PTS (vehicle)

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.

PTS-M
Overview
TypeTracked amphibious transport
ManufacturerSoviet State Factories
ProductionBegun 1965
AssemblySoviet Union
Body and chassis
ClassTracked amphibious transport
Body styleWaterproofed hull
LayoutFront engine (under floor), front drive sprocket[1]
Powertrain
EngineA-712P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS) or V-54P V12 water-cooled diesel (PTS-M) 250 hp (190 kW) 350 hp (PTS-M)
TransmissionWater: PTO propeller drive
Range300 km (190 mi)
Dimensions
Length11.52 m (37 ft 10 in)[1]
Width3.32 m (10 ft 11 in)
Height2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Curb weight17,700 kg (39,000 lb)

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 somewhat higher purchase costs because it is tracked. The most common model is the improved PTS-M that is powered by a 350 hp diesel engine.

Description

The PTS has 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. 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]

PKP trailer
PTS-2

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]

Specifications
  • Top speed: 40 km/h (25 mph) (road)
  • Range: 300 km (190 mi)

Variants
  • PTS-2
  • PTS-3
  • PTS-4

In 2014, the Russian Defense Ministry intends to purchase an undetermined number of PTS-4s, which underwent acceptance trials in 2011. The vehicle will be fitted with a remotely operated 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine gun and a multi-fuel engine. The PTS-4 weighs 33 tons, with a payload of 12 tons on land (18 tons on water). Projected maximum road speed is 60 km/h (37 mph), with an expected maximum speed in water of 15 km/h (9.3 mph).[2] Unlike its predecessors, it uses T-80 suspension components. The fully enclosed cab offers protection against small arms fire and splinter. Production began in 2014.[3]

Users
Self-propelled PTS on the march
Loading equipment before crossing

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.

Former users

See also

References

Notes
  1. Hogg, Ian V., and Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles. (London: Hamblyn Publishing Group, 1980), p.309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian".
  2. Technical data of PTS-4 in russian http://www.transmash-omsk.ru/node/241
  3. Russian Defense Ministry to buy new amphibious tracked armoured vehicle PTS-4 in 2014 - Armyrecognition.com, 24 July 2013
  4. Dunstan, Simon (April 2003). The Yom Kippur War 1973 (2): The Sinai. Campaign 126. Osprey Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 9781841762210.
  5. "Engineering | Serbian Armed Forces". Serbian Armed Forces. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  6. "MON: Następca amfibii PTS powiązany z Borsukiem".
  7. "From Conflict to Conflict: Sudan's Fighting Vehicles".
  8. The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
  9. The Military Balance 2016, p. 414.
  10. "Vietnam has upgraded PTS-M amphibious vehicle with ZU-23-2 anti-aicraft cannon | weapons defence industry military technology UK | analysis focus army defence military industry army".

Sources
  • Hogg, Ian V., and Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles, p. 309, "PTS Tracked Amphibian". London: Hamblyn Publishing Group, 1980.
  • International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. ISBN 9781857438352.
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