Armed conflicts of all recent years indicate that significant losses of personnel are incurred by troops not only in direct combat clashes, but also when attacking from ambushes and hiding places during escorting or following in a convoy. Attempts to use traditional armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles to protect against terrorist attacks during the movement of convoys have shown their insufficient effectiveness. As a result, almost all the advanced armies of the world began to equip their troops with special protected vehicles such as MRAP (English Mine Resistant Ambush Protected - protected from undermining and ambush attacks).
FOR SOLVING COMBAT TASKS
The Russian Armed Forces also do not stand aside from this process: some units have already received protected vehicles "Tiger" and "Lynx". In addition, leading domestic automotive companies have completed the development of a whole family of MRAPs, among which the most famous Typhoon K.
In the course of this project, design solutions were developed for a family of protected vehicles with 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 wheel arrangements. The design solutions were approved by the Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as by the leadership of the Airborne Forces, which examined the new samples and even tested them.
The first "Typhoons" presented for testing were prototypes of 6x6 vehicles in a modular and one-volume design. They have passed preliminary tests, which have confirmed their compliance with the requirements and purpose. The required protection of the samples has been achieved, which surpasses many domestic and foreign samples. The mobility of protected vehicles ensures their effective use for solving combat missions with mounted weapons, transporting personnel and performing other tasks of combat, technical and logistic support in any climatic, weather and road conditions.
BETTER LESS IS BETTER
At the same time, during the design of the family of machines, as well as according to the results of preliminary tests, it was revealed that for solving a number of tasks, both combat and support tasks, it is more rational to use smaller protected vehicles. To solve this problem, a group of developers created in August 2013 the first sample of a protected vehicle with a 4x4 wheel arrangement with a carrying capacity of 2.0 tons.
The sample has been repeatedly presented at various exhibitions and arouses constant heightened interest both on the part of ordering departments of the Ministry of Defense, other power structures of the Russian Federation, and representatives of a number of foreign countries. The first prototype of the Typhoon-K type 4x4 vehicle was subjected to a series of evaluative tests, which confirmed the declared technical level and, based on the results of which, a decision was made to continue work, including the creation of an airmobile model. Moreover, experts agree that a protected 4x4 vehicle does not have any worthy domestic analogue, and in terms of its main tactical and technical characteristics, it is not inferior to the best world models.
Currently, the production of two prototypes is being completed for preliminary factory tests and further submission to State acceptance tests. We also note that the use of a lighter, unprotected frame chassis will make it possible in the future to use Typhoons in ordinary transport operations by installing appropriate superstructures on them: folding pontoons, fuel tanks, repair and evacuation equipment, launchers of multiple launch rocket systems, etc..d. Such "universalism" is fully consistent with the realities of the time.
ARMOR KREPKA …
The important parameters of army vehicles are the passability and security of the habitable space. Typhoonenko has automatic six-speed hydromechanical transmissions, two-stage transfer cases, drive axles with planetary gears and automatic differential locks. The minimum climb angle is 30 degrees. The model literally flies along the fords up to 1, 75 m! The protected vehicle is capable of withstanding the detonation of an explosive device equivalent to 6 kg of TNT under the bottom and under the wheel. The fourth class of ballistic protection is provided by a "sandwich" of internal conventional armor steel and external ceramic armor of a new generation. Ceramics are capable of withstanding and absorbing the most severe impact loads, which is essential for ballistic protection.
High traction and speed characteristics of the power plant with a 350 hp engine. and automatic transmission allow to move in automatic mode, realize the necessary traction and dynamic capabilities of the chassis and reach speeds of up to 105 km / h on the highway. The carrying capacity of 2 tons, the capacity of 10 people, the ability to mount special equipment allow it to be successfully used not only as an amphibious assault vehicle, but also as a command and staff vehicle.
The hydropneumatic suspension provides for automatic and forced change in ground clearance, elastic-damping characteristics, which allows for high smoothness, effective vibration damping and anti-biting effect when braking the car. The automatic control of the ground clearance is carried out depending on the vehicle speed.
Improved parameters, including the implementation of modular light-attachment solutions, allow for reduced visibility in different ranges and in different terrains. In order to reduce the time of readiness for battle, for quick and convenient embarkation and disembarkation of the crew, an additional door is provided in the rear of the hull, equipped with an automatic folding ladder. The body of the car has an increased capacity to ensure a high level of safety and comfort for the crew. It is possible to fire in a circular projection from the main weapon system - a two-plane stabilized remotely controlled platform. The level of comfort in the cockpit is comparable to that of executive cars, but the main advantage of the seat design is that they dampen the blast wave!
The Internet and specialized media are filled with many test stories of the Typhoon-K multi-axis models. Mine explosions, crossfire - all this can easily withstand and their younger brother - "Typhoonok". Bullet protection is currently recognized by experts as the best. Armored glass of special design "Magistral LTD" can withstand several hits from almost all large-caliber machine guns. Fire from the vehicle can be carried out from a removable remote-controlled machine gun on the roof of the armored hull. A specially designed on-board information system is installed on the car, which displays all the necessary information on the screen: from wheel pressures and images from all-round video cameras to the hydropneumatic suspension control menu and information about malfunctions in the car systems. By the way, the wheel inflation system and combat-resistant wheel inserts make it possible to drive an additional 50 km, even if super-powerful weapons damage them!
PROS
- Enhanced booking, including mine protection of the lower part of the chassis from the effects of infantry, anti-tank and improvised explosive devices;
- increasing the power, reliability and efficiency of the diesel engine;
- increasing the level of safety and comfort of the crew and combat personnel;
- the possibility of installing a two-plane stabilized remotely controlled platform of the weapons complex;
- the presence of an on-board information and control system;
- availability of a centralized tire pressure regulation system;
- availability of a circular video review system;
- the possibility of equipping with a complex of means of reducing the visibility;
- equipping with an automatic fire extinguishing installation.
TIME WILL SHOW
Today, the leadership of the country's Armed Forces sets the task of significantly increasing the protection of personnel during the movement of troops from attacks from shelters and ambushes. The latest Typhoon K MRAP detonation tests have shown that this family of vehicles meets this challenge with maximum efficiency. When a TNT charge with a capacity of 8 kg was detonated under a Typhoon K wheel, the force loads on the dummies placed inside the car, which, incidentally, became an innovation for this kind of tests, amounted to 30 to 50% of the maximum permissible.
