Ultra-compact armored vehicle for the Mi-8

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Today it is difficult to surprise someone with an armored car. But for Russia, the car, which is now known under the designation "Lasok 4P", is somewhat unique. This is an ultra-compact airborne armored vehicle. The vehicle, which is being worked on in Samara, is specially adapted for internal placement in multi-purpose Mi-8/17 helicopters.

The developer of the new armored car is LLC “Design and Consulting Center“ Innovative Chassis ”from Samara. The company is engaged in the development of various wheeled vehicles. Among the main directions of the enterprise's work is the armored assault vehicle "Locust". BShM on the basis of a compact platform with a 4x4 wheel arrangement could replace the outdated BRDM-2 in the army. At the same time, the development from Samara is lighter and shorter than the BRDM-2M, while having the best protective properties.



Another development of the company, which has recently been increasingly featured in the press, is a light, ultra-compact armored vehicle with the unusual name Lasok 4P. A distinctive feature of a small armored vehicle is its airmobile properties. At the same time, in the future, the developers are also going to create an amphibious version of the car and a special modification of Lasok-REP, which can be used to combat low-flying drones the adversary.

Ultra-compact armored car "Lasok 4P"


Today it is already difficult to surprise someone with heavy and multi-seat armored vehicles. Such models are actively being created both abroad and in Russia. Almost every manufacturer of heavy vehicles has managed to organize the production of armored versions. Moreover, compact versions are less common, although the trend for the development of such technology has existed for a long time. In Russia, such machines are only at the prototype stage.

Ultra-compact armored vehicle for the Mi-8
Render of the armored assault vehicle "Locust", PCC "Innovative Chassis"

One of the developments in this direction is the light ultra-compact armored car "Lasok 4P". The machine was created on the basis of experience and analysis of various combat operations in the framework of recent local conflicts. Its main purpose is to carry out combat missions by special units, reconnaissance and advanced combat groups (up to three armored vehicles per staff squad), as well as patrolling the area, supporting the actions of engineering assault units in urban areas, actions in forest, mountainous and rugged terrain ...

A light armored vehicle can be classified as an ultra-compact one. The modular cargo compartment and armored capsule of the vehicle were specially designed with a low silhouette and for a low weight, in order to ensure the possibility of transportation inside Russian multi-purpose Mi-8 helicopters. Including use with transport and assault modifications of the Mi-8 AMTSh (export version of the Mi-171 Sh) in conjunction with combat groups.

The curb weight of the existing prototype is only 2045 kg. The manufacturer of the car declares that the design uses the engine, units and assemblies from the serial light off-road chassis of domestic manufacturers. The total mass of the experimental LASOK 4P armored vehicle is up to 2700 kg, the carrying capacity is about 650 kg.

It is planned to improve the performance in the serial copy. The curb weight will have to be only 1900 kg (with 4 protection class according to the Russian classification), and the carrying capacity is planned to be increased to 800 kg. The height of the armored vehicle does not exceed 1720 mm, the width is 1880 mm, and the length is 4580 mm. In this case, part of the body of the cargo compartment can be folded, and then the length of the armored vehicle does not exceed 3970 mm. The wheelbase of the new armored car is 2420 mm, the ground clearance is adjustable (260-370 mm). The car is able to overcome fords up to 0,9 m deep.


The prototype of the armored car "Lasok 4P". Photo: PCC "Innovative Chassis"

Reducing the length of the armored vehicle to four meters is necessary to improve transportation capabilities, including aviation transport and trailers. For example, three cars can be accommodated in a standard body of a 12 m long wagon or in a 40-foot sea container.

Light armored car "Lasok 4P" was originally adapted for transportation by multipurpose Mi-8 helicopters. Thus, the standard dimensions of the cargo compartment of the Mi-8T helicopter are: height - up to 1,8 m, length - 5,34 m, width (along the floor) - 2,06 m.The helicopter is designed to carry passengers and cargo with a total weight of up to 4000 kg ...

Due to the existing restrictions on the height of the cargo compartment of the Mi-8 helicopters, the developers of the air-transportable combat vehicle provided for tower installations equipped with folding armored shields and a mechanism that allows a large-caliber 12,7-mm machine gun to be removed into the passenger compartment on a special pursuit. The basic armament of the vehicle should include one such Kord machine gun, which can be supplemented with a 7,62 mm machine gun.

Judging by the previously published images of the LASOK 4P armored car prototype, the so-called facet technologies are used in the design of the vehicle, which provide effective rational angles of inclination of the armored hull surfaces and reduce visibility at a great distance.

The manufacturer assures that due to the effective location and rational angles of inclination of the armor plates, the total thickness of the steel armor elements of the armored vehicle body does not exceed 4,5 mm. At the same time, some areas of the hull's forehead are better armored - 6-8 mm. In general, it can be noted that the prototype of the LASOK 4P armored car is based on a modular layout from the Locust armored assault vehicle, but on the basis of a lighter chassis with a 4x4 wheel arrangement.


Transportation of the buggy by helicopter Mi-8AMTSh

In addition to the rational configuration of the reservation, the vehicle has its own block-frame chassis design, which provides decent mine protection performance. The "Lasok 4P" armored capsule must accommodate four people. To improve the mine protection of servicemen, it is planned to use anti-traumatic seats and an anti-splinter lining.

The concept of the use of small combat vehicles


The development in Samara of the Lasok 4P light armored vehicle, which can fit in the cargo compartment of the Mi-8 helicopter, meets global trends. These trends can be characterized by the use of small combat groups (squads) and small but well-protected wheeled vehicles. Many countries, especially NATO states, are actively using small armored vehicles, including those with mine protection. The greatest success in this was achieved in the United States, where tens of thousands of such equipment are produced.

The need for new armored vehicles has been demonstrated by the conflicts of all recent years. For example, the USSR received valuable combat experience back in Afghanistan, but, in fact, it has not yet been redesigned and adapted to modern realities. All recent conflicts demonstrate the high danger of mine warfare, including the detonation of various improvised explosive devices on the roads.

Despite this, in Russia, wheeled armored vehicles with enhanced mine protection MRAP are still almost completely absent. At the same time, counter-terrorism operations in recent years, including the fighting in Syria, also confirm the need for the massive use of such equipment.

Another characteristic feature of local military conflicts in recent years is the widespread use of mobile and well-armed combat groups and units, as well as the conduct of highly mobile combat operations. Often, such battle groups operate on highly mobile compact wheeled armored vehicles or tactical combat vehicles, and in desert terrain on buggies, ATVs and motorcycles.


American MRAP Oshkosh L-ATV

The creation of compact highly protected vehicles is an urgent task for many armies in the world. This technique is developing and improving. Priority is often given to building up mine protection of small armored vehicles up to the MRAP category, with good armor protection up to level 3-4 according to the NATO classification STANAG 4569.

At the same time, in Russia, even special units are not sufficiently equipped with maneuverable, compact and well-protected armored vehicles with large-caliber small arms, let alone conventional army units. Moreover, the armored vehicles "Lynx" or "Tiger" available in the army are still not massive and have weak mine protection (especially "Tigers"). Insufficient for direct participation in combat operations seems to be and their booking in the basic version - class 3 according to Russian standards (level 1 according to STANAG 4569).

The Russian army should pay more attention to the concept of using small combat groups, detachments, which has been implemented in the armies of the USA, France, and Great Britain for several decades. In recent years, similar tactics have been adopted by the Israeli armed forces.

Within the framework of this concept, the Humvee multifunctional combat SUVs have been massively used in the United States since 1984, which have been replaced in recent years by full-fledged MRAPs such as the Oshkosh L-ATV and JLTV Lockheed Martin. They are manufactured in tens of thousands of copies and are distinguished by the powerful armor of the STANAG 3 level 4-4569. At the same time, lightweight versions of the Oshkosh L-ATV are currently being specially developed for the Marine Corps.

Russia does not have its own Panhard VBL


The French army has been using the Panhard VBL compact armored vehicle for these purposes for many years. It is a lightweight and ultra-compact armored vehicle with bulletproof armor, one of the protective properties of which is its small size. This armored vehicle in terms of its dimensions and weight is as close as possible to the promising Russian armored car "Lasok 4P".

The body length, depending on the modification, is 3800 or 4000 mm, width - 2020 mm, height - 1700 mm. Panhard VBL is able to carry 3 people, while being the base for the deployment of various weapons systems, including ATGM. The Panhard VBL's small dimensions make the vehicle a difficult target for RPGs. Hit the target out of control weapons extremely difficult.


Light armored car Panhard VBL

A small and very maneuverable car, capable of speeds up to 100 km / h, stands out for its low silhouette and small side projection area. So, the area of ​​the side projection of the Russian "Tigers" is approximately 9,4 m2, while the area of ​​the side projection Panhard VBL is 5,3 m2 with the same level of body armor.

It is clear that the "Tiger" operates in a different weight category, as it is able to transport up to 4-6 people, but there are simply no more compact Russian-assembled armored vehicles in the Russian army. Their place could in the future be taken by cars like the Samara "Lasok 4P". Not necessarily this particular model, but conceptually similar armored vehicles with improved mine protection, bulletproof armor and small dimensions that could be easily used in hard-to-reach areas.

An important factor is the possibility of transporting such machines by the most massive domestic Mi-8 helicopters. The need for such equipment is all the more obvious since in 2013 the internal troops and the border service of the FSB of Russia considered the possibility of licensed assembly of vehicles based on Panhard VBL in our country.
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53 comments
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  1. +19
    1 March 2021 05: 03
    Someone paid for the advertisement of Lasok, which, as it seemed to me, resembles a car of the 20s and 30s.
    1. +28
      1 March 2021 05: 25
      Definitely. Just recently, there was an article, and again about Lasok 4P. The designer who drew the sketch of the car should not be allowed to approach the cannon shot with markers with pencils.
      1. +7
        1 March 2021 05: 41
        Well, why, there is a certain logic, just a niche for this machine is very small, by and large it is now not in the RF Armed Forces - BRDM airmobile (helicopter landing) units, for a weapon carrier it is better, something like "Kraki" - less, cheaper, more intermeddle.
        It makes no sense for the ground forces to limit the combat capabilities of the BRDM for the sake of airmobility.
        1. +3
          1 March 2021 06: 07
          Exactly. You can also add that this is the default database zone for the USA and France - mostly the African desert. And we now have a priority in general, the Arctic, rather. There nafig do not need any buggies or hatched Lasok on their base. In general, such Lasoks will be useful only for specialists - in Syria. For example, they will not be chased on patrol along the roads - they have nothing to do alone, and as part of a group, their mobility is limited by the speed of the heaviest participant - and all their advantages are down the drain. and airmobility - generally nafig never gave up
          1. +7
            1 March 2021 06: 51
            It will not work, judge for yourself - mine protection, stabilized weapons (PKT, will no longer fit), communications (HF, VHF, satellite), a simple television and thermal imaging reconnaissance system, a short-range drone, space for 3-5 soldiers. This is the BRDM-2 niche.
            Replacement of BRM-1K - advanced reconnaissance system on the mast, radar, communications, workstations



            Like this one.
          2. +1
            1 March 2021 16: 39
            In general, it's time to make a robot based on an armored car, push a bunch of sensors, a mini drone and go. Stop risking people
            1. +2
              1 March 2021 18: 28


              There is such a thing!
        2. +2
          1 March 2021 08: 58
          Quote: strannik1985
          just a niche for this car is very small,

          Not really. The concept of airmobility is not developed in our country. Although in the presence of an excellent mass Mi-8 suitable for this, this is very strange


          In the same USA, there are a dozen types of different buggies and airmobile vehicles. For different types of troops. Now there is a competition for a 9-seat vehicle transported by the UH-60 "Black Hawk" on an external sling, and the CH-47 "Chinook" in the cargo compartment.
          1. 0
            1 March 2021 22: 42
            Quote: OgnennyiKotik
            In the same USA, a dozen types of different buggies

            Buggy and we have it. But with airmobile armored vehicles so far there are only two - Strela (on tests) and Typhoon-VDV (but it is not a fact that the Mi-8 will be carried away).
            1. +1
              29 May 2021 12: 15
              MI8 problem low ramp ...
              Most armored vehicles do not fit, even the UAZ Patriot does not fit)))
      2. +5
        1 March 2021 05: 45
        I would cut off a lot of our auto designers.
      3. +9
        1 March 2021 05: 58
        Quote: Pessimist22
        Someone paid for the advertisement of Lasok, which, as it seemed to me, resembles a car of the 20s and 30s.

        Quote: Destiny
        Definitely. Just recently, there was an article, and again about Lasok 4P. The designer who drew the sketch of the car should not be allowed to approach the cannon shot with markers with pencils.

        Author "Not necessarily this particular model, but conceptually similar armored vehicles with improved mine protection, bulletproof armor and small dimensions that could be easily used in hard-to-reach areas."
        In the second Chechen company, the BMP and BMD were dragged into the mountains on an external sling MI-26. I don't know about aesthetics, but they were still in the "belly" at the same time dragging infantry with 120mm mortars inclusive.
        I have another question - we will keep within 4 tons when making a small armored car, or should we rely on a more promising and roomy MI-38.
        1. +3
          1 March 2021 06: 23
          The weight and dimensions of an electric motorcycle are much less than the proposed "innovations".
        2. +5
          1 March 2021 07: 22
          Quote: Kote Pan Kokhanka
          In the second Chechen company, the BMP and BMD were dragged into the mountains on an external sling MI-26. I don't know about aesthetics, but they were still in the "belly" at the same time dragging infantry with 120mm mortars inclusive.

          To the point. hi
          Never before did the Airborne Forces / CH have light multipurpose tactical airmobile armored vehicles. And oh, she was needed, almost always. And no matter how many lives she saved, during the same Chechen ...
          Quote: Kote Pan Kokhanka

          I have another question - we will keep within 4 tons when making a small armored car, or should we rely on a more promising and roomy MI-38.

          Naturally, the Mi-38, but when it appears in significant numbers in the Armed Forces, this is definitely a question ...
          And the Mi17, in its variations, is in the army. Better a tit in hand .. And based on the experience of operating such "Lasoks", in 5-10 years it is possible to design something more practical and aesthetic for the 38th ...
          1. +2
            1 March 2021 18: 13
            Quote: Doccor18
            Quote: Kote Pan Kokhanka
            In the second Chechen company, the BMP and BMD were dragged into the mountains on an external sling MI-26. I don't know about aesthetics, but they were still in the "belly" at the same time dragging infantry with 120mm mortars inclusive.

            To the point. hi
            Never before did the Airborne Forces / CH have light multipurpose tactical airmobile armored vehicles. And oh, she was needed, almost always. And no matter how many lives she saved, during the same Chechen ...
            Quote: Kote Pan Kokhanka

            I have another question - we will keep within 4 tons when making a small armored car, or should we rely on a more promising and roomy MI-38.

            Naturally, the Mi-38, but when it appears in significant numbers in the Armed Forces, this is definitely a question ...
            And the Mi17, in its variations, is in the army. Better a tit in hand .. And based on the experience of operating such "Lasoks", in 5-10 years it is possible to design something more practical and aesthetic for the 38th ...

            It may be in the Airborne Forces / SN and need a multipurpose airmobile, etc., but clearly not this miracle - 4 people. this: the group commander, his deputy and the radio operator with the scout? Will Pushkin conduct reconnaissance? Or just intelligence by surveillance? Well then it'll do laughing
          2. +1
            2 March 2021 10: 20
            If you peel off the marketing husk from the Mi-38, you will find an elongated Mi-8 with an increased carrying capacity, but with the same cross-section of the cargo compartment. A longer cabin will allow you to transport not just an UAZ, but an UAZ with a small trailer such as a mortar, two ATVs instead of one, long lengths such as a post or window profile pallets. More ammunition and other piece cargo. More passengers or paratroopers, after all. But neither VBL, nor, if you look a little wider, GT-MU-1D, nor Wiesel will fit because of the cross-section of the cockpit, created 60 years ago for a UAZ with a folded top. Only on an external sling, faster and taller than the Mi-8, but this is not "capacity".
        3. +6
          1 March 2021 09: 36
          Quote: Kote pane Kohanka
          similar armored vehicles with improved mine protection, bulletproof armor

          hi
          Developments in this area have been carried out before.
          But for a number of reasons, there are not enough compact armored vehicles in the RF Armed Forces.
          An important factor is the QUALITY of serial equipment.

          For example, Zashchita Corporation has developed the Scorpion family for the Airborne Forces.
          They were even adopted.
          However, the contract was terminated due to low-quality armored vehicles and personal protective equipment.
          In particular, helmets were bought in China.


          Also for the Airborne Forces, the INTRALL consortium developed the Squadron and Toros vehicles.
          Promising vehicles of different classes and purposes, the buggy can be armored and airborne.
          Time will tell...



        4. +1
          10 March 2021 19: 56
          According to the topic at the avibase, the Mi-38 is overweight and does not exceed the Mi-17 in terms of carrying capacity.
      4. +9
        1 March 2021 06: 48
        Well, why are you so! The design, of course, is controversial, but the need for an armored car of this class is long overdue. The shapes are futuristic, caused rather by mine protection.
        As the classic used to say - a Russian person should be thanked only for good intentions! This topic will be unambiguously developed, mobility and security on the battlefield are the most important factor!
      5. +4
        1 March 2021 07: 57
        Quote: Destiny
        .There was only recently an article, and again about "Lasok 4P". The designer who drew the sketch of the car should not be allowed near the felt-tip pens with pencils on the cannon shot.

        Yes laughing lol wassat

        It seems that he has no interest in creativity, but what creative when all pencils and markers are of the same taste and color what ...
    2. +8
      1 March 2021 05: 34
      Car of the genius detective from the "Bremen Town Musicians" laughing
    3. +1
      1 March 2021 07: 12
      The carriage of Louis 13th!
    4. 0
      12 March 2021 20: 20
      So I have the impression that from the entova Laska V.I. Lenin moved the speech at the Finlyad railway station.
  2. +2
    1 March 2021 05: 34
    It seems denyushek vbuhali not a little, but got a line as a bow on the side. Take Niva, remake the body into an armored one, there you need to actually book the bottom. The dimensions are quite suitable and much cheaper.
    1. +2
      1 March 2021 05: 41
      like "weed" is prohibited here ... but the designers are clearly "under the substances" .... at whose expense the banquet?
    2. +2
      1 March 2021 05: 50
      Quote: Free Wind
      It seems denyushek vbuhali not a little, but got a line as a bow on the side. Take Niva, remake the body into an armored one, there you need to actually book the bottom. The dimensions are quite suitable and much cheaper.

      Cash collectors Niva are very weak off-road to ride. They burrow into mud and snow instantly. According to friends of the guys, where these "wunderwales" are still exploited - "on the ice like a cow, on a country road like a drunken pig."
      1. +1
        1 March 2021 05: 57
        In cassation vehicles, the bottom does not seem to be armored, and so good rubber, blocked bridges greatly improve the situation.
        1. +5
          1 March 2021 06: 09
          It is clear that it is not armored.
          It's just that the maximum weight distribution on these machines has reached the limit, private improvements will not allow to increase the reliability and maneuverability of the machine.
    3. -2
      1 March 2021 08: 38
      Quote: Free Wind
      Take Niva, remake the body into an armored one, there you need to actually book the bottom.

      This is what the Guard Lieutenant Colonel of the Airborne Forces, who went through all the wars from Afghanistan to Georgia, did with his own hands. Maybe he knew what he and his officers needed?


      1. 0
        1 March 2021 13: 14
        Quote: OgnennyiKotik
        This is what the Guard Lieutenant Colonel of the Airborne Forces, who went through all the wars from Afghanistan to Georgia, did with his own hands. Maybe he knew what he and his officers needed?


        Alas, this vehicle is not armored and has no mine protection.
    4. +5
      1 March 2021 08: 51
      Quote: Free Wind
      Take Niva, convert the body into an armored one
      Everything was invented and tested long ago. They say, "love is expensive", we had "love" (BA-64), it will be "expensive" (Lasok 4P). Also, is such an armored "flea" needed now?

      1. +2
        1 March 2021 13: 12
        Have you seen the BA-64 live? This is a miniature car that can barely fit two puny crew members!
        Before the war, we developed the LB-62 armored car.
        Much more interesting.

        1. 0
          1 March 2021 14: 07
          but in my opinion, an "ultra-compact armored car" that would fit in the belly of the Mi-8 is some kind of fetish. BA with a height of 160 cm?
        2. +3
          1 March 2021 18: 58
          Quote: Kote Pan Kokhanka
          Have you seen the BA-64 live? This is a miniature car that can barely fit two puny crew members!
          Before the war, we developed the LB-62 armored car.
          Much more interesting.


          I even rode a BA-64. 2 places in front, 6 - behind. Well, a bit crowded, of course, but he did not pretend to be a Chinese suite. laughing
        3. +2
          1 March 2021 22: 18
          Quote: Kote pane Kohanka
          Have you seen the BA-64 live? This is a miniature car that can barely fit two puny crew members!

          Let me insert my "5 kopecks." Despite a number of shortcomings, the BA-64 was exactly the armored car that was produced almost throughout the Second World War and showed itself very well in battles.
          1. -1
            2 March 2021 04: 46
            Quote: Blackgrifon
            Let me insert my "5 kopecks." Despite a number of shortcomings, the BA-64 was exactly the armored car that was produced almost throughout the Second World War and showed itself very well in battles.

            Nobody argues about the contribution of the BA-64 and its modifications to the victory. But it is necessary to remember he is a child of war, extremely simple is not always a synonym for the word - effective.
            If you look for a basis for a small armored car, then you can play from more modern models.
            1. +2
              2 March 2021 18: 53
              Quote: Kote pane Kohanka
              If you look for a basis for a small armored car, then you can play from more modern models.

              I didn’t quite accurately express my thought :) I meant that the BA-64, being not the most perfect, but very light and rather successful machine, fits well into the category of ultralight. LB-62 is still larger. And of the modern ultralight models, only VBL comes to mind. But it is not so much for the transportation of l / s, but in the manner of the carrier of the calculation of heavy small arms or ATGM (which is also not bad).
        4. +1
          2 March 2021 07: 59
          Quote: Kote pane Kohanka
          Have you seen the BA-64 live?


          Yes, I saw, but what did you want, "Boomerang" will not fit into the Mi-8, isn't it about mini armored cars here?
          By the way, the BA-64E accommodated not only the crew, but also the landing force of 6 people, however, the hull was slightly increased and the machine lost its machine-gun turret.

          So, I have not seen the LB-62 "live", and it is unlikely that this rarity can now be recommended for resuscitation as a cheap solution.
        5. +1
          16 May 2021 15: 22
          Does he have a tower with a PzII or what?
          1. 0
            16 May 2021 16: 35
            Quote: Amin_Vivec
            Does he have a tower with a PzII or what?

            Not. If I'm not mistaken about the T-40.
    5. +2
      1 March 2021 22: 21
      Quote: Free Wind
      It seems denyushek vbuhali not a little, but got a line as a bow on the side. Take Niva, remake the body into an armored one, there you need to actually book the bottom. The dimensions are quite suitable and much cheaper.

      This is an initiative development - the money was invested by private owners (LLC), not the state.
      Niva cannot be booked - i.e. it can be armored, but at the same time the resource, carrying capacity and cross-country ability will be such that it is easier to drive the armored personnel carrier.
    6. 0
      29 May 2021 12: 23
      Niva is not a frame machine, it will not work to hang armor and the engine is weak.
      And so it can be used, if the suspension is strengthened and fit 3 chela, then as a traveling car. Maximum armament is PC ...
  3. +1
    1 March 2021 07: 05
    I doubt, however, at the expense of the 4th class of protection even due to such "rational" angles, and it is interesting to look at the detonation on a land mine - how many meters it will fly and in one direction.
    1. -1
      2 March 2021 13: 32
      The concept of mine protection can be adopted: a motorcycle with ultra-super-mega-low pressure tires. So that no push-action land mine could react. The Mi-8 will fit half a platoon, along with personnel and unloading. All fighters will become super mobile, fast and sharp like ... Yes, he is the most ...
      I give the concept.
      wassat
  4. +3
    1 March 2021 07: 57
    Oh, the car is needed. Just like that, small and light. And massive. The incarnation looks strange. But it is not clear what it is like in the case. It is necessary to watch.
  5. +1
    1 March 2021 19: 00
    Quote: garri-lin
    Oh, the car is needed. Just like that, small and light. And massive. The incarnation looks strange. But it is not clear what it is like in the case. It is necessary to watch.

    This is where she is needed so much, oh? laughing
  6. -1
    1 March 2021 22: 16
    The article is interesting, but full of contradictions and inaccuracies.
    1.
    in Russia, wheeled armored vehicles with enhanced mine protection MRAP are still almost completely absent.

    Apparently the author has never seen any photo or video materials from Syria using Typhoons (heavy morale). There is evidence of their use in conditions of shelling from small arms and artillery systems. At the same time, the number of MRAPs in the RFSRF can already be estimated at 500-800 units according to known data.

    2. By itself, the mine protection of an armored vehicle is not only a plus, but also a minus: the higher it is, the worse the passability, the higher the center of gravity (and therefore causes difficulties with air transportation), the higher the weight. And here we must remember that our terrain and road network, although they allow the active use of armored cars (which, incidentally, says the experience of the Second World War), but these vehicles must have good maneuverability, albeit at the expense of extremely high mine protection.

    3. In our country, the main means of fire support for the infantry is an armored personnel carrier or an infantry fighting vehicle, and not an armored car with a machine gun. And the arguments that "the Yankees have tens of thousands of wheeled machine-gun tankettes, but we have few" suggest that the author does not understand the differences in the structure and organization of the US ground forces (where up to half of the infantry units are equipped not with armored personnel carriers, but with armored vehicles) and ground forces of the Russian Federation (where the emphasis is on more heavily armed vehicles).
    In addition, the author apparently is not aware that a few "light" formations and units of the RF Army (military police, mountain units) are actively and massively using armored vehicles. By the way, the volumes of the latter are growing and instead of the "first test of the feather" (Tiger), the supply of Athletes should begin in the near future. At the same time, the Airborne Forces are already beginning to receive Wolverines (aka Typhoon-Airborne Forces with 2A42).

    4. If the author proposes to saturate our aircraft with a large number of armored cars in the manner of the Yankees, which is not an unambiguously negative idea, if we approach the issue wisely, and not just copy, then:
    a) there must be an appropriate concept (reconnaissance and shock formations or carriers of heavy weapons (wheeled tankette);
    b) our armored cars should, taking into account our realities, should carry heavy weapons and play the role of not just a carrier of 4-6 people, but be a reconnaissance and strike vehicle. Those. have a good level of protection (at least class 2 for OTT) and powerful weapons (12,7 mm - 14,5 mm machine gun, AG and a couple of ATGMs).

    5. The VBL is undoubtedly an interesting vehicle, but for our armed forces it is too lightly protected and poorly armed. And its analogue for our aircraft will immediately become a very niche product - i.e. only for those units that will be transported by the Mi-8.

    Output. The very idea of ​​an ultralight armored vehicle is interesting and in demand, but only if a) there is an understanding of how and for what this vehicle will be used in our Armed Forces, b) if this vehicle has good maneuverability and good protection and weapons, c) if this vehicle will be a massive and demanded army (the budget is not rubber!).
  7. The comment was deleted.
  8. 0
    3 March 2021 08: 53
    Found on the portal "Arms of Russia", in an article about Lasok dated February 17, amusing phrases:
    - “Of course, the design of the main surfaces of the armored hull of the LASOK 4-P ALBM, like that of most utility off-road vehicles, is quite simple, because here, first of all, other more important tasks were prioritized.”
    - "To maintain confidentiality in the design of individual elements, some of them on the prototype have been changed, also some of the hull elements and the folding tower installation in the photo are covered with an opaque film."
    It means that on this prototype not everything is as it will look in reality: they showed some "wonderful" hull shapes, and the rest was classified!

    Maybe something is even covered by individual multifaceted metal. shrouds, after all, approximately the same method was applied to the turret of the Armata tank (to reduce radar signature). If we "lighten" the photo a little, then polyhedrons are also visible in front, below under the radiator grill.
    I think that even this photo was specially taken in the frosty haze, so that all these "chips" would not be clearly visible.
  9. +1
    3 March 2021 10: 11
    And yet, I collected various INFO in the internet about Lasok 4 and I can say that for this machine, in my opinion, an extremely successful tactical and market "niche" has been chosen.
    Moreover, Lasok 4 due to its compact dimensions (like a car) is very suitable for use in the city and in mountainous areas.
    I also looked at the portal of the Russian Ministry of Defense magazine "Army Collection" No. 1, for 2021, pp. 77-85, so part of the Info went through the army specialists.

    What I found (besides the company's website) on the internet is the main potential use of Lasok 4:
    - for border detachments of the Border Guard Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation;
    - for special forces (special forces, airborne forces, reconnaissance groups, engineering assault groups, etc.);
    - for the BTG (Battalion tactical group), this is a super-mobile combat structure, there are about 150 of them in the Russian army, the staffing of one BTG: from 900 to 1100 people;
    - patrol functions and convoy escort (marching convoy guarding);
    - as a command vehicle of the company commander: 4 people. in the armored cabin (armored capsule) and in the back, 3 escort machine gunners can still be accommodated (with their backs to the armored cabin), it turns out they are covered with armor from the front, and additional ones are hung on the sides. armored shields;
    - and as a command vehicle of a separate platoon commander (in a battalion);
    - for special purpose brigades of the Russian Guard.

    Protection class for Lasoks: 4th or 5th (3rd or 5th for BA "Tiger"). There is no info about the Lasok mine protection class, but I think that with a small mass of the Lasok BA, even taking into account the special shape of the hull, the class is still no higher than that of the Tiger BA: an explosive device - up to 600 g. into TNT. equivalent (anti-personnel mines, grenades).
  10. 0
    3 March 2021 13: 52
    Quote: strannik1985
    It makes no sense for the ground forces to limit the combat capabilities of the BRDM for the sake of airmobility.

    And there is no need - this old man, consider, is already - a terrible "vintage", more suitable for the dominating punks who love to drive through the streets of the capital. For airborne parts - Airborne Forces, DShB & etc. , there is BMD-2, ...- 3. But, unfortunately, they don't fit into the Mi-8.
    Maybe then it's better to replace the old Mi-8? ... or feed him to the size of the Mi-6 with steroids. )))
  11. +3
    4 March 2021 08: 49
    Compact armored vehicles such as Lasok 4 will be in great demand, they are like "pawns" on a chessboard - and there should be a lot of them, even a lot!
    According to leading military experts in today's and tomorrow's military conflicts, hostilities consist of many local combat areas, such as in the Donbass, Syria, and Karabakh.
    For example, in block buildings, in the mountains and on very rough terrain, you cannot send a couple of BMPs or armored personnel carriers to every "hole", and NATO understands this well.
    And after the Second World War, our main military Strategists and most of the "couch" experts had a special, super-exclusive opinion that there are only 18 thousand units in the Russian army now: BMP, BMD, BTR, BRDM-2, MTLB, etc. + expensive Typhoons 4x4 (with Israeli composite armor) + very expensive Boomerangs, T-15 (16,17) - will close all the "battle holes" and protect the soldiers.

    The Americans have produced 56 thousand armored Hummers, and in total since 1985 280 thousand HMMWV off-road vehicles have been made, of which about 120 thousand were exported.
    The Hammer's height is 1,8 m, its length is 4,6 m, and its carrying capacity is 2 tons (curb weight is 2,67 tons, and with armor the vehicle is one ton more heavier).

    And even after Afgan, where our special forces actively used captured Toyota with DShK, and even after losses in Syria, tactical tendencies in our army did not change.
    And the heavy and unstable Typhoon 4x4 with a 30 mm cannon (vehicle height 2,7 m, the mass of the combat module on the roof - 1,1 tons) cannot be considered as a real combat unit - it is just some kind of cover, say, for the division headquarters.

    Only in Russia are relatively compact and, importantly, wide-body Mi-8 helicopters with a payload capacity of 4 tons (the length of the cargo compartment is 5,34 m), where light combat vehicles can be transported, are produced.
    NATO has only heavier CH-47 Chinook helicopters for the transportation of Hummers and other equipment (the length of the cargo compartment is 9,2 m, the carrying capacity is up to 12,5 tons).
  12. 0
    4 March 2021 18: 24
    In my opinion, it's some kind of squalor, the same panhard vbl looks many times better, if you are designing a compact airborne vehicle, you have to use every centimeter, and there should be no useless voids above the wings and in other places, of course, let the crew be in armor capsule but the rest of the place can be used
  13. 0
    April 6 2021 16: 19
    Somewhere I have already seen such a design with the collapse of the sides ...
    Probably here:

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