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BRDM-2

4x4 reconnaissance wheeled armored vehicle - Russia

BRDM 2 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle Russia 925 001

Description

The BRDM-2 is a Soviet-made 4x4 light armored vehicle designed by V K Rubtsov of the Dedkov OKB in the early 1960s. This vehicle entered in service with the Soviet Army in 1962 with the first production in 1963 and was shown for the first time to the public in 1966. The BRDM-2 is mainly used as a reconnaissance armoured vehicle and is still in service with the Russian armed forces and by many other countries all over the world. Thousands of vehicles will be produced and deployed on the field during modern conflicts from 1960 until now. Over the past ten years, it has undergone several upgrades principally with a new engine and improved armor.

Variants:

There is a wide range of BRDM-2 variants including anti-tank, NBC reconnaissance, command post, fire and rescue vehicles, and more.


Technical Data

Armament
The BRDM-2 is equipped with a single-man turret mounted in the center of the vehicle. The turret is armed with one 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun and a coaxial 7.62 PKT machine gun on the right side. A telescopic sight is mounted to the left of the main armament. The day-only sight is provided with a wiper. The turret has a manual traverse and is provided with an adjustable seat for the gunner. The turret allows the armament to be elevated between -5 and +30 degrees and can rotate at 360°. The 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun has a maximum effective rate of fire of 150 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 2,000m. The KPVT ammunitions can penetrate 20 mm of armor at a range of 1,000 m and 30 mm of armor at range of 500 m. The 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun has a maximum effective rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 1,000m.
Design and protection
The all-welded steel armor hull of the BRDM-2 provides the crew with protection from small arms fire of 7.62mm caliber and shell splinters. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left with the vehicle commander to his right. Both are provided with a bulletproof windscreen to their front, which is covered by an armored shutter, hinged at the top, when the vehicle is in combat areas. When the shutters are in position the driver and commander observe the terrain through day periscopes around the front and sides of their positions, mounted level with the roof of the vehicle. The crew mounts and dismounts the vehicle via two hatches over the driver's and commander's stations. There is one firing port on each side of the hull and immediately behind it are three-day vision blocks. The engine compartment is at the rear of the hull and there are two air-inlet louvers in the forward part of the engine compartment roof and four smaller air-inlet louvers to the rear. The exhaust pipes are on either side of the hull. The vehicle can accommodate up to five military personnel. 
Mobility
The BRDM-2 is motorized with a GAZ-41 V-8 water-cooled petrol developing 140 hp at 3,400 rpm coupled to a manual transmission with 4 forward and 1 reverse gears. The engine compartment is also separated from the crew compartment with an armored plate. The vehicle uses a 4x4 chassis with two axles. The suspension consists of four semi-elliptical springs with telescopic dual-action shock-absorbers mounted two per axle. Four powered belly wheels can be lowered to the ground between the front and rear wheels to improve the cross-country performance of BRDM-2 and also allows it to cross ditches. The BRDM-2 can run at a maximum speed of 100 km/h with a maximum road cruising range of 750 km. The BRDM-2 can negotiate 60% gradients, 30% side slopes, a trench of 1.25 m,, and a vertical obstacle of 0.4 m. A central tire-pressure regulation system allows the driver to adjust the tire pressure to suit the type of ground being crossed. The driver can adjust the pressure on all four tires or on individual tires while the vehicle is still moving. If one of the tires is damaged, the air compressor can maintain the tire pressure until the vehicle is out of the combat area.
Accessories
The driver has 4 TNP-A day periscopes, one of which can be replaced by a TWN-2B night vision device. The BRDM-2 has an IR spotlight and four IR driving lights. The vehicle is fitted with an overpressure NBC system and its air inlet is on the top of the hull to the left rear of the turret. A self-recovery winch is mounted internally at the front hull with a 30 m cable and a capacity of 4 tones. The BRDM-2 is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h by a single water jet mounted at the rear of the hull. Before entering the water a trim vane, which is stowed under the nose of the hull when traveling, is erected at the front of the hull. A radio antenna is mounted on the right side of the hull near on the commander's hatch.

Specifications

Armament Armor
One 14.5 mm heavy machine gun and one coaxial 7.62 machine gun Protection against the firing of small arms 7.62mm caliber and shell splinters.
Country users Weight
The BRDM-2 is in service with the Russian army and over 50 countries over the world. 7,000 kg
Designer Country Speed
Russia 100 km/h maximum road speed, 7 km/h on water
Accessories Range
NBC system, night vision equipment, central tire-pressure regulation system, and one self-recovery winch. 750 km
Crew Dimensions
2 + 3 soldiers Length: 5.75 m; Width: 2.35 m; Height: 2.31 m

Details View

BRDM-2 4x4 reconnaissance armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications information description pictures photos images video intelligence identification Russia Russian army defence industry military technology
   
 BRDM 2 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle Russia front view 001  BRDM 2 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle Russia rear view 001
   
BRDM 2 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle Russia left side view 001 BRDM 2 4x4 wheeled reconnaissance armored vehicle Russia right side view 001

Pictures - Video