Universal Soldier. Multipurpose transporter-tractor MT-LB

Type of armored personnel carrier Infantry fighting vehicle

In MT-LB

(Russian: Multipurpose Tractor Light Armored, romanized: Multipurpose Tractor Light Armored, lit. "multipurpose tractor lightly armored") A Soviet versatile fully amphibious support armored tracked vehicle that was first introduced in the 1950s. It is also produced in Poland, where (since the mid-1990s) its YaMZ engine was replaced by a Polish one.[1]

Development

In the 1950s, the USSR Central Automobile and Tractor Directorate began a development program to replace the AT-P series artillery tractors (which were based on the ASU-57 self-propelled guns) with new generation vehicles. The MT-L was developed to meet this requirement based on the PT-76 light amphibious tank chassis. MT-LB - armored version of MT-L. Entering production in the early 1970s, it was cheap to build because it was based on many existing components, such as an engine that was originally developed for trucks. It was built at the Kharkov Tractor Plant[2] and under license in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola[3] and Bulgaria.

Tractor MT-LB TTX, Video, Photo, Speed, Armor

The 6MB object is a variant of the MT-LBM with the MB2 module, which includes a 30-mm 2A42 cannon.

MT-LB (multi-purpose light armored transporter (tractor), “Object 6”) is a Soviet amphibious armored personnel carrier. Designed to transport (transport) people and cargo, it is also widely used as an artillery tractor (in some units it is used to transport personnel of motorized rifle units.

Description

The crew, driver and commander/gunner sit in a compartment at the front of the vehicle, with the engine behind them. The compartment in the rear allows you to transport up to 11 infantrymen or cargo weighing up to 2000 kg. It is possible to tow a load weighing 6500 kg. The car is completely amphibious, its tracks move on water.

A small turret at the front of the vehicle houses a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun with manual guidance at 360 degrees and an elevation angle from −5 to +30 degrees. The vehicle has light armor that protects against small arms fragments and shells, ranging from 3 to 10 mm thick in steel and a maximum of 14 mm in the front of the turret.[4] The infantry compartment has two hatches on top that open forward. There are four firing ports - one on each side of the hull, the other two in the rear twin doors of the infantry compartment.

The driver is provided with a TVN-2 infrared periscope, which in combination with the OU-3GK infrared/white light spotlight provides a range of approximately 40 m. All vehicles are equipped with the NBC system.

Options

Former USSR

9P149 Sturm-S in the St. Petersburg Artillery Museum.

• MT-L MT-LB (item 6)
  - basic model, often used as a simple armored personnel carrier, but also as an artillery tractor or ambulance.
  In the West, the term Otval MT-LB
  or
  MT-LB M1980
  is used for vehicles equipped with a hydraulic dozer blade.
  MT-WTW
  (
  All-Terrain
  ) - low-pressure version with 565 mm (22 in) tracks providing a ground pressure of 0.27 kgf/cm² (26 kPa).
  Used in Arctic regions instead of wheeled infantry fighting vehicles or armored personnel carriers. MT-LBVM
  - with a 12.7 mm NSVT cannon instead of the original 7.62 mm machine gun turret.
• MT-LBV-N
• MT-LBV-NS

Russian Federation

• MT-LBM (products 6M)
  - Modernization of MT-LB, developed by Muromteplovoz in the 1990s.
  It can be equipped with several different turrets. MT-LBM (products 6MA)
  - MT-LBM with a turret from the BTR-80, with a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun and a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun.
  MT-LBM (products 6MA1)
  - MA is armed with an additional 30-mm automatic grenade launcher AGS-17.
  MT-LBM (6MA4 products)
  - MA1 is armed with a 23x115 mm KPVB instead of a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun.

Bulgaria

• MT-LB AT-I
  is a tractor for mining systems. Equipped with racks for anti-tank mines.
• MT-LB RHR
  or
  MR HR
  (
  radiation and chemical reconnaissance vehicle
  ) - RBC reconnaissance vehicle with detection, alarm, sampling and identification devices.
• MT-LB SE
  - ambulance.
• SMM B1.10 "Tundzha"
  (
  self-propelled minokhv'rgachka
  ) is a mortar platform with a 120 mm M-38/43 mortar and 58 rounds.
  SMM 74 B1.10 "Tundzha-Sani"
  - an improved version of the 2B11 120 mm mortar.

Former East German MT-LB, used by the USMC in the OPFOR role.

East Germany

• MT-LB (Pi)
  - engineering and sapper vehicle.[10]
• MT-LB (Pzj)
  - option for anti-tank units.
• MT-LB (Pzj Fü)
  - command vehicle of anti-tank units.
• MT-LB (BO) SFL
  is a battery command vehicle in self-propelled artillery units.
• SaN MT-LB
  - ambulance
• MTP-LB
  - technical support vehicle.

Iraq

The Iraqi MT-LB was converted into a ZSU armed with a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun. Iraqi MT-TWT with wider tracks.

• MT-LBV
  is equipped with wider tracks.
• The MT-LB
  has been converted into a ZSU by installing a twin 23-mm ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun on the rear of the vehicle. The wheels of the cannon have been removed, so it cannot be easily disassembled and used separately. There were at least two variations of this conversion; one with a ZU-23-2 mounted in an open-top turret, the other with a ZU-23-2 mounted on a platform extending beyond the MT-LB hull, with a roof for the gun operators. The second version was most likely intended for use as fire support, as the roof interfered with the gun's sighting at high altitudes.[11]

Poland

Polish HSW SA (Huta Stalowa Wola SA) has produced the MT-LB under license since 1976, and also developed a modified LNG-2 chassis with improved floating characteristics.[12]

• MT-LB-2AP
  - An armored personnel carrier variant with a turret from SKOT-2AP, armed with a 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun and a 7.62 mm PKT KMG. Prototype only.
• WEM Lotos
  - medical evacuation with four stretchers.
• WPT Mors
  is an armored repair and recovery vehicle, produced since 1983.
• R-137T
  (
  radio station rumoma UKF
  ) - signals a car with a VHF radio station R-137.
  It entered service in 1987 and has a range of 70 to 150 km. ZVD-1 "Irys"
  (
  zautomatyzowany wóz dowodzenia
  ) - a command vehicle, part of the Irys automated workplace.

Main article: Opal (APC)

• BVO-40
  is an infantry fighting vehicle with a 40 mm Bofors cannon. A similar turret was installed on the BWP-40 (BMP-1 Update). Prototype only.

Sweden

Swedish MT-LB converted to PBB 401

• Pbv 401
  (
  pansarbandwan
  ) - modified ex-East German vehicle with 7.62 mm Ksp 95 and Ksp 58 machine guns.
  Stripbv 4011
  (
  striped
  ) - battalion command post.
• Bgbv 4012
  (
  Bärgningsbandvagn
  ) - Swedish designation MTP-LB.
• RLPBV 4014/T
  (
  Radiolänkbandvagn
  ) - signals about a vehicle.
• Stripbv 4021
  (
  striped
  ) - company command post.
• Sjvpbv 4024
  (
  Sjukvårdspansarbandvagn
  ) - Military ambulance.
• Lvrbpbv 4016
  (
  luftvärnsrobotbandvagn, "tracked anti-aircraft missile car"
  ) - unconfirmed designation for vehicles equipped with 70 RBS.
• Pvrbbv 452
  (
  pansarvärnrobotbandvagn
  ) - with RBS 56 BILL 1 Anti-tank guided weapon.

TTX (tactical and technical characteristics) of the all-terrain vehicle

Among its class, MTLB stands out for one feature - the steering position is located at the junction of the transmission and engine. Water obstacles are not a problem for the transporter. The rear and front wheels, filled with air inside, help him with this. As mentioned earlier, tracks are involved in movement on water. Typically, on water, an all-terrain vehicle moves at a speed not exceeding 6 km/h.

Heart of the machine

In the northern parts of the country, quite often we encountered a complication in the form of an engine that would not start. The creators of Motolyga took this problem into account and built a pre-launch system into the power plant.

Dimensions MTLB

Maneuverability and mobility

The car has a six-speed gearbox, with the help of which the MTLB is able to move on fairly hard-surfaced roads, dirt roads, rough terrain and overcome water barriers.

Modified versions of MTLB

Remarkable characteristics, simple repair and operation, incredible maneuverability - all these advantages have become the reason for the widespread use of the all-terrain vehicle in Russia and abroad. Thus, many upgrades and improvements to the facility emerged. In addition, many vehicles were built on the basis of MTLB. The technique found its popularity not only in the military industry; the conveyor was used in hunting, geology, and rescue services. Here is a list of the most popular modifications developed in various parts of Russia and other countries:

• MTLB-V Modification, the purpose of which was to increase the cross-country ability of the all-terrain vehicle. This was achieved by expanding the tracks, which resulted in a decrease in the pressure acting on the surface.
• MTLB-VNS “Altai and MTLB-VN are machines that have been adapted to the economic needs of people.
• MTLB-VM. The only difference is the supplied NSVT machine gun (12.7 mm).
• MTLB-VM1K. The vehicle is equipped with a more powerful engine – YaM3-238BL-1 for operation in high mountains.
• MTLB-M1A7. Modification of the tractor with a BTR-80 turret. There are several options for pre-installed weapons: 7.62 mm PK machine guns or an automatic grenade launcher. You can also place mortars on the tower that fire smoke grenades.
• Some machines were invented by employees in Russia. All improvements in their products come down to the installation of combat modules. An example is the MTLB-LPT, a tractor created for the needs of firefighters based on the MTLB.
• MTLBM2. Designed and manufactured at Kurganmashzavod, it features an updated transmission and diesel unit.
• MTLB-R6. The modification came to us from the designers of the Kharkov tractor plant. Among the improvements are a new diesel engine and a turret, in which a 30-mm cannon, a machine gun (7.62 mm), an anti-tank system (two) and a cloud (smoke) curtain supply system are installed. Increased safety for passengers and crew.
• MTLB-R7. Another model from Ukraine. This time, the key improvement was the Assault module, used for combat. It includes a 30-mm cannon, a machine gun (7.62 mm), an anti-tank missile system (two), an automatic grenade launcher and smoke screens.
• MT-LB. Modification from Poland, equipped with a DShKM machine gun (12.7 mm).
• “Aibat” is a creation of “Soltam”, an Israeli company specifically for the military forces of Kazakhstan. It is a self-propelled mortar.
• MTLB-AM. Presented in Azerbaijan. Like most, it has a standard machine gun (7.62 mm). It also uses a launcher (57 mm) with the 15th NAR from the S-5 series and an automatic grenade launcher.

Transport borrowing the basis of a transporter

Here are a few copies:

• MTP-LB. It is a technical assistance vehicle; for this purpose, a loading platform was installed in the previous place of the small tower.
• Object 26. Everything is simple here: the Gvozdika self-propelled gun was installed on a slightly elongated chassis of our armored personnel carrier.
• 2S24. The situation is similar, only this time the designers decided to place the Deva mortar system on the chassis of a tractor.
• RHM "Sperm Whale". A vehicle made for chemical reconnaissance based on the MT-LB.
• "Tundzha". It is a mortar complex (self-propelled, 120 mm), the base of which is taken from an armored personnel carrier.

MTLB has been the basis for many techniques at different times. Its developments and technologies were used for many military and other vehicles: from combat vehicles (infantry fighting vehicles, minelayers) to reconnaissance vehicles and transport for medical care.

List of conflicts

• 1979–1989: Soviet-Afghan War (Soviet Union)
• 1980–1988: Iran–Iraq War (Iraq)
• 1991: Gulf War (Iraq)
• 1991: 1991 uprisings in Iraq (Iraq)
• 1992: First Nagorno-Karabakh War (Armenia, Azerbaijan)
• 1992: Transnistrian War
• 1994–1996: First Chechen War (Russia, Chechnya)
• 1999–2009: Second Chechen War (Russia)
• 2003: Invasion of Iraq (Iraq) 2003–2010: Iraq War (Iraq)

Operators

Map of MT-LB operators in blue, former operators in red

Current operators

• Armenia[17]
• Azerbaijan – 336[18]
• Angola – 8[19]

Bangladesh Army MT-LB on display.

• Bangladesh – 134[20]
• Bulgaria – 100[21]
• Belarus – 70[22]
• Congo-Kinshasa – 6[23]
• Eritrea – 10[24]
• Finland - 389 MT-LB/v, 50 MT-LBU[25]
• Georgia - 66 in service[26]
• Iraq - About 400 in service.[27]
• Kazakhstan – 150[28]

Lithuanian Army MT-LB at the exhibition.

• Lithuania – 10[29]
• Moldova – 60[30]
• Myanmar – 26[31]
• Nigeria – 67[32]
• North Macedonia – 10[33]
• Poland – 15[34]
• Russia - 3,300 in active service.[35] Currently being modernized into a MLBSh version for the Marine Corps with more powerful KAMAZ-740.50 engines with 360 hp, new tracks and new weapons, etc.[36][37]
• Ukraine – 2,090 [38].[39] In 2022, nine MT-LBs arrived from Poland (previously these vehicles were in service with Poland).[40]
• Uruguay – 5[41]
• United States - Used by the military in OPFOR missions[42]
• Vietnam - Spotted by artillery troops in preparation for the 2022 International Army Games.

Former operators

• Croatia - 6 SNAR-10 scrapped.
• Czechoslovak Socialist Republic - Passed to the Czech Republic.
• East Germany - 721 MT-LB of Bulgarian production, 32 SNAR-10 and 36 Strela-10M. United with West Germany.
• Germany - taken from the GDR army, all decommissioned or sold to other countries.
• Hungary - Strela-10 and SNAR-10
• Soviet Union - Transferred to successor states.
• Sweden - 460 (Local designation Pbv 401, ex-East German, purchased in 1993, then gradually scrapped until the last 147 examples were sold to Finland in 2011)[43]
• Yugoslavia[44]

History of MTLB development

By the mid-sixties of the last century, the top of the armed forces of the union decided to replace the AT-P (an artillery transporter that was already outdated at that time). Also, to save money, the management ordered not to create equipment from scratch, but to use the frame of existing models, adapting them to military needs. The most suitable for the role of an army all-terrain vehicle was the MT-L tractor. To make it work, it was only necessary to make armor, and most of the mechanisms were left as they were.

The creation of the machine fell on the shoulders of the Kharkov tractor plant, namely its design bureau. The year 1964 was marked by the beginning of work, and just 2 years later the MTLB was ready.

Notes

1. “Technical characteristics of the MT-LB multi-purpose tracked armored vehicle” photo video “. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022.
2. https://tractor-xtz.com/tractor/htz-3n-snegobolotohod/HTZ-3H-road cars Archived March 2, 2014 Wayback Machine
3. https://hsw.pl/czytaj/765 Archived November 11, 2014 Wayback Machine Light armored multi-purpose tracked tractor MTLB
4. "Light multi-purpose armored vehicle MT-LB." www.inetres.com
   . Gary's War Machines Reference Guide. Archived from the original October 7, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
5. LLC "CNII "Burevestnik" / 82 mm MORTAR SYSTEM 2K32". Burevestnik.com. Archived from the original April 18, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
6. "Archival copy." Archived from the original May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (site link)
7. Transporter-tractor MT-LB VMK (in Russian). Muromteplovoz. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
8. “Russia may order the Toros tracked armored personnel carrier for military units stationed in the Arctic region.. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022.
9. "Tłumacz Google".
10. Gau L.R., Plate J., Siegert J. (2001) Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge - Bundeswehr und NVA
    . Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02152-8
11. Jim Webster. “MT-LB [ZU-23 – Iraq] tracked armored fire support vehicle.” Jedsite.info. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
12. ^ a b c d
    Jerzy Kajetanowicz,
    Prace nad rozwojem sprzętu pancernego w Polsce - przegląd lat 1955–1990
    in: Poligon No. 5/2010, pp. 12–18 (in Polish)
13. “Lekki samobieżny zestaw przeciwlotniczy Sopel / Stalagmit” (in Polish). Militaria. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original URL status unknown (site link)
14. Puxton, Matteo (25 February 2022). Macé, Maxime (ed.). "Pour se battre en Syrie, l'Iran enrôle arrayment des Afghans chiites." France Soir
    (In French). Archived from the original February 27, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
15. Puxton, Matteo (30 August 2022). “Kataib al-Imam Ali, cette puissante milice chiite qui se bat à la fois en Iraq et en Syrie.” France Soir
    (In French). Archived from the original April 4, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
16. "Etat islamique et chars d'assaut: commentary les djihadistes emploient leurs blindés en Iraq et en Syrie." France Soir
    (In French). February 2, 2022. Archived from the original February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
17. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 199. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
18. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 201. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
19. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 495. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
20. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 274. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
21. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 97. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
22. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 203. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
23. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 508. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
24. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 511. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
25. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 109. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
26. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 205. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
27. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 380. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
28. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 206. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
29. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 133. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
30. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 209. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
31. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 316. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
32. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 528. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
33. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 136. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
34. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 145. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
35. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 212. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
36. "Archival copy." Archived from the original May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (site link)
37. "Archival copy." Archived from the original April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (site link)
38. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 228. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
39. John Pike. "Equipment of the Ground Forces - Ukraine." Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original July 7, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
40. https://www.rp.pl/Przemysl-Obronny/310139972-Drgnelo-w-eksporcie-broni.html
41. Military Balance 2022, paragraph 472. sfn error: no target: CITEREFThe_M military_Balance_2017 (Help)
42. https://scout.com/m military/warrior/Article/Russia-Built-Armored-Vehicle-Like-US-M113-101459350
43. “Puolustusvoimat hankkii miehistönkuljetusajoneuvoja.” Finnish Defense Forces. March 24, 2011. Archived from the original May 10, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
44. Kochevar, Iztok (August 2014). "Micmac à tire-larigot chez Tito: L'arme blindée yougoslave durant la Guerre froide" [The Yugoslav Armored Arm during the Cold War]. Batailles et Blindés
    (In French). No. 62. Caraktère. pp. 66–79. ISSN 1765-0828.