The main task of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is to maintain law and order, regardless of the existing conditions. This structure must carry out the tasks assigned to it at any time and in any situation. In particular, the internal troops must maintain their combat capability in the face of radiation, chemical or bacteriological contamination that may arise as a result of a man-made disaster or military action. To work in such difficult conditions, the internal troops use the appropriate equipment. So, at present, the UAZ-469rh chemical reconnaissance vehicle is in service with this structure. In the near future, it should be replaced by new equipment of a similar purpose.
As a replacement for the existing UAZ-469rh in the corresponding divisions of the internal troops, a new reconnaissance chemical vehicle RHM-VV based on the Tiger armored vehicle is currently being considered. The development of the RHM-VV machine began in 2011 by order of the command of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the winter and spring of 2011, the customer held a tender, according to the results of which the contractor for the order for the development of a new machine was selected. The creation of RHM-VV was carried out within the framework of the research work "Razrukha".
The task of the project with the code "Devastation" was to create a new reconnaissance chemical vehicle based on the existing chassis, equipped with a set of special equipment. A promising machine was supposed to be able to conduct radiation, chemical and nonspecific bacteriological reconnaissance. For this, the onboard equipment complex had to include detectors of α-, β-, γ-radiation, as well as gas analyzers with the ability to search for chemical warfare agents, toxins and aerosols of biological agents. Also, the machine complex was supposed to be able to take samples of air, soil and water with subsequent delivery to a specialized laboratory.
In addition, the requirements of the R&D "Razruha" implied the use of modern navigation equipment, which would allow the reconnaissance vehicle to constantly track its location. It also implied the use of a radio station, providing stable communication at a distance of up to 25 km and the transmission of information about the detected infection of the territory. Finally, it was required to equip the new car with equipment for installing fence signs and launchers for grenades for various purposes.
The complex of special means was to be based on a wheeled chassis with a 4x4 formula. In addition, the chassis required a power-to-weight ratio of at least 25 hp. per ton, air transportability and the possibility of transportation by rail, as well as the possibility of using highways as a full-fledged participant in the movement. The base chassis was supposed to have armor protection of at least 3 class and a coefficient of attenuation of penetrating radiation of at least 4. The crew of the reconnaissance vehicle, according to the terms of reference, was to consist of three people.
In the spring of 2011, the developer of the new machine was determined: the competition for R&D "Devastation" was won by the Center for Special Design "Vector". For the next two years, the specialists of this organization were engaged in the creation of a set of equipment designed to be installed on one of the chassis available in serial production. The main work on the project ended in 2013. The result of this was the assembly of a model of the RKhM-VV reconnaissance chemical vehicle, which was presented at the Interpolitech-2013 exhibition.
Soon after the first demonstration of the layout, work began on the manufacture of the first prototype of the promising machine. The "premiere" of the RHM-VV prototype took place at the Interpolitex exhibition in 2014. Later, a new chemical reconnaissance vehicle for the internal troops was again demonstrated to specialists and the public. The latest show at the moment took place at the recent forum "Army-2015".
Reconnaissance chemical vehicle RHM-VV at the Army-2015 forum. Photo Vestnik-rm.ru
The presented prototype of the RHM-VV reconnaissance chemical vehicle is built on the basis of one of the modifications of the Tiger armored vehicle. Such equipment is already being actively used both in the army and in the internal troops, which should accordingly simplify the operation of reconnaissance vehicles. A set of special equipment is installed in the cargo compartment, on the roof and on the rear door of the base car, designed to study the situation, transmit information and perform other tasks. In addition, some of the special equipment is made in a remote view.
As follows from the available data, the crew of the RHM-VV vehicle, consisting of three people (commander, driver chemist and reconnaissance chemist), can survey potentially dangerous areas to detect various types of contamination. According to the terms of reference, the internal volume of the reconnaissance vehicle hull should be divided by a sealed partition into two compartments. In this case, the commander and the driver are placed in the front control compartment, and the reconnaissance chemist and special equipment in the rear combat compartment. In addition, in the stern of the hull, stowage is provided for indicating and signaling means, remote equipment, etc.
The commander's and scout's workplaces are equipped with a set of control devices for various systems. To simplify the work of the crew, automated systems are widely used. Some of the control panels are made in a remote form and, if necessary, can be used outside the reconnaissance vehicle.
A device for marking contaminated areas. Photo Vestnik-rm.ru
The available equipment is capable of recording radiation radiation, as well as analyzing atmospheric air with a search for chemical warfare agents and other threats. The study of the contaminated area is provided both in direct presence on the spot, and remotely, using special laser equipment. Due to the relatively small (in comparison with other chassis) dimensions of the base vehicle, the instrument for conducting meteorological observations is made as a remote device. After arriving at the indicated position, the crew of the reconnaissance vehicle must remove it from the packing, prepare it for work and set it on the ground.
To designate contaminated areas, the RXM-BB machine has special equipment located outside the hull. A device for installing flags is provided on the spare wheel bracket on the rear door, similar to the equipment of other reconnaissance chemical vehicles. During the movement, a special throwing device drops and sticks flags into the ground, warning personnel about the presence of infection. In the fighting compartment, a stock of flags is provided that allows you to mark out relatively large areas.
According to reports, the only prototype of the RHM-BB reconnaissance chemical vehicle is currently being tested. After their completion, the customer will have to decide on the adoption of new equipment for service and ordering production vehicles. Details of the tests are still unknown. Perhaps new information on this matter will appear before the end of this year.
