PTS (vehicle)
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| Manufacturer | Soviet State Factories |
|---|---|
| Production | begun 1965 |
| Assembly | Soviet Union |
| Class | tracked amphibious transport |
| Body style | waterproofed hull |
| Layout | front engine (under floor), front drive sprocket[1] |
| Engine | A-712P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS) or V-54P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS-M) |
| Transmission | water: PTO propeller drive |
| Length | 11.52 m (37 ft 48in)[1] |
| 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. PTS stands for Plavayushchij Transportyer - Sryednyj or medium amphibious transport vehicle. Its industrial index was Ob'yekt 65.
Introduced in 1965,[1] it is large, with a substantial payload of 10 tons, 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. The most common model is the improved PTS-M that is powered by a 350 hp diesel engine.
It resembles its antecedents, the BAV 485 and ultimately DUKW, having a boxy, open watertight hull, with six road wheels per side,[1] front drive sprocket,[1] 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.[1]
Propulsion in water is by means of twin propellers, in tunnels to protect them from damage during land operations.[1]
The PTS-M was adopted by the Soviet Army and Warsaw Pact forces,[1] and has been supplied to Egypt,[1], the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Uruguay and other nations.
The PTS-M also has a companion vehicle, the PKP, a boat-like amphibious two-wheeled trailer, with fold-out sponsons providing stability on water;[1]the combination allows the PTS-M to accommodate an artillery tractor, field gun (up to medium caliber),[1] its crew, and a quantity of ammunition, all in one load.[1]
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[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] Variants
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[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.
