The T-84 OPLOT Atlet ARRV is built on the hull of the T-84 OPLOT tank, which provides BREM Russian acronym BREM (cyr. БРЭМ) stands for “бронированная ремонтно-эвакуационная машина”, literally “armoured repair and recovery vehicle” with a comparable level of mobile characteristics, required level of protection and negotiability.
The T-84 OPLOT Atlet ARRV is designed for a wide range of technical support tasks of tank units while performing all types of military operations under various weather and climatic conditions.
The T-84 OPLOT Atlet ARRV tasks:
1. To conduct technical reconnaissance of the battlefield at day time and at night
2. Towing of faulty and damaged armoured vehicles to the nearest shelters and damaged vehicles assembly positions (DVAP)
3. Electric and air start of the serviced vehicles engines
4. Assistance to crews in routine maintenance
5. Load-lifting works
6. Recovery of stuck and sunken armoured vehicles
7. Deep-fording
8. Welding and cutting works
9. Earth works while arranging DVAP, access and exits, self-entrenching, etc.
Atlet ARRV is used in the composition of repair and recovery groups in the rear of tracked convoys when conducting a march, DVAPs, units and formations, recovery groups during fording operations, maintenance points, etc. They strengthen mobile maintenance means of tank battalions, division mechanized brigades and other units and formations, equipped with heavy tracked equipment.
In its layout Atlet ARRV is divided into three isolated compartments:
1. Manned compartment that holds crew members
2. Machinery space that holds main winch, drives reduction gears and fuel system and hydraulic drive tanks
3. Engine-transmission compartment
Sections with auxiliary power unit with welding equipment and cooling system, hydraulic panels of add-on equipment, auxiliary winch and battery section as well as fuel system tanks are arranged outside on the fenders.
ENGINE-TRANSMISSION COMPARTMENT
The engine-transmission compartment of Atlet ARRV is unified with ETC of the basic tank and differs from it by availability of power take-off for functioning of add-on equipment.
ETC comprises a twin-stroke, multi-fuel in-line six-cylinder liquid cooled diesel engine and reduction gear for the add-on equipment arranged in the engine compartment. 1000 and 1200 hp engines can be fitted in the power pack.
The engine, by means of gear clutch, is connected with two planetary gear boxes that ensure torque transmission to the sprocket wheels.
The engine air supply system is of three-stages. The first stage is an inertial grid, the second and third stages is a cyclone-cassette type air cleaner with dust ejection.
MANNED COMPARTMENT
The manned compartment in the hull front part houses Atlet ARRV crew working stations, control drives, instrumentation equipment, life-supporting systems and SPTA set.
Driver’s station – The hull front part contains driving compartment with controls, Atlet ARRV movement systems instrumentation equipment, dozer and crane controls and driver’s seat in it. All basic controls are unified with similar systems of the basic tank and do not require additional retraining and adaptation while training of drivers.
Commander’s station – In lay out, the commander’s station is combined with the driving compartment with the handler’s seat into one space. It holds means of communication and instrumentation equipment of NBC agents detection system, commander’s sighting-observation complex arranged in the hatch with guidance drives similar to the ones of the basic tank. The complex comprises: TKN-5 commander’s sight with in-built night channel, anti-aircraft mount PZU-7 sight and guidance panels, periscopic single magnification TNPO-160 type observation devices. It also houses means of communication and navigation as well as the Atlet ARRV systems control units and inner set of SPTA.
Handler’s seat – The handler’s seat is arranged at the left side of the manned compartment near the commander’s seat. Under certain circumstances it can be used to accommodate the required specialist or other servicemen (commander, crew member from the recovered tank, etc.). FFE, HPC (hydro-pneumatic cleaning of observation devices) equipment, SPTA set, heater installation and other equipment is fitted in the handler’s sector.
Air cleaning degree is 0.998%. The power pack cooling system is liquid, closed, of ejection type and exhaust gases operated.
Reversible gear boxes that ensure pivot turn, with seven forward and five reverse gears can be fitted on the vehicle. Gear boxes are controlled frictionally, hydro-mechanically by means of two distribution gears arranged on the gear boxes housings.
MACHINERY SPACE
The machinery space, middle section of the vehicle, houses main winch, add-on equipment drives reduction gear, fuel and hydraulic systems tanks, preheater system boiler and other equipment. Main traction winch provides for recovery of the damaged, sunken and stuck tank and vehicles with traction force of 25 t, and with the help of pulley blocks for two and three branches – 50 and 75 tons respectively.
The winch is arranged inside the hull and connected with the main engine through the drives reduction gear with cut-off mechanisms.
The rope is delivered angularly to the vehicle axis through the rotary delivery unit in the hull front part. In the “travelling” position the delivery unit is covered by the tight casing.
The drives reduction gear, with hydraulic pumps arranged on it, ensures functioning of add-on and auxiliary equipment with the main engine running and cuts-off the main winch drive.
RUNNING GEAR
The Atlet ARRV running gear is totally unified with the tank running gear and has seven rubberized road wheels and three rubberized support wheels at each side. Hydraulic shock absorbers are arranged on the first, second and sixth elements of suspension. For installation on Atlet ARRV the running gear has been modified for fitting the suspension actuators while operating with dozer and crane equipment. The suspension actuator device in “travelling” position is arranged on the right fender.
The caterpillar track with parallel rubber-metal pin and rubber pads in two variants – steel one with grousers and rubber-padded shoes can be supplied with Atlet ARRV. Such suspension ensures high speed of movement both on the paved roads up to 70 km/hr and cross-country up to 45 km/hr.
AUXILIARY POWER UNIT
With the purpose to save the engine life and to ensure operation of the add-on equipment with the main engine not running, the auxiliary power unit (APU) is installed on Atlet ARRV. The APU ensures operation of the crane, welding equipment, auxiliary winch, dozer equipment, charging equipment and operation of the electric equipment of Atlet ARRV at the stops. The unit comprises 30 hp D-120 engine that is interlocked through the reduction gear with the hydraulic pumps block and connected to the welding generator. It is installed on the left fender in the isolated box. There is an access to the box through the two doors. The APU filling capacity is 40 liters. The unit cooling system is combined, of electrical-hydraulic type, fan-driven and is arranged behind the APU in a single, separated by the bulkhead section.
AUXILIARY WINCH
Atlet ARRV is equipped with an auxiliary winch with traction force of up to 900 kg to provide for delivery of the main winch rope, pulling of pulley blocks and other cargo handling works.
The winch is located on the left fender inside the isolated box. There are two holes for operation, maintenance, repair, installation/removal. The winch delivery unit is arranged on the front hatch. The winch is hydraulically driven from the driver’s seat inside the hull.
CRANE EQUIPMENT
Atlet ARRV is fitted with crane equipment for lifting-transportation operations while repairing, restoring the vehicles and semi-lifting the tank during repair of its running gear. The load at the crane hook is up to 25 t. To provide its revolutionary movement the crane is installed on the rotary platform.
Maximum crane jig swinging angle is up to 750. Operation of the crane equipment powered by the main or auxiliary engines ensures replacement any of the engines as well as replacement of other equipment on Atlet ARRV itself. The crane equipment can be controlled both from the driver’s station and remotely from outside the vehicle at the distance of up to 5 m. With the help of crane equipment it is possible to remove and install the turret, engine, transmission, running gear elements, top deck plate and other elements and systems of the serviced tank as well as other equipment. For operation of the crane equipment it is necessary to level the ground, deactivate suspension by means of attached supports and use the dozer as an outrigger. In the inoperative condition the hook buckle is stored on the right fender. Canvas cover protects the crane roller block with ropes from soiling and precipitations.
DOZER EQUIPMENT
To perform earthworks – excavation of caponiers, arrangement of DVAPs (damaged vehicles assembly positions), preparation of access and exit roads, covering up of ditches, trenches for passage of the equipment Atlet ARRV is fitted with dozer equipment. The dozer can also act as an outrigger during lifting-transportation works and as an anchor while operating with the main winch.
The dozer equipment is hydraulically driven by hydraulic pumps, main engine or auxiliary one and controlled from the driver’s station.
On clay soils the output of the dozer equipment is up to 120 m3/hr. The dozer blade is 2380 mm wide. In the transportation position the dozer blade is locked by means of brace rods.
TOWING EQUIPMENT
Atlet ARRV is fitted with rigid hitch for recovery and towing of the damaged, faulty or uncontrolled vehicles to the maintenance or repair depot.
It enables to tow the serviced vehicle or similar type tanks and vehicles on their base without any limitations as for the distance at the speed up to 25 km/hr, or according to the requirements for towing of the particular vehicle. For towing of the controlled vehicles at non-rigid hitch and for towing of Atlet ARRV itself towing hooks are welded on the hull in front and at the rear and additional towing ropes are provided in the stowage.
WELDING PLANT
The welding plant is designed for welding and cutting works while repairing of the damaged or failed equipment. The diameter of the used electrodes is up to 5 mm, welding current is up to 300 A.
The welding plant is powered by APU and SG-10 generator. When cables and hoses from the SPTA are used the electrical and gas welding works can be carried out at the distance of up to 20 m from Atlet ARRV. The welding works should be carried out by one of the professionally trained crew
FORDING EQUIPMENT
Atlet ARRV can negotiate water obstacles up to 5 m deep. In this case it is fitted with the escape-pipe, through which the crew can escape in case of emergency. One of the crew members, sitting in the pipe in the above-water position, can adjust movement of the vehicle during unequal motion when preparing for fording of tanks.
To ensure operation of the engine in the submerged position Atlet ARRV is fitted with two pipes for air intake and removal of exhaust gases. In the “travelling” position the pipes are stowed on the APU box top.
Atlet ARRV can negotiate water obstacles of up to 1.8 m deep without preparation and up to 5 m with preparation. After completion of fording the pipes are removed and placed to their standard place at the top of the APU section.
EQUIPMENT FOR FIELD REPAIR
For repair and restoration of the damaged or failed serviced combat vehicles, Atlet ARRV is supplied with a set of tools and contrivances for field repair of running gear, transmission and ETC systems. All the required tools are placed in two tight containers stored on the hull top above the main winch section. If required, any of the containers can be removed from the vehicle and left near the tank, where repair works are carried out. Atlet ARRV itself can be used during recovery, transportation or other operations. Hoist cables and other transportable equipment is fixed on the containers.
CARGO PLATFORM
To ensure transportation of spare parts, units and other equipment of total weight up to 1.5 t, Atlet ARRV is equipped with a cargo platform. It can transport engine, gear boxes, up to 5 fuel barrels as well as bulked cargo and other items if fastened by means of a set of special brackets. The platform is fixed on brackets on the top deck plate. During maintenance, the platform is opened back to the rear to provide an easy access to the filling necks and serviced systems.
SMOKE LAYING EQUIPMENT
Atlet ARRV is equipped with smoke or aerosol laying system that includes 8 grenade dischargers, ensuring laying of the screen at the distance of up to 50 m from the vehicle.
Besides, Atlet ARRV is fitted with thermal-smoke screen system similar to the one used in the basic tank.
ARMAMENT
Remote controlled 12.7 mm anti-aircrtaft machine gun is mounted on the right commander’s hatch, which is designed for destruction of ground unarmoured or light armoured equipment as well as the enemy’s manpower and low flying low speed targets at the distances up to 2 km. Laying on the ground targets is done by the commander through TKN-5 sight, on aerial and high-altitude targets – through anti-aircraft sight PZU-7. In azimuth, laying is circular by means of electrical-mechanical drives.
The machine gun unit of fire is 450 rounds that are stacked in three magazines, one of which is installed on the machine gun mount. Atlet ARRV crew is armed with three AK-47 sub-machine guns, one 26 mm caliber signal gun and 10 hand grenades of F-1 type. Sub-machine guns unit of fire is 450 rounds stacked in 15 magazines. As required by the customer Atlet ARRV armament can be changed or added.
PROTECTION AND LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
To provide a high survivability level in combat conditions the hull of Atlet ARRV provides protection of the crew and its main assembly units and systems from large-caliber small arms armament and from small-caliber artillery systems in front arc.
To fight the fire, quick-acting dual action fire-fighting equipment with heat sensors is installed in the ETC compartment and machinery space. Optical sensors are installed in the manned compartment.
Two hand fire extinguishers are also provided in the stowage. Heating and air-conditioning systems can be fitted in manned compartment of Atlet ARRV to provide for functioning in different climatic conditions. PRHR and FVU systems ensure negotiating through and functioning in the contaminated terrain. The hydraulic pneumatic cleaning system provides for cleaning of crew observation devices. The above systems are similar to the systems of the basic tank.
Atlet ARRV TRANSPORTABILITY
Atlet ARRV can be transported by ground, river, sea and air transport without limitations in distance. On the general use roads transportation can be effected on its own using the rubber-padded shoe tracks and by means of trailers of up to 50 t capacity and heavy haulers capable of hauling the trailer of total weight not less than 60 t.
By air it can be transported by cargo aircraft with fuselage loading of An-124 type. By river and sea Atlet ARRV can be transported in holds and on decks with loading and unloading by means of crane equipment and on its own. By railway transportation can be done at cargo platforms of at least 10 m long and 2870 mm wide.
General characteristics
Operating weight – 46ton
Crew – 3
6TD-2 engine – 882hp
Power-to-weight ratio – kW/t(hp/t) 19,2 (26,1)
Ground pressure – 0.93kg/cm²
Maximum speed – 65km/h
Dimensions
length – 8.89m
width – 3.56m
height – 2.74m (including NSVT-12.7 AAMG)
Cruising range
450km (road) 360km (off road)
Deep fording
1.8m (without preparation) 5m (with preparation)
Main winch
Maximum traction force – kN 250
Rope operational length – 130m
Rope winding and unwinding speed at force up to 250 kN – 10m/min
Drive – mechanical
Auxiliary winch
Maximum traction force kN 9
Operational rope length – 260m
Drive – hydrostatic
Dozer blade
Width 3.38m
Maximum bite 3m
Blade performance (clay terrain) 120m3/h
Crane
Maximum capacity 25ton
Maximum radius 6.8m
Jib swinging angle 0 – 75°
Jib traversing angle 360°
Crane traversing speed 0.2 – 1.5 r/m
Hook lowering and hoisting speed 0.2 – 6m/min
Loading platform
Loading area – 1200x1900mm
Carrying capacity – 1.5 ton
Welding outfit
Welding current A 300
Maximum electrode diameter 5mm