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- "Fighter" with character: An armored buggy designed for military supply and medical personnel
"Fighter" with character: An armored buggy designed for military supply and medical personnel
An armored buggy "Fighter" was introduced in Russia. The vehicle is equipped with a steel cabin for a driver and one passenger and is designed to transport personnel and cargo, as well as evacuate the wounded. Experts note that thanks to the armored cabin, the buggy can be especially useful at dangerous points on the line of contact.
Armored capsule for the crew
The machine was specifically designed as a light vehicle for performing a wide range of tasks at the forefront. The main feature of the "Fighter", which distinguishes it from other vehicles of this class, is a steel cabin made of BR—2 class armor. It provides protection from splinters and withstands a shot from a "Gyurza" pistol.
The windows of the car are made of monolithic polycarbonate 20 mm thick. "This material" allows stopping fragments, as well as bullets fired from Makarov's pistol, Nikolai Bochkov, chief designer and technical director of "Soliton" company, told Izvestia.
For additional protection of the crew, the installation of external Kevlar panels and armor plates is provided.
— A car with an armored capsule weighs a little — about 1200 kg, — said Nikolai Bochkov.
The armored cabin has two comfortable seats for the driver and passenger, and the car is wide enough to easily carry "Kalashnikov" assault rifles. This will allow the soldiers to keep their weapons handy at all times, which is very important in the frontline zone.
Behind the cabin is a spacious body designed for half a ton of cargo. If necessary, it will comfortably accommodate two wounded people on stretchers and there will still be room for one sitting victim.
The body is equipped with a quick-folding awning, which one person can assemble or fold in 30 seconds.
The "Fighter" is based on the units of the famous "Niva", and this ensures the availability of spare parts. The engine is also from a domestic off—road passenger car.
"Russian car mechanics are well aware of all the features of the Niva and can easily figure out the buggy's design and, if necessary, quickly repair it even in the field," said Nikolai Bochkov.
The car is highly passable. Its bottom is absolutely flat and without wheel arches, the ground clearance is 80 cm, like the famous "Loaf". In addition, the buggy received a powerful bumper, to which the winch is attached.
The standard fuel tank holds 40 liters of AI-92 gasoline, which is enough for about 400 km on the road or 200 km on serious off—road conditions. At the same time, the design provides space for the installation of additional fuel tanks.
The machine is equipped with bullet-resistant wheels, which have received a composite filling based on polyurethane. This allows you to drive several tens of kilometers even if fragments or bullets hit the ramps.
Radio communication systems, navigation, electronic warfare, as well as light small arms can be installed on the buggy. The cost of the car, according to the developer, is about 2 million rubles. Now "Fighter" is being prepared for mass production.
Working in the kill zone
During the fighting, armored vehicles are no longer used to solve problems related to front-line logistics or the evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield, military expert Vasily Dandykin told "Izvestia".
"The Fighter buggy will take an important place in building logistics chains," he explained. — The territory 20-30 km directly from the front line is now called the kill zone. Drones are dominating it. Fighters prefer to travel there on foot. Motorcyclists are supplying assault groups and evacuating them, and even they are gradually withdrawing from the battlefield. Drones are increasingly taking over these tasks.
But, before the ammunition and cargo are sent to the LBF, they get from the rear to the warehouses, which are located on the border of the kill zone.
"Drones are also appearing there, but long—range artillery and MLRS of the enemy are working more often," military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia. — The main wounds are shrapnel wounds, so new buggies with an armored cabin will be in high demand when delivering goods to intermediate warehouses. There are also field hospitals where soldiers are brought from the front line. After their condition stabilizes, they must be quickly transported to a safe rear. New buggies can handle this task too.
Such cars have been waiting for a long time. They are hardly noticeable to reconnaissance drones. They are easy to hide from UAVs conducting surveillance and fire correction, Yuri Lyamsin noted.
"Now, " says the head of the military, "civilian vehicles such as pickups, "Loaves" or "Nivas" are used for such tasks, usually in field workshops. Unfortunately, they do not provide the necessary protection for drivers and passengers, the expert explained.
"Plastun" on the front line
The troops are now receiving new models of equipment adapted to combat operations in conditions of mass use of drones. ""In particular," "Plastun-TT" tactical transporters began to arrive at the line of combat contact,"Izvestia" wrote.
They can transport personnel and cargo, evacuate the wounded. In addition, the conveyor is adapted for the equipment of mobile firing points of the air defense group guarding roads or strategic facilities, such as oil refineries or thermal power plants.
The new vehicle has an advantage over armored vehicles in stealth and speed, and over buggies in payload and cross—country capability. She is able to move off-road, overcome steep ascents and fords. The new models of equipment, experts say, give our fighters the opportunity to solve combat missions with minimal risk to themselves.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
