BTR-152
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| BTR-152 | |
|---|---|
 BTR-152 in the Yad la-Shiryon museum, Israel |
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| Type | Armored personnel carrier |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 24 March 1950 - present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | See Service History |
| Production history | |
| Designer | B. M. Fitterman |
| Designed | November 1946 - 1949[1] |
| Manufacturer | Automotive Factory No. 2 Zavod imeni Stalina (until 1956)[1] Automotive Factory No. 2 Zavod imeni Likhacheva (from 1956 to 1962)[1] |
| Produced | 1950 - 1962 |
| Number built | around 15,000 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 9.91 tonnes[2] |
| Length | 6.55 m 6.83 m for BTR-152V |
| Width | 2.32 m |
| Height | 2.04 m (without the mg)[2] 2.36 m (with the mg)[1] 2.41 m (BTR-152V with the mg)[1] |
| Crew | 2 (+18 passengers)[3] |
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| Armor | welded steel[4] 15 mm front[2] 9 mm sides and rear[4] 10 mm roof[4] 4 mm bottom[4] |
| Primary armament |
7.62mm SGMB light machine gun (1,250 rounds) (12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun (500 rounds) can be used instead)[2] |
| Secondary armament |
2x7.62mm SGMB light machine guns (1,250-1,750 rounds) on side pintel mounts (optional)[2] |
| Engine | ZIS-123 6 cylinder in-line water-cooled petrol (for variants based on ZiS-151) ZiL-137K 6 cylinder in-line petrol (for variants based on ZiL-157)[5] 110 hp (82 kW) at 3,000 rpm. (for variants based on ZiS-151) 107 hp (80 kW) (for variants based on ZiL-157)[6] |
| Power/weight | 11.1 hp/tonne (8.3 kW/tonne) 10.8 hp/tonne (8.1 kW/tonne) for BTR-152V[1] |
| Suspension | wheeled 6×6 front - 2 leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. rear - equalising type with 2 leaf springs and torsion bars. |
| Ground clearance | 300 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 300 l (79 gal) |
| Operational range |
650 km (404 miles)[2] |
| Speed | 75 km/h[7] 65 km/h for BTR-152V[1] |
The BTR-152 (also known as BTR-140) was a non-amphibious Soviet wheeled armored personnel carrier (BTR stands for Bronetransporter (БТР, Бронетранспортер, literally "armoured transporter") †) that entered Soviet service in 1950. By the early 1970s it had been replaced in the infantry vehicle role by the BTR-60. However, it remained in service in the Soviet Army and the Russian Army until 1993 in a variety of other roles. It was also exported to many Third World countries where some still remain in service.
Contents |
[edit] History
While tanks are powerful weapons in their own right, they are badly suited for close-range combat because numerous blind spots make it easy for enemy infantry to sneak close with antitank weapons, and because the tank's own weapons are unsuited for engaging opponents at very short distances. Tanks must therefore be accompanied by infantry, who compensate for the tank's weaknesses by protecting it from enemy infantry. During the Second World War, the Soviet Union understood this principle, and typically had infantry and tanks attack German forces together. However, the Soviets' actual performance was degraded by a lack of an armored personnel carrier (APC): Unprotected Russian troops could be easily pinned down or killed by German weapons fire, leaving only the tanks to advance. Once the two elements were separated, both became vulnerable. The Soviets' lack of an APC also hindered their infantry's ability to keep up with fast-moving tanks more generally. APCs not only allowed infantry to keep pace with the tanks, but it also afforded them physical protection against enemy weapons fire that would otherwise pin them down out in the open. (Perrett 1987:65)
Even after the strategic balance shifted in favor of the USSR in 1943, the Soviets normally suffered higher casualties whenever they fought the Germans--even if the end result was a Soviet victory. After the war, the Soviet military leadership recognized that many battlefield losses had resulted from the poor infantry-tank coordination which partly stemmed from a lack of an APC. Concordantly, efforts were immediately made to build such a vehicle. Examples of proven designs such as the American M3 half-track vehicle and the German SdKfz 251 were in Soviet possession, and served as the starting point for the first Soviet APC. (Perrett 1987:65)
The BTR-152 was one of the first Soviet attempts at an armoured infantry vehicle. It was developed from November 1946 at ZiS plant by a team (it included K. M. Androsow, A. P. Pietrenko, W. F. Rodionow and P. P. Czerniajew)[1] led by B. M. Fitterman. The first two prototypes were completed in May 1947 and were followed by three experimental series. The vehicle was adopted by the Soviet Army on 24 March 1950. The vehicle was based on the existing ZiS-151 truck chassis. Despite an improved engine, the addition of 5 tons of armour resulted in the vehicle having insufficient mobility.
Several upgraded versions were designed by W. F. Rodionow and N. I. Orłow.[1] They later entered production. They rectified many problems of the vehicle, such as the open roof and the mobility issue. The addition of a central tire pressure regulation system allowed tire pressure to be adjusted to optimize traction in varying terrain.
Production of the BTR-152 was stopped in 1962. About 15,000 examples were built.
[edit] Description
The BTR-152, based on a truck chassis, has the engine located in the front, the crew behind the engine and an open-topped troop compartment in the rear. The vehicle has all-welded steel construction with sloped armour. The windscreen is protected by twin armoured shutters with integral vision blocks. Driver and commander enter and exit the vehicle via the doors on each side of the crew compartment. The upper part of the doors can be opened without opening the entire door allowing both crew members a side view. Additionally both driver and commander can view the battlefield using the periscopes mounted over the doors. The vehicle's armour varies from 15 mm thick on the front to 9 mm thick on the sides, to just 4 mm thick on the floor. This provides modest protection from small arms fire and small shell fragments, but does not protect against larger artillery fragments or heavy machinegun fire. The BTR-152's tires are not protected by armour and are particularly vulnerable to puncture from fire of all kinds. The vehicle is sometimes fitted with a winch that has a maximum capacity of 5 tonnes, and is fitted with a 70 m cable.[2][4]
The BTR-152 can tow heavy guns and transport 1.9 tonnes of cargo or half-platoons of infantry. In the APC role, infantrymen can fire their individual weapons or dismount over the sides, or can exit through the rear exit doors.[8][4][1]
The troop compartment is open-topped. It can be covered with a tarpaulin to protect the transported cargo or troops from rain and snow however it makes it unable for troops to disembark over the sides of the vehicle or mount any of the 7.62 mm SGMB light machine guns. The transported troops are sitting on two wooden benches. Twin doors at the rear of the hull provide access to the compartment. There are three firing ports on each side of the hull, and a further two in the rear. The driver and gunner are the only ones that have overhead protection. The BTR-152K is the only APC variant to have an armoured roof over the troop compartment and NBC protection system. All BTR-152 variants lack NBC protection.
The BTR-152 APC is armed with a single pintle-mounted 7.62mm SGMB light machinegun which was a typical armament for APCs of its time. It can also mount a 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machinegun. The machinegun can traverse 45 degrees and elevate between -6 and +24 degrees.[4]
Because the original BTR-152 APC used components from the ZiS-151, it shared that truck's maintenance problems and poor cross-country mobility. Later variants using ZiL-157 components featured more power and larger, single tires which reduced the vehicle's shortcomings but did not entirely eliminate them. Serviceability and reliability remained low.[8]
The radiator is protected from hostile fire with armoured shutters controlled by the driver. This can result in sudden overheating of the engine during combat and forces the driver to drive slowly and not to damage the engine. This results in a great decrease of maneuverability of the vehicle and makes it an easy target for the enemy.[4]
[edit] Service History
The vehicle entered active service with the Soviet Army on 24 March 1950 and was first publicly shown during a parade in Moscow in 1951. It was phased out as an APC between the late 1960s and early 1970s and was replaced by the BTR-60. It remained in service with the Soviet Army and later post-soviet Russian Army until 1993 in a variety of roles, including command vehicles, mobile radio stations and ambulances. It was also exported to many Third World countries where some still remain in service.
BTR-152 was first saw combat use during Hungarian Revolution of 1956. They were later used during the Six Day War in 1967. Dozens of Egyptian and Syrian BTR-152 APCs were captured by the Israeli Army. They were also used in combat during the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 by the Soviet Army and other Warsaw Pact armies. They also were used in a number of local conflicts like the ones in Africa.
[edit] Operators
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Chile
Cuba
Cyprus
Egypt - 675 BTR-152 APCs. Also Egypt operated 120 BTR-152 converted into air defense vehicles armed with quadruple 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 antiaircraft heavy machine guns (See Egypt section for details) but withdrawn them from service in 1985.
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Finland
Georgia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Indonesia
India
Iran
Israel - Captured a number of those vehicles during the Six Day War from Egypt and Syria. It was used by Israeli Army mostly in the role of weapon carriers like BTR-152 TCM-20. A small number saw service with Israeli Police.[9]
Laos
Mali
Mongolia
Mozambique
Nicaragua
North Korea
People's Republic of China (as Type 56)
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Somaliland
Seychelles
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Uganda
Vietnam
Yemen
Zimbabwe
[edit] Former Operators
East Germany - Passed on to the unified German state.
Iraq - All destroyed or scrapped.
North Vietnam - Passed on to the successor state.
Poland -
Russia -
South Lebanon Army -
Soviet Union - Passed on to successor states.
West Germany/ Germany - Taken from GDR's army, all scrapped or sold to other countries.
Yugoslavia - Withdrawn during 1970's.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Egypt
- BTR-152 converted by Egyptians into an air defense vehicle armed with Czechoslovak KLAD (Egyptian designation is M58) quadruple 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 antiaircraft heavy machine guns. It was withdrawn from service in 1985.[2][7]
[edit] Former East Germany
- SPW-152 - East German version of BTR-152.[8]
[edit] Israel
- BTR-152 captured from Syrians or Egyptians and modified to reach the Israeli Army needs.[8]
- BTR-152 TCM-20 - Israeli air defense vehicle based on ex-Syrian or ex-Egyptian BTR-152. It is armed with double 20 mm cannon in a TCM-20 turret.[8]
[edit] Lebanon
- BTR-152 modified by Lebanese Militia. It was fitted with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun placed inside the troop compartment. It was used in fire support and anti-aircraft roles.[8]
- BTR-152 modified by Lebanese Militia. It was fitted with a crane inside a cut down troop compartment. One surviving example is at Yad la-Shiryon Museum in Israel.[8]
[edit] People's Republic of China
- Type 56 - Chinese version.
[edit] Poland
- BTR-152 converted to serve as a mobile command post. It has additional radios.[8]
- BTR-152 converted into an engineering vehicle.[1]
- BTR-152 converted into an armoured artillery tractor.[1]
[edit] Russian Federation (former USSR)
- BTR-152 (1950) - Basic APC based on ZIL-151 truck, many of which would later be covered and converted for other uses, such as ambulances, radio stations, and engineer vehicles. The basic BTR-152 has no winch, has an open top, and has no tire pressure control lines.[2]
- BTR-152A (1951) - air defense or ground support vehicle, armed with double (ZPTU-2) or quadruple (ZPTU-4) 14.5 mm KPV antiaircraft heavy machine guns (2400 rounds) in a turret manually operated by a single soldier. The entire crew of the vehicle consisted of 10 soldiers in variant equipped with ZPTU-2 and 5 soldiers in variant equipped with ZPTU-4. The turret is placed inside the troop compartment. It can make a full turn and it's guns can elevate between -5 and +80 degrees.[2][4][10]
- BTR-152 fitted with quad 12.7 mm antiaircraft heavy machine guns.[8]
- BTR-152 fitted with racks to hold a/tk mines.[8]
- BTR-152B (1952) - Artillery command version with a front-mounted winch and external tires pressure regulation system.[2][8]
- BTR-152C - Communication variant based on BTR-152.[10]
- BTR-152V (1955) - Variant based on ZIL-157 truck with external tires pressure regulation system, a front-mounted winch and night vision devices for the driver.[4]
- BTR-152D (1955) - Armament as BTR-152A, but based on BTR-152V.
- BTR-152I - BTR-152V version for artillery command vehicle.[2]
- BTR-152S - Command and communication post vehicle for infantry commanders. It has a significantly higher full cover roof and additional radios and antennas.[8][1]
- BTR-152V1 (1957) - Received night vision equipment, winch, open top and improved external tires pressure regulation system.[2]
- BTR-152K (1959) - Received armored roof with three big hatches on top of it of which two were opening to the right over the troop compartment, internal tires pressure regulation system and filtering/ventilating system. The weight of the vehicle has increased, the crew went down from 2+18 to 2+13.[8][4][10]
- BTR-152K converted into an armoured ambulance.
- BTR-152E - Armament as BTR-152A, but based on BTR-152V1.
- BTR-152U - Command vehicle based on BTR-152V1 equipped with external tires pressure regulation system. This command vehicle has a significantly higher full cover roof and additional radios and antennas. It has equipment for staff operations. This vehicle normally tows a trailer carrying additional equipment.[2][8][4]
- BTR-152K (1959) - Received armored roof with three big hatches on top of it of which two were opening to the right over the troop compartment, internal tires pressure regulation system and filtering/ventilating system. The weight of the vehicle has increased, the crew went down from 2+18 to 2+13.[8][4][10]
- BTR-152V2 - BTR-152V version without winch. It has the internal tires pressure regulation system.[2]
- BTR-152V3 - BTR-152V with winch on the front, open top, infrared driving lights, and internal tires pressure regulation system.[2]
- BTR-E152V (1957) - Experimental version; the second pair of the wheels was moved toward the center of the vehicle in order to improve the off-road performance.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "softland"
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide"
- ^ BTR-152
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Pancerni 1"
- ^ AMW - Agencja Mienia Wojskowego
- ^ AMW - Agencja Mienia Wojskowego
- ^ a b "Pancerni 2"
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "JED The Military Equipment Directory"
- ^ BTR-152
- ^ a b c "Legion"
- ^ BTR-152 armored personnel carrier
[edit] References
- Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present, Andrew Hull, David Markov Steven Zaloga, ISBN 1-892848-01-5
- Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006
- Perret, Bryan (1987). Soviet Armour Since 1945. London: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-1735-1.
[edit] External links
- FAS.org
- Photo gallery at armyrecognition.com
- Description and photo gallery at Slujba.ru (Russian language)
- Description and photo gallery at armoured.vif2.ru (Russian language)
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