The AM-1 army all-terrain vehicle is designed for patrol and reconnaissance operations, raid and search and rescue operations carried out in different climatic conditions. The all-terrain vehicle is currently in service with the Russian army. It is already being used in the airborne troops and the Arctic brigades being created in the country, and the AM-1 ATVs are also being used by the army special forces. For example, 10 AM-1 ATVs were received in February 2016 by the special forces of the Western Military District (ZVO).
The first batch of seven AM-1s entered service with the Arctic motorized rifle brigade of the Northern Fleet (SF), the press service of the fleet reported in August 2015. The transportation of the ATVs was carried out in a semi-disassembled form, already on the spot they were assembled and run-in with the direct participation of the specialists of the automotive service of the unit. Military ATVs were entrusted to operate military personnel under a contract with a driver's license of the corresponding category and significant experience in operating motor vehicles. These ATVs can also be operated in the Arctic regions. In 2014, ATVs were tested twice in polar latitudes. The tests were carried out on the Rybachy Peninsula and on the Kotelny Island.
The army ATV, designated AM-1, was developed on the basis of the serial civilian model PM500-2, equipped with a four-stroke single-cylinder liquid-cooled gasoline engine, developing a maximum power of 38 hp. The ATVs are manufactured by the Russian Mechanics company from the city of Rybinsk. The recommended retail price of the civilian version of the PM500-2 ATV is 349 thousand rubles today.
The RM-500 is the first all-terrain vehicle designed and manufactured in Russia. When designing it, the designers of the enterprise endowed their model with the best qualities of tourist and utility ATVs. At the same time, the RM-500 is a truly Russian all-terrain vehicle: it is hardy, simple, reliable and unpretentious. The RM-500-2 is a further development of the first model, which borrowed all the best from it, while becoming more maneuverable, easy to operate and more comfortable. The presence of an overdrive and downshift, four-wheel drive (4x4) with the ability to lock the differential allow the ATV drivers not to be afraid of off-road conditions.
The army equipment of the all-terrain vehicle received a special rack for mounting an AK-74 assault rifle, a grenade launcher, an SVD rifle; front wardrobe trunk; headlight protection; dashboard with advanced functions; engine preheater system; passenger arm heaters; headlamp and special tread tires for increased cross-country ability. The gas tank of the AM-1 military all-terrain vehicle received a self-tightening coating, which excludes fuel leakage if its integrity is damaged during operation, including in combat conditions. A special place was equipped behind the passenger seat, where two metal cans with fuel, 20 liters each, were placed. The spotlight, which complemented the usual set of lighting devices, allows AM-1 to operate even in the dark. The basic package also includes an electric winch with a force of up to 2.5 tons.
Not so long ago, ATVs were considered exclusively entertainment equipment, which were bought by wealthy fans of motor vehicles and fans of extreme walks on rough terrain. Today, these four-wheeled vehicles are confidently getting into service, reviews of their operation in the Russian armed forces are still only positive. According to the paratroopers who operated the equipment, the ATVs show themselves with dignity. There are no refusals, including after the practical landing from aircraft in special containers.
To the civilian versions, the AM-1 military all-terrain vehicles, although related, are still distantly related. And we are talking not only about the possibility of installing various weapons systems on them, devices for transporting ammunition and towing devices. Military models have improved all-terrain characteristics themselves. For example, their frame is protected with a special powder coating, and all electrical contacts, without exception, are waterproof. The four-wheeled vehicles are assisted by a special drive and tread pattern to overcome various landscapes, including coastal sands and boulders.
In general, we can say that sand, stones, swamps, mountains, forests, the sea - this is the element of this motorcycle, an ideal testing ground for testing its off-road qualities and cross-country ability. It is no coincidence that army ATVs were tested by the military on the Kola Peninsula. Here, army ATVs were subjected to comprehensive checks by difficult terrain, sea water, they were literally drowned in coastal waves. At the same time, they got wet, but each time they started up and could go on again. Motor vehicles did not show a single drift, and on a rather difficult muddy bottom, the all-terrain vehicles also calmly, without any particular difficulties, overcame heaps of stones.
The first army ATV in Russian history, as noted above, was designed and manufactured in Rybinsk (Yaroslavl Region) at the Russian Mechanics enterprise. In order for you to better imagine what kind of enterprise this is, it can be noted that it is here that the "homeland" of the Buran snowmobiles, famous throughout the Soviet Union, is located, which are still operated in many parts of Russia.
According to Viktor Ilyukhin, the chief engineer of the Russian Mechanics enterprise, the AM-1 military all-terrain vehicle has significant differences from the serially produced civilian ATVs. Among them are a special color, and the presence of a specially designed trunk designed for mounting weapons, and the use of a fuel tank, protected from penetration. The tank of a unique design has a self-tightening coating, which allows, upon its breakdown, to tighten the hole from the bullet for 10-15 seconds, after which the ATV will continue to move, retaining the fuel necessary for this.
In addition, an important difference between the army version of the all-terrain vehicle produced at the enterprise in Rybinsk from the civilian version is in the reinforcement of the elements of the supporting structure of the frame. This improves the overall lifting capacity of the vehicle. Also, the levers were strengthened, ensuring cross-country ability, and the units and components of its structure suggest driving on any type of soil. The load-carrying capacity of the trunk of an army ATV was also calculated for at least 150 kg. In addition, the additional capabilities of AM-1 are provided by the presence of an electric winch.
The unique capabilities of the ATVs prove to be indispensable for overcoming heights. Including mountain ranges with slopes that are close to vertical. In this case, climbing the mountains with similar equipment is carried out with the help of special climbing equipment. The AM-1 and its winch helps, the motor of which, by the way, can be started not only manually, but also remotely - using a special remote control (it works remotely). ATVs are also indispensable when transporting various goods using an external device. In particular, the press service of the Ministry of Defense disseminated information that AM-1 is able to pull a trailer weighing up to 500 kg.
To date, the characteristics for the new army all-terrain vehicles are determined by the department of military tracked vehicles and special snow and swamp vehicles of the Scientific Research Test Center of Automotive Equipment of the 3rd Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Today, they are considering the possibility of introducing into the Russian army not only ATVs, but also all-terrain vehicles of the "Buggy" type. This would allow the military to solve the problem of placing a machine gun on the machine tool (on ATVs with this there are certain inconveniences associated with the longitudinal placement of a crew of two people). According to Denis Vinnikov, head of department of the 3rd Central Research Institute, samples of military buggies already exist in foreign armies, and the possibility of their use in the Russian armed forces is being considered.
In recent years, ATVs are increasingly being used by the RF Armed Forces to solve combat training tasks, and designers are creating various machines based on them. For example, at the Army-2015 forum at the stand of the Uralvagnozavod company, MMK was demonstrated - a mobile mortar complex as part of the PM-500 (6x4) three-axle all-terrain vehicle, which is also produced today in Rybinsk, and an 82-mm 2B24 mortar. The novelty was developed by the designers of the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik", which is part of the UVZ corporation. In addition to the mortar itself, the ATV in this configuration also carries 40 shots to it and a crew of two.
The main purpose of the MMK is to destroy enemy fire weapons and manpower, as well as unarmored equipment, which is located in open positions or in open field-type shelters. Placing an 82-mm 2B24 mortar on an all-terrain vehicle can significantly increase the mobility of the entire complex, reduce the deployment time at a firing position, and increase the total ammunition capacity of the complex by up to 10 times. A quick change of firing positions in modern combat, where mobility decides everything, is very important. The ATV allows the crew to quickly change combat positions, preparing the mortar and equipment for changing positions takes no more than 30 seconds.
By the end of May 2016, the Russian Airborne Forces were to receive about 160 ATVs and snowmobiles. The equipment was supposed to enter service with the Kamyshinsky and Novorossiysk airborne formations. The paratroopers were supplied with army ATVs and snowmobiles of the AM-1 and A-1 types, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reported. From the beginning of the summer training period, which in the troops begins on June 1, all brigades and divisions of the Airborne Forces had to actively use ATVs as part of practical exercises in solving training problems.
All photos below: IA "WEAPONS OF RUSSIA", Alexey Kitaev
The performance characteristics of AM-1:
Overall dimensions: length - 2565 mm, width - 1245 mm, height - 1645 mm.
The wheelbase is 1490 mm.
Weight (net) - 420 kg.
The power plant is a gasoline 4-stroke, single-cylinder, 4-valve liquid-cooled engine.
Engine displacement - 493 cm3.
Maximum power - 28 kW (38 hp).
The maximum speed is up to 80 km / h.
Starting system - electric, manual starter.
The transmission is a variator. Gears: front high and low range, neutral, rear.
Tires: front - 26 x 8 - 14 4PR, rear - 26 x 10 - 14 4PR.
Brakes: front - disc hydraulic, rear - disc, transmission, hydraulic.
Fuel tank capacity - 20 liters.
Battery - 12V / 20A * h.
Capacity (number of seats) - 2.
