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BTR-RD Robot



Overview


BTR-RD

Right side view of Russian BTR-RD tank destroyer in the field.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Tank destroyer
Entered service
1983
Status
In service
Development
1979
Developer
Soviet Union - VTZ / Volgograd tractor plant
Production
Early 1980's - (1991?)
Producer
Soviet Union - VTZ / Volgograd tractor plant
Number produced
Limited number
Designations
Robot (nickname)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Russia

Description


Introduction

The BTR-RD is a late Cold War era tank destroyer of Soviet origin. The BTR-RD is nicknamed "Robot". It was developed in the late 1970's to transport anti-tank teams operating in support of Soviet VDV airborne forces. The BTR-RD was introduced in 1983, alongside the BMD-1P that appeared since 1979. Both vehicles significantly increased the anti-tank capabilities of Soviet airborne forces.

Design

The BTR-RD is a variant of the BTR-D armored personnel carrier for airborne troops. The external difference is the 9P135M anti-tank missile launcher mounted on the right side of the roof. The missile launcher can be operated from the vehicle, but can also be used away from the vehicle when fitted onto a tripod mount. The troop capacity has been reduced in order to carry additional missiles and associated equipment.

Firepower

The BTR-D is fitted with a single pedestal mounted 9P135M launcher for 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank missiles. Alternativeliy the 9M111 Fagot can be used. Both missiles are SACLOS guided, meaning that the missile follows the crosshair of the gunner's sight. The Konkurs missile has a maximum range of 4 km. Time of flight to maximum range is about 20 seconds. A mininum of four missiles is carried. Up to 12 can be carried with a reduced number of passengers. The two 7.62mm PKT bow machine guns are retained. For these 2.000 rounds are carried.

Mobility

The BTR-RD has a good mobility due to its limited weight. A 240 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The limited weight results in a good power to weight ratio and limited ground pressure. The BTR-RD is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by two water jets. The BTR-RD can be loaded onto a platform fitted with parachutes, allowing it to be air dropped from low flying transport aircraft.

Protection

The aluminum armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. Heavy machine gun rounds are likely to penetrate the armor. When using the missile launcher the operator is partially exposed. An NBC system is fitted, but smoke grenade launchers are not.

Users

The BTR-RD is used by Soviet, and later Russian, airborne forces. It is used alongside the BTR-D armored personnel carriers in support of troops using BMD-1 and BMD-2 airborne combat vehicles. The BTR-RD remain in service with Russian forces. In 2019 a single vehicle was shown upgraded with 9K135 Kornet.

Media


Details


Facts BTR-RD
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Tank destroyer
Crew
2 + 8 (commander, driver, up to 8 troops)
Dimensions
Weight
8.0 t combat load
Length
5.88 m
Width
2.63 m
Height
2.0 m roofline with suspension raised
1.65 m roofline with suspension lowered
Main armament
Type
9P135M missile launcher
Mount
Pintle mount on roof
Missile types
9M113 or 9M113M
9M111, 9M111-2, 9M111M
Ammunition
4 missiles when carrying 8 troops
Up to 12 missiles with reduced crew
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Bow armament
Type
2x 7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
One gun in either corner of the bow
Ammunition
2.000 rounds in total, 250 ready to fire per gun
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Ground pressure
0.5 kg/cm²
Suspension
Hydropneumatic, variable height
Tread
2.38 m
Automotive
Engine model
5D20-240
Engine type
15.9 L four stoke V6 liquid-cooled diesel
Power output
240 hp at 2.400 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 4 forward
Fuel
280 L
Mobility
Speed
60 km/h on road
35 km/h off road
9 - 10 km/h afloat
Range
500 km on road
Power to weight ratio
30.0 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
Variable, 0.10 to 0.45 m
Wall
0.7 m
Trench
2.5 m
Gradient
32°
Slope
18°
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Aluminum
Armor thickness
15 mm hull front
10 mm hull sides and rear
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
None
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, for driver
Radio
1x R-123M

Subcomponents


9M113 Konkurs

The BTR-RD is fitted with one or two 9P135M launchers for the 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank guided missile.

9M111 Fagot

Alternatively the 9P135M launcher has the ability to launcher the shorter range 9M111 Fagot missile.

7.62mm PKT

A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted internally on either side of a bow.

BTR-D

The BTR-RD is based on the BTR-D chassis. Externally it looks very similar and can only be identified by the 9P135 series missile launcher. Internally the vehicle is modified to stow the anti-tank missiles and associated equipment.