More than half a century ago, the BRDM-2 entered service with the Soviet Army. Russia continued to create military equipment. This machine can be found at military training grounds so far. And not only in Russia, but also in other countries. There is even the opportunity to purchase BRDM-2 from conservation for personal use. True, in such a situation it is not known how the car will behave after hibernation lasting several decades. Such a machine perfectly copes with the tasks assigned to it. It can be considered the best option for a vehicle that "can do anything."
The armored vehicle has a high cross through land, water barriers, in off-road conditions, along ravines and trenches. To leave any place will help additional wheels that can be connected if necessary. If they fail, the winch will help. The car has a high degree of armament and protection against external damage. The combat module includes machine guns, grenade launchers and other weapons of various calibers.
Manufacturer
The armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle-2 (BRDM-2) was produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant from 1963 to 1982. After that, another 7 years the machine was produced at the Arzamas Engineering Plant. At the same time, production was established in other countries. Among them were Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia.
History of creation
In 1962, the existing Russian armored vehicles were supplemented by a new model, which was called the BRDM-2. It was developed by the designers of the Special Bureau of the Gorky Automobile Plant under the guidance of V. A. Dedkov. This combat vehicle was supposed to replace the outdated BRDM-1 by that time.
The first model was characterized by the presence of significant shortcomings. Among them were a front-mounted engine with a capacity of only 90 liters. with., weak firepower, heavy weight, not allowing to equip the car with additional weapons. Therefore, at the beginning of 1959, the country's armored directorate issued a technical task to an engineering plant to create a machine with improved performance.
BRDM-2 military vehicles had to overcome water barriers and wide trenches. To this end, the machine was equipped with a water-jet propulsion device on the body, retractable rollers, which were driven by the main engine.
At this time, the company began production of the GAZ-66 truck (better known as "Shishiga"). Thanks to this, designers could take more advanced elements to create the BRDM-2. Tuning the base model was made using many parts from Shishigi. These were bridges, transmission, powertrain and other components.
Difference of the new model from the basic version
Wheel all-terrain vehicles of two generations differed among themselves in technical characteristics. BRDM-2 had several advantages over its predecessor:
- Improved driving performance.
- Enhanced combat capabilities.
- There was anti-atomic protection.
- The engine was installed at the rear, which improved patency on water obstacles.
- To work with information (its receipt, transmission), a radio communication system was used.
These characteristics were distinguished by the new model BRDM-2. The photo will tell you the changes that have affected the appearance of the car. Armored Corps were ready by mid-1960. But the new chassis and transmission elements have not yet been manufactured. Therefore, they had to be taken the same as in the previous version. In this configuration, military all-terrain vehicles entered the test. But this led to a lot of negative reviews.
Disadvantages of the model and their elimination
Military vehicles during the tests received the following reviews:
- Torque, which was developed by a more powerful motor, was not transmitted in full by the transmission.
- The car was unstable in the corners. This was facilitated by a narrow car track, which was formed due to the installed bridges from the "shishigi". For the same reason, the car could not move along the tank track.
- The open turret on which the weapons were located did not protect the shooter. In addition, the open area negated the atomic defense.
- Inside the car there was very little space, which was not enough for the crew to work.
- Poor visibility, which was closed by the car body (rear view) and the driver (right view).
The prototypes of the BRDM-2, the tuning of which continued further, were adopted by the army. But surprisingly, mass production never began. This was hampered by disputes over an open turret that did not suit the military. Therefore, the designers had to make changes to their project. They installed a pair of PKT and KPVT machine guns right in the middle of the machine body. Such an arrangement did not affect passability (including along water barriers). But at the same time, the shooter was hidden inside the car, could conduct a circular fire. The operation of the anti-nuclear defense system was not disturbed. The disadvantage was the reduction in the number of crew by 1 person. The inner space has become even smaller.
Serial production went very slowly. Over 25 years, only 9.5 thousand cars were produced.
BRDM-2: tuning at the factory
During its production, the machine has been improved several times. Even with an external examination, models of the first and last years can be distinguished.
So, the early military all-terrain vehicles had two hatches, through which air entered. Having a trapezoidal shape, they were closed with lids that opened back. In the middle of production, two hatches had a rectangular shape and shutters were closed. In the models released in the seventies, above the hatches there were 6 caps that looked like a mushroom. A similar design made it possible to protect the engine.
Crew
Russian armored cars were equipped with a crew of 4 people:
- The driver is a mechanic.
- A scout who is also a machine gunner.
The commander, together with the driver, in field conditions conducts observation through observation windows, which, if necessary, can be closed by armored covers. During combat operations, the commander uses a periscope to observe. In addition, prism devices are available. There are 4 units for the commander, and 6 more for the mechanic. To inspect the area at night, the commander and the driver-mechanic use night vision devices: TVN-2B and TKN-1C, respectively. You can get into the cabin through the hatches located on top of the body.
Scouts are located at the sides of the fighting compartment. A semi-rigid seat is provided for each of them. Observation of the horizon is carried out through niches with three prism devices located inside them. Nearby are hatches with covers, which are used for firing from personal weapons.
Design features
The layout of the BRDM-2 is as follows:
- In front is the management department. There are controls, a radio station, instruments for navigation, locations for the driver and commander, instruments for monitoring the terrain.
- In the middle is the fighting compartment. Its center is a tower on which a machine gun is mounted. Ammunition, hydraulic lifts for additional wheels, two seats for scouts are also located there.
- At the stern is the engine compartment. It is isolated from the rest of the machine by a sealed partition with a filter-ventilation unit. You can get to the power unit through the hinged doors.
The case itself is made of rolled steel sheets coated with a layer of armor (6-10 mm). This protects the car from splinters, small arms and small-caliber mine explosions.
Technical characteristics of BRDM-2
The engine for the car uses a V-shaped carburetor with 8 cylinders. Engine power is 140 liters. from. Without refueling, the car can travel 750 km by land or 15 hours when driving on water. The volume of the fuel tank is 280 l. There is a manual engine start drive.
Liquid cooling, closed type. The refrigerant circulates through the system forcibly.
Chassis BRDM-2 tuning little affected. In general, it is very similar to parts of the BRDM. The machine runs on two driving axles. When driving off-road, it is possible to connect two more bridges. This can be done using the hydraulic drive.
Overall dimensions of the car:
- Ground clearance - 330 m.
- The track of the rear wheels is 1790 mm.
The machine weighs about 7 tons. The pressure on the soil is 0.5-2.7 kg / cm 2 .
Suspension spring. Springs have a semi-elliptical shape. The wheel formula is 4x4, when connecting an additional two bridges - 8x4.
Wheel pressure can be checked centrally. It is not necessary to stop for this, you can even make adjustments on the go. When driving in snow, the layer of which does not exceed 30 cm, the tire pressure does not need to be reduced. The car falls through the snow, and the wheels mesh with the ground.
A winch is installed in front of the hull. It allows the car to self-extract. The winch has a pulling force of 3.9 tons. The length of its cable is 50 m.
The speed of development that wheeled all-terrain vehicles develop when driving on the road is 95-100 km / h. When moving through water, this parameter decreases to 8-10 km / h.
The machine is capable of overcoming obstacles, the height of which reaches 0.4 m. The depth of the ditch that the machine can overcome reaches 1.22 m. The surmountable climb is 30 degrees.
Modifications
BRDM-2 wheeled all-terrain vehicles are available in several versions. They were produced in various countries.
At the Arzamas Engineering Plant, in addition to the basic version, a version of the BRDM-2M (A) was also produced. In this model, the wheel side mechanisms are replaced with trapezoidal doors. This allowed to reduce the weight of the machine. The suspension is borrowed from the BTR-80. A turbocharged diesel engine is installed as a power unit. Its capacity is 136 liters. from. The BRDM-2A version is supplemented by two types of radio stations to choose from. The armament is represented by a machine gun (7.62 and 14.5 mm).
In Ukraine, several modifications were released at once. In 1999, in Nikolaev, a version of the BRDM-2LD with a new engine was assembled. This model was used during the military conflict in Kosovo. After 6 years in Nikolaev let out one more modification - BRDM-2DI "Khazar". The Iveco diesel engine with preheating, a thermal imager and new weapons were installed.
Two more modifications were assembled in Kiev. The first was called BRDM-2DP. It was distinguished by a lower weight, for which the lateral mechanisms for increasing patency were removed. Instead, a new engine was installed, a structure for overcoming trenches (trenches), a door on the side of the body for paratroopers. The set of weapons has changed. The second Kiev modification appeared in 2013. Extra wheels removed. A radio station and a diesel engine with a capacity of 155 liters were added. with., marker lights rear and front, hatches for paratroopers. Modified combat modules.
Several modifications were proposed by Poland. The first BRDM-2M-96I appeared in 1997. It featured a new brake system and an Iveco 6-cylinder diesel engine. The second modification appeared in 2003. She received the name BRDM-2M-96IK "Jackal". Installed a new improved diesel engine "Iveco" with 6 cylinders. The car was supplemented by a radio station, air conditioning, anti-cumulative trellis screens. Changed the caliber of the installed machine gun. The latest modification made in Poland - BRDM-2M-97 "Zbik B". In addition to the new Iveco six-cylinder diesel engine, a new transmission and other additional equipment were installed on this model.
Another modification was assembled in Belarus. She received the name BRDM-2MB1. It removed additional wheels and propulsors that allow you to ride on water. The model was equipped with a 155-horsepower diesel engine, a radio station, video surveillance, hatches for paratroopers on the sides of the body. Changed weapons. The crew is increased to 7 people.
In 2013, Azerbaijan proposed its version of Zubastik. Water jets and extra wheels removed. A power unit with a capacity of 150 liters was installed. from. Improved mine protection. Hatches for paratroopers, a machine gun, towers for military modules (grenade launchers of various calibers, double-barreled guns) were installed.
Kazakhstan proposed its modification in the same year. The power unit has been replaced by an Iveco diesel engine. Replaced bridges. They were taken from the BTR-80. Due to this, the track has increased. Spring suspension remained from the basic version. The modification was called BRDM-KZ.
Its modification was in the Czech Republic (LOT-B, LOT-V), Serbia (Kurјak).
BRDM-2 as a basis for creating cars
On the basis of the BRDM-2 (the photo of which could be seen in this article), special-purpose vehicles began to be developed. It began almost immediately after the start of production of the BRDM-2.
Already in 1964, designers began developing a model for chemical reconnaissance. She received the name BRDM-2RX or "Dolphin". This machine was designed to conduct reconnaissance of chemical, bacteriological, radiation orientation. The completeness of this version was:
- A device for measuring the degree of infection of air by radiation (radiometer).
- Gas analyzer operating in automatic mode.
- A device for the detection of chemical contaminants, operating in a semi-automatic mode.
- Automatic signaling device, which determined the presence of bacterial impurities in the air.
Air for analysis was supplied to the devices through the air duct. After the test, air was vented out. The process of supply and discharge of the analyzed air is controlled by the driver. To do this, there are two levers in front of him. After itself, the car left a mark of the enclosing signs. They represented the inscription “Infected” on the yellow flag. This was done in order to determine a safe route. Flags were set by a special machine mechanism, which could be controlled from the cab.
In addition to the differences described above, the Dolphin was distinguished by a machine gun of a different caliber. The number of crew members has been reduced to three: commander, driver (who additionally performed the work of a mechanic), intelligence officer (in fact, he was a chemist).
In 1967, on the basis of the BRDM-2, a machine was developed for command personnel. There was no tower on it. Instead, they installed a hatch that opens forward. The internal space contained the commander, the radio operator.
In the eighties, a version of the BRDM-2U appeared. It is interesting in that instead of electronic equipment (which was reduced) a tower was installed for weapons.
Sound broadcasting machines were also developed, which had an average power of sound transmission. These were the models:
- 3C-72B, on which no armed modules were installed. The tower in it is replaced by a bar with a loudspeaker. The manufacturer has provided a broadcast range of 7.5 km. Messaging was even possible remotely. Only in this case, the speaker should have been at a distance of no more than half a kilometer from the car.
- 3C-82, on which the combat modules were installed. True, only one machine gun was saved on the tower. Next to him on the tower was a loudspeaker, which was heard at a distance of 6 km.
They also developed vehicles for transporting missile systems (Malyutka-M, Konkurs, Glaz, Phalanga-P and others), emergency transport vehicles, transport vehicles with the ability to overcome water barriers, and a collection model. The crew could study at a specially designed training stand.