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BTR-152



Overview


BTR-152V

Soviet BTR-152V armored personnel carrier based on the ZiL-157 truck chassis, fitted with winch and external tire pressure system.
Source: www.btvt.info - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Armored personnel carrier
Entered service
1950
Status
Obsolete
Development
1946 - 1949
Developer
Soviet Union
Production
1950 - 1962
Producer
Soviet Union - ZiS - Zavod imeni Stalina
(renamed ZiL in 1956)
Soviet Union - BAZ - Bryansk Auto Zavod
1960 - 1962
Number produced
12.421 BTR-152 series in total
4.923 BTR-152
2.904 BTR-152V
611 BTR-152V1
Designations
SPW-152 / Schützenpanzerwagen 152 (East German service)
Type 56
Object 140 / BTR-140 (prototype)

Description


Introduction

The BTR-152 is an early Cold War era armored personnel carrier of Soviet origin. The Soviet army was lacking an armored personnel carrier available in large numbers during World War 2. Both the Nazi German Sd.Kfz 251 and American M3 half-track were used by Soviet forces during World War 2. After the war both half-track and wheeled prototypes were tested, with the latter being more economical to produce and requiring less maintenance.

Design

The BTR-152 is based on the ZiS-151 truck chassis. A monocoque armored hull is placed on the chassis, which has a large open rear troop compartment. Armament could be fitted on one or more pintle mounts. With tire pressure having major impact on off road performance various types of tire pressure regulation systems were used, both external and internal systems. Production later switched to the ZiL-157 truck chassis. At the end of the production lifecycle the closed roof BTR-152K was introduced with the nuclear battlefield in mind.

Firepower

The main armament of the BTR-152 is the 7.62mm SGMB machine gun. This is a heavier weapon than a general purpose machine gun and capable of sustained fire. Some vehicles were fitted with a 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun, although this was rather uncommon. Dedicated anti-aircraft vehicles were fitted with a large ZTPU-2 ring mount with two 14.5mm KPV heavy machine guns.

Protection

The steel armor protects against small arms fire and shell splinters. Over the frontal arc the armor is well sloped, but the sides of the troop compartment are vertical. The large open roof is a major hazard to small arms fired, proximity fused artillery shells and NBC threats. The tires are vulnerable to damage as well. The BTR-152K and command post vehicles feature an enclosed armored roof and have NBC filtration systems.

Mobility

The mobility of the BTR-152 on roads is very good. The 6x6 chassis provides reasonable all terrain performance. The BTR-152 has always been quite heavy for its chassis on soft soil. Tire pressure can be regulated for better off road performance. Compared to Soviet and German WW2 era half-tracks the BTR-152 requires far less maintenance and is more reliable. Maximum speed on road is 65 km/h.

Users

The BTR-152 was acquired in large numbers by Soviet forces. Many were exported to allies of the USSR as the BTR-60 became available in quantity for domestic use. East Germany acquired over 750 vehicles. Poland used over 400 and Egypt used about 1.000 vehicles in various conflicts with Israel. Small numbers of BTR-152 remain in service in Asia, South America and Africa, mostly in a reserve role.

Variants


BTR-152

Soviet BTR-152 armored personnel carrier based on the original ZiS-151 truck chassis with narrow wheels and without winch.
Source: www.btvt.info - © Copyright lies with original owner

List of BTR-152 production variants

BTR-152
Original production model introduced in 1950. Based on the ZiS-151 truck chassis.
BTR-152V
Updated model based on the ZiL-157 truck chassis. Introduced in 1955. Features an external tire pressure regulation and front mounted winch.
BTR-152V1
The BTR-152V1 introduced in 1957 has an improved internal tire pressure system and TVN-2 night vision for the driver.
BTR-152K
Variant of the BTR-152V with closed roof with large roof hatches and NBC filter system. Introduced in 1957. Passenger count reduced from 18 to 13. In 1959 production switched to the V1 chassis and was named BTR-152K1.
BTR-152U
Variant of the BTR-152V with increased roofline for use as a command post vehicle. This vehicle has additional radios and often tows an equipment trailer.

Details


Facts BTR-152 BTR-152V BTR-152K
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Armored personnel carrier
Crew
2 + 17
Dimensions
Weight
8.6 t combat load
Length
6.56 m
Width
2.32 m
Height
2.36 m
Main armament
Type
7.62mm SG-43 or SGMB machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount
Ammunition
1.250 rounds, 250 ready to fire
Elevation
-15° to +43°, manual
Traverse
-85° to +85°, manual
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 6x6
Steering
Front axle
Ground pressure
4 kg/cm² on road
Tread
1.72 m
Wheel size
9.00 x20
Wheelbase
3.3 m + 1.13 m
Automotive
Engine model
ZiS-123
Engine type
6-cylinder in-line with single chamber K-81 carburetor
Power output
110 hp at 3.000 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
2 speed transfer case
Fuel
300 L
Mobility
Speed
75 km/h on road
20 to 50 km/h off road
Range
600 km on road
400 km off road
Turn radius
10.1 m
Power to weight ratio
12.8 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.29 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
0.8 m
Gradient
30°
Slope
20°
Fording
0.8
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
13 mm front
6 to 11 mm sides
4 mm floor
Open roof
NBC system
No
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
No
Radio
Model 10 RT-12
Tire pressure regulation
No
Winch
No

Media


Subcomponents


7.62mm SGMB machine gun

The 7.62mm SGMB flexible machine gun is commonly found on the BTR-152. Up to three of these machine guns can be fitted, although normally only one is present.

12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun

Some BTR-152 used a single 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun as main armament.

Related articles


BTR-40

The BTR-152 was designed to supplement and replace the BTR-40 as armored personnel carrier. The BTR-152 is larger and can carry more infantry.

BTR-152A

The BTR-152A is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun armed with two 14.5mm KPV heavy machine guns. It is based on the chassis of the BTR-152 armored personnel carrier, while the BTR-152E is based on the improved BTR-152V.