Armored car "Gadfly": modular failure of the Ukrainian industry
"Gadfly" at the exhibition in 2015
In recent months, Ukraine has lost several thousand armored fighting vehicles. To compensate for such losses, one has to beg for foreign equipment and restore vehicles from storage. In addition, unsuccessful prototypes that exist in one or more copies are sent to the front. So, recently an experienced armored car "Gadfly" was seen in the combat zone, which at one time attracted attention and was severely criticized.
At the exhibition and on the roads
The project of the armored car "Gadfly" was developed by the Zhytomyr Armored Plant (ZhBTZ) in 2015. Only one prototype was built on it, which in the same year became an exhibit of the Zbroya and Bezpeka exhibition. The characteristic appearance of this sample attracted the attention of the public, and specific technical features became a reason for criticism.
Soon the concern "Ukroboronprom" revealed the curious details of the new project. It turned out that ZhBTZ offers not just an armored car, but an original concept that allows mass production of such equipment. It was proposed to develop and assemble sets of armor modules for mounting on existing truck chassis of existing types. Modules could have different equipment and purpose. At the same time, the installation of a complete set on the chassis, according to calculations, should have taken less than an hour. The plant was ready to produce up to 1000-1100 sets annually - and make good money on army orders.
The first example of such a concept was the exhibition "Gadfly". It was made on the basis of the affordable GAZ-66 chassis. Similarly, it was proposed to re-equip cars of other brands and models, Soviet, Ukrainian and foreign production. In some cases, the need to refine the chassis used, for example, in the form of an engine replacement, was not excluded.
It is known that after the exhibition in 2015 the project was developed. Having received a number of negative reviews, ZhBTZ changed the design of the Gadfly armored units and improved some parameters. An experienced armored car also underwent revision and received some new elements. However, there were no major changes.
Despite the optimism of the development plant, an experienced armored car and a bold concept did not interest the customer in the person of the Ukrainian army. As a result, the project was not further developed. The construction of new prototypes was also abandoned. "Gadfly" arr. 2015 on the basis of the GAZ-66 remained in a single copy.
Over the next few years, the fate of the unusual armored car remained unknown. However, a few days ago it turned out that the "Gadfly" was in the war zone. A short video appeared on social networks showing a car driving along the street of an unknown settlement. Who got the armored car is unknown. At the same time, it can be assumed that his service will not be long and successful.
Modular design
The armored car was built on the basis of the GAZ-66 truck. The used chassis lost its standard cabin and cargo area, instead of which they installed "armor modules" of the original design. The power plant, transmission with the distribution of torque to all wheels and the running gear on two axles remained the same. The chassis with a carrying capacity of 2 tons withstood the new hull and retained the ability to transport some cargo. Whether it was possible to maintain the previous driving characteristics is unclear.
The visitor of the exhibition demonstrates the unique ergonomics of the armored cabin
The Gadfly project provided for equipping the chassis with two armored modules - a cockpit and a separate body for landing and weapons. Both modules were of welded construction. The 2nd level of protection according to the STANAG 4569 standard was declared - the armor had to withstand the hit of 7,62 mm automatic bullets. It also provided for the installation of attachments that increase protection to level 3 (7,62 mm armor-piercing rifle bullet). There was no special mine protection.
The regular cab of the GAZ-66 was replaced with a new module of a characteristic shape, due to which it was possible to close the front part of the chassis with the engine. Inside such a cabin there were two places for the crew. Access inside was provided by side doors and a pair of hatches in the roof. At the end of 2015, ZhBTZ spoke about the development of an updated cab with increased height and larger volume.
An armored module with the function of a landing compartment was placed behind the cabin. It was made in the form of a van with a hexagonal cross section. On the sides there were mounts for overhead armor. At the rear of the roof was a small superstructure with a machine gun mount. On board the hull and in the stern there were doors for landing. 12 passengers were asked to ride on a bench placed in the center of the hull.
The exhibition "Gadfly" was armed in the form of a machine-gun mount with a large-caliber NSV. In a recent video, an armored car is carrying an older DShK machine gun. Other weapons or the possibility of firing from a personal weapons were initially absent. In the modernized version of the project from the end of 2015, side embrasures were provided, but the experienced armored car did not receive them.
Numerous problems
The first reaction to the "Gadfly" was simple. Specialists and technology enthusiasts noted the extremely low aesthetic qualities of the armored car - with its dubious exterior, it resembled handicrafts from the Middle East. However, it soon became clear that his problems did not end there. The designers made a number of gross mistakes, which actually put an end to the project.
An armored car in one of the Ukrainian formations, June or July 2022
First of all, there were problems with ergonomics. It turned out that the armored cockpit was insufficient in size and volume. With acceptable convenience, a driver or passenger no more than 170 cm tall could fit and work in it. Taller crew members would have to bend over or open the sunroof - with known risks. To this were added specific controls left over from the GAZ-66 truck.
The troop compartment also turned out to be inconvenient in all respects. The side door was small and inconveniently located, and the use of the aft door was difficult due to the shape of the opening. The central shop was intended for the landing, and against the background of other armored cars it looked extremely strange.
It was argued that the driving characteristics of the armored car remained at the level of the base vehicle with a payload. Whether this is true is unknown. The shown test footage or recent video from city streets does not allow for an assessment of such parameters. At the same time, it can be assumed that the chassis of a common type somewhat simplifies operation and maintenance.
Reservations of level 2-3 of the NATO standard are generally sufficient for solving some combat missions. However, such armor does not provide any guarantee during shelling. In addition, it is obvious that both Gadfly corps will not withstand the shelling of anti-tank weapons. A significant problem is the lack of any protection against explosive devices.
Large-caliber machine guns are serious weapons and are suitable for combat missions. In addition, there is a fundamental possibility of mounting other weapons systems. However, the open installation of a machine gun or anti-tank systems leads to risks for the shooter. Whether the design of the Gadfly allows the use of a closed turret or a remotely controlled weapon station is unclear.
Natural result
At the heart of the project "Gadfly" were curious and promising - both technically and economically - ideas. However, the first result of this project was, to put it mildly, unsuccessful. Exhibition armored car in 2015 had a lot of technical problems and ambiguous features. In addition, the car was simply ugly.
The existing shortcomings, as well as a number of other factors of various kinds, led to the fact that the "Gadfly" did not interest the customer and did not go into series. ZhBTZ's attempt to improve the project was unsuccessful - the army also did not need an armored car with modified ergonomics and loopholes. As a result, everything was limited only to the construction and display of a single prototype.
For several years, the fate of the first and last "Gadfly" remained unknown. Now the situation has cleared up - the car was given to one of the armed formations for real exploitation. Apparently, the new owners were already able to fully appreciate all the shortcomings in the design and ergonomics.
Now they have to find out the real combat effectiveness of the machine. It can be assumed that the Gadfly, with all its inherent flaws, will fail this test as well. And in the foreseeable future, the armored car will be destroyed or become a trophy of the advancing allied forces. This will be a natural result, and besides, it will show what the Ukrainian military industry and the army eventually came to.
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