Prototype of VTP-1 Orca armored personnel carrier
At the time of development, the VTP-1 Orca was the largest and heaviest wheeled armored personnel carrier
What is remarkable about the Orca armored personnel carrier as it is the largest passenger capacity among modern BTR, as well as its size and weight. It was designed with the aim of providing the Chilean army with a universal high-cross transporter, which could quickly transport a large number of people, weapons and equipment over long distances.
Development of the VTP-1 Orca began in the early 80s, and the project was officially announced in 1983. The Orca armored personnel carrier was developed in parallel with the BMS-1 Alacran Halftrack half-track armored personnel carrier, using a large number of mechanical and structural elements, and therefore these vehicles have a close external resemblance.
It is not known whether the Orca armored personnel carrier was in service, but according to some reports, the Chilean army ordered 100 vehicles in 1985, and the order for a smaller number was issued by the Chilean Marine Corps. The production of this machine is currently not possible.
The armored personnel carrier variant is equipped with a commander's cupola with a sliding mount for a 7,62 mm MAG machine gun, 12,7 mm M2HB machine gun or Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher. The corps can also accept heavy weapons systems (such as an automatic cannon turret), although in this case a weapon turret is excluded. The landing party can fire through two loopholes with viewing devices in the sides and one in the aft door.
The thickness of the alloy steel hull armor varies from 6 mm to 16 mm, which provides protection against mine explosions, shell fragments and 7,62 mm armor-piercing bullets. It is not known whether the vehicle has an anti-fragmentation lining, a WMD protection system, or a fire extinguishing system.
The crew is located in front, the rear troop compartment occupies more than half the length of the vehicle. The driver sits on the left, the vehicle commander on the right, while the paratroopers sit on the sides of the vehicle facing each other. There are two rectangular hatches in the middle of the machine, located closer to the sides and opening outwards. There is one hinged door in the stern. The VTP-1 Orca armored personnel carrier currently has the largest troop compartment among mass-produced wheeled armored personnel carriers.
Like most of the combat vehicles produced by developing countries, the electronics of the Orca armored personnel carrier is very modest. The radio station comes as standard, the driver's night vision periscope is optionally installed, but it is known that other optical and electronic components were also offered for the car.
The VTP-1 Orca armored personnel carrier is equipped with a 6 hp Detroit Diesel 53V275T six-cylinder diesel engine, connected to an Allison MT653DR automatic transmission with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears. The maximum speed of the car is 120 km / h, the maximum range is 1200 km. The capacity of the fuel tank is 400 liters of diesel fuel. The suspension, according to some reports, was taken from a civilian truck, but there are no more details on it. The VTP-1 Orca armored personnel carrier does not float.
options
VTP-1 Orca options offered include towed artillery, anti-aircraft gun with 20-mm or 30-mm automatic guns, anti-tank system with ATGM launchers (possibly Hammerhead TOW), 120-mm mortar, radar, self-propelled unit. , ambulance, mobile hospital and mobile workshop;
The Chilean semi-tracked armored personnel carrier BMS-1 Alacran is similar to Orca because it was developed in parallel using common components.
In service - unknown
Crew 2 people
Landing 16 people
Dimensions and weight
Mass 18 tons
Length 7,84 m
Width 2,5 m
Height 2,5 m
weaponry
Machine guns 1 x 12,7mm (~600 rounds)
Mobility
Detroit Diesel 6V53T diesel
Power 275 hp
Top speed 120 km / h
Power reserve 1200 km
Maneuverability
Slope 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical scarp ~ 0,6 m
Trench 0,6 ~ 1 m
Ford ~ 1,5 m
Materials used:
www.military-today.com
www.wikipedia.org
Information