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

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

More than half a century ago, the BRDM-2 entered service with the Soviet army. Russia continued to create military equipment. This car can still be found at military training grounds. And not only in Russia, but also in other countries. There is even an opportunity to purchase the BRDM-2 from conservation for personal use. True, in such a situation it is not known how the machine will behave after hibernation for 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-country ability on land, water obstacles, in off-road conditions, along ravines and trenches. Additional wheels that can be connected if necessary will help you get out of any place. If they fail, a 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

Armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle-2(BRDM-2) was produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant from 1963 to 1982. After that, for another 7 years, the car was produced at the Arzamas Machine-Building 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 with 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 leadership of V. A. Dedkov. This combat vehicle was supposed to replace the obsolete BRDM-1 by that time.

The first model was characterized by significant shortcomings. Among them were a front-mounted engine with a power of only 90 hp. s., weak firepower, heavy weight, which does not allow the vehicle to be equipped with additional weapons. Therefore, at the beginning of 1959, the country's armored department issued a technical assignment to an engineering plant to create a vehicle 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 on the hull, retractable rollers, which were driven by the main engine.

At this time, the production of the GAZ-66 truck (better known as "Shishiga") began at the enterprise. Thanks to this, designers could take more advanced elements to create the BRDM-2. Tuning of the base model was carried out using many parts from "Shishiga". These were bridges, transmission,power unit and other components.

The difference between the new model and the basic version

Wheeled all-terrain vehicles of two generations differed in technical characteristics. BRDM-2 had a number of advantages over its predecessor:

Improved driving performance

Enhanced combat capabilities

High security

There was anti-nuclear protection

The engine was installed at the rear, which improved the patency on water barriers

To work with information (receiving, transmitting) a radio communication system was used

The new model BRDM-2 was distinguished by such characteristics. The photo will tell you the changes that have affected the appearance of the car. The armored hulls were ready by the middle of 1960. But the new elements of the chassis and transmission were not yet 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 feedback.

Disadvantages of the model and their elimination

Military vehicles during the tests received the following reviews:

The torque generated by the more powerful motor was not fully transmitted by the transmission

The car turned out to be unstable when cornering. This was facilitated by a narrow automobile track, which was formed due to the established bridges from the "shishiga". For the same reason, the car could not move along the tank track

The open turret that housed the weapons is notprotected by the shooter. In addition, the open area nullified anti-nuclear protection

There was very little space inside the car, which was not enough for the crew to work

Poor visibility, which was obscured by the body of the car (rear view) and the driver (view from the right)

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, which 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 vehicle body. This arrangement did not affect the patency (including water obstacles). But at the same time, the shooter was hidden inside the car, he could conduct circular fire. The work of the anti-nuclear defense system was not disturbed. The disadvantage was the reduction in the number of crew by 1 person. The interior space has become even smaller.

Serial production was very slow. In 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, you can distinguish between the models of the first and last years.

Thus, early military all-terrain vehicles had two hatches through which air flowed. Having a trapezoidal shape, they were closed with lids that opened back. In the middle of production, two hatches were rectangular and closed with blinds. In models released in the seventies, overhatches housed 6 caps, outwardly resembling a mushroom. This design made it possible to protect the engine.

Crew

Russian armored vehicles were equipped with a crew of 4 people:

Commander

Driver-mechanic

Scout

A scout who is also a machine gun shooter

The commander, together with the driver in field conditions, conducts observation through viewing windows, which, if necessary, can be closed with armored covers. During combat operations, the commander uses a periscope for observation. In addition, there are prism devices. There are 4 of them for the commander, and 6 more for the mechanic. To inspect the area at night, the commander and driver-mechanic use night vision devices: TVN-2B and TKN-1S, respectively. You can get into the salon through the hatches located on top of the body.

Scouts are stationed at the sides of the fighting compartment. For each of them a semi-rigid seat is provided. Observation of the horizon is carried out through niches with three prism devices located inside them. Nearby are hatches with covers that are used to fire from personal weapons.

Design Features

The layout of the BRDM-2 is as follows:

Front - department of management. There are controls, a radio station, navigation devices, places for the driver and commander, and devices for monitoring the area

In the middle is the fighting compartment. Centerhis is the tower on which the machine gun is mounted. Ammunition, hydraulic lifts for additional wheels, two seats for scouts are also located there

In the stern - the engine compartment. It is isolated from the rest of the machine by a sealed partition with a filter and ventilation unit. You can get to the power unit through the hinged doors

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

Technical characteristics of the BRDM-2

The engine for the machine uses a carburetor V-shaped with 8 cylinders. The engine power is 140 hp. With. Without refueling, the car can travel 750 km on land or 15 hours when driving on water. The volume of the fuel tank is 280 l. There is a manual engine start drive.

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

The BRDM-2 chassis was little affected by tuning. In general, it is very similar to parts of the BRDM. The machine operates on two driving axles. When driving off-road, it is possible to connect two more bridges. This can be done using a hydraulic drive.

Machine dimensions:

Height - 2395 mm

Width - 2350 mm

Length - 5750 mm

Wheelbase - 3100 mm

Clearance - 330 m

Front track - 1840 mm

Rear wheel track - 1790 mm

The car weighs about 7 tons. In this case, the pressure on the ground is 0.5-2.7 kg/cm2.

Spring suspension. The springs have a semi-elliptical shape. Wheel formula - 4x4, when connecting additional two axles - 8x8.

Tire pressure can be checked centrally. It is not necessary to stop for this at all, you can even make adjustments on the go. When driving on 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 grip the ground.

A winch is installed in front of the hull. It allows the car to pull itself out. The winch has a pulling force of 3.9 tons. Its cable length is 50 m.

The speed that wheeled all-terrain vehicles develop when driving on the road is 95-100 km/h. When driving on water, this parameter is reduced to 8-10 km/h.

The vehicle is capable of climbing obstacles up to 0.4 m high. The depth of the ditch that the vehicle can overcome is up to 1.22 m. The climbability is 30 degrees.

Modifications

Wheeled all-terrain vehicles BRDM-2 are produced in several modifications. They were produced in various countries.

At the Arzamas Machine-Building Plant, in addition to the basic version, the BRDM-2M(A) version was also produced. In this model, wheel side mechanisms are replaced by 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 power is 136 hp. With. The BRDM-2A version is supplemented with two types of radio stations to choose from. Armament is represented by a machine gun (7.62 and 14.5 mm).

Several modifications were released on the territory of Ukraine. In 1999, a version of the BRDM-2LD with a new engine was assembled in Nikolaev. This model was used during the military conflict in Kosovo. After 6 years, another modification was released in Nikolaev - the BRDM-2DI "Khazar". An Iveco diesel engine with preheating, a thermal imager and new weapons were installed.

Two more modifications were assembled in Kyiv. The first was named BRDM-2DP. It was distinguished by its lower weight, for which the side 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 Kyiv modification appeared in 2013. Extra wheels removed. A radio station, a diesel engine with a power of 155 liters were added. with., marker lights behind and in front, hatches for paratroopers. Active modules have been changed.

Several modifications proposed by Poland. The first BRDM-2M-96I appeared in 1997. It featured a new brake system and a 6-cylinder Iveco diesel engine. The second modification appeared in 2003. She received the name BRDM-2M-96IK "Jackal". A new improved Iveco diesel engine with 6 cylinders was installed. The car was supplemented with a radio station, air conditioning, anti-cumulative lattice screens. The caliber of the installed machine gun has been changed. The latest modification made in Poland is the BRDM-2M-97 Zbik B. On this model, except for the new six-cylinder dieselmotor "Iveco" installed a new transmission and other additional equipment.

Another modification was assembled in Belarus. It was named BRDM-2MB1. Additional wheels and propellers were removed on it, allowing you to drive 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 has been increased to 7 people.

In 2013, Azerbaijan proposed its own version of Zubastik. Jet propulsion and additional wheels removed. A power unit with a capacity of 150 liters was installed. With. Improved mine protection. Hatches for paratroopers, a machine gun, towers for military modules (grenade launchers of various calibers, a double-barreled gun) were installed.

Kazakhstan proposed its modification in the same year. The power unit was replaced with an Iveco diesel unit. Bridges have been replaced. They were taken from the BTR-80. Due to this, the track has increased. The 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 (Kurjak).

BRDM-2 as the 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-2РХ or "Dolphin". This machine was developed for the purpose of conducting reconnaissance of chemical, bacteriological, radiationorientation. The features of the completeness of this version were:

A device for measuring the degree of air contamination with radiation (radiometer)

Gas analyzer operating in automatic mode

X-ray meter

Semi-automatic chemical detection device

Automatic alarm that detected the presence of bacterial impurities in the air

Air for analysis was supplied to the instruments through an air duct. After the test, the air was vented to the outside. The process of supply and ejection of the analyzed air is controlled by the driver. To do this, there are two levers in front of him. The car left a trail of guardrails behind. They were the inscription "Infected" on a yellow flag. This was done in order to determine a safe route. The flags were set by a special mechanism of the machine, 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), scout (essentially was a chemist).

In 1967, on the basis of the BRDM-2, a vehicle for command personnel was developed. It didn't have a tower. Instead, a hatch was installed that opens forward. The internal space accommodated the commander, 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 weapon turret was installed.

Were also developedsound broadcasting machines, which had an average sound transmission power. These were the models:

3S-72B, which did not install armed modules. The tower in it is replaced by a bar with a loudspeaker. The manufacturer has provided a broadcasting range of 7.5 km. It was even possible to send messages remotely. Only in this case, the announcer had to be at a distance of no more than half a kilometer from the car

3С-82, on which combat modules were installed. True, only one machine gun was kept on the tower. Next to him, a loudspeaker was mounted on the tower, which could be heard at a distance of up to 6 km

. The crew could be trained on a specially designed training stand.