ZiS-485 (BAV-485)

History

The ZiS-485 (BAV 485) 6x6 amphibious transport vehicle is similar in size to the US WWII-era DUKW series, of which the Soviet Union acquired nearly 500 on Lend-Lease. First introduced in 1952, the BAV 485 was designed to adhere to the lightning-fast concepts of Soviet military land warfare doctrine learned in many devastating battles with Germany during World War II.

The type worked well with the Red Army and the Warsaw Pact allies until the 1980s, when it was replaced by the PTS Track Series Amphibious Transporter, which promoted better off-road performance and was inherently larger.

It was foreseen from the outset that the ZiS-485 would be deployed together with the GAZ 46 series 4x4 wheeled amphibious reconnaissance vehicles and then enter service with the Red Army. The GAZ 46 was similar in design to the ZiS-485 and entered service in the 1950s.

It has four wheels and part-time 4x4 (rear-wheel drive) capability, with a boat-like chassis mounted on a standard car-like hull. While the GAZ 46 can be used anywhere as a reconnaissance platform, the ZiS-485 can bring soldiers to the front lines.

The ZiS-485 itself has a boat-like hull with a raised bow on the front and side of the board. The vehicle's original form was based on the ZiS-151 series heavy duty truck family. The waterproof boat structure sits on a six-wheeled chassis and provides 6x6 capacity, front engine and rear drive. Power for the system comes from a ZiS123 inline 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine rated at 110 hp, mated to a dual-speed 5-speed dry-plate clutch transmission. Performance specs include a top speed of 37 mph (6 mph in the water) and a range of 330 miles.

The water drive is taken over by a special PTO propeller drive. The ZiS-485 has a barrel length of 31 feet 4 inches, a width of 9 feet 2 inches, and a height of nearly 8 feet 8 inches. The total weight is listed as approximately 21,278 pounds.

The ZiS-485 is operated by a standard crew of two, with passengers loading and unloading via the rear loading ramp or simply climbing the side of the vehicle in an emergency. The rear loading ramp also makes it easier to load and unload smaller vehicles, equipment or supplies as needed.

The main cargo area is outside, but heavy tarpaulins are provided to protect the crew, passengers and store from inclement weather. The driver sits behind a three-part windshield, the front panel of which is split in two.

Weapons (optional) consist of a 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun for self-defense.

After the ZiL-157 truck was put into service, the ZiS-485 series was upgraded to a more modern form, using the basic underlying components of the ZIL-157 series. This caused the ZiS-485 name to be changed to ZiS-485A (or similarly "BAV-A") to denote its enhanced nature.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

200 x 12.7mm ammo.

Changes