steel beasts · 2004. 4. 21. · bmp-1 ifv 34 bmp-2 ifv 36 bmd-2 ifv 38 btr-80 apc 40 brdm-2 atgm...

Steel Beasts

Recognition Guide

By

James Sterrett

Andrew Romaniuk

Ssnake

Tankboy

Vasiliy Fofanov

PDF Formatting by Burner

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Table of Contents

U.S. Vehicles Page M1A1 Abrams MBT 3 M2A2 Bradley IFV 5 M113 APC 7 M113 Medivac 9 M901 ITV 11 M981 FIST-V 13 HMMWV (Hummer) 15

German Vehicles Leopard 2A4 MBT 19 Marder 1A3 IFV 21 M113 Artillery Spotter 23 Truck 25 Jaguar 2 ATGM Veh 27

Soviet Vehicles T80U MBT 30 T72BV MBT 32 BMP-1 IFV 34 BMP-2 IFV 36 BMD-2 IFV 38 BTR-80 APC 40 BRDM-2 ATGM Veh 42 BRDM-2 Recce 44 MT-LB 46

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U.S. Vehicles

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FRONT SIDE TOP

M1A1HA MBT

Crew: 4

Armament: 120mm cannon, 7.62mm coax MG, 12.7mm AA MG, 7.62mm A MG Ammunition: 40 x 120mm; 1,000 x 12.7mm; 11,400 x 7.62mm

Armour Protection: max approx. 1300mm vs HEAT, approx. 650mm vs KE Armour Type: Chobham and steel

Length: 9.845 meters Width: 3.657 meters Height: 2.375 meters

Combat Weight: 62.6 tons Engine: Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 gas turbine

Max Road Speed: 67 km/h Max Water Speed: sinks [can ford 1.219m, or 1.98 with preparation]

Max Cruising Range: 498 km

One of the stars of our show! Like the Leopard 2, the M1 was undertaken after the MBT-70 project collapsed in disarray. Also like the Leopard 2, the used a combination of advances in armor and powerplants to deliver a notably advanced vehicle, once teething troubles were ironed out. Early M1s were armed with a 105mm rifled cannon, like the one that graced its M60A3 predecessor. The M1A1 (featured in Steel Beasts) improved the armor and upgraded the 105mm rifle to a 120mm smoothbore cannon. Recently, the M1A2 model has been provided, adding various improvements to fire and command control, and more armor. The M1 is built in the US, as well as being assembled in Egypt, and is in service with the US Army and Marines, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The M1 is the first really good tank the USA has built. The M1's biggest shortcomings are high cost and a very thirsty engine - it drinks 50 gallons of fuel an hour, whether idling or running flat out - but these are made up for by a very good package overall. Mobile, heavily-armed, and well-

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protected, the Americans have tweaked the M1 from a good basic design into a tank they can rightly be proud of. The M1A1HA (Heavy Armor) refers to the up-armored version, which incorporates a layer of depleted uranium mesh in the armor package. It basically doubles the protection of the original M1 against both shaped-charge and kinetic energy warheads. However, as you'll soon discover in Steel Beasts, "excellent tank" doesn't mean "invincible tank". Your frontal armor may be nearly impenetrable to most enemy tanks at ranges over 1500 meters - which means it is penetrable at ranges under 1500 meters, and also penetrable from the sides. Lots of OPFOR vehicles carry ATGMs that will knock out critical systems even if they don't achieve a catastrophic hit. Your cannon is worth a lot less once all the fancy fire control gear is shaken to bits by a non-penetrating hit! Play it smart, go slowly and carefully, coordinate with your supporting infantry and artillery, and you should find that it dominates the battlefield. If you try the "tank rush" tactics from an RTS game, you'll soon be commanding a burning wreck. At some point after initial release, the mine clearing equipment will be implemented in the game, and it will be used by both sides. In the meantime, have a sneak peak at what's in store for an upcoming SB upgrade. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

M2A2 Bradley IFV

Crew: 3 plus 6 dismounts (TC is squad CO, and usually stays with vehicle)

Armament: 25mm autocannon, 7.62mm coax MG, twin TOW ATGM launcher Ammunition: 900 x 25mm, 2,200 x 7.62mm, 7 TOW ATGM

Armour Protection: 300 max hull vs HE, 40 max vs KE Armour Type: Aluminum, Laminate, & Steel - spaced and ERA

Length: 6.55 meters Width: 3.61 meters

Height: 2.565 meters Combat Weight: 22,940 kg

Engine: Cummins VTA-903T turbocharged 8-cylinder diesel Max Road Speed: 66 km/h

Max Water Speed: 7.2 km/h [amphibious with screens erected; takes a fair bit of work] Max Cruising Range: 483 km

The M2 Bradley had a long and tortured development. The program was initiated in the early 1960s, seeking a vehicle to complement the M113. The first two prototypes did not appear until 1978 - the better part of two decades - while the M113 steadily fell into obsolescence as a battlefield vehicle. The Bradley finally entered production in 1981, a year before the BMP-2. Regardless of the acquisition process, the M2 turned out reasonably well. It is fast enough to keep up with the M1 and packs a good punch (although the TOW is outranged by the heavier Russian ATGMs). It is taller than the BMP, which makes it easier to hit, but also allows it to fire in support of its own squad more easily. The armor has been upgraded over the years. Its amphibious ability is limited by the time needed to prepare the vehicle, unlike the BMP which needs only a minuscule amount of preparation, but arguably the cost savings is worth it. Perhaps the biggest debate surrounding the Bradley also surrounds all other ATGM-armed infantry fighting vehicles.

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In Steel Beasts, as in real life, the Bradley poses a conundrum to commanders: is it a battle taxi for the squad, or is it a heavy ATGM carrier that happens to have some infantry inside? The battle positions most effective for the TOW (maximum range: 3,750 meters) are far from those best for the squad, whose maximum effective range is likely to be under 600 meters. A squad armed with manpack ATGMs makes the problem easier given the increased punch from the dismounted squad, but this simply raises again the purpose of the vehicle: is it A) an armor killer or B) a leg infantry support vehicle? In the end, of course, the answer is C - "both"; and for all the difficulty of deciding how best to employ the Bradley in a given tactical situation, it is doubtful it would be as valuable if the options were fewer. Just remember - the Bradley packs one helluva punch, but it's limited armor means it can't go toe-to-toe with heavy opposition. Keep them moving most of the time, and if they aren't the center of attention, they should be able to take care of themselves. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

M-113

Crew: 2 plus 11 dismounts Armament: 12.7mm HMG

Ammunition: 2,000 x 12.7mm Armour: 44mm maximum Armour Type: Aluminum


Combat Weight: 11,253 kg Engine: Detroit 6V-53 6 cylinder water-cooled diesel

Max Road Speed: 60.7 km/h Max Water Speed: 5.8 km/h amphibious

Max Cruising Range: 480 km On those occasions that World War II infantry rode anything other than their boots, it was usually a truck or a halftrack. Both of these have the problem of a soft top, making them vulnerable to shell fragments from artillery HE. The M-113 was designed to overcome this problem, encasing the troops inside light armor as a "battle taxi" - a vehicle that could move troops safely through HE shellfire and up to the battlefront. Developed in the 1950s, the M-113 first saw the light of day in 1960. While the M-113 soon became obsolescent with the introduction of the BMP in the middle 1960s, it was long in US service (eventually replaced by the M-2 Bradley). This long service resulted from its simple, robust design, and a vast array of variants - ranging the gamut from ATGM launchers (such as the M-901) to ambulances. Over 76,000 M-113s have been built. The M-113 is in service with at least 47 countries, and is built in the USA, Italy, and Belgium. The basic M-113 is not heavily armed, and is vulnerable to any available AT weapon or

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heavy machine guns. Few if any variants improve the armor, but some improve the striking power dramatically. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

M-113 Medevac

Crew: n/a

Armament: none Ammunition: none

Armour: 44mm maximum Armour Type: Aluminum




Max Cruising Range: 480 km Well, not much to say about an ambulance...yes, it's yet another M-113 Variant! Once you have the basic vehicle model set up, it's not so difficult to arrange for lots of functions. The ambulance is exactly what it sounds like - a lightly-armored casualty evacuation vehicle. A bumpy ride is always better than a shrapnel-filled one. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

Front - Stowed Side - Stowed Top - Stowed Stowed for Travel

M-901 ITV (Improved TOW Vehicle)

Crew: 4 or 5

Armament: Twin TOW Launcher, 7.62mm MG Ammunition: 2 TOW plus 10 reloads, 1,000 x 7.62mm (fires basic TOW, I-TOW, and TOW-2 series)

Armour: max 38mm Armour Type: Steel and Aluminium


Height: 2.91 meters (3.35m with TOW launcher erected) Combat Weight: 11,794 kg

Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V-52 6-cylinder water-cooled Max Road Speed: 67.59 km/h going downhill with a tailwind

Max Water Speed: 5.8 km/h when the fishies help push (Ed. note: I can't believe this thing can swim.) Max Cruising Range: 483 km

Quite possibly as a result of the BRDM-2 AT vehicle's successes in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the US decided to have an ATGM carrier too. The prototype was selected from three contenders in 1976, and production commenced in the same year. By 1996, when production ended, over 3200 of these modified M-113A2s had been built. Eight nations use the M-901 or a variant thereof, and the FIST-V is technically a variant of the M-901. The clever-rabbit part of the M-901 is the inclusion of all the missile targeting kit into the

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extendable launcher (called the "hammerhead"). This means you can keep the bulk of the vehicle hidden behind some convenient obstacle - a berm, hill crest, or maybe somebody you don't like - and plink away at the enemy with the TOW from that cover. Here's an old Warsaw Pact trick - hide behind a destroyed tank, and you'll be a little harder to spot. The launcher has powered 360 deg traverse, and elevates from -30 to +34 deg. The M901 ITV is a powerful ally, but must be used from a distance; it's armor is less than the Bradley's, so you don't want to be trading shots with the enemy. Words to the wise... keep these babies at maximum range, 2 -3 kms from the enemy, in defilade. The maximum range of the TOW-2s is 3750m, so try to engage the enemy from as far away as possible, and make sure that they aren't the center of attention, as the launch signature is highly visible and will telegraph the M901's position to the enemy. Long range is good, but if you have the time, use a couple of alternate battle positions and keep them moving between them. One lucky shot, or an artillery barrage will finish one of these things for good, and it's not like you'll have as many ITVs as the enemy will have BRDM-2 ATs. When used properly by a seasoned commander, ITVs can really save your bacon. Just keep in mind that they are a fairly limited resource. James Sterrett and Andrew Romaniuk

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M981 FIST-V Fire Support Team Vehicle

Crew: n/a Armament: 7.62mm MG

Ammunition: 1,000 x 7.62mm Armour: 44mm maximum Armour Type: Aluminum


Height to top: 3.35 meters Height, travelling: 2.91 meters




The M981 FIST-V is one of the many variants of the M113 family. It is an Artillery Forward Observer Vehicle and is used primarily to spot, locate, designate and correct artillery fire from a forward location on the modern battlefield. It also enables the FIST headquarters to acquire and lase targets for terminally guided munitions and to coordinate fire support while keeping up with the maneuver unit. The resemblance to the M901 ITV (Improved TOW Vehicle) is not an accident; it gives it the ability to remain inconspicuous as an FO to the enemy. In Steel Beasts, artillery called within the LOS of a FIST-V will arrive sooner because the FIST team can cut through the red tape better. Instead of waiting two minutes for rounds to impact, you may only have to wait 45 seconds. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

HMMWV (Hey... nice HUMMER!!!)

Crew: 1 plus a load of folks who "just want a ride" (and pretend they're Arnold Schwarzenkopf)

Armament: numerous option packages available at "Amazing Discounts Available" - - - Manager's Special - TODAY ONLY!!! - - -

Ammunition: depends on option packages (some option packages may include weapons but no ammunition, others may include ammunition but no weapons)

Armour: uhhh... proof against small rocks and armor-piercing tomatoes Armour Type: ummm... see above, or choose our "Rich Corinthian Leather Seats" instead

Length: about 4.6+ meters - varies depending on option package; stretch limo version available (a true fact! 8) )

Width: about 2.15+ meters - varies with tire type (additional charge for racing slicks) Height: 1.75 meters - depends on roof option package

Combat Weight: about 3800 kg , depends on option package; Wombat Weight: depends on Wombats Engine: The most reliable gasoline engine Detroit has *ever* built! starts at V8 6.2L

Max Road Speed: about 105 km/h but depends on the octane rating of your fuel, oh yeah... and see Wombat Weight

Max Water Speed: sinks, but makes a really attractive pool ornament. Can ford deep muddy stream in commercials, but off-road use will void your warranty - see below!

Max Cruising Range: 3 gas stations or one service station, whichever comes first (warning: unauthorized use of Wombats may greatly reduce maximum cruising range)

The "Hummer", HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-Purpos e Wheeled Vehicle), is the US Army's replacement for the venerable WWII Willy's jeep. Like the Jeep, the Hummer has a reputation for reliability, a robust ability to go anywhere a bulldozer has gone before, and some selected places they haven't. Also like the Jeep, the Hummer is highly mobile for a wheeled vehicle and provides a status symbol for officers and acquisitive soldiers. A variety of weapons wind up mounted on them; usually amounting to "whatever we could scrounge". Official planned options include TOW missile (Tankboy's favourite), M2 .50 Cal HMG, 7.62mm machine guns, Stinger missiles, and a modified AMRAAM missile; unofficial

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variants probably range the entire way from Improved Spitball Launchers Mk III through ICBMs. In addition, numerous Hummers have been sold to civilians with more money than sense, after a famous movie star campaigned to be allowed to buy one due to the delusion that it would convince people he could actually *act*. (Editor's note - any Hummer with a gloss paint job looks pretty out of place, I've seen them in real life and wouldn't be caught dead in one unless it was camo or olive drab - the one I saw in town was gloss black, with lots of freakin' chrome, and had those stupid "good ol' boy" lights across the top of the roof. BLECCHH!!!) Millions of Americans have followed suit, in the mistaken assumption that the ability to ford a shallow muddy creek will help them survive firefights on the L.A. Freeway. (Steel Beasts players know that a tank would be a much better choice. Most commuters only pack small arms, not heavy anti-tank weapons; and nothing says "this lane is my lane, it isn't your lane" quite like a 120mm smoothbore cannon.) Something like 65,000 Hummers are supposed to be purchased by the Army, USAF, and Marines. OK - I heard this from a few people here in town. It seems as though the Hummer can't handle Thunder Bay's Artic Frost! It's true, we had some Hummers up here for testing by Ontario Hydro, so they could get to some of their out-of-town locations, and the poor vehicles couldn't handle all the snow - geez, it's not even that bad! What a joke. They ended up reverting back to their venerable old Bombardier Artic Snow Tracks - big ugly 30 year old beasts that resemble an M548 Cargo Carrier (M113 chassis). This is not an urban legend! I repeat - This is not an urban Legend! In Steel Beasts, the Hummer is not really much of a direct threat. In theory, the Hummer is assigned to recon units, and thus, as OPFOR, you should kill the Hummers off fast to avoid the enemy sending back information on your dispositions. However, in this column, we reveal a Hidden Truth: Hummers usually carry the highest-ranking brass. Therefore, as OPFOR, you should *never* blow up a Hummer, as killing it might injure the enemy higher officers and thus improve the enemy's combat readiness. (OK, we're kidding; if you see a Hummer, fill it full a lead as you'll be doing some grunt a favour by greasing an Officer!) As Blue, you should "accidentally" exterminate every Hummer you come across to rid yourself of EAR (Echelons Above Reality) representatives. (Editor's note: no Hummers were "accidentally" exterminated in the making of this hideous excuse for the "Audobon's Guide to Hummer Watching" - oops! Did I just say "Hummer Watching"!?! D'OH!) James Sterrett and a certain Wombat that will remain unnamed!

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German Vehicles

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FRONT SIDE TOP

Leopard 2A4 MBT

Crew: 4

Armament: 120mm cannon, 7.62mm coax MG, 7.62mm AA MG Ammunition: 42 x 120mm, 4,750 x 7.62mm

Armour: max approx. 700mm vs AP, 1100mm vs HEAT Armour Type: Laminate (steel and ceramic composite), similar to Chobham



Engine: MTU MB 873 Ka 501 4-stroke, 12 cylinder multi-fuel liquid-cooled diesel Max Road Speed: 72 km/h

Max Water Speed: sinks [can ford 1 meter, 4 meters with snorkel] Max Cruising Range: 550 km

One of the two stars of our show!

Modern German tank design began with a bang in 1941: the bang of German tanks having unpleasant experiences with the Soviet T-34. The Germans came close to deciding to manufacture a clone of the T-34 (which was Guderian's preference), but this project was scrapped in favor of designing a new tank. That tank became the Panzer Mk V "Panther", which overcame numerous teething troubles to become an excellent tank by 1944, and would continue to serve in the West German Army throughout the 1950s. In the later 1950s it was showing its age, and work began on the tank that would enter FRG service, in 1965, as the Leopard 1. (Early Leopards look similar to late Panthers.) After getting burnt in the SNAFU of the MBT-70 project, the Germans turned inward for the tank design to replace the Leopard 1. Initial prototypes were completed in 1972, and in 1970 Kraus-Maffei became the prime contractor building the tank. The first tanks entered service in 1979.

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While the Leopard 1 was built around the philosophy that "speed is life", sacrificing a measure of protection in favor of mobility and firepower, improvements in the construction of armor and engines permitted the Leopard 2 to have a significant degree of mobility, protection, and firepower at some cost in weight. The armor and powerplant were combined with new fire-control technologies to ensure that the Leopard 2, like the M1, was a major leap forward in tank design. Moreover, during the later half of the 1990s, the armor of the original Leopard 2 underwent significant improvements (in the 2A5 version), the most visible change being the addition of plates to the front of the turret that change it from a flat front to a wedge. (The 2A4 version is the one in Steel Beasts.) Just under 3,000 Leopard 2 have been produced in Germany and Switzerland, and are serving in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

Marder 1A3

Crew: 3 plus 6 dismounts

Armament: 20mm cannon, 7.62mm MG, Milan ATGM launcher Ammunition: 1,250 x 20mm, 5,000 x 7.62, 1 Milan plus 5 reloads

Armour: max 300mm vs HEAT, max 50mm vs KE Armour Type: Steel Length: 6.79 meters Width: 3.24 meters


Engine: MTU MB 833 Ea-500 6-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel Max Road Speed: 75 km/h

Max Water Speed: sinks [can ford 1.5 meters, 2 meters with preparation] Max Cruising Range: 520 km

The Bundeswehr began looking for a new infantry vehicle in the early 1960s, and the Marder won the competition. Prototypes were made in 1967 and 1968, and the first vehicles entered service in 1970. Production of Marders essentially ended in 1975 (the chassis was produced until 1983 for Roland SAM carriers), and the Marder is only in service with the German Army. The Marder has a number of unique features. The original model had firing ports similar to the original Bradleys, and a remote controlled MG on the rear deck above the rear door. These have since been removed, the firing ports being covered over with a new armor package. The 20mm cannon and the 7.62mm MG are on an external powered mount above the turret, allowing minimal exposure while in a hull-down position. On the other hand, unlike most other IFVs, the Marder cannot swim, and it's original configuration had no ATGM. This may have gotten around the dilemma of deciding if the Marder was there to be a tank destroyer or an infantry support vehicle, but the Germans also apparently changed their minds, later fitting Milan ATGMs to the turret. The Marder 1A3 also has a number of armor upgrades and improvements to its roof

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hatches. In combat, the Marder is much like its cousins, the BMP and the much bigger Bradley. The Milan missile makes it a real threat to tanks, and the 20mm cannon enables it to support its squad. If defending, you'll have to make the call between stationing it where it can best support and move its troops, or stationing it where it can best use its missile to act as a tank destroyer in an ambush. If attacking, provide overwatch to keep them from getting blown away; even the improved armor is not likely to stop an ATGM, tank round, or RPG. Try to make sure the Marders are not the center of attention in the attack. Not an easy task, but that's why you get paid the big bucks. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

M-113 Artillery Observer

Crew: 4

Armament: 7.62mm MG Ammunition: 2,000 x 12.7mm

Armour: 44mm maximum Armour Type: Aluminum


Height: 1.85 meters to top of hull, another meter for periscope equipment, extending to about another 3.5 meters.

Combat Weight: 12.1t Engine: 6 cylinder water-cooled diesel

Max Road Speed: 65 km/h Max Water Speed: 5.8 km/h amphibious


The M113 for forward observers (FO) in the German Bundeswehr is based on the M113A1G version, equipped with additional electronics to enhance it's capabilities to observe enemy activity, and to request artillery fire rather quickly and accurately. The vehicle and internal equipment is manned by a crew of four. For self defense purposes, it is equipped with the standard 7.62mm MG3. The M113/VB (VB is the German abbreviation for FO, "Vorgeschobener Beobachter") is equipped with a vehicle navigational system FNA-615, the optically based observation periscope OZVA/Peri D11, a computer to calculate the ballistic paths of the firing units ("Falke"), and digital radio for data transmission. The OZVA has an integrated laser range finder. Due to the reduced night combat capabilities (no thermal imager) of the M113, it has begun to be phased out this year, to be replaced by a new vehicle based on the Leopard 1A5 hull and turret

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(the main gun will be removed from the turret in this new FO vehicle). As stated before, this vehicle acts as a forward observer for German units in the sim, and will give you increased capabilities in calling in artillery fire. According to the German TO&E the M113/VB belongs to the brigade units; one vehicle will be detached to one combat company each. It's pretty easy to tell the difference between a normal M113 and this FO vehicle; the distinguishing features are the comparatively big periscope and the heightened, box-type part of the hull on the roof as a result of the space requirements of the D11 system. Ssnake

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FRONT SIDE TOP

Truck

Crew: driver and a bunch of guys and/or stuff (may include really big stuff)

Armament: none Ammunition: see "Armament"

Armour Type: nope Length: about 6 or 7 meters

Weight: pretty heavy Max Road Speed: much faster than a tank

Max Water Speed: please do not attempt to "swim" using the truck, as it will not float. Max Range: pretty far

Slow, often road-bound, almost always unarmed, usually unarmored, and generally synonymous with "target", the truck is not exactly a threat in the tactical arena. Nonetheless, when we expand our focus beyond the realm of tactics, the truck is probably the single most influential vehicle to come out of the 20th century - beating out even such contenders as the tank and the airplane. "Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics", the saying goes; and the truck has revolutionized logistics. The railroad, in the 19th century, meant that strategic logistics were suddenly simpler - but the mobility of supplies stopped at the end of the rail line. The truck expanded that mobility in the final, critical, link from railhead to battlefront. Fleets of trucks can move the vast tonnages of supply that modern forces require, and move them quickly over long distances. Why do trucks make such nice targets? Well, not only because they are vulnerable, but because they are so vital. Blow up the trucks that bring in supplies, and your tank company will run out of fuel and ammunition. Without fuel, your tanks are pillboxes. Without ammunition, they are bunkers. Without food and water, your crews will die. Your tanks are useless without a steady flow of trucks behind

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them. Thus, when you see enemy trucks, treat them to some high explosive fun, i.e. point that big thingie on the front of of your turret at them, and let 'em have it! James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

Jaguar 2 ATGW Vehicle

Crew: 4

Armament: TOW missile launcher, 1 x 7.62mm coax MG, 1 x 7.62mm AA MG Ammunition: 12 TOW missiles, 3200 rounds of 7.62mm

Armour: about 50mm max (estimated), Armour Type: Steel Length: 6.61 meters Width: 3.12 meters

Height: 2.54 meters including launcher, 1.98 m to hull top Combat Weight: 25,500 kg

Engine: Daimler-Benz MB 837, 8 cylinder water-cooled diesel Max Road Speed: 70 km/h

Max Water Speed: ford 1.2 m with preparation Max Cruising Range: 400 km

The Jagdpanzer Rakete was a modern Tank Destroyer and featured the SS-11 missile, but has since been discontinued and upgraded/replaced. There were 370 built in 1967/68, and they share the same chassis with the now-defunct Jagdpanzer Kanone 90mm Self Propelled Anti-Tank Gun. Between 1978 and 1983 316 of the original Raketes were rebuilt and their missiles upgraded to the more advanced Euromissile K3S HOT ATGW. Armour on the front and sides was upgraded with applique packages to improve protection against HEAT warheads, and a 2nd generation thermal imager was added. These rebuilt vehicles were designated Jaguar 1s. Between 1983 and 1985, 162 vehicles were converted to the Jaguar 2, which fires TOW missiles. Before 1995 the tank destroyers were an army branch for themselves; they are now integrated into the mechanized infantry (Panzergrenadiere, PzGren) as the 6th company of a PzGren battalion. The Jaguar platoons consist of five vehicles (two sections of two plus the platoon leader). They are to make up for the lack of anti tank capability of the Marders (which, as you know, have just one Milan launcher per platoon).

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The Jaguar is not in use in any country except Germany. They both have excellent optics, and the TIS has twice the resolution of the Leo's or M1's. The main difference between Jaguar 1 and 2 are different optics, and a different loading mechanism for the HOT/TOW missiles. The Jaguar 2 has 12 TOW missiles with a reload time of approximately 5 seconds. Reloading is done automatically, and the vehicle remains NBC sealed. Ssnake and Tankboy

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Soviet Vehicles

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FRONT SIDE TOP

T-80U MBT

Crew: 3

Armament: 125mm cannon, 7.62mm coax MG, 12.7mm AA MG Ammunition: 45 x 125mm, 1,250 x 7.62mm, 500 x 12.7mm

Armour Type: Steel/Composite with ERA Length: 6.98 meters Width: 3.60 meters

Height without AA MG: 2.21 meters Combat Weight: 46,000 kg

Engine: GTD-1250 gas turbine Max Road Speed: 80 km/h

Max Water Speed: ford at 7 km/h with preparation Max Cruising Range: 400 km; 450km with long-range fuel tanks

The T-80U, a new generation of T-80BV MBT, entered production in 1985 and is one of the most modern Russian tanks. It has by far the most advanced FCS of all the Russian tanks of the period, that allows it to deliver accurate fire at ranges of over 3km in addition to providing ATGM guidance capability out to 5km, and also allows the commander to lay and fire the main gun. It also incorporates a thermal imager since 1993. For protection, the tank relies not only on new composite armor, but also on a 2nd generation integral ERA that is effective both against HEAT and APFSDS projectiles. The tank is also a little bit more spacious than its T-72 brethren and its autoloader has larger capacity and operates a bit faster. This tank is in service with Russia, Ukraine (who produces a slightly modified version, the T-84), Pakistan and Cyprus. In Russia there is over 5000 T-80 MBTs of different variants, though the exact number of T-80U model MBTs is unknown. Like all of Russia's latest MBTs, it is equipped with the dozer blade, deep fording equipment, and has provision for mine sweep installation. This tank is a dangerous opponent both because of its protection and lethality of its ammunition, and only the latest Western tanks are somewhat protected from frontal hits of its main gun

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ammunition.

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FRONT SIDE TOP

T-72B MBT

Crew: 3

Armament: 125mm cannon, 7.62mm coax MG, 12.7mm AA MG Ammunition: 45 x 125mm, 2,000 x 7.62mm, 300 x 12.7mm

Armour Type: Steel/Composite Length: 6.95 meters Width: 4.75 meters

Height without AA MG: 2.37 meters Combat Weight: 44,500 kg Engine: V-46 V-12 diesel

Max Road Speed: 80 km/h Max Water Speed: ford at 7 km/h with preparation

Max Cruising Range: 480 km; 550km with long-range fuel tanks

The T-72 entered production in 1971 and has been produced in a welter of variants, ranging from upgrades to its armour or its gunsights, to the addition of the ability to fire an ATGM through the barrel in the T-72B1. The T-72 is widely manufactured and used; not only is it in production in Russia, but also under license in India, the Czech Republic, Iraq, Poland, and Romania. Each license version has its own series of models and variants as well. Some 18,000 T-72s are in service with 29 Armies. The M1 and the Leopard 2 outclass the T-72, having been designed a decade later. Nonetheless, the T-72 packs a respectable punch, and its relatively low cost means it can be bought in large numbers. One legend surrounding the T-72 concerns its cramped nature. This is partially true. I'm about 6 feet tall (about 180cm); I fit reasonably comfortably into the gunner's or commander's positions (note that this was an ex-East German T-72. The Germans had removed the autoloader, which might have made the turret much more roomy.) On the other hand, scrunched down as far as I could go into the driver's seat, my armpits were still above the front glacis of the armor. The T-72 is not the most potent threat on the Steel Beasts' battlefield, but it shouldn't be brushed

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off. Your main gun ammo won't have too much of a problem penetrating it's armour, but be careful, the T-72 can and will return the favour given the chance. It is still a formidable weapon and should be treated with a certain amount of respect. James Sterrett

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FRONT SIDE TOP

BMP-1 IFV

Crew: 3 plus 8 dismounts

Armament: 73mm cannon, 7.62mm coax MG, Sagger ATGM Ammunition: 40 x 73mm, 1 Sagger plus 4 reloads, 2,000 x 7.62mm

Armour: 33mm max Armour Type: Steel Length: 6.74 meters Width: 2.94 meters Height: 2.15 meters

Combat Weight: 13,500 kg Engine: UTD-20 6-cylinder in-line water-cooled diesel

Max Road Speed: 65 km/h Max Water Speed: 7 km/h


Three Soviet combat vehicles have changed the face of warfare. The first was the T-34 tank, whose combination of mobility, protection, firepower, reliability, and ease of mass production revolutionized tank design. The second, which also appeared in 1941, was the Katyusha multiple rocket launcher, which ushered in a new and devastating era in artillery. The third was the BMP, "Boevaia mashina pekhoti" (Combat Vehicle, Infantry). Developed in the early 1960s to replaced the lightly armed and armored BTR-50B tracked APC, the BMP combined a number of desirable features in one package. Completely covered, and impervious to fragments and small-arms fire, it nonetheless allowed the infantry to spray suppressive fire whilst inside the vehicle. Sealed, the vehicle defended the dismounts and crew from chemical, biological, and nuclear contaminants - thus permitting its use on the expected nuclear and chemical battlefields of a possible World War III. Combined with its high mobility, it was expected to be able to rapidly exploit breaches in the enemy lines made with nuclear and chemical strikes, driving deep into the enemy's operational defences. The low-pressure 73mm

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gun fired an RPG round for combined light anti-tank and high-explosive effects, while the Sagger gave the BMP a potent heavy anti-tank capability. Moreover, it was capable of swimming relatively fast, and preparation for swimming requires only that several ports be sealed, a flap raised on the bow of the vehicle, and a bilge pump started - less than 5 minutes of work. No previous vehicle had combined all these features. After the BMP's public debut in 1967 (probably several years after it entered service), highly-mobile, NBC sealed, amphibious IFVs with a heavy anti-tank weapon became standard. The BMP does have disadvantages. It is cramped and none too comfortable. The turret is low, which helps hide the vehicle but also means that the crew must be careful not to shoot its infantry team if that should be in front of the BMP. The Sagger is now out of date (and some variants of the BMP-1 upgrade the Sagger to an AT-4 Spigot.) The 73mm gun is not especially accurate past a few hundred meters, with the projectile tending to weather-cock into the wind. The fuel cells are in the rear doors, so a rear penetration may make exiting the vehicle somewhat interesting. Many of these defects were cured with the BMP-2, which appeared in 1982. In Steel Beasts, the BMP-1 is not a major threat to your tank, if your frontal armor is facing it. The Sagger cannot penetrate your frontal armor. However, if the BMP should catch you on the flank or roof, the Sagger might cause some real trouble. Furthermore, the infantry may be lying in wait with their own AT weapons. When in doubt, burn it out. Tens of thousands of BMP-1s were built in Russia, Czechoslovakia, and China, and they remain in service with over 24 nations. James Sterrett

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BMP-2 IFV

Crew: 3 + 7-man infantry squad Armament: 30mm autocannon, 7.62mm coax MG, Konkurs (AT-5) ATGM launcher

Ammunition: 500 x 30mm, 2,000 x 7.62mm, 4 x Konkurs ATGM Armour Type: Steel 6-26mm


Combat Weight: 14,000 kg Engine: UTD-20S1 300hp diesel


Max Cruising Range: 550-600 km

This infantry-fighting vehicle is the backbone of Russian mechanized infantry regiments. Based on the BMP-1, this vehicle differs mainly by a new armament suite comprising a 30mm autocannon with 2-plane stabilizer and collimating sight for air defense, and a much more effective ATGM. The ride was also made softer with the introduction of one more hydraulic amortizer per side. The vehicle entered production in 1980, and had time to see combat in Afghanistan. The BMP-2s used there sacrificed their swimming capabilities for increased armor including much improved side skirts. The high elevation of it's cannon proved a necessity in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, and ambushes by Mujihadeen soldiers armed with heavy machine guns spurred the addition of 10mm spaced applique armor packages (BMP-2D model). All in all, the BMP-2 is a much better IFV than it's predecessor, with increased firepower effectiveness and improved visibilty for the commander of the vehicle. It's autocannon can be quite a nuisance to sensitive vehicle optics, and should be quite effective against other IFVs at close range. It's missile definately shouldn't be ignored, as one wrong hit can end your trip in a

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hurry. By 1990, there were over 6000 BMP-2s in the USSR and 300 in Czechoslovakia. It may be cramped, but it's cheap, effective, and it is currently used by over 28 countries from Afghanistan to Yemen, and numbers are estimated to be in the high tens of thousands.

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BMD-2 Airborne IFV

Crew: 2 + 5-men Spetsnaz section

Armament: 30mm autocannon, 2 x 7.62mm coax MG, Konkurs (AT-5) ATGM launcher Ammunition: 300 x 30mm, 2,940 x 7.62mm, 3 + 1 x Konkurs ATGM

Armour Type: Aluminum Length: 5.97 meters Width: 2.7 meters

Height: 1.83-2.11 meters (thanks to hydro-pneumatic suspension - adjustable clearance) Combat Weight: 8,000 kg

Engine: 5D20 240hp diesel Max Road Speed: 70 km/h Max Water Speed: 10 km/h


The BMD line of vehicles is a unique feature of Russian airborne forces that can proudly bear the flag with the words "Because they said it couldn't be done". These vehicles can be airdropped with the crew and an infantry section inside from Il-76 and An-22 cargo planes from the heights of 500 to1500 meters by means of PRSM-925 parachute-rocket platform, and once on the ground all they have to do is raise up on their adjustable suspensions, roll off the platform, and start blasting the targets. The films of these vehicles on maneuvers doing exactly that have chagrinned the NATO planners pretty badly. The BMD-2 vehicle, fielded in 1985, differs from the BMD-1 in the same manner as BMP-2 differs from BMP-1. In other words, a 73mm gun was dropped in favour of a 30mm stabilized autocannon, while a Malutka (AT-3) ATGM was replaced by a much more powerful Konkurs (AT-5) missile. These vehicles have about the same role on a battlefield as BMPs, but due to their air-mobility they can arrive from a direction from which you are not exactly expecting them. The men they

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are carrying will usually also be much better trained than the ordinary Russian conscripts. Vasiliy Fofanov

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BTR-80 APC

Crew: 3 + room for 7 men (CO can stay with vehicle or dismount i.e. 2 + 8) Armament: 14.5mm MG, 7.62mm coax MG

Ammunition: 500 x 14.5mm, 2,000 x 7.62mm Armour Type: Steel 6 -12mm thick


Combat Weight: 13,600 kg Engine: YaMZ-238M2 240hp Diesel

Max Road Speed: 90 km/h Max Water Speed: 9.5 km/h Max Cruising Range: 600 km

The Soviets needed exactly 20 years and experience in Afghanistan to finally get their 8x8 turreted APC about right. Externally not much different BTR-60PB APC of 1966, or the BTR-70, the 1986 BTR-80 vehicle finally has a single sufficiently powerful diesel instead of two pathetic gasoline engines, side doors that are actually useful, improved infantry compartment, a much improved turret with smoke mortars, and improved mine and bullet resistance. Mobility can still be maintained even with two of the eight wheels shot off. The armor is still inadequate to protect it from 12.7mm bullets except in the front, but at least the 7.62mm AP bullets can no longer penetrate, which is already an improvement. This vehicle is a very versatile wheeled platform that is used in a great variety of roles in addition to APC role. These include BTR-80K command variant, 1V118 FIST-FO vehicle, satellite uplink vehicle, RKhM-4 NBC recon, BMM-80 MEDEVAC, BREM-K recovery vehicle, 2S23 SPG, etc. The latest version of the vehicle, a 1994 BTR-80A, carries a 30mm autocannon/7.62mm MG stabilized combo instead of the original turret.

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The BTR-80 APC is in service with at least 20 Armies in addition to Russia, and can be a dangerous addition to any assault when used in great numbers, provided that it is able to dispense it's squad of Infantry. It's not exactly an immediate threat to the M1 or Leopard, but ignoring it is not a good idea either; it's fast, and can change the tide of a battle very quickly if used properly. What you don't want to do is let a bunch of these things get into your rear area so their troops can capitalize on their position. Vasiliy Fofanov photo used with permission from James Sterrett

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BRDM-2 AT

Crew: 2 or 3

Armament: Spandrel (AT-5) ATGM Ammunition: 5 ready plus 10 reloads

Armour: 14mm Armour Type: Steel Length: 5.75 meters Width: 2.35 meters Height: 2.01 meters

Combat Weight: 7,000 kg Engine: GAZ-41 V-8 water-cooled; petrol



The BRDM-2 AT was designed in the late 1960s to replace the earlier BRDM-1 AT variant. Initial versions carried Sagger (AT-3) ATGMs, and saw combat in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. In 1977, it was upgraded to carry the AT-5 Spandrel. The Spandrel is a heavy ATGM with a range of 4,000 meters. The number of BRDM-2 AT produced is unclear; all were made at the Molotov GAZ ("Gosudarstvennii Avtomobil'nii Zavod", or State Automotive Factory) plant at Gorkii, Russia. At least 14 nations have some variant of the vehicle in service. Don't let the wimpy armor and wheels cause you to dismiss this vehicle. Properly used, for long-range overwatch, sniping, and, especially, defense from a flank, the BRDM-2 AT is a lethal threat to your tank. Something else gets your attention - or your simply fail to see the hard-to-spot BRDM-2 AT - and the next thing you know, the AT-5 has reduced your tank to a wreck. Fortunately, once you figure out where it is, it isn't too hard to kill.

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James Sterrett

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BRDM-2 Recon and Patrol Vehicle

Crew: 4

Armament: 14.5mm MG, 7.62mm coax MG Ammunition: 500 x 14.5mm, 2,000 x 7.62mm

Armour Type: Steel 6-14mm thick Length: 5.75 meters Width: 2.35 meters Height: 2.31 meters

Combat Weight: 7,000 kg Engine: GAZ-41 140hp V-8 Gasoline



BRDM-2 recon vehicle, introduced in 1962, is the development of BRDM-1. It has a more spacious hull, more powerful engine, and a small turret with 14.5/7.62mm MGs. The armament of BRDM-2 is not very dangerous to a tank, though a lucky hit by a 14.5mm bullet can damage the optics. Its armor won't protect it from tank's weapons, being vulnerable even to 12.7mm bullets and shell fragments. However, ignoring this vehicle for too long is not a good idea as it may dump a tank company or a rain of artillery rounds in your lap. Produced by many countries in many variants, it serves with at least 45 Armies. Its chassis is the basis of a whole family of vehicles including BRDM-2u C3 vehicle, BRDM-2rkh NBC recon, 9P122, 9P133 and 9P148 ATGW carriers, and 9P31 (SA-9) SAM vehicle.

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MT-LB Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle

Crew: 2 + place for 11 men

Armament: 7.62mm MG Ammunition: 1,000 x 7.62mm Armour Type: Steel 6-12mm


Combat Weight: 9,700 kg Engine: YaMZ-238B 240hp Diesel



MT-LB, 1964, is an example of a vehicle that was originally conceived for a fairly narrow range of applications (mainly artillery prime mover and ammo transport), but proved to be so successful that it was quickly adopted for other roles. The vehicle is capable of towing up to 6.5t of weight or carrying over 2t in its cargo compartment. Its success lies in a very rugged construction and a very low ground pressure, 0.46kg/cm2 (and as low as 0.28 kg/cm2 with a widened track). This has quickly promoted the MT-LB as a vehicle of choice in Russian Arctic regions, where it serves as a main transport both for military and civilian applications. The MT-LB performance in the Chechnya campaign apparently impressed the military so much that there is talk of adopting MT-LB for an APC role after some upgrading of the armor and armament. In the meantime the modifications of this vehicle already serve in a great variety of roles including SNAR ground surveillance radar vehicles, 1V13-1V15 FIST vehicles, RKhM NBC recon vehicles, 2S1 SPG, UR-77 rocket minefield breeching vehicle, ATGM platforms, SAM

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platforms, and so on and so forth. At least eight countries use the MT-LB in addition to Russia. Vasiliy Fofanov

Steel BeastsRecognition GuideTable of ContentsUS VehiclesM1A1HA MBTM2A2 Bradley IFVM113M113 MedivacM901 ITVM981 FIST-VHMMWV

German VehiclesLeopard 2A4 MBTMarder 1A3M133 Artillery ObserverTruckJaguar 2 ATGW

Soviet VehiclesT80U MBTT72B MBTBMP1 1IFVBMP2 IFVBMD2 Airborne IFVBTR80 APCBRDM2 ATBRDM2 Recon/PatrolMT LB Armored MPV

steel beasts · 2004. 4. 21. · bmp-1 ifv 34 bmp-2 ifv 36 bmd-2 ifv 38 btr-80 apc 40 brdm-2 atgm...

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