-90 kph on the tarmac. The BTR-80 has a range of 600 kilometers. It can travel at a speed of 10 kph when in an amphibious setting. As time went by, BTR-80 underwent more modernizations and upgrades. The first one was the BTR-80A upgrade, with a new BPPU turret module featuring new sights - 1PZ-9 daytime sight, and TPN-3/TPN-3-42 night sight. The BPPU turret has been armed with the 30 mm 2A72 cannon, and a coaxial PKT machine gun. 300 30x165 mm rounds are stored in the turret. In the next stage of develop- ment, the BTR-82 was born, with enhanced armor and anti-frag lining inside. The new vehicle featured a new, 300 HP KamAZ-740.14-300 engine, and a GLONASS satellite navigation suite. BTR-82A is almost identical to the BTR- 82, while BTR-82AM is a designation used for the BTR-80 platforms upgra- ded to the BTR-82A standard. Naturally, BTR-80/82 vehicles have been used to create numerous specialist derivatives, from command, command-staff vehicles, MEDEVAC platforms, CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, or 2S23 No- na-SVK self-propelled mortar - and many more. BTR-80/82's design layout is obsolete, the Russians are well aware of that. The matter is being addressed through the development of new generation wheeled fighting vehicles, known as Bumerang. SUMMARY The article constitutes an attempt at describing selected types of armo- red assets used during the war in Ukraine. Naturally, given the quantity of vehicles, the level of detail has also been limited. Even individual va- riants of the specific platform type have their history and so many tech- nical details, that even the whole article would not suffice to describe them.Despite the limitations above, the author hopes that the present ar- ticle allows the readers to get acquainted with the described designs, and thus make it easier for the audience to identify the said armored assets. ANALYSIS