BRDM-2: tuning, specifications, manufacturer, photo. Armored reconnaissance patrol car

More than half a century ago the Soviet Army received the BRDM-2. 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 an opportunity to purchase BRDM-2 from conservation for personal use. However, in this situation it is not known how the car will behave after hibernation lasting several tens of years. This machine perfectly copes with the tasks assigned to it. It can be considered the best option for a vehicle that "everything can."

Armored car has a high cross-country ability on land, water obstacles, off-road conditions, ravines and trenches. To leave from any place will help additional wheels which 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 different caliber.

Manufacturer

The armored reconnaissance and sentinel machine-2 (BRDM-2) was manufactured at the Gorky Automobile Plant between 1963 and 1982. After that, another 7 years the machine was produced at the Arzamas Machine-Building Plant. Simultaneously, production was established in other countries. Among them were Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia.

History of creation

In 1962, the existing armored cars of Russia were supplemented with a new model, which was named BRDM-2. It was developed by the designers of the Special Bureau of the Gorky Automobile Plant under the leadership of VA Dedkov. This combat vehicle was supposed to be a replacement for the out-of-date BRDM-1.

The first model was characterized by significant shortcomings. Among them were a front-mounted engine with a capacity of only 90 liters. With., Weak firepower, heavy weight, not allowing you to equip the machine with additional weapons. Therefore, at the beginning of 1959, the armored department of the country issued a technical assignment to a machine-building plant for the creation of a machine with improved performance.

Military vehicles BRDM-2 had to overcome water barriers and wide trenches. To this end, the machine was equipped with a water jet propeller on the hull, pull-out rollers, which were driven by the main engine.

At this time, the company started production of a truck GAZ-66 (known more as "Shishiga"). Thanks to this, designers could take more advanced elements to create BRDM-2. Tuning of the basic model was carried out using many details from Shishigi. They were bridges, transmission, power unit and other nodes.

The new model differs from the basic version

Wheeled ATVs of two generations differed among themselves by technical characteristics. BRDM-2 had a number of advantages over its predecessor:

• Improved driving performance.

• Enhanced combat capabilities.

• High degree of safety.

• There was an anti-nuclear defense.

• The engine was installed from the rear, which improved the passability of water obstacles.

• To work with information (its receipt, transmission), a radio system was used.

Such characteristics were different for the new BRDM-2 model. The photo will prompt changes that have affected the appearance of the car. The armored cover was ready by the middle of 1960. But new elements of the undercarriage and transmission have not yet been manufactured. Therefore, they had to take the same as in the previous version. In this configuration, military ATVs went on trial. But it led to a lot of negative reviews.

Disadvantages of the model and their elimination

Military vehicles during the tests received the following feedback:

• The torque, which was produced by a more powerful engine, was not transmitted by the transmission in its entirety.

• The car was unstable on corners. This was facilitated by a narrow automobile track, which was formed due to the established bridges from the "shishigi". For the same reason, the car could not move along the tank track.

• The open turret, which housed the armament, was not protected by an arrow. In addition, the open site negated the anti-nuclear defense.

• Inside the car there was very little space, which was not enough for crew work.

• Bad view, which was closed by the car body (rear view) and the driver (right view).

The prototypes of BRDM-2, the tuning of which continued further, were adopted by the army. But surprisingly, mass production did not begin. This was hampered by disputes over an open turret that did not suit the military. Therefore, designers had to make changes to their project. They installed a spar of PKT and CPVT machine guns right in the middle of the car's body. Such an arrangement did not affect the patency (including water barriers). But at the same time the shooter was hidden inside the car, could conduct a round-fire. The work of the anti-atomic defense system was not violated. The disadvantage was the reduction in the number of crew per person. The interior space became even smaller.

Serial production went very slowly. For 25 years, only 9.5 thousand cars were produced.

BRDM-2: tuning in the factory

During its production the car has been improved several times. Even with an external examination, it is possible to distinguish between the models of the first and last years.

So, early military ATVs had two flaps, through which air came. Having a trapezoidal shape, they were closed with lids that opened back. In the middle of production, two hatches had a rectangular shape and blinds were closed. In models released in the seventies, above the hatches were placed 6 caps, outwardly resembling a mushroom. This design allowed to protect the engine.

Crew

The armored cars of Russia were manned by a crew of 4:

• Commander.

• The driver is a mechanic.

• Scout.

• Scout, who is also a machine gunner.

The commander, together with the driver in marching conditions, conducts surveillance through observation windows, which if necessary can be closed with armored covers. During the fighting for observation, the commander uses a periscope. In addition, there are prism instruments. Their 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-1S, respectively. You can penetrate into the interior through the hatches located on top of the body.

Scouts are placed at the sides of the combat compartment. A semi-rigid seat is provided for each of them. Observation of the horizon is carried out through niches with three prismatic devices located inside them. Nearby are hatches with lids, which are used to fire from personal weapons.

Design Features

The layout of BRDM-2 is as follows:

• Front - Office of Management. Here are the controls, radio station, navigation devices, places for the location of the driver and commander, devices for monitoring the terrain.

• In the middle there is a fighting compartment. Its center is a tower, on which a machine gun is mounted. There are also ammunition, hydraulic lifts of additional wheels, two seats for scouts.

• In the stern - engine compartment. It is isolated from the rest of the machine by an airtight bulkhead with a filter unit. To get to the power unit it is possible through folding doors.

The body itself is made of rolled steel sheets covered with a layer of armor (6-10 mm). This protects the machine from debris, small arms and small-caliber mines.

Technical characteristics of BRDM-2

The engine for the car is used carburettor V-shaped with 8 cylinders. Engine power is 140 liters. from. Without refueling, the car can travel 750 km by land or 15 hours while driving on water. The volume of the fuel tank is 280 liters. There is a manual start engine.

Cooling liquid, closed type. The refrigerant circulates through the system forcibly.

The running part of the BRDM-2 tuning has not touched much. In general, it is very similar to the part of BRDM. The machine works on two leading bridges. When driving off-road, it is possible to connect two more bridges. This can be done with a hydraulic drive.

Overall dimensions of the machine:

• The height is 2395 mm.

• The width is 2350 mm.

• The length is 5750 mm.

• The wheelbase is 3100 mm.

• Clearance - 330 m.

• The front track is 1840 mm.

• The track of the rear wheels is 1790 mm.

The machine weighs about 7 tons. The ground pressure is 0.5-2.7 kg / cm ² .

Suspension spring. Springs have a semielliptical shape. The wheel formula - 4x4, with the connection of additional two bridges - 8x8.

The pressure in the wheels can be checked centrally. It is not necessary to stop for this, you can even make adjustments on the go. When driving on snow, the layer of which does not exceed 30 cm, the pressure in the tires should not be reduced. The car falls through the snow, and the wheels adhere to the ground.

A winch is installed in the front of the hull. It allows the machine to self-extract. The winch has a pulling force of 3.9 tons. Its cable length is 50 meters.

The speed of movement, which wheeled off-road vehicles develop when driving along the road, is 95-100 km / h. When moving on water, this parameter is reduced to 8-10 km / h.

The machine is able to overcome obstacles whose height reaches 0.4 m. The depth of the ditch that the machine can overcome is 1.22 m. The climb is 30 degrees.

Modifications

Available wheeled ATVs BRDM-2 in several modifications. They were produced in different countries.

In addition to the basic version, the version of BRDM-2M (A) was also produced at the Arzamas machine-building plant. In this model, the wheeled side mechanisms are replaced with trapezoidal doors. This allowed to reduce the weight of the machine. The pendant is borrowed from BTR-80. As the power unit the diesel engine with a turbo-supercharging is established. Its power is 136 liters. from. The version of BRDM-2A is supplemented with two types of radio stations to choose from. Armament is represented by a machine gun (7.62 and 14.5 mm).

At once several modifications were made on the territory of Ukraine. In 1999, the version of BRDM-2LD with a new engine was assembled in Nikolaev. This model was used during the military conflict in Kosovo. After 6 years in Nikolaev released another modification - BRDM-2DI "Khazar". The Iveko diesel engine with preheating, diesel imager and new armament was installed.

Two more modifications were collected in Kiev. The first was called BRDM-2DP. It was characterized by less weight, for which the lateral mechanisms of increased terrain were removed. Instead, a new engine was installed, a structure for overcoming trenches (trenches), a side door for the paratroopers. The set of weapons has changed. The second modification of Kiev appeared in 2013. Additional wheels removed. Added radio station, diesel engine with a capacity of 155 liters. With., Side and rear lights, hatches for paratroopers. Modified combat modules.

Several modifications were proposed by Poland. The first BRDM-2M-96I appeared in 1997. It was distinguished by a new braking system and a diesel engine "Iveco" with 6 cylinders. The second modification appeared in 2003. It was named 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 screen grids. Changed the caliber of the installed machine gun. The last modification made on the territory of Poland is BRDM-2M-97 "Zbik B". Apart from the new six-cylinder diesel engine Iveco, this model was equipped with a new transmission and other additional equipment.

Another modification was collected in Belarus. It was called BRDM-2MB1. On it removed additional wheels and propellers, allowing to go on water. Equipped model 155-strong diesel engine, radio station, video surveillance, hatches for paratroopers on the sides of the body. Weapons have been changed. The crew was increased to 7 people.

In 2013, Azerbaijan offered its version of Zubachik. Water jet propellers and additional wheels removed. A power unit with a capacity of 150 liters is installed. from. Improved mine protection. Hatches for paratroopers, machine guns, towers for military modules (grenade cups of different caliber, double-barrel cannon) are installed.

Kazakhstan offered its own modification in the same year. The power unit was replaced by the diesel unit Iveco. Replaced bridges. They were taken from the BTR-80. Due to this, the track has increased. Suspension spring remained from the basic version. The modification was called BRDM-KZ.

Its modification was in the Czech Republic (LOT-B, LOT-V), Serbia (Kur'ak).

BRDM-2 as a basis for creating cars

On the basis of BRDM-2 (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 BRDM-2.

Already in 1964, designers began developing a model for chemical reconnaissance. It was called BRDM-2RX or "Dolphin". This machine was developed for the purpose of exploring the chemical, bacteriological, radiation orientation. Features of the completeness of this version were:

• The device for measuring the degree of airborne contamination with radiation (radiometer).

• Gas Analyzer working in automatic mode.

• X-ray.

• Device for the detection of chemical pollution, working in semi-automatic mode.

• Automatic alarm, which determined in the air the presence of impurities of a bacterial nature.

The air for the analysis came to the instruments through the air duct. After the test, the air was discharged outside. The process of supply and discharge of the analyzed air is controlled by the driver. For this, there are two levers in front of him. After the car left a trace of the enclosing signs. They were an inscription "Infected" on a flag of yellow color. This was done to determine the safe route. The flags were installed by a special mechanism of the machine, which could be controlled from the cockpit.

In addition to the differences described above, the "Dolphin" was distinguished by a machine gun of another caliber. The number of crew members was reduced to three: the commander, the driver (who additionally performed the work of the mechanic), the scout (in fact, was a chemist).

In 1967, based on BRDM-2, a machine was developed for the command staff. It did not have a tower. Instead, they installed a hatch that opened forward. The interior space housed the commander, the radio operator.

In the eighties there was a version of BRDM-2U. It is interesting because instead of electronic equipment (which was cut down), a tower for weapons was installed.

Also, sound machines were developed, which had an average transmission power of sounds. These were the models:

• 3C-72B, which did not install armed units. The tower in it is replaced by a bar with a loudspeaker. The manufacturer has provided a broadcasting range of 7.5 km. You could even send messages remotely. Only in this case the announcer should be 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 kept on the tower. Next to him on the tower was fixed loudspeaker, which was audible at a distance of 6 km.

Machines were also developed for the transportation of missile systems (Malyutka-M, Contest, Eye, Phalanga-P and others), emergency transport, transport with the ability to overcome water obstacles, and a cash collection model. The crew could learn at a specially designed training stand.