MLVM

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MLVM
An MLVM of the 22nd Mountain Infantry Battalion "Cireşoaia"

An MLVM of the 22nd Mountain Infantry Battalion "Cireşoaia"
General properties
crew 2 (commander / gunner, driver) + 7 men
length 5.85 m
width 2.71 m
height 1.95 m
Dimensions 9.0 tons
Armor and armament
Armor 6 to 10 mm armor steel
Main armament 1 × oversized 14.5 mm MG KPWT with 600 cartridges
Secondary armament 1 × 7.62 mm MG PKT with 2500 cartridges
agility
drive Saviem 798-05M2 water-cooled diesel engine
115 kW (154 hp )
suspension Torsion bar suspension
Top speed 48 km / h
Power / weight
Range ~ 700 km

The MLVM (abbreviation of the original name M aşina de L uptă a V ânătorilor de M unte , German translation: "Gebirgsjägerkampffahrzeug") is a chain-driven armored personnel carrier from Romanian production.

Development history

The lightly armored MLVM was built by the Romanian vehicle manufacturers Uzina Mecanică Mizil (40 pieces) and UTB from 1984 to 1988. In total, fewer than 100 MLVMs were produced; exports to other countries are not documented. In 2009, the Romanian army still had exactly 75 MLVM in different versions.

Technology and armament

The MLVM is a special tracked vehicle that was specially designed for the mountainous landscapes of Romania. The hull is derived from the Soviet World War II tank destroyer SU-76 , with the length of the MLVM increased. The turret corresponds to that of the Romanian TAB-71M armored vehicle (8 × 8). This is equipped with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and an over-heavy 14.5 mm KPWT machine gun, which has an elevation range of −5 ° to + 85 °. This enabled the on-board weapon to be used effectively against air targets as well as higher ground targets.

The hull is made of welded steel plates and offers protection against bullets of the caliber 7.62 mm and artillery shell fragments. The six rubber-tyred rollers (six on each side) have holes to reduce the weight of the vehicle to nine tons. The suspension is provided by torsion bars. The MLVM is fully amphibious and should reach a maximum speed of 6 km / h in the water using its chains. Before crossing rivers or lakes, a surge board must be folded up at the front. With the help of bilge pumps, penetrated water can be removed. The chariot is not suitable for use in the sea due to the weak engine and low weight.

The crew consists of two men. The driver sits in the front left next to the drive unit, the commander or gunner is in the tower. The seven-man rifle group climbed into the vehicle via an outward-opening rear door in the rear of the MLVM. The soldiers can intervene in the battle with their firearms through shooting hatches.

Versions

Modernized MLVM with the Israeli OWS-25R tower
  • MLVM AR : Mortar tank with a 120 mm mortar in the interior. A base plate and a bipod for the 120 mm mortar are carried externally on the vehicle so that the barrel weapon can also be used outside the MLVM.
  • MLVM ABAL : This ammunition transporter can carry a total of 2.1 tons of shooting media. The turret has been removed and the armament consists only of a PKT machine gun. Further standard equipment: NBC protection, fire extinguishing and communication equipment.
  • MLVM MEDEVAC : Evacuation vehicle for the evacuation of injured people from unsafe areas or for bringing them to qualified medical care. The armament corresponds to that of the ABAL.
  • A fundamentally modernized version of the MLVM was shown at the Romanian armaments fair Expomil 2005 . This version had a modern OWS 25R -Turm by the Israeli defense contractor Rafael with a 25-mm Oerlikon KBA automatic cannon and a coaxial PKT machine gun. The additional equipment includes a spike anti-tank guided missile starter , a laser / IR warning system, smoke throwers, modern optics, an automatic transmission, a diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz or Deutz with significantly higher performance, an automatic fire extinguishing system and the option of installing additional armor. The weight of the new vehicle is 11.3 tons. The vehicle thus meets NATO standards.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Russell Phillips: Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Warsaw Pact. Shilka Publishing, 2017.
  2. ↑ SC MFA SA MIZIL - History (English)
  3. ^ IBP, Inc .: Romania Army, National Security and Defense Policy Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments. 300 pages.
  4. ↑ Description on armyrecognition.com (French)

Web links

Commons : MLVM  - collection of images, videos and audio files