| MT-LB | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Armored personnel carrier |
| Place of origin |  Soviet Union |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 11,900 kg |
| Length | 6.45 m |
| Width | 2.86 m |
| Height | 1.865 m |
| Crew | 2 (+ 11 passengers) |
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| Armor | 14mm max. |
| Primary armament |
7.62mm PKT machine-gun 2,500 rounds |
| Engine | YaMZ 238, V-8 diesel 240 hp at 2,100 rpm |
| Power/weight | 20 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
| Operational range |
500 km (road range) |
| Speed | 61 km/h (road) 30 km/h (off-road) 5 to 6 km/h (in the water) |
The MT-LB (многоцелевой тягач легко бронированный, Mnogotselevoy Tyagach Lekhko Bronirovannyi / multi-purpose light-armoured towing vehicle) is a Soviet multi-purpose fully-amphibious armoured vehicle which was first introduced in the late 1960s. Initially the vehicle was known as M 1970 in the west.
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Development
In the 1970s the Soviet Central Auto and Tractor Directorate began a development program to replace the AT-P series of artillery tractors (which were based on the ASU-57 airborne self-propelled gun) with a new generation of vehicles. The MT-L was developed to meet this requirement based on the PT-76 amphibious light tank chassis. The MT-LB is the armoured variant of the MT-L. Entering production in the early 1970s, it was cheap to build, being based on many existing components like the engine which was originally developed as a truck engine. It was built at the Kharkov tractor plant and under license in Poland and Bulgaria.
Description
The crew, a driver and a commander/gunner sit in a compartment at the front of the vehicle, with the engine behind them. A compartment at the rear enables up to 11 infantry to be carried or a cargo of up to 2,000 kg. A load of 6,500 kg can be towed. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled by its tracks in the water.
A small turret at the front of the vehicle fits a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun with 360 degree manual traverse and an elevation of -5 to +30 degrees. The vehicle is lightly armoured against small arms and shell splinters with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm of steel. The infantry compartment has two hatches over the top, which open forwards. There are 4 firing ports - two in the both sides of the hull, the other two in the rear twin doors of the infantry compartment.
The driver is provided with a TVN-2 infra-red periscope, which in combination with the OU-3GK infra-red/white light search light provides a range of about 40 m. All vehicles include an NBC system.
Variants
former USSR
- MT-L
- MT-LB (izdeliye 6) - basic model, often used as simple APC but also as artillery tractor or ambulance. In the West the term MT-LB Blade or MT-LB M1980 is used for vehicles that are fitted with a hydraulic dozer blade.
- MT-LBV (vezdekhodnyj) - low pressure track version, with 565 mm tracks giving a ground pressure of 0.27 kgf/cm² (26 kPa). Used in Arctic regions instead of BMP or BTR wheeled vehicles.
- MT-LBVM - with NSVT 12.7 mm instead of the original 7.62 mm machine gun turret.
- MT-LBV-N
- MT-LBV-NS
- MTP-LB - technical support version with no turret, an A frame and stowage on the roof.
- SNAR-10 "Jaguar" (stantsiya nazemnoy artilleriskoy razvedki) - with 1RL-127 ("BIG FRED") artillery/mortar locating radar in a big rotating turret. Range: 16 km. Old NATO designators are MT-LB M1975 and MT-LB SON.
- SNAR-10M "Pantera" - upgraded, automated system with a range of 40 km.
- 9A34 - launch vehicle of the 9K35 "Strela-10" (SA-13 Gopher) system.
- 9A35 - as per 9A34 but additionally with passive detection system.
- 9P149 "Shturm-S" - anti-tank version with retractable launcher for AT-6 Spiral ATGM. The vehicles carries 12 missiles on board and entered service in 1979. It has a crew of 2.
- RKhM "Kashalot" (razvedivatel’naya khimicheskaya mashina) - chemical reconnaissance vehicle with detection, marking and alarm devices. This model has the hull shape and single rear door of the 2S1. Former Western designator: ATV M1979/4.
- RKhM-K - command version with additional signal equipment but without sensors or markers.
- RPM (radiatsionno-poiskovaya mashina) - radiological reconnaissance vehicle with a single KZO-2 flag dispenser and equipped with radiation detection devices NGP-81 (gamma), KDN-2 (neutrons), KRB-1 (beta), KRA-1 (alpha).
- K-611 - radiological reconnaissance vehicle.
- K-612 - radiological reconnaissance vehicle.
- AZM "Vostorg-1" (aviatransportabel’naya zemlerojnaya mashina) - engineer vehicle, equipped with an hydraulic dozer blade and an extendable hydraulic arm with a bucket.
- MT-LBV (vezdekhodnyj) - low pressure track version, with 565 mm tracks giving a ground pressure of 0.27 kgf/cm² (26 kPa). Used in Arctic regions instead of BMP or BTR wheeled vehicles.
- MT-LBu - variant with bigger hull and longer chassis. Many so-called "MT-LB variants" are in fact based on the MT-LBu.
- UR-77 "Meteorit" - mineclearing system with rocket-launched explosive hose.
- 2S1 122 mm self-propelled howitzer.
- MT-LB (izdeliye 6) - basic model, often used as simple APC but also as artillery tractor or ambulance. In the West the term MT-LB Blade or MT-LB M1980 is used for vehicles that are fitted with a hydraulic dozer blade.
Russia
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6M) - MT-LB modernization developed by Muromteplovoz in the 1990s. It can be fitted with several different turrets.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA) - MT-LBM fitted with a turret from BTR-80.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA1) - MA armed with additional AGS-17 30 mm automatic grenade launcher.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA4) - MA1 armed with KPVB 23 mm instead of KPVT 14.5 heavy machine gun.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA2) - MA armed with KPVB 23 mm instead of KPVT 14.5 heavy machine gun.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA1) - MA armed with additional AGS-17 30 mm automatic grenade launcher.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA3) - MT-LBM armed with four 9M133 Kornet ATGM launchers, 7.62 mm PKTM tank machine gun and AG-30.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MB) - MT-LBM fitted with a turret from BTR-80A.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MB2) - MB armed with AG-17.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MB3) - MT-LBM armed with GSh-23V 23 mm, AG-30 and "Kord" 12.7 mm.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MB4) - MT-LBM armed with GSh-30K 30 mm, AG-30 and "Kord" 12.7 mm.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MB5) - MT-LBM armed with twin gun 23 or 30 mm, "Igla" SAM and equipped with improved sights.
- MT-LBM1 (izdeliye 6M1) - MT-LBM fitted with 300-310 hp engine.
- MT-LBM2 - MT-LBM upgrade package developed by Kurganmashzavod with new engine and transmission, improved suspension, BMP style side skirts etc. Prototype.
- MT-LBM (izdeliye 6MA) - MT-LBM fitted with a turret from BTR-80.
Bulgaria
- MT-LB AT-I - tractor for mine-laying systems. Fitted with racks for anti-tank mines.
- MT-LB RHR or MR HR (mashina za radiatsionno i khimichesko razuznavane) - NBC reconnaissance vehicle with detection, alarming, sampling and markings devices.
- MT-LB SE - ambulance.
- SMM B1.10 "Tundzha" (samokhodna minokhv’rgachka) - mortar platform with M-38/43 120 mm mortar and 58 rounds.
- SMM 74 B1.10 "Tundzha-Sani" - improved version with 2B11 120mm mortar.
- KShM-R-81 "Delfin" - command and staff vehicle with R-123M, R-130M and R-31M radios, an AZI frame antenna, a generator and an additional cupola on the hull roof.
- MT-LB TMX - mortar carrier with 82 mm mortar M-37M.
- BRM “Sova” (bronirana razuznavatelna mashina) - reconnaissance version with NBC detection system ASP-3 and VPHR, radiosets R-123M and R-31M, PAB-2 aiming circle and NSPU night vision device. Comes in three versions with additional specialised equipment:
- "Sova-1" - with R-130M radioset, an AZI frame antenna and a telescopic mast.
- "Sova-2" - with R-143 "Lira" radioset.
- "Sova-3" - with PSNR-5K (1RL-133) battlefield surveillance radar.
- R-80 - artillery forward observer vehicle with observation devices.
- BMP-23 (bojna mashina na pekhotata) - infantry fighting vehicle with 23 mm gun 2A14 and ATGM 9K11 "Malyutka" in a 2-man turret. The chassis is based on the one from the MT-LB but with components of the 2S1 and fitted with a 315 hp engine.
- BMP-23D - improved version with 9K111 "Fagot" and smoke grenade launchers.
- BRM-23 - reconnaissance version. Prototype.
- BMP-30 - similar chassis as the BMP-23 but with the complete turret of the Soviet-made BMP-2. Only 10 built.
East-Germany
- MT-LB (Pi) - combat engineer vehicle.
- MT-LB (Pzj) - version for anti tank units.
- MT-LB (Pzj Fü) - command vehicle for anti tank units.
- MT-LB (BO) SFL - battery command vehicle in self propelled artillery units.
- SaN MT-LB - ambulance
- MTP-LB - technical support vehicle.
Iraq
- MT-LBV fitted with wider tracks.
Poland
Polish HSW S.A. (Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.) has a license to produce MT-LB.
- MT-LB fitted with an additional cupola with DShK-M.
- WEM "Lotos" - medical evacuation vehicle with 4 stretchers.
- R-137T (radiostacja ruchoma UKF) - signals vehicle with VHF radioset R-137. Entered service in 1987 and has a range of 70 to 150 km.
- ZWD-1 "Irys" (zautomatyzowany wóz dowodzenia) - command vehicle, belongs to the automated command set "Irys".
- MT-LB-23M “Krak” or "Promet" - air defence variant with 23 mm guns. Prototype.
- "Przebiśnieg" - electronic warfare system, consists of three different vehicles:
- SZ or MT-LB Z (stacja zakłóceń) - Comint vehicle;
- SR or MT-LB R (stacja rozpoznania) - EW vehicle;
- WD krel - command post vehicle (wóz dowodzenia kompanii radioelektronicznej).
- "Opal-I" and "Opal-II" - much modified version of the MT-LB with reworked nose section, hydrojets, a new turret with NSWT-12.7 "Utios" and a 245 hp (180 kW) turbocharched diesel engine SW680/167/1.[2]. "Opal-II" with a 300 hp (220 kW) engine SW680T (YaMZ-238N) and a longer chassis with 7 road wheels on each side, like the 2S1 and MT-LBu.[2]
Main article: Opal (armoured personnel carrier)
- BWO-40 - infantry fighting vehicle with 40 mm gun. A similar turret was mounted on the BWP-40 (BMP-1 upgrade). Prototype.
Sweden
- Pbv 401 (pansarbandvagn) - modified former East-German vehicle with 7.62 mm machine guns Ksp 95 and Ksp 58.
- Stripbv 4011 (stridsledningbandvagn) - battalion command post.
- Bgbv 4012 (bärgningsbandvagn) - Swedish designator for the MTP-LB.
- Rlpbv 4014/T (radiolänkbandvagn) - signals vehicle.
- Stripbv 4015 (stridsledningbandvagn) - company level command post.
- Lvrbpbv 4016 (luftvärnsrobotbandvagn) - unconfirmed designator for vehicles, equipped with RBS 70.
- Pvrbbv 452 (pansarvärnrobotbandvagn) - with RBS 56 BILL 1 Anti-tank guided weapon.
Users
Armenia - 145 [3]
Azerbaijan - 196
Bangladesh - 80+ (Captured during Op. Desert Storm & are ex-Iraqi and after that many were bought)) [4]
Belarus - 66 [5]
Bulgaria - 812
Czech Republic - Only Strela-10
Finland - 98 MT-LBV
Georgia - 80
Iraq - 61 (The new Iraqi Army , Kurdish Peshmerga)
Kazakhstan - 200
Lithuania - 10
Macedonia - 10
Moldova - 62 (MT-LB, SNAR-10, MT-LBu & Shturm-S)
Nigeria - 67
Poland - 352 [6]
Russia - 4,800 [7]
Serbia - Only MT-LBu variants and Strela-10
Sweden - 460 (Called Pbv 401, former East German, bought 1993)
Ukraine - 2,090 [8]
United States - unknown[1]
Former Operators
East Germany - 721 Bulgarian-made MT-LB's, 32 SNAR-10 and 36 Strela-10M. Unified with West Germany.- Soviet Union - Passed on to successor states.
Germany - taken from GDR's army, all scrapped or sold to other countries.
Yugoslavia - Passed on to successor states.
News
In January 2006 Bob Woodruff was injured when an explosive device damaged the MT-LB he was riding in.
See also
Notes
- ^ Gau L-R., Plate J., Siegert J. (2001) Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge - Bundeswehr und NVA. Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02152-8
- ^ a b MILITARIUM - Lekki samobieżny zestaw przeciwlotniczy Sopel/Stalagmit
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Army#Armored_Personal_Carriers
- ^ [http://www.bdmilitary.com/forum /index.php?showtopic=121455 Log In]
- ^ Belarus Army Equipment
- ^ MILITARIUM - Wojsko Polskie - Uzbrojenie
- ^ Russian Army Equipment
- ^ Ground Forces Equipment - Ukraine
References
- Hull, A.W. , Markov, D.R. , Zaloga, S.J. (1999) Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present. Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-01-5.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MT-LB |
- Huta Stalowa Wola - producer of MT-LB
- Russia upgrades firepower for MT-LB Jane's, 26 September 2006
- http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/mt-lb.htm
- http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/MT-LB.html
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