BTR-MD Rakushka multi-role airborne armoured vehicle data

: 13 July 2023

BTR-MD Rakushka airborne multi-role armoured vehicle

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The BTR-MD Rakushka is a Russian-made airborne multi-role armoured vehicle designed and manufactured by the Company VMK Volgogradsky Tractor Plant. The vehicle is based on the chassis of the airborne tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicle BMD-3, but without turret and with a bigger hull. The purpose of this new range of vehicles, it's to offer an airborne armoured vehicle with more internal space which can be used for various types of missions. The BTR-MD Raskushka can be used as personnel carrier, ambulance, command post and ammunitions of fuel cargo carrier. The BTR-MD armoured personnel carrier variant has been selected by the Russian Airborne Assault Troops as part of its re-armament program beginning in 2013 through 2020. In January 2012, Russian Defence Minister has announced the delivery of 10 BTR-MD for the first half of 2013.

Variants

- BTR-MD Rakushka can be accommodated as APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier), ambulance, cargo carrier.

BTR-MD Rakushka ambulance

BTR-MD Rakushka ammunitions carrier

BTR-MD Rakushka fuel carrier

Technical Data

Armament

The BTR-MD Rakushka is armed with one machine and one automatic grenade launcher. A PKTM 7.62mm machine gun is mounted on the commander hatch left top side of the hull. The automatic grenade launcher AGS-17 30mm caliber is mounted at the front right side of the hull. A range of two smoke grenade dischargers is fitted on each side front of the hull. Some variant of the vehicle is equipped with remote weapon station on the commander hatch.

Design and Protection

Like the all family of BMD airborne combat vehicles, the BTR-MD is of all-welded aluminum construction providing the crew with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. The crew consists of commander, driver and 13 seats for military personnel. The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle, and has a single-piece hatch cover and three day periscopes for forward observation, the center one of which can be replaced by a night vision periscope. There is one more seat either side of the driver and each has a single-piece hatch cover. The commander is seat to the left side of the driver. At the rear of the vehicle there are individual seats for 12 soldiers maximum. The internal space for the infantrymen can be accommodated to transport wounded soldiers with three litters and six individual seats. There is two small doors at the rear of the crew compartment.

Propulsion

The power pack of BTR-MD Rakushka is at the rear of the hull and consists of a 2V-06-02 water-cooled diesel developing 450 hp, which gives a very high power-to-weight ratio of 34 bhp/t. The engine is coupled to a hydromechanical transmission with five forward and five reverse gears and a hydraulic steering unit. The suspension consists of each side with five rubber-tyred roadwheels, drive sprocket at the rear, idler at the front and four track-return rollers. Some of the variants will have a longer chassis with seven road wheels. Like other BMD airborne vehicles, hydropneumatic suspension of the BTR-MD Rakushka is adjustable giving a ground clearance between 130 and 530 mm, although for normal road travel it is 450 mm. The ground clearance is adjusted by the driver from his seat and it takes 10 seconds to lower or raise the suspension.

Some of the variants will have a longer chassis with seven road wheels

Accessories

The BTR-MD Rakushka is fully amphibious being propelled in the water by two water-jets mounted either side at the rear of the vehicle. Before entering the water a trim vane is erected at the front of the vehicle and the automatic bilge pump is switched on. Standard equipment includes an NBC system, fire detection and suppression system and a heating system for the 2V-06-02 diesel engine to facilitate starting in cold weather conditions.

Specifications