Currently, with the aim of developing the fleet of automobile and special equipment of the armed forces, several new projects are being developed. The most important element of the new program is the Tornado projects, within the framework of which promising wheeled chassis with high payload characteristics are being created. The main contractors for the new program are the KamAZ and Ural automobile plants. Using their experience and existing developments, these enterprises are currently creating their own versions of multipurpose vehicles for the army.
The Kama Automobile Plant, within the framework of the Tornado program, is creating the KamAZ-53958 project, also known under the designation KamAZ-6560M. The goal of this project is to create a versatile multi-purpose chassis with high mobility and payload characteristics. In accordance with the terms of reference, the four-wheel drive four-axle chassis in the future should become the basis for military equipment for various purposes. The new chassis will be equipped with equipment for carrying out cargo transportation, and can also become the basis for various types of combat vehicles. Work on the Tornado project is scheduled to be completed within the next few years.
According to reports, the current KamAZ-53958 / 6560M project goes back to an older development. In the middle of the last decade, specialists from the Kama Automobile Plant presented the KamAZ-6560 chassis with an 8x8 wheel arrangement. This car could transport up to 20 tons of cargo and was created as a replacement for the KamAZ-63501 chassis, which did not fully suit the military and defense industry. The main impetus for the emergence of the KamAZ-6560 project was the development of the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft complex, which required a chassis with appropriate characteristics. Due to the lack of a vehicle with the required parameters, KamAZ has developed a new chassis.
KamAZ-53958 at the Interpolitex 2015. Photo St-kt.ru
In 2012, a new project for the development of promising automotive technology was launched, which received the designation "Tornado". The main goal of this program is to develop universal platforms that can be used for the construction of various equipment for solving various problems. The project, created by the Kama Automobile Plant, was designated KamAZ-53958 and KamAZ-6560M. The latter, it should be noted, speaks directly about the methods of creating new technology and clearly hints at the maximum possible use of existing developments.
According to available data, the Tornado program was based on a number of requirements related to improving the main characteristics of promising technology. So, by creating nodes with the highest possible characteristics, as well as using built-in diagnostic systems, it was necessary to increase the reliability of equipment by 1.5-2 times. The engine power should have been increased by 1, 2-1, 4 times, which would increase the average speed of movement on various roads and thereby improve mobility by 30-40%. By reducing the preparation time for equipment for operation, the level of readiness for use had to be increased by 1.5 times. Finally, the requirements for the project stipulated a decrease in the visibility of technology for various detection means.
It took some time to develop a new project, after which the Kamsky Automobile Plant was able to demonstrate a promising special car. The first demonstration of the vehicle with the KAMAZ-6560M index took place in 2014 at the show in Bronnitsy. This car had a four-axle chassis and a characteristic protected cab. No additional equipment was mounted on the exhibition chassis: the frame remained empty.
In October last year, a modified KamAZ-6560M / 53958 car was shown at the Interpolitech-2015 exhibition. In the period between the two exhibitions, the car received a number of additional equipment. At the same time, the most noticeable innovation was the installation of a side body. The equipment of the "Tornado" family is intended for solving various problems, including the transportation of goods. One of the transport configurations of the KamAZ-53958 vehicle involves the use of a body with drop sides.
Prototype KamAZ-6560M at the exhibition in Bronnitsy. Photo Russian-sila.rf
In the future, new options for additional equipment of Tornado cars from the Kama Automobile Plant may appear. In particular, there is already information about plans to develop a special modification that will be used as the basis for the modernized Pantsir-SM anti-aircraft complex. The available data on such a combat vehicle suggest that the use of a new chassis will improve some of the characteristics of the complex, including increasing the ammunition of missile systems.
In its current form, KamAZ-53958 / 6560M is a four-axle all-wheel drive vehicle with a protected cockpit and the ability to install various means for transporting goods or solving other problems. The car is built according to the frame scheme traditional for the Kama plant and has a cabover layout. All chassis assemblies are mounted on a frame that runs the entire length of the machine. The elements of the chassis, the power plant, the cab and the necessary target equipment are fixed on it.
One of the most noticeable differences between the KAMAZ-6560M and the base KAMAZ-6560 is its characteristic cabin. In order to simplify development and production, it was decided to use a ready-made cockpit, borrowed from the Typhoon-K armored car. The cab has retained its basic dimensions and layout. It accommodates three people and provides complete control of all machine systems. For the safety of the crew, the cabin is equipped with armor that provides all-round protection according to the class "6a" of domestic standards. Thus, the crew is protected from armor-piercing incendiary bullets of rifle cartridges.
Inside the cockpit there are workplaces for three crew members. The driver has a steering wheel, control levers for the gearbox and other systems, pedals, etc. In a difficult situation, the driver can also use a set of video cameras installed along the perimeter of the car roof. The signal from them is displayed on the monitor in the cab. Cameras can be used, in particular, in the event of damage to the main glazing, which consists of two large windshields and two windows in the doors.
Borrowed from the existing armored car, the Tornado's cabin retained its characteristic rear cover, located on the left side. Inside it is the engine radiator and some other equipment for various purposes. To the right of this casing on the rear wall of the cab, a spare wheel holder is provided.
Cab KAMAZ-53958. Photo Autoreview.ru
It is proposed to install a diesel engine KamAZ-910.10 with a capacity of 550 hp under the cab of the car. Such a power plant should provide a relatively heavy machine with high characteristics of mobility and carrying capacity. For example, the gross weight of KamAZ-53958 "Tornado", according to the manufacturer, reaches 40 tons, of which up to 25.4 tons can be mounted equipment. Despite the relatively large weight, the car can accelerate on the highway to 100 km / h. With the help of two fuel tanks with a capacity of 350 liters, it is planned to increase the cruising range to 1000 km.
The chassis of a promising car is based on the units of the base KamAZ-6560. It has continuous axles and is equipped with leaf springs. Wheels of size 16.00 R20 of Belarusian production are mounted on the axles.
According to available data, the KamAZ-53958 platform can become the basis for equipment for various purposes. A truck with a flatbed body has already been presented, there is also information about the creation of a special chassis for promising anti-aircraft systems. Perhaps, in the future, new versions of this chassis will be developed to solve other problems. Earlier it was reported that various design and test work is currently being carried out, which in the near future will allow to launch mass production of new automotive equipment. The first serial "Tornado", according to previously announced plans, should roll off the assembly line in 2017.
The proposed KamAZ-53958 / 6560M project is of great interest to the armed forces, since it allows the maximum unification of equipment for various purposes. However, this machine does not appear to be without its drawbacks. In the 2nd issue of the magazine "Autoreview" for 2016, an article "Armored platform" was published, dedicated to the promising project. The author of this publication got acquainted with a sample of the Tornado machine during the Interpolitex exhibition and made some conclusions. In particular, he drew attention to the existing shortcomings.
During the exhibition, it is alleged, not an experimental, but a mock-exhibition model of a promising machine was demonstrated. Nevertheless, despite this, he had a number of negative features. For example, a relatively old body was mounted on it, on which even rust appeared. Mud flaps and reflectors were also not of high quality production. However, there were disadvantages not only of a "cosmetic" nature.
The presented sample, judging by the appearance of its units, was not equipped with a new KamAZ-910.10 engine, but received a less powerful power plant of the existing type. The appearance of the gearbox control lever allowed the author of the Autoreview magazine to assume that the transmission of the car was produced by the American company Allison. The transfer case can be purchased from Steyr and the lighting is manufactured in Italy by Cobo. Thus, the KamAZ-53958 project is seriously dependent on the supply of foreign components, which may be difficult due to the worsening international situation. Due to the next sanctions, the KamAZ plant may be left without the necessary products, which will lead to a halt in the assembly of new equipment.
Exhibition sample side body. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
The project also has other disadvantages that are not related to the origin of components and assemblies. So, a protected bumper is provided on the frame of the machine under the cab, smoothly turning into side units with steps for access to the cab. Behind it is a large number of different cables and hoses connecting the cab to the chassis. At the same time, it was clear that on the exhibition model there is a very large gap between the bumper and the armored cabin, which can affect the survivability of the cables in a combat situation.
Also, the author of the article in "Autoreview" noted the not very good layout of the chassis units. The pneumatic hoses that power some undercarriage assemblies are bent too much and approach a dangerous distance to the inner surfaces of the wheels. Thus, there is a serious risk of damage to the hoses while driving.
Some of the shortcomings described in the article "Armored Platform" can be attributed to the purpose of the vehicle presented at the exhibition. She was not a full-fledged prototype, because of which it could have some specific features. Thus, in the future, prototypes of the new "Tornado" may well get rid of problems in the form of rusty bodies or uncovered wires with hoses. However, there is a deeper issue of risk to the entire project. Components of foreign production are actively used in the power plant and transmission of the KamAZ-53958, which is associated with certain risks of a political nature.
According to some reports, serial production of new cars of the "Tornado" family should begin next year. Thus, in the remaining time, the specialists of the manufacturing plant will have to solve the identified problems and finalize the project accordingly. In this case, the armed forces will be able to obtain modern multipurpose vehicles with high performance, which will be used to solve various tasks, from the transportation of goods to the construction of new combat vehicles.
