Army KamAZ-5350: characteristics of the new military dump truck

KamAZ vehicles are used in a wide variety of areas . They are indispensable for various civil purposes, in particular for use in construction, municipal and other areas (see universal dump truck 6520). However, a separate milestone is the production of trucks for various military purposes and tasks.

This strategic task was set for many automobile factories in Soviet times. This is completely understandable, because in those days a huge amount of resources were allocated for military purposes, because the state policy itself was focused on this.

But even at the present time, the automotive industry has become very popular, focused on the production of trucks for various military purposes , which KamAZ successfully copes with to this day. This concern was a participant in various ratings of the most successful and profitable factories, which allowed it to gain sufficient authority in the international arena. Kamaz releases new models of equipment, which you can read about separately here.

The same can be said about KamAZ military vehicles, which are in great demand among the military (see Kamaz - Punisher), and more recently a new development from Kama appeared (KAMAZ 63968).

Description and scope of application

KamAZ Typhoon

For the first time, people started talking about the Typhoon project quite a long time ago , which led to the fact that in 2010 the first mock-up of the future truck was developed and demonstrated at an arms exhibition. At the moment, the project is in its final stage, and the models themselves have already arrived at the relevant departments.

It is worth noting that the truck was developed on a standard 6x6 chassis. Depending on the configuration, a cabin and a special module are installed on the chassis, designed for transporting troops to combat areas. In addition, instead of a landing module, you can install an open platform and a body for transporting various cargo, including military cargo.

Due to the fact that in this truck special attention is paid to the power plant and protection of military personnel, the distribution of load along the axles of the vehicle has changed. In particular, both front axles turned out to be steerable, and the second pair of wheels was significantly moved forward.

The package includes a hydropneumatic suspension that can change the width of the ground clearance.

The Typhoon configuration includes a cabin covered with armor protection, followed by a motor casing. Behind is a module designed to transport troops, or various military cargo and uniforms. Some drawings show that this module is connected to the cab, allowing freedom of movement between parts of the truck.

Armored Corps

The body of the armored car was supplemented with various protective elements consisting of ceramics and metal, providing overall protection against various types of ammunition. In particular, the case can withstand 14.5 mm bullets, which corresponds to the fourth class of protection.

Subsequently, such powerful armor was abandoned, because it negatively affected the overall mobility of the truck, and in the conditions of combat operations this could end fatally. A later version corresponded to the third class of protection and could withstand 7.62 mm bullets.

The armored car has a mine-resistant V-shaped bottom , which allows it to withstand the explosions of various artillery shells and explosive charges. Tests showed that a six-kilogram charge placed under the wheels of the truck caused some damage to the equipment, but the entire crew remained unharmed (it is clear that the tests involved not living people, but dummies).

In models where there is no direct passage from the cockpit to the landing module, there are three seats for crew members. The landing module contains 16 seats, which are also protection from the impact of an explosive device located under the bottom. Communication with the crew located in the truck cabin is provided.

Depending on the customer’s requirements, it is possible to install various combat elements on the truck, including a machine gun mount. In addition, as planned, a combat module can be installed on the truck, which will be controlled remotely from the inside.

This truck is part of a state order aimed at providing military units and GRU special forces with the necessary equipment. It is planned to be used during various military operations in different territories.

In addition to transporting cargo, including for military purposes, Kamaz vehicles actively participate in racing. One of these models is the Bonnet Kamaz.

On our website you will find a lot of useful information about Kamaz. Here is an overview of the sizes of different models.

Here is a description of how much and what materials can fit in the body of a Kamaz.

Armored vehicle KamAZ-5350 (6x6) with a functional module

Any borrowing and use of photographic materials posted here is only with the permission of the administration of the “Courage” website and the author of the photographs

KAMAZ-5350 is a multi-purpose armored vehicle equipped with an armored cabin and an armored functional module mounted directly in the onboard body. This vehicle is designed to transport personnel while providing protection against weapons of the 5th protection class. The additional protection kit is made of “A3” steel, an analogue of “44” steel, and is equipped with armored glass. It includes the following nodes:

1. An armored three-seater cabin, all-metal, with a berth, consisting of: – a cabin frame with a reinforced base and a welded armor capsule with fastening elements; – cabin doors with reinforced hinges and hinged armor panels with fastening elements, including upholstery, handles, locks, etc.; – glazing (windshield and door glass), made of multilayer special bullet-resistant glass blocks, glued into armored frames with fastening elements to the cabin frame; – loopholes mounted in the door glass (at the customer’s request); – front and rear reinforced supports and suspensions of the armored cab, reinforcement of the frame cross member and tilting mechanism of the armored cab;

2. Battery protection;

3. Fuel tank protection;

4. Engine crankcase protection.

Functional module: frame-panel construction, with rear hinged doors with external hinges, inspection windows and loopholes. Round emergency hatches are installed on the roof of the module. The cabin is equipped with bench-type seats, an independent air heater, an intercom, fans, and space for placing FVUA-100 and air conditioning.

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Technical characteristics and cost

It is worth noting that in addition to the Typhoon, there are other modifications of KamAZ military vehicles capable of solving the same strategic tasks as the KamAZ 63968.

KamAZ 5350

KamAZ 5350

One of these vehicles is the KamAZ 5350, which is part of the Mustang family. This truck entered service with Russian military units in 2002, being a kind of replacement for the KamAZ 43114. Its price starts from 2,000,000 rubles.

Technical characteristics of KamAZ 5350:

• total weight – 16 tons;
• load capacity – 6 tons;
• car length – 796 cm;
• car width – 255 cm;
• car height – 329 cm;
• trailer weight – 8 tons;
• engine type – diesel;
• total number of cylinders – 8;
• cylinder volume – 10.85 l;
• maximum power – 260 hp;
• maximum speed – 100 km/h;
• gearbox – KamAZ-144;
• platform length – 489 cm;
• platform width – 247 cm;
• platform height – 75 cm.

This truck has its own modification, which contains slightly different characteristics - KamAZ 53501. This vehicle is intended for transporting various cargoes, as well as for transporting combat crew.

KamAZ 53501

KamAZ 53501

Technical characteristics of KamAZ 53501:

• total weight – 20650 kg;
• load capacity – 10 tons ;
• car length – 850 cm;
• car width – 250 cm;
• car height – 300 cm;
• trailer weight – 8 tons;
• engine type – diesel;
• total number of cylinders – 8;
• cylinder volume – 10.85 l;
• maximum power – 260 hp;
• gearbox – KamAZ-154;
• maximum speed – 95 km/h;
• platform length – 543 cm;
• platform width – 247 cm;
• platform height – 75 cm.

Prices for trucks of this series, depending on the pricing policy of individual dealerships, can reach 3,000,000 rubles.

KamAZ 6560

KamAZ 6560

Another truck aimed at fulfilling various military purposes is the KamAZ 6560. It was first demonstrated at an exhibition in the UAE in 2005.

It is worth noting that all components and assemblies used are designed in such a way that their operation is possible even in the most critical weather conditions.

Technical characteristics of KamAZ 6560 (on-board modification):

• total weight – 35 tons;
• load capacity – 20 tons;
• car length – 1030 cm;
• car width – 250 cm;
• car height – 326.5 cm;
• trailer weight – 12 tons;
• engine type – diesel, equipped with turbocharging;
• total number of cylinders – 8;
• cylinder volume – 11.76 l;
• maximum power – 400 hp;
• maximum speed – 90 km/h;
• Fuel tank capacity – 2×350 l.

The price of a KamAZ 6560 truck can reach 7,000,000 – 8,000,000 rubles. Read about prices for other Kamaz vehicles here.

Typhoon

"Typhoon"

As for the technical characteristics of the Typhoon itself, they will be somewhat different from other military modifications of KamAZ.

Specifications:

• total weight – 21,000 kg;
• maximum speed – 100 km/h;
• car length – 820 cm;
• car width – 255 cm;
• car height – 293 cm;
• trailer weight – 8 tons;
• engine type – diesel, equipped with turbocharging;
• total number of cylinders – 8;
• maximum power – 450 hp;
• wheel formula – 6×6;
• fuel consumption – 35 liters per 100 km;
• Engine brand: YaMZ 5367.

Price from 8,000,000 rubles or more.

Kamaroks and Compass: KAMAZ showed dump trucks with a new cab for the first time and is preparing a competitor to the Gazelle

KAMAZ trucks, which have a cab from the previous Mercedes Axor model, are nicknamed KamAksors. This means cars with a cabin like the current Mercedes Arocs model - CamAroxes! They were first “shown” in Naberezhnye Chelny at a mini-exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the plant.

Current CamAxors with Mercedes Axor cabs

Let us briefly recall what we are talking about: KAMAZ is going to switch to the production of the promising K5 series in the future with modern Mercedes SFTP cabs. The plant for their production, designed to produce up to 55 thousand cabins per year, was opened in Chelny last summer, but until now KAMAZ has demonstrated only long-range tractors - first two-axle ones, and at the last Comtrans exhibition they also showed the 6x2 version.

But it is clear that construction vehicles are also planned for the K5 range: at the beginning of 2022, Kamaz reported that the promising dump truck will have a different cabin than that of tractors - narrower (2300 mm versus 2500 mm), with a low roof and an engine tunnel in the middle. Other differences include a massive bumper, made mainly of metal, and grilles on the headlights. And if the KamAksors get exactly the same cabin as the Aksors, then the K5 only has a unified frame with a roof, doors and trim. And everything else is original.

At the same time, the corresponding patent was registered - RU 113002 “cabin of a heavy transport vehicle”. Computer sketches clearly show both the reduced width and the new “lower belt” with steps, bumper and grilled headlights. But it was unclear when running models would appear.

They were shown unexpectedly - before the gala evening on the occasion of the factory anniversary. One with the index 6595 and a 6x4 wheel arrangement, the other - 65952, with a 6x6 wheel arrangement. The new cabins, as previously reported, have low roofs and an original powerful bumper. The heated bodies with a volume of 16 cubic meters were made at NefAZ, the rear fenders are angular and rough, but, we repeat, these are still prototypes.

Judging by the engine power of 450 hp, under the cabs there is a new in-line engine, developed with the help of Liebherr, but it can be assumed that later less powerful Cummins engines, also made in Chelny, will be installed (they are already installed on KamAKsors). One thing is certain: traditional KAMAZ V8s will not fit under this cab!

K5 series power unit: in-line engine and ZF TraXon robotic gearbox

There will certainly be a choice among gearboxes: the KAMAZ range includes both locally produced ZF “mechanics” and the modern ZF TraXon “robot”, which is also equipped with foreign-made dump trucks - DAF, MAN, IVECO, Ford. Naturally, later other versions will appear in the range: four-axle ones, with different cabins (sleeping bunk, higher roof), chassis for superstructures, construction tractors.

Mercedes Arocs construction vehicles are already being assembled in Naberezhnye Chelny

By the way, the Daimler KAMAZ joint venture is already assembling a Mercedes Arocs model with a similar (but, we repeat, not exactly the same) cabin in Naberezhnye Chelny! Such a 6x4 tractor costs from 8.2 million rubles, an 8x4 dump truck costs 11.9 million.

Production of K5 dump trucks should begin at the end of 2022

Of course, CamAroxes will be significantly cheaper, and their launch on the market is planned for the end of 2022. But K5 tractors are not yet on sale either, because Kamaz decided to wait for the results of the winter operation of the pilot batch.

And when the issue was being prepared for printing, Vedomosti reported that KAMAZ was preparing a competitor to the Gazelle! But there will be no passenger options, only cargo ones. Prototypes may appear as early as next year, serial ones in 2021-22, and Daimler did not participate in the project.

Indeed, there is a project to create light delivery trucks, called “Compass”, moreover, now space is being freed up for their assembly at the press-frame plant, where old-style KAMAZ cabs are produced. The fact is that after the start of full-fledged production of the K5 series with new cabs, the press-frame plant will be underloaded. In addition, according to KAMAZ General Director Sergei Kogogin, the light series is needed because the market for heavy trucks as a whole is “collapsing.” But this project is the second in the investment portfolio (apparently, after K5). Well, we can only guess what KAMAZ-Compass will be like.

Peculiarities

KamAZ cab

The protective properties of the cabin and module for transporting troops deserve special mention . During the tests, it was established that this truck is capable of withstanding various fragments from artillery shells.

In particular, shell explosions were carried out at various distances from the test object. It turned out that the Typhoon can withstand hits from fragmentation parts from high-explosive 152-mm shells located thirty meters from it. They decided not to stop the tests there, and tried to detonate a landmine at a distance of a couple of meters from the truck.

It is not surprising, but for the crew members whose roles were played by mannequins, there were no negative consequences , which cannot be said about the armor of the car.

In addition, six kilograms of TNT were placed under both wheel sets of the car. The special mine-resistant bottom included in the truck's design passed this difficult test with flying colors. What is meant here is that it prevented direct impact on the crew, which is the main purpose of armor on a vehicle.

Of course, damage was caused to the hull and bottom, but these are the harsh realities of combat operations.

Other features of this model include the fact that it has a number of intraspecific modifications:

• KamAZ 63969 is a truck with all-wheel drive .
• The package includes a machine gun mount, controlled remotely by the operator from the cabin.
• The model has armor belonging to the fourth class of NATO protection, which allows it to withstand hits from 14 mm caliber bullets.
• This modification is produced in small batches , depending on the order. Serial release is not provided.
• Typhoon 53949 – has a 4x4 wheel arrangement. It is used mainly as a means of transporting troops to places of hostilities.