The_Soviet_Army_troops_organization_and_equi

DESCRIPTION:

The MTU-20 is the major Soviet-produced, tank-launched, single-span, assault bridge currently employed a s standard equipment in the Soviet Army. I t consists of a twin-treadway super-

structure mounted on a modified T-55 tank chassis. Each treadway is made up of a box-type aluminum

girder with a folding ramp attached to both ends to save space i n the travel position. Thus, the vehicle with bridge on board is only 11.6 meters long, but the overall span length is 20 meters.

CAPABILITIES:

The MTU-20 is launched by the cantilever method: the ramps are lowered and fully extended before the treadways are cantilevered out with the full load of the bridge resting on the forward support plate during launch. The s p a n moves forward over the cantilever launching girder until

the far end reaches the far bank. Then the crew lowers the near end onto the near bank. This method of launching gives the bridgelayer a low silhouette, and makes it less vulnerable to detection or destruction.

Launch time is 5 minutes for the MTU-20. The launcher vehicle can retrieve the emplaced bridge

from either end. Retrieval time is 5 to 7 minutes.

REMARKS:

In 1957, the Soviets introduced a tank-launched bridge mounted on a modified T-34 tank chassis. They produced this bridge only on a limited basis and soon replaced it with the T-54 MTU, which was introduced in 1958. Since 1967, the improved MTU-20 and the Czech M-55 have supplemented and largely replaced the T-54 MTU.

DESCRIPTION:

T h e MT-55, produced in Czechoslovakia, is a sors - typebridge with solid sides. It folds in the

Idle. It is similar in design and appearance to

East German BLG-60 tank-launched scissors

edge.The MT-55 mounts on and launches from nodified T-55 tank chassis.

CAPABILITIES:

The crew can launch this bridge in fiveminutes to span an 18-m gap. The bridge can carry a 50-mt

load.

REMARKS:

Some Soviet MRRs and T R s use the MT-55 instead of the MTU-20, even though it is made in Czechoslovakia.

The GSP ferry set consists of two self-contained,

mirror-image half-femes which resemble each other but are not interchangeable. In travel position, one

ponton folds atop each amphibian. After launching, the crew lowers the pontons on hinges to the outer

sides of the amphibians and locks them in place. The two half-ferries join together. Treadways attach

to the top of the decked pontons and transversely across the gunwales of the amphibians. For loading and unloading, the ferry has a scissors-type ramp extending from the outer gunwales of both pontons. The pontons are filled with foam plastic to make them unsinkable.

CAPABILITIES:

(including medium and heavy tanks, S P artillery, and other tank-based equipment) at a water speed of up to 7.7 kilometers per hour. Assembly time is 3 to 5 minutes.

LIMITATIONS:

The bank can be no higher than 0.5 meters and the water depth no less than 1.2 meters at the point where the GSP places its ramps to load or unload. Otherwise, the ferry can be damaged. The GSP is vulnerable to air attack and artillery.

REMARKS:

The GSP is organic to the engineer battalion of MRDs a n d T D s (12 half-ferries). Engineer

brigades, ponton bridge regiments, and assault crossing battalions at front and army levels also use it. It primarily supports tank, heavy artillery, and missile units in river crossings. The SP ferry can carry up to 50 metric tons of equipment

G S P is the Soviet abbreviation for "tracked self-propelled ferry." The GSP was first sighted in 1955. Since then, the Soviet Army and other Waraaw Pact armies have used it in increasing numbers. However, its deployment ended in 1969, and new Amphibious Bridging systemracked (PMM-2) sets are replacing it.

DESCRIPTION:

This amphibious tracked vehicle bears great similarity to the PTS-2 tracked amphibian, with its cab and boat-like bow. The chassis is similar to that of the MT-T artillery prime mover, with seven road wheels and four return rollers. This same chassis is the basis of the MDK-3 excavator, BAT-2dozer, and PTS-2 tracked amphibian. The pontons of the PMM-2 sit on top of each other a n d open hydraulically to both sides. They resemble those of t h e Amphibious Bridging SystemWheeled. The unfolded pontons have wave deflectors, as well as ramps to expedite the loading and unloading of vehicles. Analysts estimate that the vehicle is 13.5 meters long and 3.5 meters wide with folded pontons. With the pontons

unfolded and deployed, the PMM-2 can be 10.5 meters wide.

CAPABILITIES:

The PMM-2 can serve as a ferry. Joined together with other PMM-2s,it can serve as a ribbon bridge. It has one main advantage as a ferry over the GSP: whereas two GSP half-ferries must be joined together to produce one ferry with a capacity of 50 metric tons, one PMM-2 can handle the same capacity. Until the Soviet designation

PMM-2 became known, this system was called ABS-Tin the West.

DESCRIPTION:

This new system appears to be similar to the PMM-2, but it uses a modified ZIL-1.35 8 x 8 truck

as a chassis. As with the PMM-2, the crew deploys two pontons hydraulically. Using the dimensions of the ZIL-135 as a guide, the ABS-W can form a ferry 8.4 meters long and 7 meters wide.

CAPABILITIES:

The ABS-W combines the capabilities of the GSP ferry and the PMP ponton system in one

vehicle. It can serve either as a single ferry or,

combined with other vehicles, as part of a ribbon bridge. However, in contrast to the GSP, it can

form a ferry with a single vehicle. Unlike the PMP, it i s self-contained, and does not require transport vehicles or power boats to place it into operation. Also, less manpower i s required to deploy the system.

The K.61 is an unarmored, full-tracked transport vehicle with a watertight all-steel hull. The crew compartment a t the front accommodates the commander and driver. It has a hinged windshield which can be opened horizontally. The cargo com-

partment at the rear has a large tailgate, which also acts as a loading ramp, and a power-driven

winch. Bows and a tarpaulin can cover the crew and cargo compartments.

The suspension consists of seven small road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. The K-61 is unique among Soviet tracked vehicles in that it has no track support rollers but uses seven support slides. The vehicle is propelled in water by two large, threebladed propellers in the rear of the hull. When the screws are engaged, the tracks remain idle.

CAPABILITIES:

The K-61 (or the newer PTS-M)is organic to the engineer battalion of MRDs and TDs (with 12

amphibians i n the amphibious platoon of the assault crossing company). It is also organic to the divisional maintenance battalion (which has one amphibian). It is primarily a tactical support vehicle for transporting cargo, equipment, and personnel in river crossing operations.

The K-61 can carry 50 troops or cargo loads of 3,000 kilograms on land, or 5,000 kilograms in water. Typical equipment loads include artillery

pieces (120-mm mortar,. 122-mm howitzer, or 152­ mm howitzer) a n d trucks (GAZ-63,ZIL-130, or ZIL-157).Twelve K-61scan transport a battery of

artillery with prime movers.

LIMITATIONS:

The K-61 has a limited road cruising range of 170 kilometers. (Some sources optimistically report 260 kilometers.) Faulty support slides can cause

the tracks to bind when a turn is made in either direction. The vehicle may shed its tracks when

steering clutch levers are used in landing and in climbing the bank after water operation. The K-61 is vulnerable to direct and indirect fire weapons.

REMARKS:

The Soviets introduced the K-61in 1954. It i s sometimes referred to a s the GPT. Since 1966, the

heavy tracked amphibian PTS-M h a s largely replaced it. The PTS-M has over twice the carry­

ing capacity of the K-61. The K-61 is now obsolete, found only in low readiness units in the Soviet Army; however, i t i s still common i n many Warsaw Pact and Third World armies.

DESCRIPTION:

The PTS-M is an unarmored, full-tracked transport vehicle. It strongly resembles the K-61,which i t h a s replaced, but i t is substantially larger. Unlike the K-61, it has a fully enclosed cab which is farther forward than the open crew compartment of the K-61. It also has two circular hatches in its roof. The large cargo bed has a removable canvas cover and seven supporting bows. A winch is mounted at the front of the cargo compartment. The large, triangular tailgate has two integral, hinged loading ramps.

The torsion-bar suspension consists of six larger road wheels, with the drive sprocket a t the front and the idler at the rear. It has neither support slides nor support rollers. The engine sits

under the center of the cargo compartment with exhaust ports just above each side of the cargo

compartment. The vehicle is propelled in water by two 3-bladepropellers; two rudders at the rear of

the hull steer it. Standard equipment includes infrared night vision devices, an intercom, radios, and a high-capacity bilge pump.

The PKP wheeled amphibious trailer is often used with the PTS-M. The PKP is a boat-shaped, two-wheeled trailer with two small folding side pontons for improving trim and increasing buoyancy. It has a foam-plastic-filled, watertight hull and treadways on its deck with recesses for the wheels of transported artillery pieces.

CAPABILITIES:

The PTS-M is organic to the engineer battalion of MRDs and TDs (with 12 amphibians in the

amphibious platoon of t h e assault crossing company). I t i s also organic to the divisional maintenance battalion (which has one amphibian). The amphibious platoon also h a s three PKP trailers. Together, they normally transport artillery, air defense, or logistical elements across water barriers.

The PTS-M can transport 50 troops; some sources say this figure is nearer to 70. It can also

transport cargo loads of 7,500 kilograms on land or 15,000 kilograms in water. T h u sit, can transport larger trucks such as the Ural-375D.Typical

equipment loads are similar to those for the K-61, except that the PTS-M normally carries trucks and other prime movers, while the PKP trailer carries artillery pieces. The PKP has a load capacity of 5,000 kilograms.

The PTS-M with PKP trailer can transport an artillery piece, its prime mover, and its crew in a

single lift. The same task would require the use of two K-61s.

For travel, the PKP can fit in the cargo compartment of the PTS-M. The PTS-M can also serve

as an ambulance, transporting 12 litters on special rack mounts. With a fully sealablecab, the PTS-M

can operate under conditions of chemical or nuclear contamination.

REMARKS:

I n 1969, the Soviets began to replace the K-61 with the larger PTS and PTS-M amphibians. Both new vehicles have the same dimensions; but the PTS-M, which is the more widely deployed, has a more powerful engine (350 versus 250 horsepower). I t thus h a s a slightly greater speed in water (15 versus 10 kilometers per hour). The PTS-M is now being phased out with the introduction of the PTSS.

This amphibious transport vehicle employs the chassis of the MT-T heavy tracked prime mover. The MDK-3 tracked ditching machine, the BAT-2 dozer, and the PMM-2 bridging system also use this chassis. The most discernable differences between the chassis of the PTS-2 and that of the PTS-M are the PTS-2's seven T-64 tank-type road wheels and four support rollers. The PTS-2 i s larger than the PTS-M; it is 11.5 meters long and 3.3 meters wide. The crew cab extends farther forward, and the larger wave deflector is positioned on the bow when in the travel mode. Also new is the hydraulically-operated self-entrenching system located on the rear deck of the PTS-2.

CAPABILITIES:

winch, bilge pumps, and a n automatic fire extinguishing system. The blades of the self-entrench- ing system can be widened with additional, detachable blades. The system can create and improve the entrance and exit slopes of water crossing sites.

REMARKS:

The PTS-2 first appeared in 1981. It is replacing K-61s and PTS-Ms in the assault crossing

company of the engineer battalion of high-priority MRDs and TDs, and in the assault crossing bat-

talion and ponton bridge regiment of the engineer brigade a t army or front.