To fly several thousand kilometers and deliver a payload to the drop area, a long-range bomber must have huge fuel tanks. Thus, aircraft of the Tu-95 family take on board up to 80 tons of fuel, and the capacity of the fuel system of the supersonic Tu-160 exceeds 170 thousand liters. To prepare such aircraft for departure, special tankers are required, capable of delivering the maximum amount of kerosene to the equipment in one flight. An original solution to such problems was proposed in the domestic project ATZ-90-8685c.
As of the mid-eighties, the USSR Air Force had several models of aerodrome refuelers at its disposal, equipped with tanks of relatively large capacity. Taking into account the needs of existing aircraft, it was proposed to create a new aircraft of this class, which has significant advantages over production models. At the same time, the assigned tasks should have been solved through the widespread use of existing products and components with a minimum number of innovations.
ATZ-90-8685s tanker in the Patriot park. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
Soon, a project was created for a promising airfield vehicle, which received the official designation ATZ-90-8685c. The letters "ATZ" indicated the class of equipment - "auto refueller". The first two digits indicated the maximum capacity of the tanks in cubic meters, and the four-digit number indicated the model of the main component of the complex. The articulated layout of the tanker was marked with the letter "c". According to other sources, it indicated the presence of a fifth wheel coupling on one of the semitrailers.
To simplify mass production and operation, the ATZ-90-8685c project was based on serial equipment samples. So, the mobility of the entire complex in the assembly was supposed to be provided by a MAZ-74103 truck tractor. It was proposed to attach to it a pair of semi-trailers of the ChMZAP-8685 model with large-capacity tanks and a set of additional equipment for working with fuel. In fact, the new aerodrome tanker was supposed to be an existing machine of the ATZ-60-8685c type, supplemented by a second semi-trailer with a tank.
The MAZ-74103 tractor was a variant of the further development of the MAZ-543 (MAZ-7310) machine, which was distinguished by increased characteristics. It was an eight-wheeled four-wheel drive vehicle with a characteristic two-cab layout and a central location of the power plant. The tractor was equipped with a 650 hp diesel engine. and a hydromechanical transmission providing four forward speeds and two reverse. The undercarriage has been reinforced to accommodate the increased load capacity. The load on the fifth wheel coupling was increased to 27 tons. The carrying capacity of the road train based on MAZ-74103 was determined at 57 tons.
Experimental vehicle being tested. Photo Russianarms.ru
The pivot of the front CHMZAP-8685 semi-trailer carrying one of the tanks was to be fixed on the "saddle" of the tractor. The ATZ-90-8685c tanker was supposed to have two semi-trailers at once with their own fuel tanks. To solve this problem, I had to use a pair of serial semi-trailers with the appropriate set of equipment. In particular, the front one could not carry a large tank, and also needed its own fifth wheel coupling.
The front semi-trailer from the ATZ-90-8685c was a serial platform with three own axles. The front support platform of the semi-trailer, integrated into the tank structure, has been raised noticeably above the main platform. At the rear of the semitrailer platform, at the level of the third axle, a separate fifth wheel coupling was provided for towing the second semitrailer. The power set of the semi-trailer was formed by the front and rear frames, as well as the tank body, which had sufficient strength.
The modified semi-trailer ChMZAP-8685, located immediately behind the tractor, received a tank of a special shape, determined in accordance with the existing requirements. The tank consisted of two large parts, differing in shape and size. Its front unit, located on the support platform, was distinguished by a lower height. The rear part, in turn, had the same width at a higher height. This element of the tank lay directly on the frame with the chassis. The curved rear wall of the tank was located at the level of the front pair of wheels, making room for the installation of a second semi-trailer.
Front semi-trailer with tank. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
A platform for working with necks and sleeves was installed on top of the tank. Access to it was provided by a ladder from the front. On the sides of the platform, next to the curved bottom of the tank, were boxes for transporting tools. On the rear platform with a “saddle”, several longitudinal tubes were provided for transporting flexible hoses.
The second semi-trailer was borrowed without significant changes from the serial ATZ-60-8685 tanker. It also had a three-axle undercarriage and a raised front support platform with a kingpin. The rear semi-trailer tank was equipped with a reduced front unit located above the fifth wheel coupling, and also had a large rear unit. At the same time, the rear part of the tank was distinguished by its large length and volume. At the top there was a platform for working with necks, on the sides - boxes.
The rear semi-trailer ChMZAP-8685 was equipped with a large stern overhang, inside which was located a variety of equipment for receiving and dispensing fuel. There was also an autonomous engine that ensured the operation of all systems of both semi-trailers. The equipment was accessed through the side and aft hatches.
Front semi-trailer chassis and articulation means. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
The tanker was equipped with its own pump, type TsN-240/140, driven by an existing engine. There was a filter-separator with a filtering fineness of up to 5 microns. Its characteristics made it possible to almost completely clean the fuel from free water. The filter had minimal electrifying properties, and was also equipped with a static electricity neutralizer. This made it possible to solve the problem of fuel electrification on the way to the aircraft tanks. Control over the fuel supply was carried out by an LV-150-64 meter.
The ATZ-90-8685c complex included a set of flexible hoses for receiving and dispensing fuel. The machine was equipped with two suction hoses with a diameter of 100 mm and a length of 4.5 m. Two hoses with a diameter of 76 mm and a length of 15 m, as well as a pair of products with a diameter of 50 mm and a length of 20 m were intended for dispensing.
The operational capacity of the tanker pair was 90 thousand liters. The dispensing system, working with one sleeve, could deliver to the consumer up to 2500 liters of fuel per minute. At the same time, the fuel did not receive a static charge and was almost completely cleaned of water.
Back view. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
The equipment used allowed the ATZ-90-8685c tanker to independently solve a number of problems related to the transportation and delivery of fuel. He could autonomously take fuel from the tank and fill his own tanks. Refueling of the serviced aircraft could be carried out both from its own tank and from a third-party tank. The pumping of liquids from one container to another was ensured without using our own tanks. There was a possibility of mixing various components in standard tanks to obtain certain mixtures.
The ATZ-90-8685c aerodrome refueling tanker when fully equipped and in working order was distinguished by its uniquely large dimensions and weight. Such disadvantages, however, were fully compensated for by the amount of fuel transported and other performance characteristics. The possibility of the simultaneous transportation of 90 cubic meters of kerosene with the subsequent transfer to a heavy aircraft favorably distinguished the new machine from existing analogues, which were equipped with only one tank.
Despite its size and weight, the ATZ-90-8685c tanker could be transported by military transport aircraft. A tractor with two semi-trailers was placed in the cargo compartment of the An-124 aircraft. The vehicle was loaded through the front hatch. Having entered the plane, the tanker occupied almost the entire usable volume of the cargo compartment and left a minimum of free space. To secure the large articulated vehicle inside the transport aircraft, a special mooring scheme was developed.
Rear tank top platform. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
An experienced airfield tanker of the new model was built in the mid-eighties. After passing all the necessary tests, including with a military transport aircraft, and confirming the calculated characteristics, the car was recommended for acceptance for supply to the air force. The corresponding order appeared in 1987. Soon, the industry received an order for the serial production of new equipment.
Several organizations from different cities were involved in the release of refuellers. The Minsk Automobile Plant was responsible for the production of MAZ-74103 tractors. ChMZAP-8685 semi-trailers were ordered from the Chelyabinsk Machine-Building Plant of Automobile Trailers. The production of some units and the subsequent general assembly of equipment were entrusted to the Mariupol enterprise "Azovobschemash". The order for the production of ATZ-90-8685c machines appeared in 1987 and, apparently, the first serial tanker was released soon.
The exact number of serial tankers assembled in Mariupol is unknown. Production started at a not very successful period in the history of the Soviet Union, and therefore could not be truly massive. In addition, the production of equipment was discontinued shortly after the collapse of the USSR. Thus, the military aviation could not get a large number of new tankers.
Loading the ATZ-90-8685s into the An-124 aircraft. Photo Russianarms.ru
Already during operation, it was found that the ATZ-90-8685c machine has characteristic problems that seriously affect the resource. The main disadvantage was the insufficient strength of the connection between the tank and the semi-trailer. This assembly has been subjected to high stress and excessive wear. Obtaining the estimated service lives proved impossible. According to the calculations of the designers, the semitrailers were supposed to serve for 12 years. However, in practice, they had to be written off after 5-7 years.
The ATZ-90-8685c tanker was created in the interests of long-range aviation and, in general, was not of particular interest to other structures. In addition, the performance of the equipment was lower than expected. Finally, the collapse of the Soviet Union left all participants in production in different independent states. Lack of orders and production difficulties led to the fact that in 1992 Azovobschemash stopped assembling new articulated tankers.
The released machines were distributed among several air bases, where they were used for a certain time. The presence of design flaws that reduced the resource of equipment did not allow them to remain in service for a long time. Not later than the beginning of the two thousandth years, a few ATZ-90-8685c were decommissioned. Most of these machines, no longer needed by the armed forces, went for recycling.
Fuel tanker in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. Photo Russianarms.ru
One of the surviving tankers of an unusual type was recently delivered to Kubinka and became another exhibit at the Patriot Park exhibition. ATZ-90-8685c stands in an open area and is available to everyone. Along with this machine, there are some other samples of aerodrome equipment on display. Thanks to this, the unique tanker can be compared with other representatives of this class.
The main goal of the ATZ-90-8685c project was to create an automobile aerodrome tanker capable of carrying the maximum possible amount of fuel, which would simplify the maintenance of long-range aircraft. The assigned tasks were only partially solved. The machine with the required characteristics reached mass production and operation, but its real capabilities did not fully suit the military. Having certain problems and appearing at an unfortunate time, the new tanker was quickly removed from production, and soon decommissioned. A unique sample of aerodrome technology could not fully realize its potential.
