MT-LB (M1970)

History

The Second World War made the Soviet Army realize the need for a highly mobile armored force. After the war, concepts proven in battle were taken to a whole new level. During the Cold War, a full range of armored vehicles with various battlefield roles appeared, one of which became the multipurpose tracked vehicle MT-LB.

Development began in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the West, and the entire vehicle was modified sometime in the second half of the century. After identification in the West, the vehicle was referred to as "M1970" ("Type 1970") in NATO nomenclature.

The MT-LB was developed as a drop-in replacement for the older AT-P artillery tractor line. The design was largely developed from the successful production of the PT-76 amphibious light tank, of which more than 12,000 were produced.

The original product was the MT-L, which later evolved into the armored MT-LB. This model used a number of off-the-shelf components, which were in circulation and readily available to the Soviet army at the time, thus facilitating production.

Manufacturing is directed by the famous Kharkiv Tractor Factory. The name "MT-LB" comes from the Russian translation of the description "Multipurpose Light Armored Tractor".

One of the key qualities required of most Soviet armored vehicles was amphibious support, which allowed the vehicle to traverse moving water sources on its own power. Another option is to cross bridges and similar checkpoints, or hire engineers to build a temporary bridge, which can take hours or even days.

Designed with this quality in mind, the MT-LB is fully amphibious and provides power in the water via its own tracks without activating a dedicated propulsion system.

Another key feature of Soviet-inspired armoured fighting vehicles of that era was the low profile, which made it more difficult to spot, identify and attack targets on the horizon. Therefore, MT-LB is given the lowest possible profile. It does not have a large powered turret (it uses a small one-man unit instead), and the hull consists of a nearly flat front panel, armored sights on the front panel, and a flat roofline with round hatches (a two The hatch is located forward of the top line of the hull). Armor is welded steel for maximum protection (14mm thick).

The typical operator is just two men and can accommodate up to 10 or 11 passengers in relative comfort (inboard folding canvas seats are available).

The vehicle uses a two-person cab (driver and commander/gunner) located at the front of the vehicle, and the power pack is located on the left rear side of the fuselage. The passenger compartment is located at the rear with two hinged access doors for easy access in a timely manner. These doors also feature launch ports for passengers to use personal infantry weapons to protect the most vulnerable side of the vehicle from infantry attack.

Each hull side has another launch port to fully protect the vehicle. Primary armament consists of a 7.62mm PKT series machine gun and 2,500 rounds of ammunition. The gun is directed through a turret located on the top right front of the hull, providing 360-degree coverage around the vehicle.

Its caliber indicates that the weapon is a defensive measure against infantry. Like other vehicles of the time, the MT-LB was equipped with the NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) system.

The MTLB is used with a YaMZ 238 series V8 diesel engine producing 240 hp at 2,100 rpm. This gives a top speed of 38 mph on the road and 20 mph off-road. The vehicle was able to maintain a speed of nearly 4 miles per hour while traversing water.

Connected to the power unit is its road transmission, which consists of a track and wheel arrangement. There are six wheels on one side of the body, with the drive sprocket at the front and the chain idler at the rear. Back-up roll deflection rolls are not used.

Conceptually, the multipurpose MT-LB series proved to be an extremely versatile combat vehicle. In addition to its obvious duties as an armored personnel carrier (APC), it can also be equipped with additional communications equipment and used as a command vehicle. The vehicle also has towing capabilities, allowing it to serve as a prime mover for a Soviet artillery brigade, while providing access to the artillery itself, protected by armor. In addition to carrying artillery, the vehicle could also transport or tow supplies to the front lines. Other types are used as large-caliber mortar transporters and field mine dispensers, while others form the chassis for surface-to-air missile systems (SAM) (SA-13 "Gopher") and self-propelled guns (SPG).

MT-LB has also been adapted for disgraceful roles such as combat engineering, battlefield ambulance and general support. The standard MT-LB is typically deployed with 13.8" wide links, although some customers use the wider 22.24" variant for better ground pressure, which in turn helps in loose terrain such as gravel or snow of traction.

MT-LB turned out to be popular worldwide, especially in countries and countries that were allied with the Soviet Union at the time. These include Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia), Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Iraq, Nigeria, Poland, Romania and Ukraine, among others (see full list below).

Sweden took over about 460 samples of this type, called "Pbv 401", from the former East German stock. The United States used a collection of these vehicles in their Opposition Force (OPFOR) simulations. Former operators include the East German Army, Germany, the Soviet Union and Hungary.

After the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraq is expected to receive some 500 ex-Bulgarian troops after a 2012 deal to replenish its depleted armour. Part of the original MT-LB production took place in Bulgaria and Poland.

The modern Russian army maintains about 1,500 active vehicles today. Inventory of over 5,000 units shows the breadth of vehicles of this value produced during the Cold War.

It was supplemented or replaced by the BMP-3 family of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), adding armored lethality, better infantry defense and passenger seating for up to nine infantrymen.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

2,500x7.62mm ammo

Changes