Outdated but promising. The potential of the armored personnel carrier BTR-50P
Transportation of the BTR-50P in an unknown direction. Photo Telegram / ChDambiev
Almost 70 years ago, the BTR-50P tracked amphibious armored personnel carrier entered service with the Soviet army. Its operation lasted several decades, after which the army switched to newer models. Nevertheless, a number of foreign countries continue to use this technique and make full use of its technical potential. According to the latest news, now the Russian armed forces can use the remaining potential and resource of such equipment.
In an unknown direction
A few days ago, on February 23, a couple of interesting photos appeared on profile resources and blogs. An unknown photographer, somewhere in the vastness of the country, captured the transportation of old-type armored personnel carriers. A pair of KamAZ tractors with the letters “V” hit the lens, towing three-axle tank semi-trailers along the highway. The latter carried two BTR-50Ps as cargo.
Whether there were other tractors with armored objects on trailers in this "convoy" is unknown. Where and where the armored personnel carriers were taken from is also not reported. However, the transportation of armored vehicles of an outdated model did not go unnoticed. There were also assumptions and versions, the authors of which tried to explain the observed picture.
The letters "V" on the tractors led to the assumption that the transportation was connected with the current Special Operation. Moreover, some bloggers and publications have even suggested that BTR-50Ps are already in the area of the operation. They also tried to explain why obsolete armored vehicles were needed there. Different versions are expressed, both logical and plausible, and frankly alarmist.
It should be noted that new photos or videos of the BTR-50P being transported or delivered to the site have not yet appeared. Perhaps in the future it will become known where and why this equipment was transported - if such information is subject to publication. It cannot be ruled out that we are talking about some "internal" affairs of the army, which will not be discussed for one reason or another.
Only two armored personnel carriers got into the frame. Photo Telegram / ChDambiev
historical pattern
BTR-50P has a very long history. So, back in 1949, the Leningrad VNII-100 received the task of developing two unified models of armored vehicles - a light floating tank "740" (future PT-76) and the floating armored personnel carrier "750" (BTR-50P). N.F. became the chief designer of both samples. Shashmurin.
The development of two projects took only a few months. In the spring of 1950, the experimental "750" entered the factory tests and, in general, showed the required result. In the fall, a couple of armored personnel carriers were submitted for state tests, but they failed the test. For completion, the project was transferred to the Chelyabinsk plant No. 100.
In August 1951, state tests resumed, and this time the "Objects 750" confirmed the design characteristics. It is curious that they were tested both as a transport for the infantry and as a carrier of artillery - the guns simply rolled into the troop compartment. According to the test results, in 1954 the product "750" was adopted under the designation BTR-50P. Production was organized at the Stalingrad Tractor Plant.
Initially, the BTR-50P was produced in several versions with different weapons. In 1958-59. launched the production of a modernized BTR-50PK with a habitable compartment roof and protection against weapons mass destruction. Also, the armored personnel carrier became the basis for the command and staff vehicle, engineering equipment, all-terrain vehicles, etc.
Production of the BTR-50P at Stalingrad/Volgograd continued until 1970.
The bulk of the equipment came to parts of the Soviet army. Also, significant quantities of armored personnel carriers were sent abroad. In addition, Czechoslovakia and China organized the production of machines under license. In total, the BTR-50P and its modifications entered service with more than 35 countries. About 15 are still operating it.
BTR-50PK in the museum. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
In recent decades, in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and even Indonesia, various options for upgrading the BTR-50P were proposed, aimed at compensating for moral and physical obsolescence. These projects provide for the replacement of the power unit and weapons. In this case, protection, chassis and other key elements are not affected.
Technical features
The amphibious tracked armored personnel carrier BTR-50P is built in a welded hull made of steel armor with a thickness of 6 mm (stern) to 10-13 mm (forehead). The armor provided protection against small arms bullets and shrapnel with similar energy. In the “PC” modification, the hull was supplemented with a roof, which improved the vehicle’s ballistic protection, and also made it possible to seal the inhabited compartments.
The crew of an armored personnel carrier of two people is located in the forward control compartment and has its own hatches and viewing devices. A troop compartment for 20 people was organized in a building with a high cabin. boarding and disembarking overboard. The closed version of the hull received hatches in the roof.
On an open installation or on the hatch of the troop compartment, machine guns of various types were placed, up to 14,5-mm KPV. If necessary, the BTR-50P with an open troop compartment could carry a gun up to 85 mm caliber, a mortar up to 120 mm caliber or recoilless rifles.
A power unit based on the V-6PVG engine with a power of 240 hp was placed in the stern of the hull. Power was distributed to the rear drive wheels. Chassis - with six large-diameter road wheels on each side, suspension - torsion bar. Two jet propulsion units were placed in the stern.
Command and staff vehicle BTR-50PU. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
The combat weight of the BTR-50P, depending on the modification, reached 14,4-14,5 tons. On the highway, the car developed a speed of 45 km / h, on the water - 10,5 km / h. Cruising on the highway did not exceed 260 km, afloat - 60-70 km. The armored personnel carrier could move and operate in the same battle formations as the PT-76 tank.
Design potential
Our army decided a long time ago to abandon the tracked BTR-50P and completely switch to wheeled BTR-60/70/80. The vehicles that remained in service with a sufficient supply of resources were put into storage, made monuments and museum exhibits, or sent abroad, the rest were disposed of. At the same time, some other countries continue to operate the BTR-50P and are generally satisfied with such equipment. It is assumed that it still retains certain advantages and has not yet used its full potential.
This success has several reasons. So, the BTR-50P project was based on a rather successful and promising concept. It was implemented using a number of original technical solutions with high potential. In the future, despite the abandonment of the BTR-50P, such concepts and ideas were not abandoned. In one form or another, they were used in the new BTR-D or BT-3F projects.
The BTR-50P also had technical advantages. So, it compares favorably with other domestic and a number of foreign armored personnel carriers with a caterpillar undercarriage. Despite the complexity and other disadvantages, the caterpillars give higher cross-country ability in all conditions, primarily in muddy conditions or on the coast.
At the same time, the potential of the undercarriage is not fully utilized. The standard 240-horsepower engine gives a specific power of only 16,7 hp / t, which is not enough to achieve high mobility. In this regard, all BTR-50P modernization projects provide for the replacement of the power plant.
BTR-50P of the armed forces of Indonesia. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
The regular armored hull protects only from small arms bullets, and this does not meet the requirements of a modern conflict. In this regard, the BTR-50P differs little from other domestic and foreign armored personnel carriers of previous generations. Accordingly, all such machines need additional protection, screens, etc.
With all this, the design and layout of the hull and wheelhouse provide great advantages. The BTR-50P compares favorably with the large size of the troop compartment. Even with the replacement of seats and other upgrades, it is able to carry more fighters than other armored personnel carriers. In addition, a large volume can be used to accommodate the necessary equipment or even towed artillery.
The BTR-50P is capable of carrying a variety of weapons - machine guns of various calibers, automatic grenade launchers, small-caliber guns or anti-tank systems. One of the modernization projects proposed the installation of a cannon-machine gun turret similar to other domestic armored personnel carriers. Installation of remotely controlled modules is also possible.
Forecasts and versions
Thus, even by modern standards, the BTR-50P looks like a fairly successful machine that has advantages over other representatives of its class. At the same time, there are a number of significant shortcomings that impose restrictions or even lead to risks. In general, due to proper modernization, replacement of units and installation of additional tools, it is possible to improve all the main characteristics of an outdated armored personnel carrier and actually extend its life.
As a result of such an update, a modernized armored vehicle will appear, suitable for further operation and solving various problems. It is unlikely that it can be effectively used at the forefront of a full-scale conflict, in the presence of especially dangerous threats. However, work in the rear, with a limited level of threats, is quite within the power of such an object.
It is possible that this will happen with a pair of BTR-50Ps recently seen on one of the Russian roads. In this case, they no longer have to stand idle at the storage site awaiting disposal, and they get a chance to serve their country. But other scenarios cannot be ruled out. So far, we can only speak with confidence about the transportation of two armored personnel carriers. Where and why they were taken, perhaps, will become clear later. Or not.
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