Currently, tests of the promising multipurpose armored vehicle K4386 Typhoon-VDV are being completed. This machine was developed taking into account the requirements and wishes of the airborne troops and is intended to solve a wide range of tasks. The armored car in its original configuration is a protected vehicle for soldiers, and after revision it can become the basis for specialized samples.
Armored platform car
A new wheeled armored car for the Airborne Forces has been developed since 2015. The goal of the project was to create a multipurpose armored vehicle capable of transporting people and goods, as well as carrying a variety of weapons. The armored car had to meet the requirements of parachute landing. In the future, such a sample could become one of the new platforms for the construction of new airborne equipment.
An experienced armored car called K4386 Typhoon-VDV was first shown in 2017. Subsequently, the equipment underwent the necessary tests. In addition, the development of the platform continued with the emergence of new specialized samples. Part of the equipment of the resulting family has already passed tests and is preparing for adoption. According to the latest news, mass delivery of serial K4386 in various configurations will begin next year.
Typhoon-VDV received a single-volume armored hull with combined protection corresponding to the 5th class of GOST R 50963-96. Protection against explosion of 6 kg of TNT under the wheel or 4 kg under the bottom is provided. The design provides for all the basic means and methods of protecting the crew from the negative effects of the explosion. In particular, the crew and troops are accommodated in energy-absorbing seats.
The armored car is equipped with a KamAZ-650.10-350 engine with a capacity of 350 hp. and an automatic transmission. The suspension is made on the basis of hydropneumatic shock absorbers. The maximum speed of the car reaches 100 km / h, the cruising range is 1200 km. The combat weight of the armored car in the basic configuration is 13.5 tons.
The main body of the hull can be equipped with the required units - landing seats, ammunition stowage or special equipment. A hatch is provided on the roof, which can also be used as a seat for a combat module. Thus, the architecture of the armored car has some elements of modularity, which corresponds to modern views on the goals and objectives of armored vehicles.
Armed transport
In the basic configuration "Typhoon-VDV" is an armored vehicle for transport purposes, capable of transporting people and some cargo. In this case, the habitable compartment is equipped with eight seats, including the driver's and commander's seats. Access to the inside of the vehicle is provided by three doors on the sides and in the stern.
The sunroof can be equipped with different weapons. Initially, the possibility of installing an open turret with a machine gun of normal or large caliber was mentioned. Also, the installation of an automatic grenade launcher was not ruled out.
Later, the K4386 armored car with the BM-30-D cannon-machine-gun combat module was tested. This product is a closed turret with a 30 mm 2A42 cannon and a PKTM machine gun. Search for targets and fire control is carried out using a full-fledged block of optoelectronic equipment. DBM BM-30-D is completely mounted outside the armored hull and does not take up internal volumes. With such a module, the Typhoon-VDV passes the necessary tests.
It is argued that the armored car can carry any other DBM with a different composition of weapons, designed to solve different problems. For their installation, a standard shoulder strap is used, and the connection to the on-board systems is carried out via unified interfaces.
Of particular interest is the K4386-PVO air defense combat vehicle. This modification of the armored car is equipped with an open installation with a large-caliber machine gun, and also carries the necessary means of communication and control. The crew includes three operators of MANPADS "Verba" with a stock of missiles. Missile and machine-gun armament should ensure the defeat of various air targets in the near zone.
Artillery armored car
This year, at the Army-2019 forum, for the first time, they showed a prototype of the 2S41 Drok self-propelled mortar, built on the basis of the Typhoon-Airborne Forces. The development of this project began several years ago, and now it has been brought to the testing stage.
"Drok" is deprived of the bulk of the equipment of the troop compartment, instead of which mines and other units are mounted. On a standard pursuit, a combat module is placed with a removable 82-mm mortar on recoil devices. The mortar complex carries 60 rounds of ammunition and is equipped with a rate of fire of up to 15 rounds per minute. Armament is controlled by digital means with remote control. The 82-mm gun provides a range of up to 6 km.
Additional armament "Drok" consists of a DBM with a PKTM machine gun and a set of smoke grenade launchers. The optoelectronic equipment of the module can be used for reconnaissance purposes.
While the self-propelled mortar 2S41 "Drok" is being tested, but in the future it is planned to bring it into service. The presence of such a machine will provide an increase in the combat effectiveness of the Airborne Forces units. The unification of a self-propelled mortar with other armored vehicles on the chassis will give obvious advantages.
Engineering technology
Also, at the forum "Army-2019", the premiere show of three promising engineering vehicles from the family with the code "Klesh-G" took place. The goal of this project is to create universal mine layers for ground forces. One of the presented equipment samples, UMP-T, is built on a significantly modified Typhoon-VDV wheeled chassis.
The standard K4386 armored hull in the new project is deprived of the aft troop compartment, instead of which an open platform with armored sides is organized. It holds two universal launchers for mine cassettes. UMP-T carries 60 cassettes; the number of mines depends on their type. Modern means of controlling the shooting of mines are used, which also provide the compilation of mine maps.
After the exhibition, UMP-T and other members of the Kleshch-G family went for testing. The results of the checks are still unknown, but there are reasons for optimistic forecasts. It should be expected that with the successful completion of all the necessary tests, the UMP-T will go into service. Most likely, the equipment based on the Typhoon-Airborne Forces will go to the airborne units.
Armored scout
This year, for the first time, they showed the MTP-K technical reconnaissance vehicle built on the K4386 base. This sample is intended for technical departments. Its purpose will be to search for damaged equipment on the battlefield and assess its condition with the subsequent performance of the necessary work or the involvement of other vehicles.
MTP-K is equipped with its own surveillance complex and unmanned aerial vehicle. There are also means of radiation and chemical reconnaissance. The crew of the MTP-K will be able to carry out part of the assistance work independently; in other cases, he will have to call an ARV with the desired characteristics.
The technical reconnaissance vehicle is currently being tested. Completion of inspections is scheduled for next year. Then the MTP-K can be put into service.
Multipurpose and multifaceted
According to the latest reports, the tests of the K4386 Typhoon-VDV armored car are coming to an end and will be completed before the beginning of next year. In 2020, it is planned to launch a full-fledged series with the transfer of airborne equipment. At the same time, the list of modifications planned for release has not yet been specified.
The main operator of armored cars will be the airborne troops for which they were developed. However, "Typhoons-VDV" can find application in other structures. Recently it became known that the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, working with nuclear weapons, showed interest in such machines. As part of its fleet of equipment, there are various samples of automotive and military equipment, and delivery of new K4386 is expected in the near future.
Apparently, after the launch of the series, the most massive modification of the Typhoon-Airborne Forces will be an armored car for transporting personnel with machine-gun or cannon armament. Other options will be produced in smaller quantities to meet customer requirements. All these processes will lead to the rearmament of the Airborne Forces, and with the maximum unification of new equipment.
The process of development, fine-tuning and testing of the K4386 Typhoon-VDV armored car took several years - the first information about the project appeared in 2015, and serial production will begin only in 2020. However, this time was not wasted. The Russian industry has created not only an armored car with high performance, but also a number of its modifications for various purposes. Thus, even before the start of a full-fledged service, the Typhoon-VDV managed to prove itself well as a platform for various equipment.
