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BTR-D (Bronetransportyor Desanta)

1974 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER COLD WAR MODERN

History

Ever since the Soviet Army invested in paratroopers, war planners have tried to equip these fighters with viable but portable weapons, not just simple small arms. When it became possible to drop artillery systems and vehicles from the air, the Soviets developed complete mission-oriented products to fully equip these "warriors from the sky." In 1974, the service adopted the BTR-D for its airborne troops, an air-droppable fully amphibious armored personnel carrier (APC).

Design work continued from 1970 to 1974, followed by serial production.

The series is still active in the inventory of Russian aircraft today (2017). Production takes place at the Volgograd Tractor Plant in Volgograd, Russia.

The mission range and general field capabilities of the BTR-D are similar to those of the BMD-1 drop tank (detailed elsewhere on this page). However, the BTR-D had a slightly longer hull (two road wheels were added) and significantly improved occupant protection in the form of a different combination of armor.

Many other qualities and mission equipment were carried over from the BMD-1 design.

When built, the BTR-D weighed 8 tons (unladen weight, not used in combat). It is 6.75 meters long, 2.95 meters wide and 1.65 meters high. The trio and armor protection can be up to 15mm thick to protect against small arms fire and artillery jets. Power is provided by a 241 hp liquid-cooled 5D-20 6-cylinder diesel engine (same as the BMD-1 series).

This enables the vehicle to reach road speeds of 61 km/h and a range of up to 500 km. In water, the vehicle can travel at a speed of 10 km/h for a maximum range of 116 km. The hull is fully suspended on a torsion bar system, providing excellent overland cruising capabilities.

In addition to a crew of three, this compact vehicle can transport up to ten combat-ready soldiers if required. This extra space is due to the lack of a powered turret attached to the hull, thus taking up valuable space.

Overall, the vehicle remains very flat, with a flat fuselage roofline. Glacis plates are well sloped for strong ballistic protection (armor is aluminium based). Staff watch the action through thick observation blocks.

Track assembly showing six dual tire wheels on one side of the body. The drive sprocket is at the rear and the chain idler is at the front. There are three track return rollers. Track and wheel assemblies are not covered by side skirt armor.

Primary armament is a 7.62mm, 12.7mm or 14.5mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher on a pivot mount (without an armored powered turret). Secondary armament consists of 2 x 7.62mm machine guns in forward bow mount positions.

Variants of the BTR-D include cargo carriers, ATGM vehicles, anti-aircraft vehicles, drone delivery vehicles, C2 (command and control) vehicles, satellite communications vehicles, and artillery fire control platforms. The 2S9 "Nona-S" is an improved branch of the BTR-D series, as a self-propelled mortar carrying a 120mm heavy field mortar as its main weapon. These came online in 1981. The BREM-D is another variant used as an Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV). They entered service in 1989.

The basic BTR-D form is called "Object 925" by the Russian Army.

In addition to service in the Soviet Army, the BTR-D was adopted by the armed forces of Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Belarus was once the second largest operator in the series, with over 100 in circulation.