The Soviet reconnaissance chemical machine РХМ-2С is a lightly armored vehicle used by chemical units to conduct radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance of the terrain in the front line.
Machine development and mass production
The reconnaissance chemical machine РХМ-2С was created in the 60s as a support for the actions of the crew of the RCM “Kashalot” for actions at the regimental level. The Soviet designers used the transport platform of the airborne assault vehicle GT-MU to create a new type of special equipment. This amphibious tracked chassis had good maneuverability and made it possible to place on it the necessary monitoring equipment.
The car was created in a short time. Subsequent mass production was carried out on the basis of several defense enterprises.
Technical characteristics and parameters of the reconnaissance vehicle РХМ-2С
- Calculation - 4 people.
- Weight - 5.9 tons
- Length - 5.1 m, width - 2.4 m, height - 1.7 m, ground clearance - 350 mm.
- Special equipment: gas alarm GSA-12, military chemical reconnaissance device VPHR, radiation reconnaissance devices DP-3B, DP-5V, means of marking contaminated sites.
- Armor thickness: bulletproof.
- Carburetor engine, power 115 hp
- Maximum speed on the highway - 55 km / h, afloat - 6 km / h.
- Cruising on the highway - 500 km.
The participation of the reconnaissance chemical machine in the fighting is not marked. Most of the RHM-2C, which were in service with the chemical forces of the USSR Armed Forces, were used in the liquidation of the accident at the 4th power unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. A number of reconnaissance chemical machines РХМ-2С are part of the troops of radiation, chemical and biological defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation today.
A photo
