BTR-RD Robot
Overview
BTR-RD
Right side view of Russian BTR-RD tank destroyer in the field.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Russia
Description
Introduction
The BTR-RD is a late Cold War era tank destroyer of Soviet origin. The BTR-RD is nicknamed "Robot". It was developed in the late 1970's to transport anti-tank teams operating in support of Soviet VDV airborne forces. The BTR-RD was introduced in 1983, alongside the BMD-1P that appeared since 1979. Both vehicles significantly increased the anti-tank capabilities of Soviet airborne forces.
Design
The BTR-RD is a variant of the BTR-D armored personnel carrier for airborne troops. The external difference is the 9P135M anti-tank missile launcher mounted on the right side of the roof. The missile launcher can be operated from the vehicle, but can also be used away from the vehicle when fitted onto a tripod mount. The troop capacity has been reduced in order to carry additional missiles and associated equipment.
Firepower
The BTR-D is fitted with a single pedestal mounted 9P135M launcher for 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank missiles. Alternativeliy the 9M111 Fagot can be used. Both missiles are SACLOS guided, meaning that the missile follows the crosshair of the gunner's sight. The Konkurs missile has a maximum range of 4 km. Time of flight to maximum range is about 20 seconds. A mininum of four missiles is carried. Up to 12 can be carried with a reduced number of passengers. The two 7.62mm PKT bow machine guns are retained. For these 2.000 rounds are carried.
Mobility
The BTR-RD has a good mobility due to its limited weight. A 240 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The limited weight results in a good power to weight ratio and limited ground pressure. The BTR-RD is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by two water jets. The BTR-RD can be loaded onto a platform fitted with parachutes, allowing it to be air dropped from low flying transport aircraft.
Protection
The aluminum armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. Heavy machine gun rounds are likely to penetrate the armor. When using the missile launcher the operator is partially exposed. An NBC system is fitted, but smoke grenade launchers are not.
Users
The BTR-RD is used by Soviet, and later Russian, airborne forces. It is used alongside the BTR-D armored personnel carriers in support of troops using BMD-1 and BMD-2 airborne combat vehicles. The BTR-RD remain in service with Russian forces. In 2019 a single vehicle was shown upgraded with 9K135 Kornet.
Media
BTR-RD
Two BTR-RD firing a Konkurs anti-tank missile during an exercise.
Source: www.oruzhie.info
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
BTR-RD
BTR-RD with empty launch tube for a 9M111 Fagot (NATO: AT-4 Spigot) anti-tank missile.
Source: Olegvdv68
Copyright: Public domain
BTR-RD
Russian BTR-RD with Konkurs missile on 9P135M launcher.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
BTR-RD
Right side view of Russian BTR-RD tank destroyer in the field.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
BTR-RD
Russian BTR-RD Robot tank destroyer on parade in 2018.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Details
Subcomponents
9M113 Konkurs
The BTR-RD is fitted with one or two 9P135M launchers for the 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank guided missile.
9M111 Fagot
Alternatively the 9P135M launcher has the ability to launcher the shorter range 9M111 Fagot missile.
7.62mm PKT
A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted internally on either side of a bow.
BTR-D
The BTR-RD is based on the BTR-D chassis. Externally it looks very similar and can only be identified by the 9P135 series missile launcher. Internally the vehicle is modified to stow the anti-tank missiles and associated equipment.