Advantages and prospects of the armored car K-4386-PVO "Typhoon-PVO"
A special armored vehicle, the K-4386-PVO or "Typhoon-PVO", was created for the air defense units. Its purpose is to transport crews of portable anti-aircraft missile complexes together with weapons and ensure the implementation of combat missions. The new armored car is currently being tested. After their successful completion, it will be put into service and will help increase the potential of military air defense.
Perspective sample
The armored vehicle "Typhoon-PVO" was developed in the second half of the tenth years by the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant "Kupol". The relative simplicity of the project allowed the development process to be accelerated, and by the end of the decade the armored vehicle was ready for testing.
For the first time, the K-4386-PVO product was presented at the 2019 Army Games. The following year, the armored car was shown at the open part of the exhibition at the Army 2020 forum, and on May 9, 2021, it took part in the parade on Red Square for the first time. Since the end of the last decade, armored vehicles have regularly participated in various ground forces exercises.
At the beginning of 2021, it was reported that the Kupol IEMZ completed development work and handed over a new armored vehicle for testing. At the same time, the first work began to prepare for future mass production.
In 2022–2023 There have been repeated reports of the use of Typhoon-Air Defense in the area of the Special Operation to protect Donbass. These vehicles accompany our troops and provide them with protection from air attacks.
"Typhoon-Air Defense" (in the foreground) and "Typhoon-VDV"
As far as we know, testing of an armored car for air defense is still ongoing. State tests are currently underway, the completion of which is expected in the coming months. Based on the results of these events, Typhoon-Air Defense will enter service, and serial equipment will be sent to the troops.
The new K-4386-PVO armored vehicle is designed for military air defense units using man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems. Currently, such units use cars of current models, which may impose certain restrictions. A specialized armored vehicle will improve the capabilities of anti-aircraft gunners.
On a ready basis
"Typhoon-Air Defense" is built on the basis of the K-4386 "Typhoon-VDV" armored vehicle. This is a two-axle armored combat vehicle designed to transport personnel and some cargo. The basic armored car retained the main structural elements, but received new equipment for the internal compartments, corresponding to the needs of the air defense unit.
The armored car has a protected hood-mounted body with a large cargo-passenger compartment. Combined armor protection made of steel sheets and ceramic elements is provided. The crew and units are protected from armor-piercing incendiary bullets of normal caliber. There is also mine protection that protects people from the explosion of 8 kg of TNT under the wheel or bottom.
The armored car is equipped with a 350 hp diesel engine, an all-wheel drive transmission and is capable of reaching speeds of more than 100 km/h on the highway. The power reserve is 800 km. The vehicle overcomes various obstacles and can cross water obstacles through fords up to 1,2-1,5 m deep.
The Typhoon project was initially created using foreign units, but now the development company is actively working on its modernization and replacement of imported components. The Typhoon-VDV platform will also undergo similar import substitution.
Machine gun mount close up
In the Typhoon-Air Defense project, the internal equipment of the cabin was redesigned. The number of crew seats was reduced from 8 to 5, and the vacated volumes in the stern were given over to the placement of anti-aircraft gunners' ammunition and special equipment.
The crew of the K-4386-air defense includes a commander, a driver, two anti-aircraft gunners and a machine gunner. At the commander’s workplace there is a remote control with the function of receiving and processing data from higher command posts and target designation equipment. Having received information from the outside, the commander gives orders to the shooters.
During the exercises, independent monitoring of the situation and search for targets were practiced. For this purpose, the standard equipment of the armored car was supplemented with the 1L122 Garmon portable radar station. It is capable of detecting air targets at ranges of up to 40 km and altitudes of 10 km, determining their coordinates and nationality, and also providing information to the commander’s terminal.
The main armament of the Typhoon-PVO anti-aircraft gunner combat vehicle is domestically produced MANPADS, such as Igla or Verba. An ammunition load of 8-9 such complexes is transported in the aft compartment of the hull.
Having received data from the commander, the anti-aircraft gunner uses his MANPADS. Shooting is possible both after dismounting and through hatches in the roof of the hull. The presence of two shooters on board allows you to simultaneously attack two targets or carry out a paired launch on one object.
As a means of self-defense or an additional anti-aircraft weapon, the armored car carries a large-caliber Kord machine gun, which is mounted on the top turret and provides all-round fire at large elevation angles.
Anti-aircraft gunner attacks a training target
To improve air defense
Serial "Typhoons-air defense" will be supplied to military air defense units of the ground forces, in which they will replace existing vehicles. This technology will provide units with new capabilities and improve their potential.
The main advantage of the new armored car is that it was designed specifically for the needs of anti-aircraft gunners. The vehicle is equipped with instruments for data exchange and control, can carry its own detection equipment and has space for placing MANPADS.
"Typhoon-Air Defense" compares favorably with the transport currently used by the presence of protection. The crew, equipment and weapons are protected from bullets, shrapnel and explosions. This is especially important when anti-aircraft gunners are working on the front line or near the rear.
The decisive role is played by special equipment designed for K-4386-air defense. With its help, the combat vehicle is fully integrated into the air defense control circuits, ensuring the highest possible speed and efficiency of combat work.
The armored car carries two types of weapons. The main weapons against air targets are the Igla or Verba MANPADS. With their help, the Typhoon-PVO crew can attack airplanes, helicopters and some types drones at ranges of more than 6–6,5 km and altitudes up to 4–4,5 km.
The installation with the Kord heavy machine gun was initially considered as a means of self-defense. But during the exercises it was found that a trained crew can effectively use a machine gun against air targets.
The machine gun allows you to hit small and medium-sized drones at ranges of up to 1–1,5 km, depending on various factors. It demonstrates high effectiveness against targets that cannot be hit by portable air defense systems or are not practical for economic reasons.
Soon
"Typhoon-PVO" can be considered as a universal short-range anti-aircraft system equipped with guided missiles and a barrel artilleryIt has its own means of detecting targets and can interact with other air defense components.
A specialized armored vehicle designed for anti-aircraft gunners has significant advantages over conventional vehicles and is of interest to ground forces. Currently, it is undergoing final tests, based on the results of which a decision will be made on its adoption.
It is not yet known when the corresponding order will be issued and serial equipment will begin to enter the troops. However, it is clear that this is a matter for the near future. It is also obvious that the appearance of new vehicles in the army will have positive consequences.
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