Scorpion armored vehicles: description and characteristics

Modern fighting is characterized by rapidity. To win, the troops must surpass the enemy not only by firepower, but also by the level of maneuverability. Often the success of operations depends on mobile groups that solve "point" tasks. In view of this, the Ministry of Defense of Russia constantly replenishes the fleet of military equipment with new copies of cars. So the Russian armored cars "Scorpion" from the corporation "Protection" were adopted.

Historical reference

For the first time the armored car was presented to the public in 2011 at the international exhibition "Comprehensive Protection 2011". But the idea to book a UAZ car (on the basis of which an armored car was designed) appeared in 1993. The first machines successfully passed the tests of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, but were supplied exclusively for internal power structures - the military department showed no interest in new types of equipment. The desire to expand the range of production spodviglo domestic corporation "Protection" to design an armored car for collection. Later, sensing the potential of armored vehicles, it was decided to develop models for power structures. So there were armored cars "Scorpion" and "Bulat", the protective properties of which could not surpass many foreign copies. And in November 2016, after the successful completion of the tests, the Scorpion was adopted.

Tactical and technical characteristics

According to the representative of the company "Protection", the car has unique characteristics of patency and is able to develop a speed of up to 130 km / h on any terrain. The level of protection of the machine against mines, firearms and other weapons is at the level of 5 class. The technique provides protection for the crew from explosives up to 6 kg in TNT equivalent. The body of the car is a station wagon, the number of doors is 5. They open with a "closet", that is, they move apart. According to the designers, this decision was made to provide additional protection for the crew at the time when he leaves the armored car "Scorpion". TTX is not inferior to the modern representatives of the class:

• The maximum speed is 130 km / h;
• Ground clearance - 300 mm;
• Power reserve (the ability to move without refueling) - 1000 km;
• Curb weight - up to 4300 kg, full weight - 5 tons;
• Lifting capacity - 1500 kg;
• Dimensions - 519х215х206 meters;
• The number of places for the crew - from 5 to 8 people, depending on the modification.

The layout of the car - front-wheel, all-wheel drive, wheel formula - 4x4. As a power plant, the diesel engine of the Polish production "Andoria" is used.

Equipment armored car

The power plant of the armored car is represented by the diesel engine of the Polish production "Andoria". At present, this is the only element supplied by a foreign company. At this stage it is planned to set up production facilities at plants in Russia. It is the motor that gives such high maneuverability to the armored car "Scorpion". The engine meets modern reliability requirements and has the following characteristics:

• Torque - 750 N * m, or 1800 rpm;
• Maximum power - 280 horsepower;
• Type of gearbox - automatic, 6-band;
• Volume - 6600;
• Range of operating temperatures - from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius.

The motor for the Ministry of Internal Affairs meets Euro-5 standards, has slightly reduced characteristics. To power the motor there are two fuel tanks (on the sides of the car) with a special filler - polyurethane foam. Capacities have the ability to "self-tighten", thus eliminating any hole, preventing the loss and ignition of fuel.

Modifications of the armored car

During the preparation for the state tests, armored vehicles of the Scorpion series received OKA codes - a light assault car. The technique with this index is intended exclusively for the Ministry of Defense of Russia. It, in turn, is divided into three subtypes, depending on the purpose:

• Armored car "Scorpion" LUSA-2B is positioned as armored;
• Special equipment ЛША-1 has a tent roof, designed for operation in hot climates;
• The armored vehicle LSA-2 differs in the possibility of installing both awning and rigid roof.

In addition, the name of the technique can be supplemented with the literal "2M" ("Scorpion-2M"). Such armored cars are designed for foreigners. Customers and other law enforcement agencies. They do not have any fundamental differences in their design.

Purpose

At present, the modifications of armored vehicles are operated by special forces and airborne troops. The LASA-2B car is designed to carry personnel and solve special tasks. Versions ЛША-2 and ЛША-1 are planned to be used for conducting military operations in a hot or moderate climate.

In the future, Russia's Defense Ministry plans to expand the scope of operation of equipment. So, shortly the armored cars "Scorpion" will be adapted for medical and command-staff vehicles. The base of the car will become the basis for communication vehicles with radar facilities.

Reservation

The car reservation corresponds to class 5 GOST R 50963-96 and provides reliable protection against the cartridge 7.62х54R, which is equipped with most armies of the world and armed bandit formations. In the future, it is possible to increase the level of protection to class 6a, but only by reducing the carrying capacity and the number of places for the crew.

With the protection from mines, the V-shaped bottom is doing very well - it has proved itself in modern combat operations. During the explosion of an explosive, the destructive effect of the projectile is redistributed, "slides" along the sloping walls, and protects the crew from impact.

Armored cars "Scorpion" do not have an armored engine. This is due to an increase in the total weight of 300-400 kg when installing protective modules, which will lead to a change in the class of equipment. The case is equipped with an antiphonal rebuke, which also serves as an additional barrier from the bullets.

Mine resistance tests

During the tests, at the request of the Russian Ministry of Defense, a Hybrid III mannequin was placed inside the car. He made it possible to obtain data on the loads that affect the human body during the explosion of an explosive. In particular, the load on the spine and cervical section, sound pressure (including eyeballs). These data are sufficient to form a representation of the state of the human body during the explosion. During tests under the armored car "Scorpion" was placed a charge of 2 kg in TNT, with the explosion of which the model coped well. In addition, 156 shots were fired from Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD). All the results met the requirements of the Ministry of Defense.

Crew places

Tests of Scorpio weapons were not carried out for one simple reason - the Ministry of Defense has not yet decided on the complete set of the car. In combat equipment, when the car can accommodate up to 6 people, not including the commander and the driver, there is no place for the turret.

In the case of installing a protected machine gun, the number of places for the crew will drop to 4. This is due to the need to provide space for racks with ammunition. If, however, the Skorpion armored vehicles equip the number of vacant seats with a remote fire module, the "armchair" for the fire operator will be added.

Interior fittings

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is supplied with six-seat armored cars without a hatch for a machine gun. For the placement of the crew, separate armchairs were installed, which were subjected to configuration and re-equipment - the shape of the pillows and backrests was changed, and the footboard was modified. According to the test for "comfort" in this chair, a person, without changing his position, is able to spend up to 6 hours. The armchairs of the crew are attached to the side wall, and the driver and commander somewhat differently to the pillers. Additional protection against debris is provided by an amortized movable raised floor, which showed better effectiveness in testing than mine-proof mats. In the armored car "Scorpion" 2.B you can install special supports for bulletproof vests, so that servicemen can take off the load during transportation. Anchorages for weapons are provided only for the driver and commander.

For ventilation of air in the cabin it is possible to install a filter ventilator FVU-100A. But it is not available in models manufactured by order of the Defense Ministry. In such armored vehicles, air is forced by means of an evacuation hatch. Even in the open position (in ventilation mode), it does not shoot through.

Possible weapons

There is no precise information about the armored vehicles' armament. It is known that models can be completed in several versions:

• Simultaneously two machine guns: "Pecheneg" and "Cord";
• A combination of a machine gun and an automatic AGM grenade launcher.

All weapons are placed on an open turret. Especially for the Kord machine guns, a 200-munition box was developed. A significant disadvantage of this weapon installation is the way of recharging - it is carried out from the outside. It is possible to install a remotely controlled weapon module (DUMV), which was developed by the KB Enterprise "Display" from Vitebsk together with the carpet factory named after Degtyarev. The module will be managed by both the commander and the operator, for which there is definitely a place directly under the turret.

Ability to transport by air

Two ways you can transport armored cars "Scorpion". The characteristics of the anchorages allow you to move the equipment on an external suspension by helicopters MI-8 and subsequent series. To do this, 4 loops were installed, which showed themselves well during the tests.

Transportation inside cargo cabins is possible with IL-76 and AN-124 aircraft, as well as with other models of air vehicles. The armored car can be dropped from the air. Such an opportunity was realized at the request of the airborne commander Shamanov. This requires the platform P-7.

Prospects

By 2018 armored vehicles "Scorpion" is planned to fully arm special purpose units. A number of models may be used by the internal security forces.

In the future, the company "Protection" plans to take a leading position in the market of light assault technology, replacing the model of the concern "VPK". It is impossible to say what the future will be armored cars "Scorpion". The description of lightly armored vehicles is already a military secret.