| BRDM-1 | |
|---|---|
 BRDM-1 | |
| Type | Amphibious armored scout car |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1957–1970s (USSR) |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | V. K. Rubtsov |
| Designed | late 1954 – 1957 |
| Produced | 1957–1966 |
| No. built | 11,500[1] |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.63 tonnes |
| Length | 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 3–4[note 1] |
| Armor | Welded steel 10 mm maximum |
Main armament | none (BRDM-1 obr. 1957 and BRDM-1 obr. 1958) 7.62 mm SGMB medium machine gun on the front pintel mount (BRDM-1 obr. 1959 and BRDM-1 obr. 1960) 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun or 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine gun (Late BRDM-1) |
Secondary armament | none (BRDM-1 obr. 1957, BRDM-1 obr. 1958 and BRDM-1 obr. 1959) 2 × 7.62 mm SGMB medium machine guns on the side pintel mounts (optional) (BRDM-1 obr. 1960) 3 × 7.62 mm SGMB medium machine guns on pintel mounts (two optional) (Late BRDM-1) |
| Engine | GAZ-40PB 6-cylinder in-line gasoline 90 hp (70 kW) at 3,400 rpm. |
| Power/weight | 16 hp/tonne (12.4 kW/tonne) |
| Suspension | Leaf springs with hydraulic shock absorbers |
| Ground clearance | 340 mm[2] |
| Fuel capacity | 150 litres |
Operational range | Road: 750 km (470 mi)[2] Water: 120 km (75 mi)[2] |
| Maximum speed | Road: 90 km/h (56 mph) Water: 9 km/h (5.6 mph) |
The BRDM-1 (Bronirovannaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina, Бронированная Разведывательная Дозорная Машина, literally "armored reconnaissance/patrol vehicle"[3]) is a Soviet amphibious armored scout car. It was the first purpose-built Soviet reconnaissance vehicle to enter service since the BA-64 and was built on the chassis and drive train of the BTR-40 armored personnel carrier. It is the world's first mass-produced combat vehicle of its class. [1]
The primary advantage of the BRDM-1 at the time of its introduction was its amphibious capability, which was the main shortcoming associated with its BTR-40 counterpart.[1] Another unique feature of the vehicle's design were two pairs of chain-driven auxiliary wheels, which could be lowered to provide additional traction on muddy terrain.[1] The BRDM-1 was manufactured from 1957 to 1966, at which time 10,000 had entered service with the Soviet Union and its military allies around the world.[1] It was thereafter superseded by the improved BRDM-2, which possessed greater amphibious capabilities, a more powerful engine, and a fully enclosed turret.
- ^ a b c d e Kinnear, James (2008). Russian Armored Cars 1930-2000. Darlington, MD (USA): Darlington Productions Inc. pp. 210–241. ISBN 978-1-892848-05-5.
- ^ a b c ""Pancerni 2"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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