PTS (amphibious vehicle)

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PTS amphibian
Manufacturer Soviet State Factories
Production begun 1965
Assembly Soviet Union
Class tracked amphibious transport
Body style(s) waterproofed hull
Layout front engine (under floor), front drive sprocket[1]
Engine(s) A-712P V12 water-cooled diesel
Transmission(s)

water: PTO propeller drive
Length 11.52 m (37 ft 48in)[2]
Width 3.32 m (10 ft 9 in)
Height 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Curb weight 17,700 kg (39,000 lb)

The PTS is a Soviet tracked amphibious transport, similar to the DUKW.

Introduced in 1965,[3] it is large, with a substantial payload, two to four times the capacity of the BAV 485, and better cross-country performance, at the cost of greater complexity, because it is tracked.

It resembles its antecedents, the BAV 485 and ultimately DUKW, having a boxy, open watertight hull, with six road wheels per side,[4] front drive sprocket,[5] rear idler sprocket, and no return rollers. Like the BAV 485, and unlike the DUKW, it has a rear loading ramp. The crew is seated at the front, leaving the rear of the vehicle open for a vehicle, which can be driven (or backed) in, rather than lifted over the side (as in the DUKW). To aid in facilitating this, the engine is under the floor.[6]

Propulsion in water is by means of twin propellers, in tunnels to protect them from damage during land operations.[7]

The PTS was adopted by the Red Army and Warsaw Pact forces,[8] has been supplied to Egypt,[9] and may have been provided to other nations.[10]

The PTS also has a companion vehicle, an boat-like amphibious two-wheeled trailer, with fold-out sponsons providing stability on water;[11] the combination allows the PTS to accommodate an artillery tractor, field gun (up to medium caliber),[12] its crew, and a quantity of ammunition, all in one load.[13]

Contents

[edit] Specification

  • Rear axle clearance:
  • Ground clearance:
  • Front track:
  • Rear track:
  • Turning radius:
  • Maximum speed (loaded, highway): 40 km/h (25 mph)
  • Tyres:
  • Fuel tank capacity:
  • Fuel consumption:
  • Top speed: 40 km/h (25 mph) (road)
    (water)
  • Range: 300 km (186 mi)

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hogg, Ian V., and Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles. (London: Hamblyn Publishing Group Limited, 1980), p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  2. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  3. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  4. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  5. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  6. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  7. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  8. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  9. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  10. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  11. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  12. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  13. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".

[edit] Sources

  • Hogg, Ian V., and Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles, p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian". London: Hamblyn Publishing Group Limited, 1980.

[edit] See also