Engineering:MT-LB

From HandWiki
Short description: Soviet combat vehicle


MT-LB
RWS2017-37.jpg
MT-LB
TypeAmphibious armored personnel carrier
Multi-purpose armored vehicle
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In serviceearly 1970s – present
Used bySee Operators
WarsSoviet-Afghan War
Iran-Iraq War
Gulf War
Transnistrian War
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)
First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Iraq War
Russo-Georgian War
Boko Haram insurgency
Syrian Civil War
War in Iraq (2013-2017)
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
Russo-Ukrainian War[1]
Production history
DesignerCentral Auto and Tractor Directorate
Designed1950s
ManufacturerKharkiv Tractor Plant
Specifications
Mass11.9 tonnes (13.1 short tons; 11.7 long tons)
Length6.45 m (21 ft 2 in)
Width2.86 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Crew2 (+ 11 passengers)
Armour14 mm max.
Main
armament
12.7mm NSV/Kord heavy machine gun; or
30mm AGS17D/AGS-30 Automatic grenade launcher, or
30mm 2A42/2A72 autocannon
Secondary
armament
PKT (2,500 rounds)
Engine
  • YaMZ 238, V-8 diesel
  • SW 680, I6 diesel (in Poland)

  • YaMZ 238: 240 hp at 2,100 rpm
  • SW 680: 240 hp at 2,200 rpm
Power/weight20 hp/tonne
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi) (road)
Speed61 km/h (38 mph) (road)
30 km/h (19 mph) (off-road)
5 to 6 km/h (3.7 MPH) (in the water)

The MT-LB (Russian: Многоцелевой Тягач Легкий Бронированный, romanized: Mnogotselevoy tyagach legky bronirovanny, literally "multi-purpose towing vehicle light armored") is a Soviet multi-purpose, fully amphibious, tracked armored fighting vehicle in use since the 1970s. It was also produced in Poland , where (starting in the mid-1990s) its YaMZ engine was replaced by a Polish 6-cylinder SW 680 diesel engine.[2]

Development

In the 1950s, 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 armored variant of the MT-L. Entering production in the early 1970s, it was cheap to build, being based on many existing components, e.g. the engine, which was originally developed for trucks.

It was built at the Kharkiv Tractor Plant[3] (KhTZ) in Soviet Ukraine, and in Bulgaria.[4][5] Formerly it was also manufactured under license in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola[6]

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 kilograms (4,400 lb). A load of 6,500 kilograms (14,300 lb) can be towed. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled by its tracks in the water.[7]

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 armored against small arms and shell splinters with a thickness of three to ten millimetres (0.12 to 0.39 in) of steel with a maximum of 14 millimetres (0.55 in) for the turret front.[8]

Several weapon systems are based on this hull (for example Strela-10 or SNAR-10).

Variants

Former USSR

9P149 vehicle based on the MT-LB of the Shturm-S tank destroyer.
  • 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.[citation needed]

Bulgaria

  • Bulgaria has various models of the MT-LB in service, as of 2016.[9] Along with the base model, between 1971 and 2012 Bulgaria manufactures MT-LB VM variation with improved snow and swamp-going capabilities.[10][11]
The upgraded MT-LBM 6MB with MB2 turret, whose main armament is a 2A72 30 mm automatic cannon.

East Germany

  • MT-LB (Pi) – combat engineer vehicle.[12]
  • 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

Iraqi MT-LB converted into a SPAAG armed with a ZU-2 anti-aircraft gun.
Iraqi MT-LBV fitted with wider tracks.
  • MT-LB converted into a SPAAG by mounting a ZU-23-2 23×152mm twin anti-aircraft gun on the rear part of the vehicle. The gun had its wheels removed and as such cannot be easily dismounted and used separately. There were at least two variations of this conversion; one with the ZU-23-2 mounted in an open-topped turret, the other with the ZU-23-2 mounted on a platform extending beyond the hull of the MT-LB with a roof for the gun operators. The second version was most likely intended to be used in a fire support role, as the roof would hinder the gun's sights at high elevation.[13]

Poland

Polish HSW S.A. (Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.) license produced MT-LB since 1976, and it also developed a modified chassis SPG-2, with better floating capabilities.[14]

  • MT-LB-2AP – APC variant with a turret from SKOT-2AP, armed with high elevation 14.5mm KPVT MG and 7.62mm PKT CMG. Prototype only.
  • WEM Lotos – medical evacuation vehicle with four stretchers.
  • WPT Mors – armored recovery and repair vehicle, produced from 1983.
  • R-137T (radiostacja ruchoma UKF) – signals vehicle with VHF radio set 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" – APC variant with a 23 mm gun in an unmanned turret. Prototype only.
  • Promet – self-propelled AA gun with twin 23 mm guns, from 1979. Four prototypes only.
  • "Przebiśnieg" – electronic warfare system, consists of three different vehicles:
    • SZ or MT-LB Z (stacja zakłóceń) – EW/Jamming vehicle;
    • SR or MT-LB R (stacja rozpoznania) – Comint/Sigint vehicle;
    • WD krel – command post vehicle (wóz dowodzenia kompanii radioelektronicznej).
  • SPG-2 – much-modified base vehicle, with reworked nose section and hydro jets for better floating:[14]
    • TRI Hors – engineering reconnaissance vehicle, built in series from 1983, armed with 12.7mm NSVT AAMG mounted on a turret;[14]
    • WPT Mors-II – armored recovery and repair vehicle, produced from 1986, armed with 12.7mm NSVT AAMG mounted on a turret;[14]
    • Opal-I and Opal-II – artillery command vehicles, with a turret with NSWT-12.7 Utios: Opal-I with a 245 hp (180 kW) turbocharged diesel engine SW680/167/1, Opal-II with a 300 hp (220 kW) engine SW680T (YaMZ-238N) and a longer chassis with 7 road wheels on each side.[15] Prototypes only
Main page: Engineering:Opal (armoured personnel carrier)
    • BWO-40 – infantry fighting vehicle with 40 mm Bofors gun. A similar turret was mounted on the BWP-40 (BMP-1 upgrade). Prototype only.

Russian Federation

  • MT-LBM (izdeliye 6M) – MT-LB modernization developed by Muromteplovoz in the 1990s. It can be fitted with several different turrets.[citation needed]
  • 2S24 – mortar carrier with 2B24 (or 2B14 "Podnos") 82 mm mortar and 83 rounds. The GRAU designation for the carrier vehicle, mortar, and ammunition is 2K32 "Deva". The 2S24 was designed by TsNII "Burevestnik" and has a crew of five. In service with RF Interior Ministry.[16][17]
  • MT-LBVMK – a modification of MT-LBVM with "Kord" 12.7 mm machine gun instead of NSVT 12.7 mm.[18]
  • Toros – Arctic adapted vehicle developed by Muromteplovoz based on the MT-LB chassis, armed with a 30mm autocannon 2A42, PKMT 7.62mm machine gun, and 30mm AGS-17D grenade launcher, and equipped with a snowplow. Toros is able to operate in −45 °C.[19][20]
  • MT-LB 2M-3 Conversion – a modification of MT-LB with what appears to be a 2M-3 25mm Double Barreled Naval Turret has been sighted in footage from the Ukraine war. This turret was originally designed in the late 1940s and was produced between 1953 & 1984 for use as a Naval Anti-Aircraft System[21][22] Pictures of these modified vehicles have been seen online providing air defence for civilians excavators digging defensive lines in Russian occupied Ukraine.[23]

Sweden

Swedish MT-LB converted into Pbv 401
  • Pbv 401 (pansarbandvagn) – modified a former East-German vehicle with 7.62 mm machine guns Ksp 95 and Ksp 58.[citation needed]

Ukraine

  • MT-LB-12 – A 2022 modification in which a MT-12 Rapira 100 mm anti-tank gun was mounted on top of the vehicle with an open-topped superstructure for cover. At least two made with more planned for production.[24] During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine also deployed improvised chop-jobs combining the hulls of the MT-LB with the 85 mm divisional gun D-44.[25]

Operators

Map of MT-LB operators
  Current
  Former

Current operators

Bangladesh Army MT-LB on exhibition.
Lithuanian Army MT-LB on exhibition.
  •  Moldova – 60[39]
  •  Myanmar – 26[40]
  •  Nigeria – 67[41]
  •  North Korea – unknown number of HT-16PGJ based on Strela-10
  •  North Macedonia – 10[42]
  • People's Protection Units Flag.svg People's Defense Units (YPG)[43]
  •  Russia – 3,300 in active service.[44] Currently being modernized in the version MLBSh for the Marines with more powerful engines KAMAZ-740.50 of 360 hp, new tracks and new weaponry, etc.[45][46] They are also being upgraded to the version VM1K for the Ground Forces with a domestic 310 hp YAMZ-238BL-1 engine and a new radio station.[47] Some are being equipped as platforms for ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns.[48]
    Damaged and captured Russian MT-LB with a "Z" symbol during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

As of 20/12-2023 Russia has lost 818 MT-LBs of various variants in Ukraine after invading in 2022[49]

  • Transnistria Transnistria
  •  Ukraine – 2,090.[50][51] In 2018 nine MT-LBs received from Poland (those vehicles were previously in Polish service).[52]
  •  Uruguay – 5[53]
  •  United States – Used by opposing force units for training purposes.

Former operators

  •  Artsakh − Seized by Azerbaijan after the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh[54]
  •  Croatia – 6 SNAR-10 stored, for scrap.
  • Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia – Passed on to the Czech Republic.
  •  East Germany – 721 Bulgarian-made MT-LBs, 32 SNAR-10 and 36 Strela-10M. Unified with West Germany.
  •  Germany – taken from GDR's army, all scrapped or sold to other countries.
  •  Hungary – Strela-10 and SNAR-10
  •  Islamic State[55]
  •  Lithuania – 10 retired.[56]
  •  Poland – 15 retired[57]
  •  Soviet Union – Passed on to successor states.
  •  Sweden – 460 (Locally designated Pbv 401, former East German, bought in 1993, then decommissioned gradually until the last 147 examples were sold to Finland in 2011)[58]
  •  Yugoslavia[59]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Kadam, Tanmay (7 March 2023). "Desperate For 'War Machines', Russia & Ukraine Turn Their 70-Year-Old Armored Vehicles Into Fire Support Weapons". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. https://eurasiantimes.com/desperate-for-war-machines-russia-ukraine-turn-their-70-year/. 
  2. ↑ "MT-LB multipurpose tracked armoured vehicle technical data sheet specifications pictures video". https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_light_armoured_vehicle_uk/mt-lb_multipurpose_tracked_armoured_vehicle_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video.html. 
  3. ↑ vehicles
  4. ↑ "US Analyst Expects Bulgaria to Renew Production of BMP Armored Vehicles". 1 March 2011. https://www.novinite.com/articles/125793/US+Analyst+Expects+Bulgaria+to+Renew+Production+of+BMP+Armored+Vehicles. 
  5. ↑ "Bulgaria has signed contract for sale of 500 MT-LB multirole tracked armored vehicles to Iraq". 16 June 2012. https://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry_uk/bulgaria_has_signed_contract_for_sale_of_500_mt-lb_multirole_tracked_armoured_vehicles_iraq_1606124.html. 
  6. ↑ http://hsw.pl/czytaj/765 Light Armoured Multipurpose Tracked Tractor MTLB
  7. ↑ Pike, John (January 16, 2000). "MT-LB Multipurpose Armoured Vehicle". https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/row/mt-lb.htm. 
  8. ↑ "MT-LB Light Armored Multi-purpose Vehicle". Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide. https://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/MT-LB.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Military Balance 2017, p. 97.
  10. ↑ Петров, Генерал-майор (рез.) Петър Петров (9 May 2016). "Бойната техника, произведена в комбината "Девети май", Червен бряг, още е на въоръжение в армията" (in bg). Отбрана.com. https://www.otbrana.com/новини_8705. 
  11. ↑ Александрова, Галина (24 April 1995). "Министерството на промишлеността търси решение за лошите кредити на военните заводи" (in bg). Capital.bg (Economedia). https://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/1995/04/24/1139900_ministerstvoto_na_promishlenostta_tursi_reshenie_za/. 
  12. ↑ Gau L-R., Plate J., Siegert J. (2001) Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge – Bundeswehr und NVA. Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN:3-613-02152-8
  13. ↑ Jim Webster. "MT-LB [ZU-23 – Iraq] tracked armoured fire support vehicle". Jedsite.info. http://www.jedsite.info/fulltrack-mike/mike/mtlb_series/iq-zu23/iqzu23.html. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Jerzy Kajetanowicz, Prace nad rozwojem sprzętu pancernego w Polsce – przegląd lat 1955–1990 in: Poligon nr.5/2010, pp.12–18 (in Polish)
  15. ↑ "Lekki samobieżny zestaw przeciwlotniczy Sopel/Stalagmit" (in pl). Militarium. http://www.militarium.net/viewart.php?aid=83. 
  16. ↑ "JSC CRI "Burevestnik"/ 82 mm 2K32 MORTAR SYSTEM". Burevestnik.com. http://www.burevestnik.com/products_engl/2k32.html. 
  17. ↑ "ЦНИИ "Буревестник" в 2011 году отгрузит Венесуэле 48 мобильных минометных комплексов | «НТА Приволжье» Новости Н. Новгорода". http://nta-nn.ru/news/economy/2011/news_466579/. 
  18. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ru). Muromteplovoz. http://muromteplovoz.ru/product/mil_mtlb_vmk.php. 
  19. ↑ "Russia could order Toros tracked armoured vehicle for military units deployed in the Arctic Region". 18 May 2016. https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/russia_could_order_toros_tracked_armoured_vehicle_for_military_units_deployed_in_the_arctic_region_11805162.html. 
  20. ↑ Behrendt, Paweł (11 October 2015). "Nowa wersja MT-LB dla brygad arktycznych". https://www.konflikty.pl/aktualnosci/wiadomosci/nowa-wersja-mt-lb-dla-brygad-arktycznych/. 
  21. ↑ "Russians Installed Ships Anti Aircraft Gun on MT LB Armoured Vehicle". defence.ua.com. https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/russians_installed_ships_anti_aircraft_gun_on_the_mt_lb_armored_vehicle-5937.html. 
  22. ↑ Express, Defence. "Russians Installed Ship's Anti-Aircraft Gun On the MT-LB Armored Vehicle". https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/russians_installed_ships_anti_aircraft_gun_on_the_mt_lb_armored_vehicle-5937.html. 
  23. ↑ Axe, David. "Ukraine's Drones Hit So Many Russian Excavators That The Kremlin Got Desperate—And Deployed Very Weird Air-Defenses". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/06/02/ukraines-drones-hit-so-many-russian-excavators-that-the-kremlin-got-desperate-and-deployed-very-weird-air-defenses/. 
  24. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in en). https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1574802751959273472. 
  25. ↑ David Axe (October 27, 2022). "Ukraine Is Collecting A Lot Of Russia's Old T-62 Tanks". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/10/27/ukraine-is-collecting-a-lot-of-russias-old-t-62-tanks/. 
  26. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 199.
  27. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 201.
  28. ↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. Taylor & Francis. p. 448. ISBN 9781032012278. 
  29. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 274.
  30. ↑ @CalibreObscura (2 June 2021). "#Nigeria: An ex-NA ("Upgraded") MT-LB recaptured by the NA after an attack by ISWA, which appears to have been foil…". https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1400171508211851270. 
  31. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 203.
  32. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 508.
  33. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 511.
  34. ↑ IISS 2022, pp. 77
  35. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 205.
  36. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 380.
  37. ↑ "shex ja3far puk". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgbEhvrfwQc&feature=player_embedded. 
  38. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 206.
  39. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 209.
  40. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 316.
  41. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 528.
  42. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 136.
  43. ↑ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (29 October 2021). "Kurdish Armour: Inventorising YPG Equipment In Northern Syria". https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/10/kurdish-armour-inventorising-ypg.html. 
  44. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 212.
  45. ↑ "В России модернизируют бронетранспортер МТ-ЛБ". 14 May 2018. https://ria.ru/arms/20180514/1520470939.html. 
  46. ↑ "Russian Naval Infantry to receive MLBSH armored tractors for Arctic operations | April 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2019 | Archive News year". 23 April 2019. https://www.armyrecognition.com/april_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/russian_naval_infantry_to_receive_upgraded_armored_tractors_for_arctic_operations.html. 
  47. ↑ "ЦАМТО / / Горные мотострелки ЮВО получили партию модернизированных бронированных тягачей-транспортеров". https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0111/075061154/detail.shtml. 
  48. ↑ "ЦАМТО / / На учениях в ЗВО впервые применили модифицированные бронированные тягачи в качестве платформы для ЗУ-23". https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0419/094562488/detail.shtml. 
  49. ↑ "Attack on Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine". https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html. 
  50. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 228.
  51. ↑ John Pike. "Ground Forces Equipment – Ukraine". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/groundforces-equipment.htm. 
  52. ↑ "Drgnęło w eksporcie broni". https://www.rp.pl/biznes/art1081331-drgnelo-w-eksporcie-broni. 
  53. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 472.
  54. ↑ Mitzer, Stijin; Oliemans, Joost. "Documenting Equipment Losses During The September 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict". https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/09/documenting-equipment-losses-during.html. 
  55. ↑ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost. "Vehicles and equipment captured by the Islamic State inside Syria until November 2014". https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2014/11/vehicles-and-equipment-captured-by.html. 
  56. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 133.
  57. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p. 145.
  58. ↑ "Puolustusvoimat hankkii miehistönkuljetusajoneuvoja". The Finnish Defence Forces. 24 March 2011. http://www.puolustusvoimat.fi/portal/puolustusvoimat.fi/!ut/p/c5/xZLLkqJAEEW_pT9AyQLlsUQoEOQhSKGyMXzQCggyjVpSX984ExMzG-3ZjF25vHHzRp5bXMJ1U62v2X59zk7V-sgtuERcmbwoj21Aij9xR2D5DsSSM0VaIHX68rEO6JmbH_xyiwKeYM8cIHOqDcCa6USJiCSYRPwX9wPdD6Uv3HNuAYPVLG9rixUszFnouMC3nqNSV8csKih4pAdnXYVZUTJP3wpukd08PfbQVkGxEWDV4jfvN_mt25U8SzP55_qd011_RuKJ_-etdx0ePBU4b3wqU27JJdKfLSby5G5LNOXN0ABAwEW_mZyaaMb_QOq21To8ZBXkbGe7RUs7PDeXWTTCIHi47fBYaAYZ89gSXNLhieIpalp3ZwRGTY8j4YtM_hsy0QsyfdHWwRrY2kgf464C9Po7x9_Q5_gVffrdt-_YTi1XFwUey8J_ybS5JNuUfbot-9AXEC8LQxmJkjxUeEUacvPNEm5GY1Ed-1fYD1NT7m0PziTxstgvWHbd7uo2pRO3wZUItZuw9EBkSgJZz_x9qtxKLdCq3CzUei-UgVGRs12dT1pkO7HNUsijPF5QYyIttAU5fSwaWhswdw7eip-Fon9NyUUwQwvrDfmQrEKpjfU7DtNjJUhHM-4tL001P1vz8kx3V7Mll3YX7qZ2zsTVnsxXt9ORq0tCyLXG4Zgi-e-h6tsnLz3wug!!/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?pcid=6f5b9080463aa57a9812df97720d955e. 
  59. ↑ Kočevar, Iztok (August 2014). "Micmac à tire-larigot chez Tito: L'arme blindée yougoslave durant la Guerre froide" (in fr). Batailles et Blindés (Caraktère) (62): 66–79. ISSN 1765-0828. 

References

External links



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Engineering:MT-LB&oldid=3248608"