Originally Posted by
Rictor
It looks like it has a V-shaped hull. Any confirmation?
Yes it has V shaped hull, it is two vehicles in one MRAP and MRAV.
Development of Lazar multi-role armored combat vehicle
In service with Serbian Army for over twenty years is
armored fighting vehicle of BOV family, specialized for use
by military police units in various tactical missions of riot
control and anti-terrorist operations, designated BOV-3 or
VPB M-86. The vehicle was developed based on TAM 150
intended for wide range of potential customers, including
the Serbian Army.
Functional model of the vehicle was completed in 2008
and it is publicly presented for the first time in the pages of
this issue or REPORT. Code name of the vehicle is LAZAR,
evocating the memory of Prince Lazar who headed Serbian
armored cavalry and the entire Serbian army, heroically losing
his life in the Battle of Kosovo on St. Vid’s day in the year
1389.
In its concept and applied technical solutions, the vehicle
is particularly adapted for use by modern infantry units and
special forces engaged in missions within anti-terrorist and
peacekeeping operations, with emphasis on engagements in
urban conditions, settlements and on intersected terrains,
in environments involving ambushes, antitank mines and
improvised explosive devices set up by an adversary.
The concept of this vehicle practically represents an
advanced MRAP, featuring certain properties (mobility, terrain
negotiating capability and fire power) of MRAV class
combat vehicle, this combining main characteristics of both,
nowadays highly important classes of wheeled armored vehicles.
When designing the concept of the vehicle, special emphasis
was placed on achievement of high mobility, system of
armor protection, armament system, ability to transport 10
infantrymen who should be able to quickly embark or evacuate
the vehicle using tail gate.
Embarked section is so accommodated that fighters face
large portholes made of ballistic glass equipped with firing
ports, ensuring excellent visibility of surrounding terrain
and ability to open fire with personal weapons.
When designing the concept of vehicle’s propulsion and
suspension, after careful study and modeling of feasible technical
solutions, it was decided to adopt 8x8 drive, featuring
live axles and springs which would provide high level of protection
from effects of antitank mines, at the same time
ensuring high off-road mobility.
During cross-country testing, the vehicle demonstrated
very high off-road mobility in varying terrain and weather
conditions, very high ability to negotiate gradients, trenches
and, in particular, side slopes. Superior slope negotiating
ability is especially important when vehicle’s high center of
gravity is taken into account, designed so in order to provide
better mine protection.
High level of armor protection was achieved by adopting
of steel armor hull that, in its basic version, includes ballistic
glass panes and provides protection that meets STANAG
4569, level III+ (protection against 12.7x107 mm B-32 API
round fired from 100 m) at front and level II at the sides and
rear. By fitting add-on armor of laminated composite structure,
attached on basic armor, vehicle ballistic protection is
rated level V at front and level IV at all other sides. Armored
hull design allows quick fitting and replacement of add-on
armor sections by vehicle crew, which, when fitted, do not
degrade basic functions of the vehicle.
Optionally, fitting of reactive explosive armor attached to
add-on armor will provide effective protection against infantry
hand launchers of RPG-7 type which nowadays represent
main threat in already mentioned type of warfare.
Hull bottom is V-shaped that, in addition to high ground
clearance and solid drive train, ensures very high level of
protection from antitank mine and IED, according to level
IIIa (resistant against blasts of AT mine or IED containing
6kg of HE occurring under vehicle wheels and floor)
Vehicle armament system is situated in the area between
driver’s and commander’s compartment and area that
accommodates embarked troops. Concept of the vehicle
allows incorporation of a variety of turrets, cupolas and
weapon stations, depending on main application of the vehicle
and planned budget of the user.
Simplest armament consists of partially armored modular
cupola M06 with detachable mounts, able to support the
following weapon alternatives:
- machine gun cal. 7.62 x 54 mm M86 with electric trigger,
- machine gun cal.. 12.7 x 108 mm,
- automatic grenade launcher cal. 30 mm.
- cannon M55 (HS 804) cal. 20 x 110 mm
Existing functional model, as illustrated, mounts lightodbrambene
weight cupola LK08 armed with cannon cal. 20 x 110 mm
M55 (HS804), with belt feeding, and machine gun cal. 7.62
x 54 mm M86.
The concept permits installation of different weapon stations
equipped with optoelectronic fire control system and
an integrated weapons system that may consists of a combination
the following weapon alternatives:
Cannon cal. 20 mm M55
Cannon cal. 30 mm M86
Wire-guided AT missile system Malutka 2 with twin
launcher
Machine gun cal. 7.62 mm M86
Machine gun cal. 12. 7 mm M87
Automatic grenade launcher cal. 30 mm M93
Overall mass of cupola with weapon station is up to two tons,
diameter of its support bearing is up to 1600 mm. All versions
of the turret, cupola or weapon stations – in addition to listed
weapon alternatives – are equipped with 4 dispensers of smoke
charges.
Vehicle crew consists of three permanent members – commander,
driver and weapons operator – plus embarked section
of 10 soldiers – infantrymen, military police, antiterrorist squad,
special unit, police or gendarmerie unit, etc.
Folding seats are attached to vehicle roof providing easier crew
circulation and added crew protection against effects of blasts
under the vehicle.
Embarked section of 10 troops is transported at rear of the
vehicle, sitting on folding, ergonomically shaped seats attached
to vehicle roof, five men at each side sitting back-to-back and
facing the sides of the vehicle, able to observe terrain through
T7 vehicle chassis elements and fitting of armored hull.
Vehicle can transport section of 6-8 military police who can
fire small arms from the with permanent crew comprising
commander and weapons operator who can fire cal. 7.62mm
machine gun M86 with electric trigger from partially armored
cupola M86. Vehicle also mounts smoke pot dispenser and
folding grill used to subdue riots. Hull armor provides ballistic
protection from 7.62 mm AP round fired from distances
of more than 100 m.
Jugoimpport-SDPR, as an integrator of Serbian defense
industry and in keeping with own development strategy that
monitors and analyzes the trends of arms and defense equipment
developments and compatibility of noted trends with
actual and potential personal, research&development, testing
and technological capabilities of Serbian defense industry
and its technological partners, has initiated development
of a family of multi-role armored vehicles, designed for multiple
tactical missions in potential combat environments,
portholes of ballistic glass and to fire personal weapons – assault
rifles, light machine guns or grenade launchers cal. 40 mm –
through firing ports situated below lookout ports. The space
available permits easy embarking, evacuation and comfortable
accommodation of soldiers wearing full ballistic protection
including protective vests with ballistic plates and tactical vests
with ammunition and other gear. Space between driver’s and
commander’s compartment and embarked crew area, left and
right from turret basket i.e. from weapon operator’s station,
serves as storage bay for a range of infantry weapons, antitank
hand launchers, portable antitank wire guided missile systems,
portable air defense missile launchers, etc.
The crew enter and exit the vehicle through tailgate which is
also provided with portholes and firing ports and enables embarking
or disembarking of complete crew in about 10 seconds
including their taking of seats. There are also two side doors,
plus two emergency roof hatches.
Observations made by the user during demonstration of the
vehicle noted that armored vehicle LAZAR provides comfortable
transport, excellent visibility, quick and easy driver training,
unhindered and effective use of personal weapons, significant
fire support provided by disembarked section using the
complement of weapons carried on board, unhindered and rapid
disembarking and embarking and, an important impression,
feeling of security and domination in the battlefield.
Basic concept of the vehicle represents the foundation for
building up its different versions – command vehicle, medical
evacuation, logistic support (cargo) vehicle, engineering /recovery
vehicle, mine clearing vehicle, as well as platform for selfpropelled
mortar cal. 120mm, self-propelled artillery piece cal.
122/155mm, artillery, rocket or hybrid (artillery/rocket) or air
defense system, etc.
Special equipment (on customers’ request)
• Air-conditioning employing compressor split system,
• VHF radio set of 15W output, with UMR
• Filtering-ventilating system creating overpressure within
the hull, air-filtering system including
CBR protection
• Command information system
(KIS) with GPS based navigation
• Panoramic optoelectronic reconnaissance-
observation station, stabilized
in two planes, fitted with
CCD TV camera, thermal imaging
camera and laser rangefinder
Command information system (KIS)
is a hardware/software device that
provides support in mission planning
and preparing to unit commanding
officers, their decision making, organization,
preparing of reports, issuing
of orders, locating of target positions
and similar activities related to
combat activities.
main functions of Kis
- Presentation of own position and
positions of other vehicles on situation
chart,
- Mission planning support,
- Determining of own position and
navigation,
- Communication with superior and coordinating units,
- Exchange of information,
- Participation in target locating, tracking and firing
engagements.
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