BRDM-1
The BRDM-1 (Bronirovannaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina, Бронированная Разведывательная Дозорная Машина, literally "armored reconnaissance/patrol vehicle") is a Soviet amphibious armored scout car. It was the first purpose-built Soviet reconnaissance vehicle to enter service since the BA-64 and was built on the chassis and drive train of the BTR-40 armored personnel carrier. It is the world's first mass-produced combat vehicle of its class.
| BRDM-1 | |
|---|---|
BRDM-1 | |
| Type | Amphibious armored scout car |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1957–1970s (USSR) |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | V. K. Rubtsov |
| Designed | late 1954 – 1957 |
| Produced | 1957–1966 |
| No. built | 11,500 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.63 tonnes |
| Length | 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 3–4 |
| Armor | Welded steel 10 mm maximum |
Main armament | none (BRDM-1 obr. 1957 and BRDM-1 obr. 1958) 7.62 mm SGMB medium machine gun on the front pintel mount (BRDM-1 obr. 1959 and BRDM-1 obr. 1960) 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun or 14.5 mm KPV heavy machine gun (Late BRDM-1) |
Secondary armament | none (BRDM-1 obr. 1957, BRDM-1 obr. 1958 and BRDM-1 obr. 1959) 2 × 7.62 mm SGMB medium machine guns on the side pintel mounts (optional) (BRDM-1 obr. 1960) 3 × 7.62 mm SGMB medium machine guns on pintel mounts (two optional) (Late BRDM-1) |
| Engine | GAZ-40PB 6-cylinder in-line gasoline 90 hp (70 kW) at 3,400 rpm. |
| Power/weight | 16 hp/tonne (12.4 kW/tonne) |
| Suspension | Leaf springs with hydraulic shock absorbers |
| Ground clearance | 340 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 150 litres |
Operational range | Road: 750 km (470 mi) Water: 120 km (75 mi) |
| Maximum speed | Road: 90 km/h (56 mph) Water: 9 km/h (5.6 mph) |
The primary advantage of the BRDM-1 at the time of its introduction was its amphibious capability, which was the main shortcoming associated with its BTR-40 counterpart. Another unique feature of the vehicle's design were two pairs of chain-driven auxiliary wheels, which could be lowered to provide additional traction on muddy terrain. The BRDM-1 was manufactured from 1957 to 1966, at which time 10,000 had entered service with the Soviet Union and its military allies around the world. It was thereafter superseded by the improved BRDM-2, which possessed greater amphibious capabilities, a more powerful engine, and a fully enclosed turret.