The two-link snow and swamp-going vehicles produced by the Ishimbay plant "Vityaz" are widely known. Thanks to the original design, these machines have good cross-country ability and can be used as a convenient off-road vehicle. Several years ago, all-terrain vehicles of the Vezdekhod brand appeared a competitor - the GAZ-3344 car, developed by the Zavolzhsky plant of tracked tractors.
The GAZ-3344 all-terrain vehicle was created by specialists from the Zavolzhsky plant of tracked tractors (Zavolzhye, Nizhny Novgorod region), which is part of the GAZ group of companies, and is designed to transport people or goods over rough terrain and off-road. In order to increase the carrying capacity and cross-country ability, the machine is built according to a two-link scheme: structurally, it is divided into two blocks with their own chassis.
The link blocks are interconnected by means of a special hinge with the possibility of blocking. This architecture significantly increases the machine's cross-country ability due to the possibility of changing the relative position of the links, as well as by blocking the hinge, which makes it possible to increase the width of the crossed trenches. The hinge has four hydraulic cylinders that ensure the interaction of the machine links in two planes.
The hulls of both links of the GAZ-3344 all-terrain vehicle have approximately the same design. Their lower part is made of steel sheet in the form of a "boat" and should provide buoyancy to the all-terrain vehicle. Other units are mounted on these "boats", including the power plant and cargo-passenger cabins. The two-tier architecture affected the layout of the units. So, the engine of the machine is located in the front link and through a transmission with a transfer case transmits torque to the drive wheels of both links.
The power plant of the all-terrain vehicle is located in the front link. Modifications with the Yaroslavl diesel engine YaMZ-5402 with a capacity of 190 hp are produced. and a Cummins ISB4 / 5E3 engine with 185 hp. The engine of the all-terrain vehicle is mated to a five-speed Allison 2500 transmission. The engine is located at the rear of the front link to optimize load distribution on the tracks. The drive wheels of both links are located at the front of their housings. The transmission of power to the drive wheels of the rear link is carried out by means of a propeller shaft passing through the hinge.
The undercarriage of the two links of the GAZ-3344 all-terrain vehicle has the same design. Each side has six road wheels with individual torsion bar suspension. The front and rear rollers of each link are also equipped with shock absorbers and travel stops to prevent damage to the undercarriage when driving in difficult conditions. The tracks of the all-terrain vehicle can be equipped with rubber asphalt shoes. The design of the shoes allows them to be installed without dismantling the tracks. If necessary, the shoes can be used for driving not only on roads, but also on rough terrain.
On the basic two-link chassis, various types of housings can be installed. The GAZ-3344 snow and swamp-going vehicle can be the basis for equipment for various purposes, which was taken into account in its development. The front link in all modifications is equipped with a hull that contains the cockpit and the engine compartment. The passenger part of the hull is reminiscent of minivan-class cars by its contours. It has seats for a driver and four passengers. The cab is equipped with noise and heat insulation, as well as a heater. If necessary, cargo can be transported in the rear of this cabin. Front link lift capacity is limited due to engine and transmission components. The front cabin can carry no more than 500 cargo. To avoid damage to the front cab, a frame with grilles covering the lighting equipment and the windshield can be mounted on it.
In the basic version of the snow and swamp-going vehicle, the rear link is equipped with a van body for the carriage of goods or passengers. The van has 15 seats, several windows and a stern door. Like the front cab, the rear one is insulated and protected from noise, and can also be equipped with an autonomous heater. In addition to people, loads of appropriate sizes can be transported in the rear link. If necessary, the crew of the car can use the available berths. In the front cabin, two people can rest at the same time, in the rear one - six. The maximum payload of the link is 2000 kg. Thus, the GAZ-3344 all-terrain vehicle is capable of transporting up to 20 people (including the driver) or 2.5 tons of cargo over rough terrain.
The rear link of the GAZ-3344 car can carry not only a cargo-passenger cabin, but also various special equipment. According to the official website of the Zavolzhsky plant of tracked tractors, the all-terrain vehicle can be equipped with a cargo platform (carrying capacity 2500 kg), an emergency rescue or fire module, a lifting tower, a drilling rig and other equipment. Such a modular design of the rear link should provide the all-terrain vehicle with a great future, since it can be of interest to many potential customers in need of equipment for one purpose or another.
The two-link all-terrain vehicle GAZ-3344 turned out to be quite compact. Its length does not exceed 9.8 m, width - 2.02 m and height - 2.65 mm. Clearance - 430 mm. An interesting feature of the car is the track width of 1520 mm. It is argued that thanks to this, the all-terrain vehicle can move not only on roads or rough terrain, but also on the railroad, relying on tracks on the rails.
The curb weight of the GAZ-3344 all-terrain vehicle (with 400 liters of fuel) is 8 tons. Taking into account the maximum permissible load, the total weight of the vehicle can reach 10.5 tons. At the same time, the average specific pressure on the ground is approximately 0.2 kgf per sq. cm. The machine is capable of climbing a 35-degree slope and moving with a roll of up to 25 °. Thanks to the two-link layout, the turning radius of the tracked vehicle is 10 meters.
When driving on a highway, the snow and swamp vehicle is capable of speeds up to 60 km / h. Rough terrain speed depends on the terrain. Sealed unit housings allow the GAZ-3344 to overcome water obstacles by swimming. Movement is carried out by rewinding the tracks. The maximum speed on the water is 6 km / h. When driving on the highway, the fuel consumption is 50 liters per 100 km. The fuel range is 800 km.
The GAZ-3344 snow and swamp-going vehicle is designed for operation in the Arctic, Siberia, the Far East and in other regions with a difficult climate and the absence of an extensive network of roads. The machine can be operated without specialized garages at temperatures from -40 ° to + 40 °. The engine maintains sufficient power when operating at altitudes up to 4.6 km above sea level.
In early August of this year, it became known that the Russian Ministry of Defense had shown its interest in the GAZ-3344 all-terrain vehicle. Within the framework of the Ministry of Defense Innovation Day, the leadership of the military department got acquainted with the GAZ-3344-20 car. In addition, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu personally tested the all-terrain vehicle in the conditions of the training ground. The result of this familiarization was an order concerning the development of new modifications of equipment. Specialists of the Zavolzhsky plant of tracked tractors were instructed to create five modifications of the all-terrain vehicle intended for use by the troops.
The version of the GAZ-3344-20 all-terrain vehicle, proposed for supplying the army, differs from the basic version in protected fuel tanks, the ability to install weapons and a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, the all-terrain vehicle for the military does not have a reservation. Commenting on the order of the Minister of Defense, the general director of the manufacturer Valentin Kopalkin said that by the end of the year the machine must pass all tests, and from January its serial construction will begin. Acceptance for the supply of the armed forces was planned for February 2015. The capabilities of the Zavolzhsky plant make it possible to build up to 600 GAZ-3344-20 all-terrain vehicles annually.
The new all-terrain vehicles should replenish the fleet of vehicles of a number of units of the armed forces. Such equipment should be received by units based in remote regions with a poorly developed transport infrastructure and a difficult climate.
In early November, the Ministry of Defense announced the testing of the GAZ-3344-20 all-terrain vehicles. Employees of the Scientific Research Testing Center of Automotive Technology and the 3rd Central Scientific Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense went to the Rybachy Peninsula (Kola Peninsula), where they are to make a three-day trip 500 km long. In these tests, a technician of two dozen types must be tested. The results of these tests should affect the future of all tested equipment, including the GAZ-3344-20 all-terrain vehicles.
