BRDM-2 (GAZ-41)
The BRDM-2 (Boyevaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina, Боевая Разведывательная Дозорная Машина, literally “Combat Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle”) is an amphibious armoured scout car used by states that were part of the Soviet Union and its allies. It was also known under the designations BTR-40PB and GAZ 41-08. This vehicle, like many other Soviet designs, has been exported extensively and is in use in at least 38 countries. It was intended to replace the older BRDM-1, and has improved amphibious capabilities and better armament compared to its predecessor.
After a few years of use by the Soviet Army, the limitations and drawbacks of the BRDM-1 became obvious. The vehicle had no turret and to operate the armament the gunner had to open a hatch and expose himself to enemy fire.
The vehicle was not fitted with an NBC protection system, and had no night vision equipment by default. The vehicle also lacked any kind of special sights, which undermined its function as a reconnaissance vehicle. These drawbacks encouraged the design team to create a new vehicle which would suit the modern battlefield.
Country: USSR
Assembly plant: GAZ (Nizhniy Novgorod) and AMZ (Arzamass)
Years of production: 1963—1989
Production: +9400
Length: 5750 mm
Width: 2350 mm
Height: 2395 mm
Armor: 5-14 mm
Crew: 4
Engine: ZMZ-41
Engine specs: 8 cylinders; 5530 cc
Power: 140 HP
Max speed: 100 km/h
Weight: 7 t
Armament: machine gun КПВТ (14.5 mm) / ПКТ (7.62 mm)
