After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the armies of Russia and the young republics that gained independence inherited a rich legacy. One of the copies of military equipment created by Soviet weapons designers was the BTR-70. This combat vehicle, as in the years of the USSR, is still used today by motorized rifle units as a means of transporting soldiers during hostilities. Description, device and performance characteristics of the BTR-70 are contained in the article.
Introduction to the transport unit
BTR-70 (a photo of army equipment is presented below) is a Soviet armored personnel carrier created in the 70s. in Nizhny Novgorod at the Gorky plant. Employees of the design bureau developed a wheeled amphibious armored vehicle, the task of which was to provide fire support to motorized rifle units and transport fighters.
BTR-70 isfloating military equipment, for which circular armor is provided. The undercarriage of the armored personnel carrier has an independent suspension - all eight wheels in the car are driving. The characteristics of the BTR-70 allow it to keep up with tanks and successfully overcome water barriers, trenches and trenches.
About the history of creation
In the 60s. for the needs of the Soviet motorized rifle troops, the 60th model of an armored personnel carrier was provided. At that time, the BMP-1 was in service with the Soviet army. The infantry fighting vehicle also proved to be highly effective. In order to improve the overall combat and operational parameters of the armored personnel carrier, it was decided to create a new armored vehicle using a more powerful engine and weapons. An alternative option was proposed by some military personnel: not to improve armored personnel carriers and completely abandon this type of transport, but to use exclusively infantry fighting vehicles. As a result, Soviet designers decided to design equipment for the army that would combine the best characteristics of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. To do this, the smoothbore gun and the PKT machine gun were dismantled from the BMP-1 and installed on the 60th model of the armored personnel carrier. In the technical documentation, the vehicle is listed as BMP GAZ-60. However, due to unsatisfactory speed and maneuverability, due to too much weight, difficulties arose with the mass production of this machine. Nevertheless, according to experts, the design developments did not disappear and were applied increation of the BTR-70.
About improvements
In order to increase the speed characteristics of the machine, Soviet weapons engineers under the leadership of I. S. Mukhin equipped the armored personnel carrier with two gasoline engines of 120 hp each. with. everyone. Such a design solution made it possible to increase the specific power of the power system. The function of the main armament in the BTR-70 is performed by a tank heavy machine gun designed by Vladimirov (KPVT). The rotating turret became the place of its installation.
Result
For the hull of the BTR-70 (a photo of the armored personnel carrier is presented in the article), unlike the 60th model, the height is reduced by 18.5 cm, making the new vehicle less vulnerable to enemy fire. However, the armored personnel carrier is not without some drawbacks. According to experts, due to the presence of two engines, it has become more difficult to repair and maintain the power plant. In addition, the water-jet engine of the armored personnel carrier was not very successful. After overcoming water barriers, the structure has to be cleaned of silt and algae. However, the armored vehicle was approved by the military.
About mass production
In 1971, the USSR Ministry of Defense issued decree No. 0141, according to which the BTR-70 could be adopted by the Soviet army. Serial production began in 1976. Initially, the Gorky Automobile Plant was the place of manufacture of the armored personnel carrier. Since 1981, this task has been carried out by employees of the Arzamas Automobile Parts Plant. In addition, the license for the manufacture of the BTR-70was issued by the Soviet Union to Romania. Before the collapse of the USSR, the Romanian industry produced 154 units of armored vehicles.
About design
Designing the layout of the new machine, the developers used the 60th model of an armored personnel carrier. The place of the management department in the BTR-70 was the front of the vehicle. The jobs of the mechanic and the captain are also located here. The soldiers are placed in the middle part of the armored personnel carrier - the troop compartment. The rear of the car is reserved for the engine compartment. The frontal part of the armored personnel carrier is equipped with special windshields for visibility. In order to make the visibility good enough in any weather and season, the windows are provided with heating and windshield wipers. Protection of the commander and mechanic from bullet hits is provided by special armored shutters that are installed on the windows. In a combat situation, the commander's inspection of the area is carried out using the TNPKU-2B device and three periscope devices. The mechanic can use four periscope mechanisms. The management compartment of the armored personnel carrier for loading and unloading is equipped with top hatches. For the manufacture of the body used armored steel sheets, connected by welding. The frontal part of the armored personnel carrier has a thickness of 1 cm. The thickness of the sheet used for the turret is 0.6 cm. The disembarkation and landing of motorized riflemen hidden from the enemy is possible due to the presence of special hatches in the lower part of the side of the vehicle.
The crew of the armored personnel carrier is designed for eight people. For themspecial benches are provided. The internal structure of the BTR-70 was designed by the designers so that the soldiers had the opportunity to fire from the cabin. To do this, benches were placed on both sides of the car, on which the crew sits facing six small loopholes.
As with the windows in the management department, special armored covers are provided for the embrasures. In a combat situation, soldiers are surveyed using two periscope devices.
About weapons
Fire at the enemy is carried out from a tank heavy machine gun (14.5 mm) and PKT caliber 7.62 mm. KPVT is the main armament of the armored personnel carrier. The range of aimed fire from this gun is 2000 m. 500 ammunition is attached to one transport unit. A tank heavy machine gun is used as a secondary weapon. The aiming range of this weapon is slightly lower at 1500 m. The combat kit for the PKT consists of 2000 rounds.
About powertrain
The armored personnel carrier is equipped with two GAZ-49B eight-cylinder engines. The common frame became the place of their fastening. Engine oil is cooled by heat exchangers and radiators. The capacity of the fuel tanks is 145 liters. In order to reduce their fire hazard, special sealed compartments are provided in the design of the armored personnel carrier. In addition, the BTR-70 device is characterized by the presence of an automated fire-fighting system. According to experts, it is not uncommon for one ofpower units fail. The armored personnel carrier will be able to continue its movement if the second motor is serviceable. Therefore, the developers designed the power plant in such a way that the mechanic could remotely disconnect the power transmission from the motor.
About chassis
The hodovka of an armored personnel carrier consists of four axles. The high cross-country ability of the machine is ensured by the presence of all-wheel drive. The first two axles are controlled. A mechanic needs 12.5 meters to turn a vehicle around.
Torsion type suspension. The rim in the wheel is detachable. Tires are tubeless with a low level of pressure supported by a special adjustment system. Thanks to her, the armored personnel carrier can continue to move on punctured wheels. In this case, the compressors have to operate at full capacity to maintain the required pressure level. On an asph alt surface, vehicles can move at a speed of 80 km/h. Transmission closed with damper clutch. The machine is equipped with a manual transmission with four forward and one reverse gear. The third and fourth are equipped with synchronizers.
TTX
Features:
- BTR-70 belongs to the class of armored personnel carriers.
- Technique weighs 11.5 tons.
- The control crew consists of 2 people. There are 8 soldiers in the airborne squad.
- The maximum speed is 80 km/h.
- BTR-70 can swim 10 km within an hour.
- Vehicles have a power reserve of 400km.
- The total output of the power unit is 240 horsepower.
- External communication of the commander is carried out using the R-123M radio station. The R-124 device is intended for internal negotiations.
Expert Opinion
According to experts, the indisputable advantage of the BTR-70 is the ability to use it in an environment with a high level of radiation. The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a special system that detects increased background radiation. In addition, the cabin is equipped with an efficient ventilation system from the inside. Thanks to special filters, the crew is reliably protected from chemical and radiation exposure.
About modifications
The standard version of the BTR-70 has become the basis for the following variants of armored vehicles:
- KShM. It is a mobile command post.
- MS. This technique is used to communicate. Vehicle with turret removed and contains additional radios.
- BTR-70M. Specifications have been improved compared to the classic version. The new model uses one diesel KamAZ-7403 instead of two petrol engines. The power of the power unit has been increased to 260 hp. s.
- 70M-A1. This model is produced in Belarus. The power of two diesel power units is 136 hp each. with. The equipment is equipped with air conditioning.
- 70M-B1. Machine of Belarusian production. The vehicle uses a diesel engine. The power of the power unit is 260 horsepower.
- "Cobra-K". Vehicledeveloped jointly by Russian, Belarusian and Slovak specialists. The armored personnel carrier is armed with an improved Cobra module. In addition, air conditioning is provided for the APC.
- 70M-D. Machine made in Kazakhstan. Equipped with a 270 hp engine. with. Additionally, Turkish thermal imagers are used in the armored personnel carrier.
About BTR-70 Zvezda
Judging by the numerous consumer reviews, the Russian company "Zvezda" today is considered one of the largest, producing board games and prefabricated models. In the manufacturer's catalogs, plastic planes, helicopters, cars, ships and sailboats are presented to the attention of buyers. Prefabricated sets of BTR-70 "Zvezda" are in great demand.
Complete product 201 parts, which are fixed on five sprues. The total size of the product is 210 mm. The set has a scale of 1:35. The kit comes with 9 wheels for BTR-70 and instructions.
In conclusion
The baptism of fire of an armored personnel carrier took place in Afghanistan. Later, the BTR-70 was used in numerous armed conflicts on the territory of Transnistria, Abkhazia, Chechnya and eastern Ukraine. Despite the fact that designers are creating new versions of armored vehicles, according to experts, the 70th model will be in demand for a long time.
