Engineering troops and transport 2024, November

Jaguar product: UAZ that learned to swim

Jaguar product: UAZ that learned to swim

The project of defense significance The birth of a product under the code "Jaguar" or UAZ-3907 was associated with the desire of the USSR Ministry of Defense in the early 70s to receive at once a whole line of light amphibians. One of them was supposed to be the machine of the "River" project, which was discussed earlier in the article from the heading

Amphibious transporter XM-158 Drake. "Drake" to replace "Duck"

Amphibious transporter XM-158 Drake. "Drake" to replace "Duck"

In 1942, the DUKW amphibious transporter entered the supply of the US Army. This machine performed well during World War II and was used by several countries. By the beginning of the fifties, this sample was outdated and required replacement. The result of the subsequent design work was

ZIL-131. The last hero of the Likhachev plant

ZIL-131. The last hero of the Likhachev plant

If you enter ZIL-131 in the search box of any Internet browser, then after three or four photos of an ordinary flatbed truck, you will definitely find a car with a "universal body of normal dimensions" (KUNG). Initially, similar bodies from

Bonnet ZIL-131: history and search for the ideal

Bonnet ZIL-131: history and search for the ideal

Panoramic windows and bonnet layout As mentioned in the first part of the story, one of the most characteristic and paradoxical features of a military truck was a curved panoramic windshield. At first, the Ministry of Defense expressed rather restrained dissatisfaction with this fact, but during

ZIL-131: the workhorse of the Soviet Army

ZIL-131: the workhorse of the Soviet Army

Originally from Moscow In the book by Evgeny Kochnev "Cars of the Soviet Army 1946-1991" the idea of the influence of the American REO M34 trucks on the design of the domestic ZIL-131 is given. Even if this is so, then the Soviet Union chose a good option to follow. Work on the American car

Remote mining system M138 Flipper (USA)

Remote mining system M138 Flipper (USA)

Since the mid-seventies, US Army engineers have used the M128 GEMMS remote mining system. This product had high performance, but was large, heavy and uncomfortable. To complement such a system, a more compact product for a similar purpose was developed - the M138 Flipper. How

GAZ-66: ROC "Balletman" and diesel engines

GAZ-66: ROC "Balletman" and diesel engines

In search of a suitable diesel engine Equipping the GAZ-66 with a diesel engine would, firstly, significantly improve the efficiency of the truck, and secondly, would provide higher traction capabilities. I must say that thoughts about the "universal" equipment of domestic trucks with diesel engines came

Project "River": fighting amphibian from Togliatti

Project "River": fighting amphibian from Togliatti

Combat "Niva" As you know, in the Soviet Union, to one degree or another, almost all automobile plants were connected to the defense order. For example, in Naberezhnye Chelny, a series of KAMAZ-4310 was assembled, in Moscow, at ZIL, cars of the 131st family, in Lutsk, a front-end conveyor LuAZ-967, but in

The pontoon-bridge facilities in Europe are in order. Europeans are ready for the arrival of the Russians

The pontoon-bridge facilities in Europe are in order. Europeans are ready for the arrival of the Russians

CNIM did not stop there and developed the PFM F3 family, which will be produced in several configurations, all of which will be able to withstand the track load of MLC85 (G - tracked) and wheel load MLC100 (K - wheel). The pontoon-bridge park F3 is

Improvement of pontoon-bridge facilities in Europe

Improvement of pontoon-bridge facilities in Europe

Many European armies are seeking to upgrade or modernize existing obstacle-clearing systems. Turkish ground forces' tanks and armored personnel carriers travel across a bridge made from elements of the Otter bridge system. FNSS is currently improving the performance of its

Advantages and disadvantages of minelayers "Klesh-G"

Advantages and disadvantages of minelayers "Klesh-G"

At the end of June, at the Army-2019 forum, NPK Uralvagonzavod presented for the first time three promising universal minelayers developed as part of the Kleshch-G development work. In the future, such a technique can enter service with engineering units and simplify the setting of mines

GAZ-66: wars and experiments

GAZ-66: wars and experiments

The only one in its class, the GAZ-66 turned out to be an okay and versatile machine. The eight-cylinder engine provided a high power-to-weight ratio, self-locking differentials, coupled with ideal weight distribution and geometric cross-country ability, made it possible to storm the most insane obstacles, and

MTC "Ladoga". Special transport for special tasks

MTC "Ladoga". Special transport for special tasks

The risk of a massive nuclear missile strike of a potential enemy made special demands on the organization of command and control of troops and civilian structures. Protected command posts and special command and staff vehicles were required. An interesting variant of special equipment for commanders and leaders

"Sadko" and other successors to "Shishiga"

"Sadko" and other successors to "Shishiga"

Child of unification From the beginning of the 90s, the Russian army was no longer a key customer for automotive enterprises. The Gorky Automobile Plant was no exception. The lion's share of the profit then (and even now) was brought by one and a half "GAZel" and medium-tonnage GAZ-3309 ("Lawn"). Therefore, the rules in questions

"Shishiga": legend number 66

"Shishiga": legend number 66

The story begins with Dodge ¾The concept of an army car itself, which eventually crystallized in the GAZ-66, originates from the Dodge WC 51/52 Lendleigh truck. This machine had no analogues either in the Red Army or in the world. The main advantage was the versatility, unique for those times

Tank-bridges of the Churchill ARK family (Great Britain)

Tank-bridges of the Churchill ARK family (Great Britain)

Following the unsuccessful amphibious assault in Dieppe, the British command made a number of important conclusions. Among other things, the need for tank bridges or tank bridges was identified. This technique was supposed to help tanks and other armored vehicles, providing an offensive in difficult terrain

TMZ-53. An all-wheel drive motorcycle that didn't make it to the battlefields

TMZ-53. An all-wheel drive motorcycle that didn't make it to the battlefields

Rightly and deservedly, the main worker of the Great Patriotic War among motorcycles is the heavy motorcycle M-72, which was produced in large quantities and was mass-produced in the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1960. The motorcycle was originally created for the needs of the army, so for a long time it was

Experimental car GAZ-A-Aero: streamlining, speed, efficiency

Experimental car GAZ-A-Aero: streamlining, speed, efficiency

Reconstruction of the appearance of GAZ-A-Aero. Drawing Denisovets.ru By the thirties of the last century, cars have learned to develop very high speeds, which resulted in the need to study aerodynamics. In our country, remarkable results of this kind were obtained in 1934 by the first

MAZ-535: a heavy child of the Cold War

MAZ-535: a heavy child of the Cold War

MAZ-535A during testing. Pay attention to the central infrared lamp, designed to work in the dark with active night vision devices. On this basis, the car was called "Cyclops". Source: trucksplanet.comStrategic tractor unitCurrently as

Development of power: MAZ-535 is gaining strength

Development of power: MAZ-535 is gaining strength

MAZ-535V with the Yastreb complex, which included the Tu-123 reconnaissance aircraft. 1963. Source: trucksplanet.com Minsk Automobile Plant gets rid of non-core equipment

Kungi, "engineers" and truck-trial: rich portfolio of "Ural"

Kungi, "engineers" and truck-trial: rich portfolio of "Ural"

Center "Ural-44201" tractor and "Ural-862" active semitrailer with K-862 box body. Photo: kolesa.ru What is KUNG? "Urals" with insulated booths have become one of the most recognizable images in Russian automotive history and modernity. However, interpretation options still differ

Strategic tractor. MAZ-537: from Minsk to Kurgan

Strategic tractor. MAZ-537: from Minsk to Kurgan

MAZ-537G with non-trivial cargo. Source: trucksplanet.com Order above all The rapid development of rocketry required in the Soviet Army tractors of the appropriate format and in large quantities. Minsk Automobile Plant, which developed the family of the country's first heavy trucks MAZ-535/537, by 1960

The Urals are gaining weight: the Motovoz and Tornado families

The Urals are gaining weight: the Motovoz and Tornado families

"Ural Tornado-U". Photo: autoreview.ru Difficult decade Trucks of the "Ural" family were originally designed for the needs of the military, as already mentioned in previous parts, and this greatly complicated the survival of the plant after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The main competitor, KamAZ, could

"Ural-4320": the difficult path of dieselization

"Ural-4320": the difficult path of dieselization

Source: ru.cars.photo During the acceptance of the Ural-375N carburetor, the state commission pointed out the main drawback of the truck - the absence of a diesel engine in the engine range. Older KrAZ trucks from the very birth possessed a low-speed, but still a diesel engine YaMZ-238, and

Berliet T100: Hurricane in French

Berliet T100: Hurricane in French

Berliet T100 in one of the many advertising demonstrations. Source: autoreview.ru 155 tons of French engineering On October 2, 1957, the real giant Berliet T100 was presented at the Paris Motor Show, which for many years became the largest car in the world. The French skillfully used

Red Book "Urals": project "Land"

Red Book "Urals": project "Land"

"Ural-4322" of the "Land" project. Photo: autowp.ru "Land" in secret With the advent of a real automotive giant in Naberezhnye Chelny, Ural trucks fell into a real technological dependence on it. At first, these were KamAZ-740 engines, which were constantly lacking for the Ural

Mechanical mules. Frontline transporters of the Soviet Army

Mechanical mules. Frontline transporters of the Soviet Army

US-032M. Photo: denisovets.ru In the interests of the military medical service As you know, in the Soviet Union, all car factories were involved in one way or another in the defense order. The subcompact class was no exception. The pioneers in this direction were engineers from the Moscow plant

Ural-4320: guns and armor

Ural-4320: guns and armor

About a year ago, similar "Syrian" "Urals" were demonstrated in Yekaterinburg. Source: tiberius66.livejournal.com Advantages of the Ural

Legendary lorry. Interesting facts about the main Soviet truck

Legendary lorry. Interesting facts about the main Soviet truck

If we remember the Soviet trucks, the lorry and a half will rightfully take the first place in our rating. The car got its name due to its carrying capacity - 1500 kg. The image of the Gorky truck became part of the national cultural code, and the appearance of the car is recognizable even later

The most unusual combat bikes in history

The most unusual combat bikes in history

Self-propelled two-wheeled vehicles appeared in the 60s of the XIX century, initially they were equipped with a steam engine. These were the most distant ancestors of modern motorcycles. The first motorcycle with an internal combustion engine was built by the German engineers Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb

Front line conveyors: from Zaporozhye to "Geolog"

Front line conveyors: from Zaporozhye to "Geolog"

Experienced three-axle LuAZ-976M. Photo: denisovets.ru Tests with passion In the first part of the material ("Mechanical mules. Conveyors of the front edge of the Soviet Army"), it was about the transfer of the center for the development of future medical amphibians from NAMI to Zaporozhye. Then at the plant "Kommunar" were created two

Combat KrAZ-214s and the first cabover experiments

Combat KrAZ-214s and the first cabover experiments

This could be the successor to the KrAZ-214B, if not for the savings. Photo: autoreview.ru American roots on Ukrainian soil In the comments of readers

Miass masters: the last of the dynasty of carburetor "Urals"

Miass masters: the last of the dynasty of carburetor "Urals"

One of the variations of the "Ural-377M" 6 x 4 How to turn a combat "Ural" into a civilian vehicle? First of all, you need to get rid of the many military options that noticeably weigh down the truck. Still, in the national economy, the main thing is not survivability on the battlefield and extreme cross-country ability, but

KrAZ-214. Ukrainian soldier originally from Yaroslavl

KrAZ-214. Ukrainian soldier originally from Yaroslavl

KrAZ-214 Photo: www.autowp.ru Bear on the hood In Kremenchug, the production line of heavy three-axle trucks was brought from the Yaroslavl Automobile Plant, the history of which goes back to the pre-revolutionary 1916. Then the industrialist Vladimir Alexandrovich Lebedev opened one of the first in Russia

Project "Chaborz". Buggy for special forces from Chechnya

Project "Chaborz". Buggy for special forces from Chechnya

Special forces, called upon to solve special tasks, need specific weapons and equipment. In particular, they need special transport with a number of characteristic features. Several years ago, a new transport for special forces was developed in our country, which allows

Another Lend-Lease. LVT-4. Buffalo, son of the Alligator

Another Lend-Lease. LVT-4. Buffalo, son of the Alligator

Our hero today is the LVT-4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked) floating transporter, better known in army circles as the Water Buffalo. The car is very interesting, but quite rare in the USSR. Accordingly, in our museums too. Just because of the rather small volumes of supplies

"Ural-375": the ideal of a war chariot

"Ural-375": the ideal of a war chariot

Ural-375 Born in NAMI, the Ural Automobile Plant in Miass by the end of the 1950s was a sad sight: minor modifications of hopelessly outdated UralZIS machines and the absence of a serious design bureau. They could not develop their own car, all that was left was to hope for assembly

"Urals" of the 300th series: floating and five-axle

"Urals" of the 300th series: floating and five-axle

With the index "D" If we compare the circulation of the release "Ural" with a gasoline engine with other army trucks, it turns out that "only" 110 thousand cars came out of the gates of the Miass plant. This is really not so much: ZIL-131 and GAZ-66 have sold almost a million copies. There are several

Another Lend-Lease. A Studebaker named Laska

Another Lend-Lease. A Studebaker named Laska

Probably, there is no person in Russia who has not heard about the Studebaker firm. Any conversation about Lend-Lease deliveries always comes to the topic of the trucks of this company. These cars played such an important role in the victory over Germany that, probably, at the genetic level in the Russians, and

MIOM. Machine for engineering support and camouflage of engineering units of the Strategic Missile Forces

MIOM. Machine for engineering support and camouflage of engineering units of the Strategic Missile Forces

Today the Strategic Missile Forces is the main component of the strategic nuclear forces of the Russian Federation. This type of troops is armed with the unique Topol-M and Yars mobile ground-based missile systems (PGRK). Autonomous launchers of these complexes are based on a special wheeled chassis