PTS (vehicle)

The PTS is a Soviet tracked amphibious transport. PTS stands for Plavayushchij Transportyer - Sryednyj or medium amphibious transport vehicle. Its industrial index was Ob'yekt 65.

PTS-M
Overview
Typetracked amphibious transport
ManufacturerSoviet State Factories
Productionbegun 1965
AssemblySoviet Union
Body and chassis
ClassTracked amphibious transport
Body styleWaterproofed hull
Layoutfront engine (under floor), front drive sprocket[1]
Powertrain
EngineA-712P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS) or V-54P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS-M) 250 hp (190 kW) 350 hp (PTS-M)
Transmission

water: PTO propeller drive
Range300 km (190 mi)
Dimensions
Length11.52 m (37 ft 10 in)[1]
Width3.32 m (10 ft 11 in)
Height2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Curb weight17,700 kg (39,000 lb)

Introduced in 1965,[1] it is large, with a substantial payload of 10 tons, two to four times the capacity of the BAV 485, and better cross-country performance, at the cost of somewhat higher purchase costs because it is tracked. The most common model is the improved PTS-M that is powered by a 350 hp diesel engine.

Description

The PTS has a boxy, open watertight hull, with six road wheels per side,[1] front drive sprocket,[1] rear idler sprocket, and no return rollers. Like the BAV 485, and unlike the DUKW, it has a rear loading ramp. The crew is seated at the front, leaving the rear of the vehicle open for a vehicle, which can be driven (or backed) in, rather than lifted over the side. To aid in facilitating this, the engine is under the floor.[1]

Propulsion in water is by means of twin propellers, in tunnels to protect them from damage during land operations.[1]

PKP trailer
PTS-2

The PTS-M also has a companion vehicle, the PKP, a boat-like amphibious two-wheeled trailer, with fold-out sponsons providing stability on water;[1] the combination allows the PTS-M to accommodate an artillery tractor, field gun (up to medium caliber),[1] its crew, and a quantity of ammunition, all in one load.[1]

Specification
  • Rear axle clearance:
  • Ground clearance:
  • Front track:
  • Rear track:
  • Turning radius:
  • Maximum speed (loaded, highway): 40 km/h (25 mph)
  • Tyres:
  • Fuel tank capacity:
  • Fuel consumption:
  • Top speed: 40 km/h (25 mph) (road)
    (water)
  • Range: 300 km (190 mi)

Variants
  • PTS-2
  • PTS-3
  • PTS-4

In 2014, the Russian Defense Ministry intends to purchase an undetermined number of PTS-4s, which underwent acceptance trials in 2011. The vehicle will be fitted with a remotely operated 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine gun and a multi-fuel engine. The PTS-4 weighs 33 tons, with a payload of 12 tons on land (18 tons on water). Projected maximum road speed is 60 km/h (37 mph), with an expected maximum speed in water of 15 km/h (9.3 mph).[2] Unlike its predecessors, it uses T-80 suspension components. The fully enclosed cab offers protection against small arms fire and splinter. Production began in 2014.[3]

Users
Self-propelled PTS on the march
Loading equipment before crossing

The PTS-M was adopted by the Soviet Army and Warsaw Pact forces,[1] and has been supplied to Egypt,[1] the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Uruguay, and other nations.

Former users

References

Notes
  1. Hogg, Ian V., and Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles. (London: Hamblyn Publishing Group Limited, 1980), p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  2. Technical data of PTS-4 in russian http://www.transmash-omsk.ru/node/241
  3. Russian Defense Ministry to buy new amphibious tracked armoured vehicle PTS-4 in 2014 - Armyrecognition.com, 24 July 2013
  4. Dunstan, Simon (April 2003). The Yom Kippur War 1973 (2): The Sinai. Campaign 126. Osprey Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 9781841762210.
  5. "MON: Następca amfibii PTS powiązany z Borsukiem".
  6. The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
  7. The Military Balance 2016, p. 414.
  8. "Vietnam has upgraded PTS-M amphibious vehicle with ZU-23-2 anti-aicraft cannon | weapons defence industry military technology UK | analysis focus army defence military industry army".

Sources
  • Hogg, Ian V., and Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles, p. 309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian". London: Hamblyn Publishing Group Limited, 1980.
  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.

See also
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.