The promising search and evacuation complex PEK-490, created in the mid-seventies in the interests of cosmonautics, was supposed to consist of several ultra-high-performance vehicles. Together with other samples, it was planned to develop a snow and swamp-going vehicle with a rotary screw propeller, capable of reaching the most remote areas. The first attempt to create such a machine was the ZIL-2906 project. A prototype of this type showed insufficient characteristics, and this led to the start of a new project ZIL-29061.
Tests of the ZIL-2906 auger snow and swamp vehicle started in 1975, and it was quickly established that this machine did not meet all the customer's requirements. Its main problem was insufficient engine power. A pair of 37-horsepower MeMZ-967A engines could not provide the required performance. In addition, the all-terrain vehicle showed insufficient stability on the water, and the open cockpit made it difficult for the crew to work. Most of these shortcomings could be eliminated by altering some of the units of the existing machine.
Auger ZIL-29061 against the background of wheeled vehicles ZIL-4906, February 15, 2015 Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Nevertheless, SKB ZIL quickly came to the conclusion that it was inexpedient to rebuild the existing prototype all-terrain vehicle. So, to increase the total power, new engines were required with different dimensions. To install them, the entire body would have to be redone, and therefore a simple modernization of the ZIL-2906 did not make sense. However, on the basis of the existing project, it was possible to develop a new one, initially taking into account the existing experience of recent tests.
The new auger was to be based on the design of the existing one; moreover, it could be considered a modification of it. In this regard, the next project was designated ZIL-29061, which showed the continuity of developments. Also, this snow and swamp-going vehicle was given the name FEM-1M, which also reminded of the basic model.
In the new project, it was again proposed to use a load-bearing welded body made of aluminum panels. The upper part of the hull, which contained the cockpit and the engine compartment, was a box of low height with an inclined front wall. The lower part of the body received a wider side belt. Unlike previous cars, a slightly curved bottom was used. In the front and rear of the machine, there were supports for the rotary-screw propeller. It was proposed to equip the front supports with removable triangular skis to facilitate climbing an obstacle. The auger rear supports were installed vertically, not at an angle as in previous projects.
Scheme of the auger swamp rover. Drawing "Equipment and weapons"
In the rear of the hull, flywheels forward were installed two VAZ-2103 automobile engines with a capacity of 77 hp each. Once again, an on-board power distribution scheme was used, in which each engine was associated with only one rotor. Each engine was equipped with a single-plate dry clutch, a four-speed manual transmission, a cylindrical reduction gear and a cardan gear. Also in the transmission there were two reverse gear boxes, shafts and final drives. The transmission units passed along the body and "descended" into the front rotor bearings. Unlike previous projects, this time the final drives of the augers were at the front of the machine.
In the ZIL-29061 project, rotors of an updated design were proposed. They consisted of a main cylindrical body and a pair of truncated cones. Inside the new auger there were partitions, with the help of which it was divided into several sealed compartments. The lug in the form of a two-thread spiral was made of a bimetallic (steel and aluminum alloy) plate, which increased its resource by several tens of times. The length of the new rotor was 3.35 m, the lug diameter was 900 mm. The spiral angle is 35 °.
The basic ZIL-2906 had an open cockpit, which was not particularly convenient and comfortable. In the new project, the habitable compartment could be covered with hard and soft devices. So, instead of a rectangular frame with windshields, a hood with three inclined windows was used. From above it had a roof with a hatch. The cap was made in one piece with a polygonal top sheet of the body. This whole structure was pivotally attached to the rear frame and could be lifted up, providing access to the machine. At the same time, the front inclined part of the body was folded forward and downward. On the front wall of the engine compartment, it was proposed to install a quick-detachable wall with a pair of small windows. The cap and the wall could be used to install an insulated awning.
Loading an astronaut through a hatch formed by a hinged hood. Photo "Equipment and weapons"
In the front part of the cab, in its center, there was a driver's control post. Based on the experience of the previous project, the all-terrain vehicle was equipped with traditional controls in the form of levers. The driver had a dual set of controls at his disposal to provide full control over the two powertrains and augers. The clutches and throttle were controlled by a pair of pedals. The equipment of the dashboard made it possible to monitor the operation of all systems.
Behind the driver's seat was a second seat for the doctor. Also, ZIL-29061 was supposed to transport two astronauts in a recumbent position. To accommodate the stretcher, places were provided along the sides of the habitable compartment. It was proposed to load the stretcher with the hood raised and the frontal sheet folded back. For a comfortable ride in the cold season, the cab was equipped with an autonomous heater.
For a full-fledged solution of search and evacuation tasks, the new all-terrain vehicle was equipped with a set of special equipment. On board there was a standard radio station R-809M2 and a portable radio direction finder NKPU-1. Also, the crew, depending on the current situation, could use an entrenching tool, stretcher or other medical equipment, medicines, etc. From the point of view of equipping with means of rendering assistance, the auger was almost no different from other machines of the "490" complex.
According to the creators' idea, the new all-terrain vehicle was to be transported to the place of work by a ZIL-4906 wheeled vehicle. Before loading onto the carrier, it was necessary to remove the front skis from it, as well as the cap and the rear wall of the cabin. After that, a regular all-terrain truck crane could lift the auger and put it in its body. Before starting work, the machine was unloaded onto the ground and equipped with the necessary elements previously removed for transportation. The descent or ascent of the auger snow and swamp-going vehicle would take no more than 20-25 minutes.
Towing the descent vehicle of the spacecraft. Photo "Equipment and weapons"
As part of the new project, which involved changing the power plant and transmission, it was necessary to actually create a new body, which led to a noticeable increase in size. The ZIL-29061 all-terrain vehicle had a length (along the body) of 4.1 m. The front skis increased this parameter by 760 mm. The width of the vehicle did not exceed 2.4 m, the height along the roof of the cockpit cap was 2.2 m. The ground clearance on a hard surface reached 760 mm. The dry weight of the vehicle was determined at the level of 1.69 tons; equipped - 1, 855 tons. The maximum weight reached 2250 kg, while 400 kg fell on the payload. The latter consisted of four people and a little less than a centner of equipment.
The assembly of the experimental ZIL-29061 auger was completed at the end of the spring of 1979. A few days later, the car was sent to the Nara fish factory, the ponds of which were already used as a testing ground for new equipment. Until the beginning of August, the all-terrain vehicle was tested in different modes and in different conditions. It was found that it can climb or descend from the shore with a steepness of 23 °. During the mooring tests, the rotary-screw propeller developed a thrust of 760 kg. The maximum speed on the water reached 15 km / h. In shallow waters with a muddy bottom, the speed did not exceed 11.3 km / h. It is curious that together with the ZIL-29061, the base ZIL-2906 underwent similar tests. This car, quite expectedly, showed less high performance.
Also, tests were carried out on off-road and sand. In all cases, the new prototype showed acceptable performance. At the same time, it turned out that on wet sand the all-terrain vehicle can only move sideways, at a speed of no more than 0.5 km / h. But on such terrain, there were no problems with maneuverability.
Auger ZIL-29061 with a mower. Photo "Equipment and weapons"
In the winter of 1978, an experienced ZIL-29061 went to Vorkuta to be tested in the most severe conditions. It turned out that the air temperature of -40 ° C does not interfere with starting and warming up the car in just half an hour. A few minutes after the start of the movement, the mechanisms warmed up and could work in the required modes. The cabin heater made it possible to raise the temperature by about 30 ° in 15-20 minutes. However, a typical problem was identified: regardless of the operation of the heater, the stretcher frames remained cold. The fact is that the metal elements of the stretcher were in contact with the hull and did not have time to warm up: the heat from them was transferred to the hull and outboard air.
After the required preparation, the all-terrain vehicle showed the highest results. So, on virgin snow with a depth of 1 m, carrying a full payload, the car accelerated to 25 km / h. The maneuverability was found to be satisfactory. Depending on the load and speed, fuel consumption could fluctuate between 20-33 l / h.
In the last days of January, near Vorkuta, the first tactical exercises started using machines of the PEC-490 complex, including the ZIL-29061. The ZIL-4906 cargo all-terrain vehicle delivered the auger to the specified area, after which it independently moved to the place of the conditional landing of the descent vehicle. In order not to waste time, the crew took their seats in the cockpit in advance, before the all-terrain vehicle was lowered to the ground, and also started and warmed up the engine. Thanks to this, the entire stage of descent to earth with the subsequent departure to the cosmonauts took only a few minutes. Finding the conditional cosmonauts, the crew loaded the recumbent into the car, which also took no more than five minutes. Also, in practice, the possibility of moving the descent vehicle through the snow with the help of a tow rope was tested.
The utility vehicle at work. Photo "Equipment and weapons"
Over the next few months, the rotary-screw all-terrain vehicle and other machines developed at SKB ZIL underwent various tests and confirmed the calculated characteristics. The technique has shown all its capabilities and demonstrated high reliability. According to the test results, the ZIL-4906 and ZIL-49061 wheeled all-terrain vehicles, as well as the ZIL-29061 auger snow and swamp vehicle, were accepted for supply by the Unified State Aviation Search and Rescue Service. The development plant received an order for the serial production of three types of equipment.
The first serial ZIL-29061 left the assembly shop in 1981. Production continued. Each search and evacuation complex "490" should have had its own auger. It should be noted that the ZIL-29061 became the first domestic all-terrain vehicle with a similar chassis, which was put into operation. Moreover, the new technology was immediately thrown into the most responsible direction.
Soon after the start of mass production, SKB ZIL developed a project for the modernization of new machines. In 1984, the first prototype received a pair of VAZ-2106 engines with a capacity of 80 hp each. Also, the transmission of the car has undergone an update. The inhabited compartment has been modified for greater comfort for the crew. In the first months of next year, the rebuilt prototype was tested in Vorkuta. It was possible to obtain some increase in characteristics, but the process of updating the design did not stop.
One of the serial augers. Photo Wikimedia Commons
At the beginning of 1986, a prototype equipped with VAZ-411 rotary-piston engines with a power of 110 hp came out for testing. each. Transmission devices have been changed again. Electrical systems have also undergone recycling. Due to the different design of the engines, certain modifications of the existing body were required. During the tests, the ZIL-29061 with new engines accelerated on virgin snow to 32 km / h, although because of this, the fuel consumption increased to 70 l / h. While maintaining high performance, he could take on board four people and 150 kg of cargo.
In mid-1989, the "space" all-terrain vehicle tried itself in the role of an agricultural machine. Kherson fishing collective farm them. XX Congress of the CPSU asked to provide him with a snow and swamp-going vehicle with a mower. Soon on one of the all-terrain vehicles, a cutting apparatus of the KRN-2, 1A mower appeared with a hydrostatic drive from the left standard engine and with the ability to adjust in height. The additional mass on the front of the vehicle forced counterweights to be installed at the stern.
In February 1990, the car went to the specified pond, where it was supposed to mow unnecessary vegetation. The thickets covered a total of about 15 hectares and consisted of reeds up to several meters high. At the bottom of the reservoir there was a layer of silt with a depth of 700 mm. In such conditions, only the auger could really work. During the work, the driver and the car had to face serious difficulties. The raised dust and fluff forced the driver to use personal protective equipment, and in addition, fell into filters and radiators. After every hour of work, they had to be cleaned. Moving at an average speed of 5 km / h, the all-terrain vehicle with a mower coped with the task in 38 hours and freed the pond from unnecessary vegetation.
As a result of this work, the leadership of the fishing organization came up with a proposal to create a specialized auger suitable for use in the national economy. Perhaps SKB ZIL would undertake such work, but the collapse of the USSR prevented the implementation of promising proposals.
The ZIL-4906 wheeled all-terrain vehicle unloads the ZIL-29061 screw rotor. Search and rescue exercise, February 18, 2015 Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
A few years later, the Plant. Likhachev received another advantageous offer. One of the large companies in the oil industry wanted to get a screw-rotor snow and swamp-going vehicle for transporting people and goods in hard-to-reach regions of Siberia and the Arctic. The project under the designation ZIL-29062 was developed, but it did not come to mass production. However, the oilmen were not left without special equipment. The company still ordered the PEK-490 complex with several machines, including the ZIL-29061 auger.
According to known data, full-scale serial production of ZIL-29061 machines continued from the early eighties to the early nineties. After that, the rate of production dropped sharply. At the same time, the manufacturing plant acquired new customers in the form of various civil or commercial structures. To date, several customers have received a total of at least two dozen augers.
The main operator of such equipment is currently the Federal Office of Aerospace Search and Rescue under the Ministry of Defense. The supply of this structure consists of a large number of ZIL all-terrain vehicles of several types. Using search and evacuation complexes "490", the Office helps to search for and return home the landed cosmonauts. Not a single landing of the last decades, carried out on the territory of our country or neighboring states, did not do without the PEK-490 machines.
The search and evacuation complex "490", despite its considerable age, is still in operation and solves the assigned tasks. There is no replacement yet. Apparently, vehicles of the ZIL-4906 family and ZIL-2901 augers will meet astronauts for a long time and solve other special tasks that require uniquely high characteristics of mobility and maneuverability.
