Until a certain time, the overwhelming majority of Soviet armored vehicles had a tracked chassis. The active development of the wheel direction began only at the end of the fifties, and its first practical results were obtained at the beginning of the next decade. It was supposed to create wheeled vehicles for various purposes, for which it was proposed to develop a universal chassis capable of carrying special equipment. One of the results of this work was the Object 560 wheeled chassis, which later became the basis for the 560U Object.
Work on the creation of a promising universal chassis capable of carrying various equipment or weapons was started in 1960. All the leading organizations of the Soviet automobile and defense industry were involved in the design of new technology. So, the Plant them. Likhachev launched the development of the ZIL-153 project, the Gorky Automobile Plant continued the development of the BTR-60 product, etc. Among other enterprises, OKB-40 of the Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant received an order for a new project.
By this time, OKB-40 specialists had some experience in the field of military equipment, although they had not previously had to deal with wheeled combat vehicles. However, they got down to the task and soon offered their own version of the multi-purpose chassis. In accordance with the then existing nomenclature, the MMZ project received the working designation "Object 560". Also, some sources refer to the chassis as MMZ-560. The result of the development of the original project was the emergence of "Object 560U". Additional letters revealed the essence of the revision.
Experimental chassis "Object 560". Photo "Equipment and weapons"
The project proposed the creation of a four-axle multipurpose vehicle with a supporting armored body of a characteristic shape, which made it possible to mount various additional devices. It was proposed to use a relatively powerful diesel engine coupled with a hydromechanical transmission. The latter was responsible for delivering power to all drive wheels. The car had to move both on land, including on difficult routes, and on water. The tasks were solved with the help of some original ideas, and due to this, the "Object 560" had a recognizable appearance.
The basis of the product "560" was a large load-bearing armored hull, the appearance of which was as close as possible to the requirements. It was planned to be assembled from armor plates of small thickness, providing protection only from bullets and shrapnel. In front of the hull there was a manned compartment, which included a control compartment. The rear volume of this compartment was intended for the installation of special equipment and the installation of workplaces for its operators. The hull feed was given under the engine and part of the auxiliary devices. Individual elements of the hydromechanical transmission were located both in the rear of the hull and above its bottom.
The front part of the hull, which formed a fairly large overhang, had to be assembled from several armor parts of different shapes and sizes. The lower curved unit connected the forehead to the bottom. Above it was a curved piece, placed with an inclination forward. The upper parts were placed at different angles, giving the "Object 560" some resemblance to other armored vehicles of its time. The top of the forehead had a trapezoidal shape and was made of three sheets with openings for glazing.
The hull sides were divided into two main parts. At the level of the undercarriage parts, the hull had a smaller width with vertical sides. Large and voluminous niches were located above the wheels, due to which the overall width of the hull increased. Throughout the vehicle, the sides were located vertically. A characteristic feature of the MMZ-560 project was the use of relatively low sides, on which there were small wheel arches below. In this case, the front half of the side was higher than the rear. Due to this, the roof consisted of two horizontal and one inclined section. In the center of the hull or above the stern, one or another special equipment could be mounted on it.
A 12-cylinder V-shaped diesel engine D-12A was placed in the aft part of the hull. The engine was mated with a hydromechanical transmission. According to some reports, the power plant and transmission for the "560 Object" were developed on the basis of components and assemblies of a special MAZ-535 tractor. By the beginning of the sixties, this machine was tested and demonstrated the high characteristics of the units used. Existing or modified systems could be used in new projects.
The hydromechanical transmission was connected to a transfer case, with the help of which power was distributed to all propulsion units. The propeller shafts transmitted torque to all four axles of split and continuous structures, as well as a pair of aft water cannons. The shafts that fit the wheels were connected to wheel gearboxes. The latter were borrowed from the production car ZIL-135.
Possible appearance of the Yastreb missile system on the 560 chassis. Figure Militaryrussia.ru
In the basic version, the "Object 560" had an eight-wheel all-wheel drive chassis, built on bridges of a different design. The two front axles, equipped with steerable wheels, had independent suspension. The two rear axles were of continuous construction. Large diameter wheels were connected to a centralized pressure control system.
To move on water, the universal chassis received a pair of water cannons. They were placed in the rear of the hull, on the sides of the engine. The intake holes were located on the bottom, and the water was ejected through the windows in the stern. Like other amphibious armored vehicles, the MMZ-560 received a wave-reflecting shield. In the stowed position, he lay on the frontal armor, in the working position, it rose and was installed with a tilt forward.
In the front of the hull were the workplaces of the driver and commander. They were asked to get inside the car through a pair of roof hatches. The project provided for a noticeable improvement in visibility in comparison with a number of armored vehicles of that time. A large glazed opening was provided in the upper frontal part. On the sides of it, in the beveled zygomatic sheets of the hull, there were two more windows, differing in the maximum possible area. In a combat situation, all the windows were covered with movable armored covers. In this case, the driver and commander could follow the road using viewing devices installed on their roof hatches.
The configuration of hatches and other devices on other frequent hulls had to be determined in accordance with the purpose of the chassis. At the same time, regardless of the type and tasks of the installed additional equipment, the machine had to have hatches for landing operators or for servicing internal equipment. Their placement depended on the specifics of the installation of internal and external devices.
In terms of its dimensions, the "Object 560" differed little from other wheeled chassis developed at the same time as it. The total length of the vehicle did not exceed 7-7.5 m, the width was about 2.5-3 m, the height along the roof of the hull was just over 2 m. Depending on the composition and configuration of special equipment, the total weight of the vehicle could reach 15-16 tons …At the same time, the designers counted on obtaining high running characteristics. The maximum speed on the highway could reach 70-80 km / h, on the water - 8-10 km / h. The wheeled chassis could provide high cross-country ability on all terrains.
The development of technical documentation for the 560 project continued until 1961-62, after which the Mytishchi machine-building plant began assembling a prototype. During the first checks, the driving performance of the car on different routes and areas was studied. It was found that the chassis, despite various minor flaws, generally meets the requirements and can be used as a base for special or military equipment.
Already at this stage, the approximate range of modifications of the "Object 560" was determined. This chassis could become the base for several missile systems for different purposes at once. It was proposed to mount electronic equipment and launchers of anti-aircraft missiles "Ellipse" / "Wasp" or "Circle". Also MMZ-560 could become the carrier of the operational-tactical missile "Yastreb". In all cases, weapons control devices should be installed inside the hull, and it was planned to place antenna posts or launch guides on the roof.
Tests of the "Object 560" with weight simulators of the equipment of the "Yastreb" complex. Still from the film "Cars in uniform", dir. And Kryukovsky, studio "Wings of Russia"
For example, in the Yastreb project, the front part of the roof, above the second axle, was intended for the installation of its own radar. It was planned to install a lifting launch guide in the stern. In addition, hydraulic jacks were to appear in the central gap between the wheels and in the rear of the hull for leveling before firing.
"Object 560" as the carrier of "Yastreb" interested the customer, which led to the start of the relevant tests. A weight simulator of the antenna device appeared on the roof of the hull. Also, the ballast could be installed inside the hull. In this configuration, the chassis has undergone new tests and has shown its potential. However, the work actually stopped there. In the mid-sixties, the military decided to close the Hawk project. Developing it MKB "Fakel" was supposed to transfer all the materials to the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering. On the basis of the existing developments, the 9K79 Tochka complex was soon created, however, a new multi-wheeled chassis was used in this project.
Unfortunately, the chassis "Object 560" could not become the carrier of the future complex "Osa". At the stage of comparing several promising machines, it was found that it loses to competitors in terms of carrying capacity. In addition, it would hardly have been able to cope with the equipment of the complex, which by this time had become noticeably heavier and went beyond the design limits. The winner of the comparison was a special chassis "Object 1040" developed by the Kutaisi Automobile Plant. It was this machine that was soon equipped with the necessary devices and involved in testing the entire SAM assembly.
However, OKB-40 MMZ did not stop working on its chassis. The designers took into account the customer's claims and revised the existing project. Now it was planned to present the "Object 560U" to the military. The new letter meant "elongated" and indicated a modified hull design.
To improve the characteristics of the carrying capacity, the upgraded chassis received an additional axle. Continuous axle, additional transmission mechanisms, etc. installed on a new section of the hull. The latter was literally inserted between the third and fourth axles of the base machine. At the same time, the third and fourth wheels of each side were now placed under a common wing. This refinement led to a certain increase in the dimensions and curb weight of the chassis. At the same time, the available volumes and areas for the installation of special equipment have increased. The carrying capacity has also increased.
It should be noted that the Object 560U multipurpose chassis became the first domestic vehicle with a 10x10 wheel arrangement. Before him, such machines were not developed or built. Subsequently, this direction was developed, as a result of which the army received a whole set of "long" samples with a large number of axles.
In 1963, the prototype Object 560U was tested. Whether this car was built from scratch or was redesigned from an existing prototype is unknown. There is no exact information on this score, as well as joint photographs of the two cars are unknown. However, the methods of manufacturing a new prototype could hardly have an impact on the further fate of the project.
Experienced "Object 560U". Photo Strangernn.livejournal.com
According to known data, the MMZ-560U was again proposed to be used as a base for the Osa anti-aircraft complex. But the improved car did not suit the customer either. After revision, it met the requirements of the air defense missile system in terms of carrying capacity, and also had some margin in case of a further increase in the mass of the equipment. However, along with the carrying capacity, the weight of the machine also increased. Its curb weight exceeded 19 tons, which could not suit the customer.
In accordance with the terms of reference, the Osa complex was supposed to be able to be airlifted using the An-12 military transport aircraft. The latter could lift a load weighing up to 20 tons. When drawing up requirements for the Wasp, the military limited its maximum weight to 19 tons, creating a certain reserve. The anti-aircraft missile system on a five-axle chassis did not fit into these requirements and therefore could not receive approval.
Apparently, after the refusal in the framework of the Osa project, the 560U multipurpose chassis was left without a future. In theory, it could be used as a carrier of certain technical means, but in all cases there was a risk of going beyond the permissible limits in terms of mass. Thus, any new model of equipment based on the "Object 560U" risked repeating the fate of the failed version of the "Wasp".
After the second failure with the search for suitable special equipment, the MMZ-560 / 560U project was closed. With all its advantages, such a chassis in the current situation had no real prospects. In addition, there were several more successful wheeled armored vehicles capable of fully performing the functions of carriers of equipment or weapons. The project was not reworked a second time and was simply closed.
The prototype (or samples) of the "Object 560" after the completion of the tests could be sent for disassembly. Unlike a number of other interesting machines of that time, this technique has not survived. Now both prototypes can only be seen in a few surviving photographs. In addition, filming is known from the tests of the machine as a carrier of a tactical missile.
The program for the development of promising wheeled chassis capable of carrying this or that equipment or weapons, from the very beginning implied that some samples would go into series, while others would not leave the testing stage. And so it happened. New models of military and special equipment began to be built on the basis of the most successful chassis, and the "Object 560" and "Object 560U" were abandoned. As far as is known, OKB-40 of the Mytishchi machine-building plant did not develop wheeled military vehicles after that.
