BTR-MD Shell - the technical characteristics of the combat vehicle

The main task of the armored personnel carrier (BTR) is the rapid delivery of infantry to the battlefield. Most armored personnel carriers are made on a wheelbase, which reduces their permeability, but increases their speed, especially on normal roads. Also, if we compare the armament of the BTR and the BMP (infantry fighting vehicle), armored personnel carriers usually have weaker weapons. The task of supporting infantry in combat is not their primary concern. The BMP is usually installed cannon armament, and on the BTR - machine guns. You can also add that weapons on armored personnel carriers are rarely stabilized, it makes shooting while driving almost impossible.

Recently, the military began to pay more attention to the protection of the crew of the vehicle and the troops it is transporting. There has been a tendency to erase the differences between the BTR and the BMP. Armored personnel carriers are made with powerful (even anti-missile) armor; they are made on a tracked base, using the engine and running gear of the tanks. At the same time increases the fire power of these machines.

These characteristics are especially important for combat vehicles that use Airborne Forces. A distinctive feature of the use of airborne forces is the possibility of operating behind enemy lines, far from their main forces, without any hope of assistance and evacuation. The element of the landing is not the highway and the main roads, these troops often use secondary routes, and even do without roads. In this case, the patency of military equipment plays a crucial role.

In the last decade, the Russian military industry has released several combat vehicles that are designed specifically for the Airborne Forces. One of these machines, which deserves your attention, is the BTR-MD "Shell".

The history of BTR-MD Shell

BTR-MD "Shell" - a tracked armored personnel carrier, which was created on the basis of BMD-4. It was conceived as a change of armored personnel carrier BTR-D, which was released in 1974.

BTR-MD was established at the Volgograd Tractor Plant. The technical assignment for the creation of this machine was issued back in 1992. But the development of the machine was delayed for many years. At present, the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant is engaged in the production of these machines.

In 2013, the first two BTR-MD were transferred to the troops for testing. However, even before the completion of the tests, 12 vehicles were handed over to the military. Kurgan machine builders produce this car under the abbreviation BTR-MDM. It is produced on the basis of the chassis of the BMD-4M.

The military has big plans for this car: until 2025, they expect to receive 200 similar machines of various modifications. On the basis of the BTR-MD was made several different modifications.

Description of BTR-MD Shell

The main characteristics of the machine and its design ensure the performance of the functions assigned to the BTR-MD. Its dimensions are perfect for possible transportation by air and landing, the power plant provides a high degree of maneuverability and speed, the BTR-MD can accommodate 13 paratroopers and two crew members. Shells can also transport ammunition, spare parts, equipment, evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield, in addition, after a small modernization, it can perform the functions of a staff vehicle, a communications vehicle and logistics support.

Armor machine protects against small arms and debris.

BTR-MD is a multi-purpose vehicle and its main task is transport. The armored personnel carrier must deliver to the desired point the maximum number of paratroopers with maximum speed. And its technical characteristics allow you to brilliantly cope with this task. From the base machine, it differs in large dimensions of the hull and the lack of a tower.

The "shell" is made according to the "tank" layout: the engine and the power compartment are located behind it, and the control compartment is in front of the machine. The tower is missing. In the middle part of the car is a place for the landing and crew. In the department of management there is a place for the driver, measuring instruments and machine controls, as well as two more places: for the commander of the vehicle and one of the paratroopers.

In front of the machine, on the top, on the left, there is a small turret in which a PKT machine gun with observation and aiming devices is mounted. Another PKT machine gun is located on the right side of the front of the case. In front of the hull there are three hatches through which the evacuation of the crew and the landing can take place.

In the middle part of the body there are embrasures with ball mounts and surveillance devices that can be used for firing personal weapons.

In the middle part of the BTR-MD are places for landing, two rows of double seats under each side. Marines sit face down in the direction of the armored personnel carrier. Also available here are attachments for stretchers with wounded. The seats have a special design that increases protection when a car is blown up on a land mine or mine. In the middle part of the car there are electric heaters that create very comfortable conditions in the car. This fact is especially important when using the BTR-MD for transporting the wounded. The armored personnel carrier is quickly converted into an ambulance or vehicle for the transport of goods. It can very quickly install medical equipment, stretchers or securely fix the load.

In the back of the machine is the landing hatch, as well as the power compartment with the engine. "Shell" is equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine. This allows the car to reach a speed of over 70 km / h on the highway. Very good for tracked armored personnel carriers. BTR-MD is a floating vehicle. On the water, it can develop more than 10 km / h. The movement is carried out by jet engines, which are installed in the rear part of the machine. The average speed over rough terrain can reach 50 km / h.

The machine has a very decent margin of buoyancy. This allows her not only to force water obstacles, but also to parachute from the ships and even overcome the surf. Wave reflection shield is located in front of the hull.

The machine can change the clearance. It has three standard positions: maximum, working and minimum.

Modifications of BTR-MD

This car became the basis for numerous modifications. On its base were created machines that perform special functions. MRD-U is used to create tactical-level air defense systems. MRU-D performs the functions of a battery command post. On the basis of this BTR-MD, medical armored personnel carriers BMM-D1 and BMM-D2 were created (they can carry up to six wounded), as well as a medical vehicle VDVBMM-DZ.

Technical characteristics of BTR-MD Shell

We present you the characteristics of the BTR-MD "Shell".

Watch the video: Russian Airborne Force to receive three battalions of BMD 4M fighting vehicles in 2017 (April 2024).