MT-LB and its modifications
A multipurpose transporter (tractor) light armored MT-LB was created in 1964 year by the design office of the Kharkov Tractor Plant, which at that time was headed by A. F. Belousov. Mass production of the machine began in the 1966 year. This machine was primarily intended for the transport of artillery guns and was used as an artillery tractor, which carried the calculation and ammunition ammunition. In some parts of the car served as a light armored personnel carrier and was used for the transport of troops and cargo. MT-LB has shown itself very well in armed conflicts and local wars of the past. Its only drawback could be considered weak weaponry, but for an artillery tractor it was quite sufficient; moreover, several different modifications have been made in Russia today that have received reinforced weaponry. Since the beginning of operation in 1966, more than 9 000 of various MT-LB versions have been released. On the 2010, the year in service of the Russian army is about 4 000 of similar machines.
For its more than 40-year-old history Operation MT-LB gained deserved popularity among the troops both in Russia and abroad. Probably, calling their car a “multi-purpose tractor”, the creators did not even realize that more than 80 of various modifications would be created at its base - from armored personnel carriers to combat complexes. On the basis of this tractor, the 9А35 Strela-10 air defense system, the 9М144 Sturm-С anti-tank complex, the 1Л219 "Zoo" anti-battery radar, the Gnodika SAN 2C1 and many other combat vehicles were developed. Even now, this tractor remains indispensable in parts in the Far North, the Far East, where maneuverability is one of the most important indicators of the combat effectiveness of equipment. It is in service with specialized mountain brigades created in Russia.
Layout and device
The layout of the MT-LB is somewhat unusual for the Soviet tank building, since the transmission in the tractor was located in the front, and the engine was located in the middle of the car with a slight shift to the left side. Between the transmission compartment and the diesel engine there is a control compartment. Due to the fact that the engine was shifted to the left relative to the longitudinal axis, the car has a passage from the control compartment to the landing (load) compartment.
In the department of management are located the driver and commander of the car, the driver on the left, the commander on the right. For the convenience of observation, the machine is equipped with two glass blocks (as on the BTR-60), which can be covered with armor flaps. At the same time, the driver is observing the traffic situation through the 3 prism viewing instruments TNPO-170А, the central of which can be replaced with TVN-2B - a night vision device. An armored conical turret of circular rotation TKB-01 is mounted on the right on the body of the MT-LB in the bow above the commander’s place. The tower is mounted 7,62-mm PKT machine gun. Targeting him to the target machine commander carries out in manual mode.
The troop compartment, which is also a cargo one, is located in the stern of the MT-LB and was originally used to place ammunition and artillery for the towed gun in it. Later, when the vehicle was used as an armored personnel carrier, the troop compartment was equipped to land 11 infantrymen in full gear. The landing is placed on the seats along the sides of the vehicle, which are mounted on top of the fuel tanks. For landing / disembarking infantrymen and loading cargo and property in the stern of the hull there is a double door, as well as 2 hatch in the roof of the troop compartment. The machine is equipped with a filtering unit (FVU) and a heater.
The body of the conveyor is welded using rolled armor plates, which provide protection for the crew and landing force against small-arms bullets. weapons, mines of small caliber and fragments of artillery shells. Machines have a sealed body, which allows it to overcome water obstacles by swimming. The total weight of the machine is 9,7 tons, the payload reaches 2,5 tons. At the same time the machine is able to pull a trailer weighing up to 6,5 tons. The movement of MT-LB in water is carried out by rewinding the tracks. Before overcoming the water barrier in the front of the hull, a special water deflector plate is raised, and special hydrodynamic flaps are lowered and fixed on both sides in the stern of the hull. In case of getting inside the case of water there is a water pump.
The use of MT-LB proved to be particularly successful in the winter and in the transitional seasons - the beginning of spring and late autumn. As the car possesses excellent mobile qualities and high passability. The MT-LB is equipped with a YMZ-238 diesel engine with HP 240 power. This engine provides traction on a highway at a speed of 60 km / h and power density 19,6 hp / t, which, coupled with low ground pressure (0,46 kg / sq.cm), provides the car with high throughput in deep snow, mud and steep mountain roads. The width of a standard truck is 350 mm., While in wetlands and snow-covered areas, tracks with an increased width of tracks 565 mm can be installed on it to increase the maneuverability. MT-LB with such tracks was designated MT-LBV. This machine has a ground pressure of just 0,28 kg / cm2, which is less than that of a human. On dry soil, the MT-LB with a load is able to overcome the rise with a steepness up to 35 °, if there is a trailer up to 25 °.
The machine suspension is torsion independent using hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers on the first and last suspension nodes. MT-LB has a good smoothness over rough terrain. The original design of the transmission, coupled with a double power supply, provides the conveyor with a turn around its axis with a radius that is equal to the 1 / 2 width of the vehicle. This fact is of particular importance when moving along narrow roads in a wooded or mountainous area. MT-LB is, in fact, the only means of transportation in remote areas of Russia. In the Far East, Siberia, the Far North, the Caucasus Mountains, the MT-LB is used by motorized rifle units as an armored personnel carrier.
The second life of MT-LB
With the collapse of the USSR, all the factories for the production of machines of the MT-LB family turned out to be outside of Russia in Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria. Therefore, the procurement of this technology has not been made with 1990 year. At the same time in the country left a huge number of cars that still had a service life of more than 10 years. It was obvious that over the past 40 years since the creation of the machine, it noticeably lagged behind in technical terms and no longer met the requirements of the time. It is not surprising that soon the idea arose of carrying out an industrial overhaul and work to increase the performance characteristics of MT-LB, in order to bring them into line with today's reality.
In Russia, the enterprise Muromteplovoz took up this problem, the plant designers had all the necessary conditions for this. During the overhaul works, there were quite close creative ties between the designers of the enterprise and the scientific organizations of the Ministry of Defense and industry. The main goal of the upgraded MT-LB on the Muromteplovoz was to increase their firepower. For this, the machines were equipped with a new turret machine-gun or machine-gun installation, in addition, their resource was restored to 80%. In the shortest possible time, 2 basic modifications of the MT-LBM 6MA and MT-LBM 6MB machines were created at the enterprise.
The result of one of the easiest upgrades was the MT-LBVMK machine, which received a new turret with an 12,7-mm machine gun 6P49 "CORD". All other mechanisms and systems of MT-LB have not changed.
In the MT-LBM 6MA variant, a turret from the BTR-80 with a 14,5-mm KPVT machine gun and 7,62-mm PKT was mounted on the transporter. With this tower, the MT-LB turns into a full-fledged tracked armored personnel carrier. The MT-LBM 6MB variant is equipped with a turret with an installed 30-mm 2-72 cannon, which is paired with a PKT machine gun. Such a set of weapons allows you to effectively deal with lightly armed targets and tank-dangerous manpower of the enemy. These modifications are widely used in the troops, they managed to visit the “hot spots”, are in service with the units of the marines. This work on the modernization of MT-LB has not ended, and you can look at other modernization options live at domestic arms exhibitions. In fact, MT-LB has long been transformed from a tractor / conveyor into a full-fledged combat vehicle.
MT-LBM 6M1A3 is an option for transporting motorized rifle units to the battlefield, performing tasks of guarding military convoys and objects, reconnaissance, fighting small targets, manpower, and modern and promising tanks enemy, including those with dynamic defense. In this embodiment, the machine is essentially a self-propelled anti-tank system. In this version, MT-LB receives a tower with 4 PU ATGM “Cornet”. And if on versions 6MA and 6MB the weapon is guided manually, then on this machine the tower has guidance electric drives, providing a high guidance speed. In addition to the Kornet, the machine is armed with a PKT machine gun mounted in the turret and a 30-mm automatic grenade launcher AG-17. At the same time, the elevation angle of the machine gun barrel is + 50 °, which allows firing in special conditions (battles in the city, mountains, forest, etc.). On this version, a more powerful YaMZ-238BL engine with a capacity of 310 hp is installed, and a new transmission with hydrostatic transmission (GOP) is also used. Separately, it is worth noting that instead of the control levers, the steering wheel is installed on the machine, which, together with a new transmission and a more powerful engine, reduces driver fatigue when operating the machine.
The MT-LBM 6MA4 version of the machine performs tasks similar to the previous machine, with the exception of the fight with armored vehicles. To perform the main tasks, the machine is armed with an 23-mm KPVB automatic cannon coupled with a PKT or PKTM 7,62-mm machine gun, as well as an AG-30 automatic grenade launcher. Driving guidance weapons manual.
Version MT-LBM 6M1B2, in fact, turns into a full-fledged BMP. It is equipped with powerful weapons stabilized in the 2-x planes and has excellent mobility. The machine uses an 30-mm automatic gun 2А42 paired with a 7,62-mm PKM machine gun and an 30-mm automatic grenade launcher AG-17. In addition to the day sight, the night armament is also included in the armament complex. Vertical shooting angle reaches + 70 °. All weapons on this model are taken out of the tower, so when firing does not occur gas pollution in the compartments of the machine.
Another close version is MT-LBM 6MBZ. This machine has received more powerful weapons - the double-barreled automatic gun GSH-2В, 23-mm machine gun KORD and the AG-12,7 automatic grenade launcher stabilized in the 17 planes. The next modification of the 6MB4 has even more powerful armament due to the installation of a twin 30-mm automatic gun GSH-ZOV. Such machines are able to fight not only with wheeled and lightly armored vehicles, but also with low-flying air targets. To increase the effectiveness of this fight, the 6MB5 version received the 2 Igla MANPADS.
Also, on the basis of this option, a full-fledged SURF was made - an anti-aircraft artillery-rocket complex. In this version, the machine is equipped with a small radar target detection, digital computers and an optical-electronic target tracking station. Sufficiently powerful weapons of this modification in conjunction with the use of a thermal imager can successfully deal with manpower and lightly armored targets of the enemy.
With all its remarkable qualities, MT-LB has a rather significant drawback - a weak level of booking. His armor is quite thin and is penetrated by armor-piercing rifle bullets from a distance in 200 m. Therefore, at present, the designers of OJSC "Muromteplovoz" are faced with the task of increasing the level of protection. According to the chief designer of the enterprise, Sergey Serebryakov, there is some groundwork in this direction, and it is possible to provide the vehicle with an additional reservation that allows it to withstand hitting armor-piercing 12,7-mm bullets at any distances, possibly without losing the mobility of the vehicle. At the moment, it is safe to say that, in spite of its more than old age, modifications on MT-LB will be relevant and in demand for quite a long time.
For its more than 40-year-old history Operation MT-LB gained deserved popularity among the troops both in Russia and abroad. Probably, calling their car a “multi-purpose tractor”, the creators did not even realize that more than 80 of various modifications would be created at its base - from armored personnel carriers to combat complexes. On the basis of this tractor, the 9А35 Strela-10 air defense system, the 9М144 Sturm-С anti-tank complex, the 1Л219 "Zoo" anti-battery radar, the Gnodika SAN 2C1 and many other combat vehicles were developed. Even now, this tractor remains indispensable in parts in the Far North, the Far East, where maneuverability is one of the most important indicators of the combat effectiveness of equipment. It is in service with specialized mountain brigades created in Russia.
MT-LB first series
Layout and device
The layout of the MT-LB is somewhat unusual for the Soviet tank building, since the transmission in the tractor was located in the front, and the engine was located in the middle of the car with a slight shift to the left side. Between the transmission compartment and the diesel engine there is a control compartment. Due to the fact that the engine was shifted to the left relative to the longitudinal axis, the car has a passage from the control compartment to the landing (load) compartment.
In the department of management are located the driver and commander of the car, the driver on the left, the commander on the right. For the convenience of observation, the machine is equipped with two glass blocks (as on the BTR-60), which can be covered with armor flaps. At the same time, the driver is observing the traffic situation through the 3 prism viewing instruments TNPO-170А, the central of which can be replaced with TVN-2B - a night vision device. An armored conical turret of circular rotation TKB-01 is mounted on the right on the body of the MT-LB in the bow above the commander’s place. The tower is mounted 7,62-mm PKT machine gun. Targeting him to the target machine commander carries out in manual mode.
The troop compartment, which is also a cargo one, is located in the stern of the MT-LB and was originally used to place ammunition and artillery for the towed gun in it. Later, when the vehicle was used as an armored personnel carrier, the troop compartment was equipped to land 11 infantrymen in full gear. The landing is placed on the seats along the sides of the vehicle, which are mounted on top of the fuel tanks. For landing / disembarking infantrymen and loading cargo and property in the stern of the hull there is a double door, as well as 2 hatch in the roof of the troop compartment. The machine is equipped with a filtering unit (FVU) and a heater.
MT-LBM 6MB with raised water deflector
The body of the conveyor is welded using rolled armor plates, which provide protection for the crew and landing force against small-arms bullets. weapons, mines of small caliber and fragments of artillery shells. Machines have a sealed body, which allows it to overcome water obstacles by swimming. The total weight of the machine is 9,7 tons, the payload reaches 2,5 tons. At the same time the machine is able to pull a trailer weighing up to 6,5 tons. The movement of MT-LB in water is carried out by rewinding the tracks. Before overcoming the water barrier in the front of the hull, a special water deflector plate is raised, and special hydrodynamic flaps are lowered and fixed on both sides in the stern of the hull. In case of getting inside the case of water there is a water pump.
The use of MT-LB proved to be particularly successful in the winter and in the transitional seasons - the beginning of spring and late autumn. As the car possesses excellent mobile qualities and high passability. The MT-LB is equipped with a YMZ-238 diesel engine with HP 240 power. This engine provides traction on a highway at a speed of 60 km / h and power density 19,6 hp / t, which, coupled with low ground pressure (0,46 kg / sq.cm), provides the car with high throughput in deep snow, mud and steep mountain roads. The width of a standard truck is 350 mm., While in wetlands and snow-covered areas, tracks with an increased width of tracks 565 mm can be installed on it to increase the maneuverability. MT-LB with such tracks was designated MT-LBV. This machine has a ground pressure of just 0,28 kg / cm2, which is less than that of a human. On dry soil, the MT-LB with a load is able to overcome the rise with a steepness up to 35 °, if there is a trailer up to 25 °.
The machine suspension is torsion independent using hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers on the first and last suspension nodes. MT-LB has a good smoothness over rough terrain. The original design of the transmission, coupled with a double power supply, provides the conveyor with a turn around its axis with a radius that is equal to the 1 / 2 width of the vehicle. This fact is of particular importance when moving along narrow roads in a wooded or mountainous area. MT-LB is, in fact, the only means of transportation in remote areas of Russia. In the Far East, Siberia, the Far North, the Caucasus Mountains, the MT-LB is used by motorized rifle units as an armored personnel carrier.
MT-LBM 6MA, adopted
The second life of MT-LB
With the collapse of the USSR, all the factories for the production of machines of the MT-LB family turned out to be outside of Russia in Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria. Therefore, the procurement of this technology has not been made with 1990 year. At the same time in the country left a huge number of cars that still had a service life of more than 10 years. It was obvious that over the past 40 years since the creation of the machine, it noticeably lagged behind in technical terms and no longer met the requirements of the time. It is not surprising that soon the idea arose of carrying out an industrial overhaul and work to increase the performance characteristics of MT-LB, in order to bring them into line with today's reality.
In Russia, the enterprise Muromteplovoz took up this problem, the plant designers had all the necessary conditions for this. During the overhaul works, there were quite close creative ties between the designers of the enterprise and the scientific organizations of the Ministry of Defense and industry. The main goal of the upgraded MT-LB on the Muromteplovoz was to increase their firepower. For this, the machines were equipped with a new turret machine-gun or machine-gun installation, in addition, their resource was restored to 80%. In the shortest possible time, 2 basic modifications of the MT-LBM 6MA and MT-LBM 6MB machines were created at the enterprise.
The result of one of the easiest upgrades was the MT-LBVMK machine, which received a new turret with an 12,7-mm machine gun 6P49 "CORD". All other mechanisms and systems of MT-LB have not changed.
In the MT-LBM 6MA variant, a turret from the BTR-80 with a 14,5-mm KPVT machine gun and 7,62-mm PKT was mounted on the transporter. With this tower, the MT-LB turns into a full-fledged tracked armored personnel carrier. The MT-LBM 6MB variant is equipped with a turret with an installed 30-mm 2-72 cannon, which is paired with a PKT machine gun. Such a set of weapons allows you to effectively deal with lightly armed targets and tank-dangerous manpower of the enemy. These modifications are widely used in the troops, they managed to visit the “hot spots”, are in service with the units of the marines. This work on the modernization of MT-LB has not ended, and you can look at other modernization options live at domestic arms exhibitions. In fact, MT-LB has long been transformed from a tractor / conveyor into a full-fledged combat vehicle.
MT-LBM 6MB, adopted
MT-LBM 6M1A3 is an option for transporting motorized rifle units to the battlefield, performing tasks of guarding military convoys and objects, reconnaissance, fighting small targets, manpower, and modern and promising tanks enemy, including those with dynamic defense. In this embodiment, the machine is essentially a self-propelled anti-tank system. In this version, MT-LB receives a tower with 4 PU ATGM “Cornet”. And if on versions 6MA and 6MB the weapon is guided manually, then on this machine the tower has guidance electric drives, providing a high guidance speed. In addition to the Kornet, the machine is armed with a PKT machine gun mounted in the turret and a 30-mm automatic grenade launcher AG-17. At the same time, the elevation angle of the machine gun barrel is + 50 °, which allows firing in special conditions (battles in the city, mountains, forest, etc.). On this version, a more powerful YaMZ-238BL engine with a capacity of 310 hp is installed, and a new transmission with hydrostatic transmission (GOP) is also used. Separately, it is worth noting that instead of the control levers, the steering wheel is installed on the machine, which, together with a new transmission and a more powerful engine, reduces driver fatigue when operating the machine.
The MT-LBM 6MA4 version of the machine performs tasks similar to the previous machine, with the exception of the fight with armored vehicles. To perform the main tasks, the machine is armed with an 23-mm KPVB automatic cannon coupled with a PKT or PKTM 7,62-mm machine gun, as well as an AG-30 automatic grenade launcher. Driving guidance weapons manual.
Version MT-LBM 6M1B2, in fact, turns into a full-fledged BMP. It is equipped with powerful weapons stabilized in the 2-x planes and has excellent mobility. The machine uses an 30-mm automatic gun 2А42 paired with a 7,62-mm PKM machine gun and an 30-mm automatic grenade launcher AG-17. In addition to the day sight, the night armament is also included in the armament complex. Vertical shooting angle reaches + 70 °. All weapons on this model are taken out of the tower, so when firing does not occur gas pollution in the compartments of the machine.
Another close version is MT-LBM 6MBZ. This machine has received more powerful weapons - the double-barreled automatic gun GSH-2В, 23-mm machine gun KORD and the AG-12,7 automatic grenade launcher stabilized in the 17 planes. The next modification of the 6MB4 has even more powerful armament due to the installation of a twin 30-mm automatic gun GSH-ZOV. Such machines are able to fight not only with wheeled and lightly armored vehicles, but also with low-flying air targets. To increase the effectiveness of this fight, the 6MB5 version received the 2 Igla MANPADS.
ZRAK MT-LBM 6MB5
Also, on the basis of this option, a full-fledged SURF was made - an anti-aircraft artillery-rocket complex. In this version, the machine is equipped with a small radar target detection, digital computers and an optical-electronic target tracking station. Sufficiently powerful weapons of this modification in conjunction with the use of a thermal imager can successfully deal with manpower and lightly armored targets of the enemy.
With all its remarkable qualities, MT-LB has a rather significant drawback - a weak level of booking. His armor is quite thin and is penetrated by armor-piercing rifle bullets from a distance in 200 m. Therefore, at present, the designers of OJSC "Muromteplovoz" are faced with the task of increasing the level of protection. According to the chief designer of the enterprise, Sergey Serebryakov, there is some groundwork in this direction, and it is possible to provide the vehicle with an additional reservation that allows it to withstand hitting armor-piercing 12,7-mm bullets at any distances, possibly without losing the mobility of the vehicle. At the moment, it is safe to say that, in spite of its more than old age, modifications on MT-LB will be relevant and in demand for quite a long time.
Information