Battle buggies. Desert buggies of the American army. Italian armored car from IVECO

Today, light and fast military vehicles are becoming increasingly important. The armies of many countries are armed with ATVs and buggies. In Russia, the AM-1 army all-terrain vehicle was recently adopted for service. At the same time, at the Research Center automotive technology The 3rd Center of the Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense is considering the prospect of introducing buggy-type all-terrain vehicles into the Russian army. Such vehicles are actively used in the armies of some states, so the Russian military has become seriously interested in their capabilities in relation to the realities of our country.

One of the most active operators of army buggies is the US armed forces. More than 20 types of buggies produced by various companies are in service here. Initially, their main purpose was to patrol the US borders. Also, these vehicles are well suited for operations in the desert, conducting sabotage attacks and reconnaissance. They usually carry light weapons, and their crew consists of 2-3 people. Military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that improving the armor protection of SUVs inevitably leads to an increase in their mass and loss of the ability to perform a number of reconnaissance missions. In this situation, they have to give way to light vehicles that have high maneuverability, speed, low visibility on the ground and a relatively low price.

The first buggies appeared in the USA in the 1950s. They were usually made from old, unused Volkswagen Beetles. The word “buggy” comes from the diminutive form of the name Volkswagen “Beetle” - Volkswagen Bug. During the conversion, the body, fenders, and doors were removed from the cars, and a lightweight frame or fiberglass body was installed as a supporting structure; also, in some cases, a stripped-down version of the standard Volkswagen body was left. Thanks to the strength of the chassis and the cross-country ability of the Beetle, the absence of a radiator, high ground clearance, as well as the rear engine, this popular and recognizable passenger car to this day was ideal for creating a buggy on its basis. The popularity of the buggy was also facilitated by the universal availability of passenger cars. Volkswagen car Bug.

In the late 1970s, the United States realized that military vehicles did not have to be large and intimidating in appearance. Even then, the army felt the need for a fast and light vehicle that would be suitable for patrolling the desert, remembering the buggy. A buggy is a lightweight frame vehicle, characterized by high maneuverability, speed, small dimensions and good cornering stability. Such machines turned out to be very useful. The first production buggies were supplied to the American military by a small Californian company, Chenowth, specializing in the production of racing buggies. Cars of her design successfully participated in the famous Dakar Rally.

In the early 1980s, this California company won an Army contract to create a fast military buggy that could easily move over sand dunes while carrying significant weight and various military equipment. Already in 1982, the first army buggy was born, which went into mass production, FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle. The first batch included 120 buggies, but in reality the cars remained idle until the early 1990s. Their debut was operations in the Persian Gulf. They were first used in Kuwait. During Operation Desert Storm, it was the FAV buggies that became the first vehicles to enter the liberated capital of Kuwait. However, they did not move along roads at all. As part of Operation Desert Storm, buggies were used not only by the US military, but also by British special operations forces.

Fast Attack Vehicle was equipped with two-liter engines air cooling Volkswagen companies, developing maximum power 200 hp, 4 step box gear shift, as well as independent suspension. The car weighed 960 kg and could travel 320 kilometers on one gas station. The maximum speed of the buggy was about 130 km/h. A characteristic feature of the buggy was its lightweight body, which was made of high-strength steel tubular structures (frame and safety arch), as well as the location of the transmission and engine in the rear of the hull. 7.62-mm and 12.7-mm machine guns, grenade launchers, ATGMs or MANPADS could be used as weapons; an additional radio station could be installed. Over time, the buggy received a new designation DPV - Desert Patrol Vehicle (literally, a transport for patrolling the desert).

The DPV buggy was built on the basis of the VW Beetle. The front torsion bar suspension, and behind was located boxer engine air cooling. The frame was sheathed with sheet steel. The crew of the FAV/DPV buggy consisted of 3 people. Two of them were located traditionally, as in an ordinary car (one is the driver, the second is firing a machine gun, reading maps), another crew member was located in the upper superstructure located above power unit. He could fire from a machine gun or grenade launcher.

Performance characteristics of FAV/DPV:
Overall dimensions: length - 4080 mm, width - 2100 mm, height - 2000 mm.
Ground clearance - 410 mm.
Weight - 960 kg.
Maximum speed - 130 km/h (on the highway).
Acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h - 4 s.
Maximum slope - 75%.
Maximum side slope - 50%.
Load capacity - 680 kg.
Fuel capacity - 80 l.
Crew - 3 people.

A further development of the DPV buggy was new car LSV - Light Strike Vehicle (literally translated as light strike vehicle). Possible armament was significantly expanded and could consist of: a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun, a 5.56 mm M249 SAW LMG machine gun, a 7.62 mm M60 or M240 GPMG series machine gun. Two AT4 anti-tank grenade launchers or one BGM-71 TOW anti-tank grenade launcher could also be used.

Later, around October 1996, the advanced buggies ALSV - Advanced Light Strike Vehicle - saw the light of day. They became the third generation of Chenowth army buggies and direct descendants of the DPV and LSV models. The improved lightweight attack vehicle is available in two versions - with a 2- and 4-seater body. This vehicle is in service with the army and corps Marine Corps USA, some NATO countries, countries of the Middle East and Central America.

It should be noted that recently there has been a trend towards changing the design of desert buggies. Given that the Volkswagen Beetle has been discontinued since the mid-1990s, the front torsion bar suspension is gradually being replaced by an A-arm suspension. The buggy's rear suspension is built on diagonal wishbones.

The most “advanced” army buggies, Advanced LSV, built on the basis of the Humvee, received their own name - Flyer (“flyer”), which only emphasizes the good speed characteristics cars According to the manufacturer's information, the approach and departure angles of these buggies are 59 and 50 degrees, respectively. New model The buggy has already proven its mobility and firepower. Thanks to the presence of a circular turret, the shooter can fire 360 degrees without turning the buggy around. The vehicle can be equipped with a large-caliber 12.7 mm M2 machine gun or a 40 mm MK19 automatic grenade launcher. Light machine guns and portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems can be used as additional weapons. Each of the buggy doors can be equipped with a turret for mounting 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm machine guns.

The mass of the buggy increased to 2 tons. Thanks to the presence of a 160-horsepower diesel engine and all-wheel drive, the buggy has excellent off-road qualities. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. There are variants of the ALSV buggy designed for transporting the wounded and carrying cargo, as well as vehicles that are equipped with armor and are designed for direct participation in combat operations. At the same time, ALSV buggies still remain compact; they can be transported by air by CH-47 Chinook or CH-53 Sea Stallion transport helicopters.

The tasks that such buggies are designed to solve remain unchanged:
- conducting special operations;
- quick attack/penetration deep into enemy territory;
- intelligence operations;
- adjustment of fire against ground targets (including using UAVs);
- team car.

Tactical and technical characteristics of Flyer ALSV:

Overall dimensions: length - 4570 mm, height - 1520 mm, width - 1520 mm.
Ground clearance - 355 mm.
Turning radius - 5.48 m.
Curb weight - 2041 kg.
Total weight - 3400 kg.
Load capacity - 1360 kg.
Powerplant - 1.9-liter diesel engine power 160 hp
Fuel reserve - 68 l.
Power reserve - 725 km.
Crew - 2-3-4 people.

Today at the Chechenavto plant in the city of Argun a presentation of the military buggy Chaborz M-3 took place. This is a joint project of the F-Motorsport company from Fryazino near Moscow, which produces off-road buggies, and the Gudermes International Training Center for Special Forces. Translated from Chechen, Chaborz means “bear and wolf.”

Chaborz was created on the basis of the model; in 2016, representatives of law enforcement agencies became interested in it - in particular, Daniil Martynov, deputy head of the regional department of the Russian Guard, who is in charge of the training center in Gudermes. The military formulated their requirements for a tactical buggy and developed everything related to weapons. In military guise, the all-terrain vehicle was first shown at the Interpolitex-2016 exhibition under the name Alabai.

With the assistance of Ramzan Kadyrov, it was decided to produce buggies at the Chechenavto plant, which has been assembling Lada cars since 2008 (now Grants are produced there). One copy, made in Fryazino, was shipped to Chechnya in September 2016, and then preparations for large-unit assembly began. To date, four vehicles have been assembled using the SKD scheme. In the future, the plant will switch to small-unit assembly with independent welding space frame and the manufacture of some suspension elements. Also in Argun they will remake Granta gearboxes - change the gears (they are made of titanium-filled steel) and install a self-locking disc differential. The estimated production volume is 20 cars per month.

Chechenavto management (from left to right): representative of the plant at AvtoVAZ Bekmirzy Elmurzaev, deputy director Mukhadi Tovsultanov, CEO Said-Husein Taimakhanov

Buggy Chaborz M-3 is built on VAZ units. In addition to the aforementioned gearbox, a 1.6 liter VAZ engine is used (although the original project had a 1.8 engine), electric power steering from Kalina and a VAZ brake booster. The suspension arms and shock absorbers are original.

Chaborz's own weight without weapons is about 400 kg, while the load capacity is 250 kg. The rear-wheel drive three-seater vehicle can carry a PKM 7.62 machine gun with a large supply of ammunition, an AGS30 grenade launcher and a BTD smoke screen module. According to the director of the F-Motorsport company, Eduard Mymrin, it was possible to achieve such a smooth ride that it was possible to conduct targeted shooting “on the move.” “Shooters do not press the butt to the shoulder while shooting,” Mymrin wrote on one of the Internet forums. Maximum speed - 130 km/h.

The price of Chaborz is 1.5 million rubles: this is what they told Ramzan Kadyrov at the presentation today. But they will also release civilian version- with a plain color and without weapon mounts. For such a car they will ask 1.1 million rubles. For comparison, the donor FunCruiser Lite costs 950 thousand rubles. IN future plans- release of the six-seater military buggy Chaborz M-6.

Today, light and fast military vehicles are becoming increasingly important. The armies of many countries are armed with ATVs and buggies. In Russia, it was adopted into service not so long ago. At the same time, the Automotive Research Center of the 3rd Research Center of the Russian Ministry of Defense is considering the prospect of introducing buggy-type all-terrain vehicles into the Russian army. Such vehicles are actively used in the armies of some states, so the Russian military has become seriously interested in their capabilities in relation to the realities of our country.

One of the most active operators of army buggies is the US armed forces. More than 20 types of buggies produced by various companies are in service here.

Initially, their main purpose was to patrol the US borders. Also, these vehicles are well suited for operations in the desert, conducting sabotage attacks and reconnaissance. They usually carry light weapons, and their crew consists of 2-3 people. Military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that improving the armor protection of SUVs inevitably leads to an increase in their mass and loss of the ability to perform a number of reconnaissance missions. In this situation, they have to give way to light vehicles that have high maneuverability, speed, low visibility on the ground and a relatively low price. The first buggies appeared in the USA in the 1950s. They were usually made from old, unused Volkswagen Beetles. The word “buggy” comes from the diminutive form of the name Volkswagen “Beetle” - Volkswagen Bug. During the conversion, the body, fenders, and doors were removed from the cars, and a lightweight frame or fiberglass body was installed as a supporting structure; also, in some cases, a stripped-down version of the standard Volkswagen body was left. Thanks to the strength of the chassis and the cross-country ability of the Beetle, the absence of a radiator, high ground clearance, as well as the rear engine, this popular and recognizable passenger car to this day was ideal for creating a buggy on its basis. The popularity of buggies was also facilitated by universal accessibility passenger car

Such machines turned out to be very useful. The first production buggies were supplied to the American military by a small Californian company, Chenowth, specializing in the production of racing buggies. Cars of her design successfully participated in the famous Dakar Rally. In the early 1980s, this California company won an army contract to create a fast military buggy that could easily move over sand dunes while carrying a significant mass of weapons and various military equipment. Already in 1982, the first army buggy was born, which went into mass production, FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle

. The first batch included 120 buggies, but in reality the cars remained idle until the early 1990s. Their debut was operations in the Persian Gulf. They were first used in Kuwait. During Operation Desert Storm, it was the FAV buggies that became the first vehicles to enter the liberated capital of Kuwait. However, they did not move along roads at all. As part of Operation Desert Storm, buggies were used not only by the US military, but also by British special operations forces. Fast Attack Vehicles were equipped with two-liter air-cooled Volkswagen engines developing a maximum power of 200 hp, a 4-speed gearbox, and independent suspension. The car weighed 960 kg and could travel 320 km on one gas station. The maximum speed of the buggy was about 130 km/h. A characteristic feature of the buggy was its lightweight body, which was made of high-strength steel tubular structures (frame and safety arch), as well as the location of the transmission and engine in the rear of the hull. 7.62-mm and 12.7-mm machine guns, grenade launchers, ATGMs or MANPADS could be used as weapons; an additional radio station could be installed. Over time, the buggy received a new designation DPV - Desert Patrol Vehicle

The DPV buggy was built on the basis of the VW Beetle. A front torsion bar suspension was installed on a tubular frame, and an air-cooled boxer engine was located at the rear. The frame was sheathed with sheet steel. The crew of the FAV/DPV buggy consisted of 3 people. Two of them were located traditionally, as in an ordinary car (one is the driver, the second is firing a machine gun, reading maps), another crew member was located in the upper superstructure located above the power unit. He could fire from a machine gun or grenade launcher.

Performance characteristics of FAV/DPV:
Overall dimensions: length - 4080 mm, width - 2100 mm, height - 2000 mm.
Ground clearance - 410 mm.
Weight - 960 kg.
Maximum speed - 130 km/h (on the highway).
Acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h - 4 s.
Maximum slope - 75%.
Maximum side slope - 50%.
Load capacity - 680 kg.
Fuel capacity - 80 l.
Crew - 3 people.

A further development of the DPV buggy is a new car LSV - Light Strike Vehicle(literally translated as light attack transport). Possible armament was significantly expanded and could consist of: a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun, a 5.56 mm M249 SAW LMG machine gun, a 7.62 mm M60 or M240 GPMG series machine gun. Two AT4 anti-tank grenade launchers or one BGM-71 TOW anti-tank grenade launcher could also be used.

Later, around October 1996, improved buggies saw the light of day. ALSV - Advanced Light Strike Vehicle. They became the third generation of Chenowth army buggies and direct descendants of the DPV and LSV models. The improved lightweight attack vehicle is available in two versions - with a 2- and 4-seater body. This vehicle is in service with the US Army and Marine Corps, some NATO countries, the countries of the Middle East and Central America.

Thanks to the presence of a circular turret, the shooter can fire 360 degrees without turning the buggy around. The vehicle can be equipped with a large-caliber 12.7 mm M2 machine gun or a 40 mm MK19 automatic grenade launcher. Light machine guns and portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems can be used as additional weapons. Each of the buggy doors can be equipped with a turret for mounting 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm machine guns.

Tactical and technical characteristics of Flyer ALSV:
Overall dimensions: length - 4570 mm, height - 1520 mm, width - 1520 mm.
Ground clearance - 355 mm.
Turning radius - 5.48 m.
Curb weight - 2041 kg.
Total weight - 3400 kg.
Load capacity - 1360 kg.
Powerplant - 1.9-liter diesel engine with 160 hp.
Fuel reserve - 68 l.
Power reserve - 725 km.
Crew - 2-3-4 people.

The spread of light cross-country vehicles of the “buggy” type aroused a natural interest in them among the military: small-sized, high-speed vehicles, characterized by high cross-country ability, were imagined the ideal remedy for raid actions. The first such vehicles, designated by the abbreviation FAV (Fast Assault Vehicle), were acquired by American special forces. Following them, buggies were adopted in a number of other countries.

Buggy-type combat vehicles have gained considerable popularity in Latin America. This was facilitated not only by their tactical qualities, but also by the exceptional simplicity of the design, which makes it possible to assemble such vehicles literally in barns, presenting them as a product of the “domestic military industry.” As a result, battle buggies own development appeared in service not only in relatively developed Peru and Uruguay, but also in much less industrialized Bolivia.

The prototype for combat buggies was American cars class FAV.
medium.com

Common features of all combat buggies: the most lightweight, but at the same time durable body, formed by a tubular spatial truss and practically devoid of any lining, as well as reinforced suspension and a crew of three (driver and commander - in the front, gunner - in the back and above their). The vehicles use various versions of commercial engines with a displacement of 1.6–2.5 liters, which, combined with a low weight, provides combat buggies with excellent dynamics. As a rule, these cars are all-wheel drive - with a driven rear axle.

"Kojak"

In the first half of the 90s, a retired colonel of the Bolivian army named Cornejo set out to provide the military with a light and cheap combat vehicle. The first prototypes of the Bolivian buggy were tested in 1995–1997, but finalizing the design took almost ten years. Only in October 2005, the car was adopted, choosing for it the name of the main character of the once popular television series - “Kojak”.

Even compared to its classmates, the Bolivian Kojak is distinguished by its extremely compact size. On the one hand, this greatly facilitates camouflage, on the other hand, there was no space in the car for a trunk, and the backpacks with the crew members’ property are hung on the outside of the frame. Another glaring drawback is the lack of protection for the shooter: there are no safety bars at his workplace. When the Kojak overturns, the shooter best case scenario will escape with serious injuries... The only element made of sheet steel is the bottom of the car. There is no side cover of any kind, not even swamp guards. The vehicle can tow a light single-axle trailer with additional supplies, which is quite appropriate when operating separately from the main forces.

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The main weapon options of the Kojak are: a 7.62 mm machine gun (on the vehicle on the right) and a 12.7 mm machine gun (on the left).
razonyfuerza.mforos.com

The Kojak shooter is not protected even by the simplest safety bars.
razonyfuerza.mforos.com

It is believed that the Bolivian army has acquired about four dozen Kojaks. The standard weapon option is considered to be a machine gun: the shooter has a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the top mount, while the commander has only an automatic rifle. At the same time, the Bolivian military is trying to pile literally everything at hand on the Kojak: RPG-7 grenade launchers, Chinese HJ-8A ATGMs, Chinese MANPADS, as well as launchers of 70-mm unguided missiles created in Bolivia.

The Kojak, armed with a 70mm unguided missile launcher, is towed by a single-axle trailer.
razonyfuerza.mforos.com

"Aperea"

The Uruguayan military got around to creating their own buggy about a decade later than their Bolivian colleagues, and the car turned out to be more thoughtful. A power frame made of pipes with a diameter of 50 mm protects not only the commander and driver, but also the shooter. For the last one additional protection when tipping over it serves spare wheel, attached from above. The crew is protected from splashes and dirt by the hood and small sides; the vehicle is equipped with swamp guards.

The Uruguayan buggy was given the name "Aperea", meaning rodent, also known as the Brazilian guinea pig. The buggy is largely equipped with components imported from Brazil, in particular, these include Volkswagen diesel engines with a displacement of 1.6 or 1.8 liters. The maximum speed with the first of them is 140 km/h, with the second - 160 km/h. 60 liter fuel tank provides a car with a 1.6-liter engine with a decent range of 700 km. An empty vehicle weighs 630 kg, equipped (with crew) - up to 1100 kg.

"Aperea", armed with a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62-mm machine gun.
defensanacional.foroactivo.com

As with the Kojak, the main armament of the Aprea includes two machine guns: a 12.7 mm M2НВ for the shooter and a 7.62 mm FN MAG for the commander. Instead of the top machine gun, you can mount a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher - the American Mk 19 or the Singaporean CIS 40. The heaviest weapon tested on the Aprea is the American 30-mm M230 automatic cannon.

The shooter on the Aprea is protected by a massive tubular frame.
vasili.io.ua

"Lobo"

The Peruvian “Wolf” (this is how the nickname “Lobo” is translated) gives the impression of the most thoughtful design among all Latin American “crafts”. The development of the vehicle under the official designation VATT (Vehiculo de Ataque Todo Terreno - “all-terrain assault vehicle”) has been carried out by Casanave SA since 2001, and the first production samples entered service in 2005.

"Lobo" with basic weapons - 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns.
discasanave.com

Like the “classmates”, the Lobo body is made of steel pipes, but more High Quality- with titanium anti-corrosion coating. In addition to the hood and low sides, some of the vehicles are equipped with a roof over the driver and commander’s workplaces. The car can be transported by air (including by external suspension helicopter) and is adapted for landing with a cargo parachute.

The length of the VATT is 4.5 m, width - 2.2 m, height - 2.6 m. Reference books indicate a mass of 850 kg, but most likely this figure does not include weapons (Lobo can carry a wide variety of weapon combinations) . In addition to the almost standard set of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns for Latin American buggies (with 2,500 and 500 rounds of ammunition, respectively), several anti-tank missile systems were tested on the Peruvian vehicle. The most common option is the 9K11 Malyutka ATGM (or its Chinese clone HJ-73C). Two ATGM launchers of this complex are mounted on the sides of the upper part of the vehicle (spare missiles, as far as one can judge from the available photos, are not provided). In addition, more modern ATGMs were tested on the Lobo: the Russian 9K135 Kornet, the Israeli Spike LR, the Ukrainian Skif (with the Barrier RK-2 ATGM), as well as the Rayo complex of its own design. An alternative to the ATGM is the RPG-7V grenade launcher with a transportable ammunition load of six grenades.

“Lobo”, additionally armed with the “Malyutka” ATGM.
discasanave.co

Depending on the power plant, several VATT variants are distinguished. For army special forces units, the M-1A2 version was supplied with a four-cylinder petrol air-cooled opposed engine "Volkswagen Escarabajo" with a working volume of 1.6 liters and manual transmission gears (four forward speeds, one reverse). Engine power is 120 hp. The car accelerates from 0 to 70 km/h in 6 seconds, maximum speed reaches 120 km/h. The army thought that this was quite enough, but the Marines were not enough: the M-2A1 version, supplied to the Marine Corps, is equipped with a 1.8-liter Volkswagen engine with a power of 140 hp. Export models M-3E and M-4E are equipped with even more powerful engines"Subaru" EJ-25 with a working volume of 2.5 liters. The Lobo's cruising range, depending on the engine, is 380–450 km. Without weapons, the car costs approximately $18,000 (probably with a Volkswagen engine), and with weapons and communications equipment, the price of the Lobo reaches $45,000.

VATT at a Peruvian ground forces exercise.
discasanave.com

VATT turned out to be the only Latin American combat buggy, the production volume of which was not limited to several dozen units, and also the only one exported. The Peruvian military purchased a total of 210 Lobos. The largest foreign buyer was Angola, which acquired fifty VATTs. Smaller batches arrived in Niger (15 vehicles), Guinea (12) and Honduras (12). Finally, there are reports of the delivery of a dozen Lobos to Ukraine, but we were unable to find documentary evidence of this.

Peruvian special forces raid group: in the foreground - "Lobo", behind him - light vehicles "Puma".
discasanave.com

VELA and VLF

At one time, the Argentines also developed their own combat buggies. They needed a vehicle weighing no more than 1000 kg, adapted for transportation by a UH-1H Iroquois helicopter (on an external sling). The VELA vehicle (Vehiculo de Exploracion Ligero de Asalto - “light reconnaissance and assault vehicle”) was equipped with a 1.6-liter Volkswagen engine and was armed with two machine guns (12.7 mm M2NV and 7.62 mm M60). An interesting detail of the Argentine buggy was that it was equipped with two grenade launchers for firing smoke grenades.

VELA's armament: 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns, smoke grenade launchers (on the sides of the spare wheel), as well as two disposable M72 RPGs, stowed on the roof.
taringa.net

Conceptually, the VELA was close to the Bolivian Kojak, being devoid of any body panels, but the Argentine designers still took pity on the shooter, protecting him with a roll bar. VELA prototypes were tested in the 601st Airborne Assault Battalion, but the vehicle was not accepted for service: the Argentine military preferred a more heavy car"Gaucho", reminiscent of a smaller HMMWV SUV.

Argentine VELA car.
vasili.io.ua

They also created a combat buggy on Freedom Island. The Cuban state enterprise Union de Industrias Militares (UIM) developed the VLF (Vehiculo Liviano de Fiero - “light fire vehicle”) vehicle. Information about her is limited to a few photographs. The VLF is armed with a 7.62 mm PKM machine gun and a 30 mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, with the latter fired by the shooter while standing. The parameters of the car's power plant are unknown, but from the photographs it can be assumed that the VLF is all-wheel drive. The number of manufactured vehicles probably does not exceed one and a half dozen; they are operated by the Cuban special forces “Avispas Negras” (“Black Wasps”).

VLF fire support vehicle of the Cuban special forces "Avispas Negras".
Kulhánek L. Vojenské “buginy” zemí Latinské Ameriky // ATM, 2015, No. 5

Literature:

Kulhánek L. Vojenské “buginy” zemí Latinské Ameriky // ATM, 2015, No. 5
razonyfuerza.mforos.com
defensanacional.foroactivo.com
discasanave.com
militar.org.ua

In the world of military vehicles, there is a growing division between heavy, heavily protected wheeled armored fighting vehicles and ultra-light, highly mobile buggies. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown that increasing the armor protection of SUVs inevitably leads to their loss of the ability to perform a number of reconnaissance missions. In this situation, light attack vehicles with high maneuverability, low visibility and relatively low cost come to the aid of armored cars.

The need to conduct quick and at the same time discreet forays into enemy concentration areas, carry out sabotage in his deep rear, covertly pursue retreating groups of terrorists and continuously monitor their movements - all this led to increased attention by the Pentagon and its allies to special attack vehicles similar in design. buggy designs. The basis of these vehicles with 4x4 or 4x2 wheels is a body made of high-strength tubular steel structures. The engine and transmission are located in the rear of the hull. The buggy has a crew of two to six people; for their protection, light bulletproof or mine-resistant Kevlar linings can be installed. Such vehicles are usually armed with a 7.62- or 12.7-mm machine gun, a 30-mm automatic cannon, a 40-mm grenade launcher, or a PU ATGM. Due to their high power density, buggies have good performance speed, significant speed (120-160 kilometers per hour) and a large power reserve (500-600 kilometers), as well as the ability to overcome obstacles (climb at an angle of 30 degrees, roll up to 20 degrees).

Depending on the combat weight and overall dimensions special attack vehicles are divided into small (combat weight 750-2700 kilograms), medium (3500-4500 kilograms) and large (5000-6000 kilograms). Currently, such vehicles are in service with the USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, Israel and other countries.

Impact buggy ALSV, USA. Weight - 2.35 tons, crew - 3 people, engine - diesel, 140 hp. s., speed - up to 130 km/h, range - 500 km

One of the main companies focused on the development and production of special impact vehicles is the American company Chenowth. Its arsenal includes a whole series of products created according to the “buggy” scheme, in particular the Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV), Multi-Sensor Towed Detection (MSTD), Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) and Teleoperated Dune Buggy (TDB). The most popular vehicle was the Light Strike Vehicle and its further modernization, the Advanced Light Strike Vehicle.

In the mid-80s, about 300 were purchased for the needs of the Army, Marine Corps (MCC) and US Navy. similar cars. The ALSV machine is made according to a standard buggy design. The chassis is a high-strength chrome-molybdenum alloy frame. The power plant is a carburetor STD air-cooled engine with a power of 94 horsepower or diesel. The vehicle commander - weapon gunner is capable of firing in two opposite directions. The navigator is located next to the driver in the front. The placement of the power plant in the rear and a low center of gravity ensure high speed and stability of the vehicle when driving.

Aggressor combat buggy prototype.

Various weapons are mounted on the ALSV base: a 7.62- or 12.7-mm machine gun, a 40-mm Mk 19 grenade launcher, a TOU ATGM, as well as a 30-mm ASP-30 automatic cannon. The crew may be armed with Stinger MANPADS. The LSV was used in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. The American company Teledain has developed a two-axle all-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicle LFV (Light Forces Vehicle). His power point located in the rear part of the hull, where the diesel engine and automatic transmission. LFV equipped disc brakes and independent suspension.

The tubular frame of the vehicle, combined with armor plates, provides protection for the crew and serves as the basis for mounting various types of weapons: a 7.62- or 12.7-mm machine gun, a 30-mm automatic cannon, a 40-mm grenade launcher or TOU ATGM.

Flying buggy Chimera.

Currently, representatives of the US Army and Marine Corps are considering several prototypes of promising combat buggies - ITV (Internally Transportable Vehicle), LSV (Light Strike Vehicle) and TAC-C (Tactical Autonomous Chassis-Combat vehicle). Since the beginning of 2008, the Pentagon has been testing in Afghanistan the multi-purpose SPRAT (Specialized Reconnaissance Assault Transport) vehicle developed by BAE Systems, which is capable of transporting four people and one ton of cargo at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. When creating new cars, the main attention is paid to the suspension and engines, in particular, work is underway to create shock absorbers with magneto-rheological fluid and diesel-electric power plants.

A prototype has already been developed hybrid car Aggressor with interesting futuristic shapes. In addition to standard designs, military engineers in the United States are developing the concept of flying light attack vehicles. So, American company Atair Aerospace presented at the Modern Day Marine Military Expo the Chimera flying vehicle, designed for paragliding into enemy territory. During flight, the Chimera is propelled by a cylindrical propeller.

Vehicle M-626/G “Desert Raider” (6x6), Israel. Weight - 2.6 tons, engine - gasoline, 150 hp. s., or diesel, 107 l. s., speed - up to 110 km/h, range - 600 km.

In 1997, especially for special forces and rapid reaction forces, Engineering Equipment Division developed a six-wheeled all-wheel drive special attack vehicle M-626/G Desert Raiders (FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle). The machine has an original design Gas engine with a working volume of 2429 cubic centimeters (it is also possible to install a VM diesel engine with a working volume of 2498 cubic centimeters) and automatic transmission transmission Original design rear suspension(independent suspension of the rear pair of wheels for each side) allows the car to overcome a 60-centimeter barrier, take a slope up to 70 degrees and continue moving, even if only one wheel touches the ground.

Desert Raiders have low noise and thermal signature and can be transported in cargo compartment CH-53 helicopter. The driver's seat is located in the center, on either side there are two passenger seats, and behind there is a cargo platform (two more seats can be installed instead). Armament: three Negev machine guns of 5.56 mm caliber. The vehicle was officially adopted by the Israel Defense Forces under the name Tomer, but due to financial difficulties its serial deliveries have been delayed.

Jordan

At the beginning of 2005, the Jordanian ground forces adopted the all-wheel drive special attack vehicle Al-Thalab LRPV (Long Range Patrol Vehicle), developed jointly with the English company Jankel Armoring and the Jordanian KADDB (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) based on components and assemblies Land Rover And Toyota Land Cruiser 79. The vehicle can be equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher.

Singapore

Buggy Spider.

Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics) has developed an all-wheel drive special attack vehicle Spider with a 4x4 wheel arrangement (American version of Flyer Defense, ITV-1), which can be armed with an automatic cannon, a heavy machine gun or a 120-mm mortar. Its peculiarity is that, along with a mechanical transmission, it can be used electric drive for silent movement on the battlefield or over rough terrain. There are also a number of combat vehicles created according to the buggy scheme, in particular the Jordanian Desert Iris, the British Super Supacat, Saiker and others.

Impact buggy FLYER R-12 made in Singapore, used in the USA. Weight - 2.47 tons, crew - 3 people, engine - diesel, 81 hp. s., speed - up to 110 km/h, range - 500 km

"Kojak"

"Aperea"

"Lobo"

VELA and VLF

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