BTR-3U Guardian 8x8 APC

BTR-3U Guardian 8x8 APC Armoured Personnel Carrier

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The BTR-3U is a 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier designed by the Ukrainian defense Company Kharkov Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau based on the BTR-94. The BTR-3U is also designated as the Guardian. The BTR-3U armoured personnel carrier has been developed in 2000-2001 by an international consortium. The companies involved in the project include the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau of Ukraine, the ADCOM MANUFACTURING Company Limited WLL of Abu-Dhabi, UAE, and the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine. According to some military sources, United Arab Emirates has ordered a total of 80 BTR-3U Guardian units for use by its Marine forces.

Variants

- BTR-3U Guardian: version for UAE Marines with "Shakval" turret.
- BTR-3E: with UTD-20 engine.
- BTR-3E1: latest version with BM-3 "Shturm" turret and new engine.
- BTR-3E ARV: recovery vehicle with winch, crane and dozer blade.
- BTR-3E 90: heavy fire support vehicle with 90mm Cockerill main gun

Technical Data

Armament

The BTR-3U is fitted with one-man turret Shakval which is armed with one 30 mm KBA-3 cannon, one coaxial machine gun 7.62 mm PKT, one 30 mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher and two maunchers for anti-tank guided missile. The turret can be equipped with the Chinese-made missile Red Arrow or the Russian Konkurs or Kornet. In 2003, the BTR-3U Guardian was showed during the defense exhibitio in Abu Dhabi with with two Russian Konkurs (9M113)(NATO AT-5 Spandrel) ATGW in the ready to launch position, these have a maximum range of 4,000 m. Six 81 mm electrically operated smoke grenade launchers are also fitted, these are mounted three either side of the turret rear firing forwards. The Shakval weapon station is fitted with the SVU Karusel stabiliser, with turret traverse through a full 360º and weapon elevation from -6 to +75º. The 30mm dual-feed cannon has 350 rounds of ready-use ammunition. A total of 2,500 rounds are carried for the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The 30mm grenade launcher is mounted on the left side of the turret, having 29 rounds of ready-use ammunition, with additional 87 rounds being carried in reserve (three magazines, each containing 29 rounds).

The BTR-3U is fitted with one-man turret Shakval

Design and protection

The hull and the turret of the BTR-3U Guardian are made in all-welded steel armour which provides a protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters. The troop's compartment is more higher than the commander and driver area located at the front of te vehicle. Two small bullet-proof windows are located at the front of the hull which can be covered by armoured plates. the BTR-3U can carry a total of six soldiers which can enter and leave the vehicle by means of a door in either side of the hull between the second and third roadwheel station. The lower part of the door folds downwards to form a step, with the upper part opening forwards. In addition there are also hatches in the roof to the rear of the turret and firing ports, with associated vision devices provided in the sides and front of the vehicle.

Propulsion

The BTR-3U Guardian is motorized with a Deutz BF6M1015 diesel developing 326 hp coupled to an Allison MD3066 fully-automatic transmission. The power pack and transmission are fitted by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. The vehicle is equipped with a torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock-absorbers. The BTR-3U can run at a maximum road speed of 85 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. The BTR-3U is able to negotiate a gradient up to 30%, side slopes to 25% , cross a natural and engineered trenches of 2 m maximum and climb a vertical obstacle of 0.5 m. .

Accessories

Standard equipment on the Guardian includes powered steering on the front four roadwheels and a central tyre pressure regulation system that allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure to suit the terrain being crossed. The sighting systems include a commander’s 1PZ-3 observation periscope and a TKN-4S Agat stabilised sight which is integrated with the missile fire control system. The powerpack compartment is fitted with an automatic double-action fire extinguishing system. An air conditioning system is fitted as standard to ensure crew comfort in hot conditions. The commander also has a roof-mounted searchlight that can be operated from within the vehicle. The BTR-3U Guardian is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water at a speed of 8 km/h by a single water jet mounted at the rear of the hull.

Specifications

Armament

One 30mm KBA-3 cannon, one 30mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, two launchers for anti-tank guided missile.

Country users

Chad, Ecuador, Myanmar, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates,

Designer Company

Kharkiv Morozov Ukraine
Machine Building Design Bureau

Accessories

Central tyre pressure regulation system, fire extinguishing system, air conditioning system, night vision, laser range finder, electro-optical package

Crew

3 + 6 soldiers

Armor

Protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters
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Weight

16,400 kg
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Speed

100 km/h
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Road Range

600 to 800 km
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Dimensions

Lenght: 7.65 m; Width: 2.90 m; Height: 2.86 m