View source for MT-LBu

{{Infobox weapon
| is_vehicle         = yes
| name               = MT-LBu
| image              = Captured Iraqi MT-LBu 2.JPEG
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = An Iraqi MT-LBu captured by the Coalition Forces during Operation Desert Storm.
| type               = Armored transporter
| origin             = Soviet Union
| length             = 7.21 m
| width              = 2.85 m
| height             = 1.905 m
| manufacturer       = [[Kharkiv Tractor Plant]]
| weight             = 15,550 kg
| suspension         = Torsion bar
| speed              = 61.5 km/h (road)<br>30 km/h (off-road)<br> 5 to 6 km/h (in the water)
| vehicle_range      = 500 km (road range)
| primary_armament   =
| secondary          =
| armour             = Welded aluminum
| engine             = YaMZ-238N, V-8 [[Diesel engine|diesel]]
| crew               = 2 (+ 6 passengers)
| engine_power       = 300 hp at 2,100 rpm
| pw_ratio           =
}}
The '''MT-LBu''' is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] multi-purpose fully [[amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] [[armoured carrier]] which was developed under the factory index '''Ob'yekt 10''' in the late 1960s, based on the [[MT-LB]]. It has a more powerful engine, a 40&nbsp;cm higher hull and a longer chassis with 7 road wheels on each side.
==Development==
In the 1970s the Soviet Central Auto and Tractor Directorate embarked on a development program to replace the AT-P series of artillery tractors that were based on the [[ASU-57]], with a new generation of vehicles. The MT-L was developed to meet this requirement based on the [[PT-76]] chassis. The [[MT-LB]] is the armoured variant of the vehicle.
Entering production in the early 1970s, it was cheap to build, being based on many existing components including the engine, which is a truck engine. The MT-LBu is a bigger, unarmed version that is used as the basis for many specialised vehicles. It was built at the [[Kharkiv Tractor Plant]] (KhTZ) in the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]] as well as [[Poland]] (Stalowa Wola) and [[Bulgaria]] (Beta JSCo.).
==Description==
[[File:MT-LBu in Technical museum Togliatti-0504.jpg|thumb|MT-LBu profile]]
The crew—a driver and a commander—is located in a compartment at the front of the vehicle, with the engine behind them. The compartment at the rear has a volume of 13&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup>. A load of 6,500&nbsp;kg can be towed. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its tracks.
The vehicle is lightly armoured against small arms and shell splinters with a thickness of 3 to 10&nbsp;mm of steel. The troop compartment has one roof hatch over the top, which opens rearwards. In the centre of the roof there is a big circular opening that is covered with a blanking plate with hatch when no turret is mounted. The MT-LBu has 2 firing ports: one in the front right side, the other in the rear door, both with an associated vision device.
The driver is provided with a TVN-2 infra-red periscope, which in combination with the OU-3GK infra-red/white light search light provides a range of about 40&nbsp;m. The MT-LBu is equipped with an NBC detection device GO-27, a filter system FVU and a navigation apparatus.
=== SIGINT "Taran" ===
At the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine]] the MT-Lbu variant '''R-381T "Taran"''' got more in focus. The System is used at divisional level and consists of 7 vehicles. The recent R-381TM Taran-M is an upgrade of R-381T Taran from the Cold War-era.The system is used to monitor radio signals, [[eavesdropping]] on enemy forces’ communications across a wide range of frequencies. As well as providing raw intelligence in the form of intercepted communications, the Taran is able to [[Surveillance|geolocate]] [[Transmitter|transmitters]], providing commanders with critical data on the actual positions of enemy forces.
The ''kompleks radiotekhnicheskoj razvedki'' System (‘automatic radio intelligence complex) replaced the R-381 "Rama" set on [[GAZ-66]] truck. In Ukraine the newer version R-381TM Taran-M is used. About the "original R-381T Taran" is known, that the system, when deployed at full strength, consists of seven vehicles.
* '''R-381T1 "Taran 1"''' – interceptor station (×2);
* '''R-381T2 "Taran 2"''' – direction finding station (×4);
* '''R-381T3 "Taran 3"''' – control vehicle for the T1 and T2 (×1)
The R-381T Taran complex can be set up to comprise five vehicles: two R-381T2s, two R-381T1s, and a single R-381T3.
The Taran 2 gathers signals at four R-381T2 UHF radio monitoring stations that operate in the 30 to 100&nbsp;MHz band, and two R-381T1 VHF radio monitoring stations operating across 1.5 to 30&nbsp;MHz, and which are able to listen in on [[Airband|aviation airband communication]] (100 to 400&nbsp;MHz), as well as radio relay links (300 to 1000&nbsp;MHz). Data acquired by these systems based on vehicles is then processed by a single R-381T3 vehicle. Ukrainian sources report, that the R-381T Taran can detect, classify and listen in on radio emissions at a range of {{convert|40|km|mi}} on land and at a range of up to {{convert|97|km|mi}} when monitoring airband communications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine Just Captured Another Rare Russian Electronic Warfare Vehicle |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-just-captured-another-rare-russian-electronic-warfare-vehicle/ar-AA11UFzm |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref>
*
{{Clear}}
==Variants==
===Former USSR (Russian Federation and Ukraine)===
[[File:Bronnitsy - firefighting tank MT-LBu-GPM-10.jpg|thumb|A firefighting MT-LBu-GPM-10.]]
* '''MT-LBu''' – basic version. Many so-called "MT-LB variants" are in fact based on the MT-LBu.
** '''1L219 "[[Zoopark-1]]"''' – radar vehicle of the target locating and fire control system '''1L219'''.
*** '''1L219M "Zoopark-1M"''' – modernised version, presented in 2002.
** '''1L245''' – ground-based weapons control radar suppression system with a 1 kW output.
** '''1RL243 "Rubicon" MASRR''' (''mobilnaya avtomatizirovannaya stantsiya radiotekhnicheskoy razvedki'') – mobile automated SHF radio monitoring station.
** '''1S80 "Sborka" PPRU''' (''podvizhnyj punkt razvedki i upravleniya'') – G-band early warning radar for air defence units with a max. range of 80&nbsp;km. Known in NATO as '''DOG EAR'''. Modified versions include the '''PPRU-M''', the '''PPRU-M1''' and the '''PPRU-M1-2''' that was presented in 2007.
** '''1V12 "Mashina" KSAUO''' – this fire control set (''kompleks sredstv avtomatizirovannogo upravleniya ognyom''/Комплекс средств автоматизированного управления огнем) entered service in 1974 and consists of 8 vehicles in 4 different models. Several upgrades have been developed, including the '''1V12-3 "Mashina-M"''', the '''1V12M "Faltset"''', the '''1V12M-1''' and the '''1V12M-2'''. This set is found in artillery units equipped with self-propelled howitzers like the [[2S1]], [[2S3]], [[2S5]] and [[2S19]].
*** '''1V13''' – battery fire control center, three per set. The 1V13 has a crew of 6 and is equipped with a PAB-2AM aiming circle, range finders, an automatic data processing system APK or APPK, three radio sets [[R-123]]M (or R-173) and an observation device PV-1 on top of the turret. Early models were armed with the DShK-M, later vehicles have the NSVT and a generator GIV-8/8000 on the right rear. Former NATO designator: '''ACRV M1974/1'''.
*** '''1V14''' – battery command and forward observer vehicle, three per set. This type can be identified by the observation systems VOP-7A, 1PN44 and DAK-2M mounted on the turret top and right side. Radio sets as per 1V13 plus one R-107. Crew: 5, armament: one PKMB 7.62&nbsp;mm. Former NATO designator: '''ACRV M1974/2a'''.
*** '''1V15''' – very similar to 1V14 but fitted with a slim antenna mast for the R-130M radio. One of the R-123M's has been replaced by an R-111. This is the battalion commander's vehicle. Former NATO designator: '''ACRV M1974/2b'''.
*** '''1V16''' – battalion fire direction center with 9V59 computer and meteo set MDK7. Armament as per 1V13, radio sets as per 1V15 plus one R-326. Crew: 6-7. Former NATO designator: '''ACRV M1974/3'''. The model with generator has no turret.
** '''9S714-N-18'''
** '''9V514 "Beta-3"''' – divisional computer vehicle, belongs to the PASUV set. The specialised equipment consists of an Argon-40 computer and the T-244 data processing unit. Produced from 1980 to 1990.
** '''ARK-1''' (''artilleriskiy radiolokatsionnyi kompleks'') – mobile H-band artillery locating radar 1RL-239 with a detection range of 15&nbsp;km (howitzers) to 40&nbsp;km (tactical missiles). Usually found in the division's recce battery.
*** '''ARK-1M''' – improved model with generator.
** '''I-52''' – mine scattering vehicle, developed in the 1990s by [[KVSZ]] from Ukraine. On the vehicle's roof are two mine dispensers with 90 cassettes each for anti-tank and anti-personnel mines [[PFM-1]], PMF-1S, KSO-1, POM-1 or [[POM-2]], GTM-1 and/or [[PTM-3]].
** '''KDKhR-1N "Dal"''' (''kompleks nazemnoy distantsionnoy khimicheskoy razvedki'') – long-range chemical detection system that works with lasers with a detection range between 1,000 and 7,000 meter. The other specialised equipment consists of the TNA-4-6 navigation apparatus, a computer, a data processing unit, the PRKhR detection system, an automatic gas detection device GSA-12, PGO-11 gas indicator, KPO-1 sampling set and the "Karat" TV system.
** '''LKM3''' or '''P-256B''' – cable laying version.
** '''MP21-25''' – vehicles that belong to the automated field command set '''PASUV "Manyevr"''' that was developed in 1972. Vehicles of the '''PASUV-R''' set (from 1984) are equipped with the data processing unit "Redut-2P" and have the suffix R in their designator. All models are equipped with an 8&nbsp;kW generator, an antenna mast AMU and several movable wip antennas.
*** '''MP21 (9S743)''' – for the division commander and his staff ('''MP21M'''), the NBC defence section ('''MP21M-2''') and the intelligence cell ('''MP21M-3''').
*** '''MP22 (9S716)''' – version for the commander of the air-defence forces.
*** '''MP23 (9Sxxx)''' – version for the air-force liaison group with R-809M2 radio set for ground-air communications.
*** '''MP24 (9S775)''' – for the commander of the field artillery and rocket forces ('''MP24M'''), the chief-of-staff of the artillery regiments ('''MP24M-1''') and the divisional artillery group ('''MP24M-2'''). Fitted with a DAK-2 range finder and the 1V57M artillery computer.
*** '''MP25 (9S717)''' – version for processing of radar data.
** '''MP22-1 "[[Ranzhir]]" (9S737)''' – mobile command post for 9K331 "Tor" ([[SA-15]]) batteries with a crew of 5. The vehicle is standard equipped with the following systems: navigation apparatus TNA-4-4, computer E715-1-1, a sight VOP-7A, generators 137N and 134N, a data processing set T-235-1L, one radio set R-134, two R-171M, two R-173M, three R-173PM, one R-862, a single blade antenna (for R-862) and a slim 10&nbsp;m mast.
** '''MP95 "Beta-4"''' – divisional computer vehicle of the PASUV-R set, fitted with an Argon-50 computer.
** '''MZS-83''' (''moshchnaya zvukoveshchatel’naya stantsiya'') – [[Psychological operations|PsyOps]] vehicle with high-power loudspeaker system.
** '''PPRI-5''' – division-level signals vehicle.
** '''R-149BMRg''' – signals vehicle, fitted with two R-171M radio sets, an R-163-50U, an R-163-10V, an R-134M, R-438, R-853 and R-012M, devices T-230-1A, T-240D and T-235-1U and a telephone set TA-2.
** '''R-161B''' – HF/VHF signals vehicle fitted with the R-161 set with an output of 1&nbsp;kW and with a range of 2,000&nbsp;km.
*** '''R-161BM''' – modernised model with two R-161-10 sets.
** '''R-330B''' – EW vehicle, fitted with automated jammer system. The unarmoured, truck-based version is called R-330T.
** '''R-330KB''' – mobile automated command post for systems R-330B and R-378B.
** '''R-330P "Piramida-I"''' – EW vehicle, fitted with a VHF jammer system with an output between 20 and 100&nbsp;MHz and with a range of 25&nbsp;km.
** '''R-378B''' – EW vehicle, fitted with the automated HF jammer system ASP R-378 with an output of 1,000 W and a range of 50&nbsp;km.
** '''R-381T "Taran"''' – divisional Sigint set (''kompleks radiotekhnicheskoj razvedki'') that replaced the R-381 "Rama" set on [[GAZ-66]] truck. A complete set normally consists of 7 vehicles in three different models:
*** '''R-381T1 "Taran 1"''' – interceptor station (×2);
*** '''R-381T2 "Taran 2"''' – direction finding station (×4);
*** '''R-381T3 "Taran 3"''' – control vehicle for the T1 and T2 (×1).
** '''R-412B''' – divisional tropospheric relay station, fitted with two parabolic antennas R-133 and a generator GAB-8-T/230.
** '''R-439BG "Legenda-2BG"''' – mobile SatCom station.
** '''R-934B''' – EW vehicle, fitted with an automated system to jam aircraft VHF/UHF communications.
** '''TGM''' (''transportnaya gusenichnaya mashina'') – civilianised transporter.
* '''[[2S1]]''' 122&nbsp;mm self-propelled [[howitzer]].
* '''[[2S34]]''' 120&nbsp;mm self-propelled [[Mortar (weapon)#Gun-mortars|gun-mortar]].
===Belarus===
Based on older versions – mostly of the 1V12 series – Minotaur from Belarus has developed new versions of the MT-LBu:
* '''TMPK "Mul"''' (''transportnaya mashina perednego kraya'') – forward area re-supply vehicle.
* '''TZM122''' (''transportno-zaryazhayushaya mashina'') – ammunition re-supply vehicle for field artillery units, equipped with the 2S1.
* '''SM120''' (''samokhonyj minomyot'') – mortar platform with [[2S12 Sani|2B11 "Sani"]] 120&nbsp;mm mortar and one basic load of 48 rounds.
* '''PPMP''' (''podvizhnyj punkt meditsinkogo pomoshchi'') – ambulance.
===Bulgaria===
* '''KShM 9S743''' – command and staff vehicle, initially very similar to the Soviet MP24 but has been upgraded in the year 2000 with new communications gear. In service.
* '''Iskra'''
* '''MTP-1''' – combat engineer vehicle, equipped with a big dozer blade at the rear, a roof-mounted crane with a capacity of 3,000&nbsp;kg and a machine-gun turret TKB-01 in the front right corner (as per MT-LB). Combat weight is 14 t. Prototype.
* '''KShTMS''' – command and control vehicle, fitted with automated equipment.
* '''KShM-R-55''' – command vehicle, fitted with the communications set R-55B. This consists of the HF radio R-55R, the receiver R-55P, the VHF radio R-33 and the receiver R-23.
* '''MSP-1'''
* '''MSP-2'''
===Finland===
* '''MT-LBu-TP''' (''tulipatterin komentopaikkapanssarivaunu'') – battery command post. This is a modified 1V13, fitted with an NSVT-12.7 machine gun, 76&nbsp;mm Wegmann smoke grenade launchers, stowage boxes and a generator. Crew: 8. The first three prototypes were developed by Vammas in 1993, the rest of the fleet was modified between 1995 and 1997.
* '''MT-LBu-P''' (''paikantamispanssarivaunu'') – modified 1V14/15, used as navigation vehicle for survey and preparation of firing positions. External modifications as per MT-LBu-TP but armed with PKM machine gun.
* '''MT-LBu-PS''' (''patteriston komentopaikkapanssarivaunu'') – modified 1V16, used as battalion command post. Externally very similar to MT-LBu-TP.
===Hungary===
* '''MFAJ''' (''müszaki felderitö akadály-elháritó jármü'') – transport vehicle for combat engineer squads.
===Poland===
Polish [[Huta Stalowa Wola|HSW S.A.]] (Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.) has a license to produce MT-LBu.
* '''ZWDSz 1''' (''zautomatyzowany wóz dowódczo sztabowy'') – command vehicle of the automated command set "Irys". Entered service in 2002 and is based on an MP-21-25.
===Sweden===
* '''Pbv 4020''' (''pansarbandvagn'') – Swedish designator for basic chassis (former 1V12 series, modified).
* '''Stripbv 4021''' (''stridsledningbandvagn'') – command vehicle, fitted with three radio sets Ra 180, one Ra 195, one Ra 422 and a switch board.
* '''Sjvpbv 4024''' (''sjukvårdspansarbandvagn'') – ambulance with room for 4 stretchers.
==Operators==
[[File:MT-LBu operators.png|thumb|400px|A map of MT-LBu operators in blue and former operators in red]]
===Current operators===
*{{ARM}}
*{{AZE}}
*{{BLR}}
*{{BUL}}
*{{CHN}}<ref>{{cite web |title =中国买S-400为啥便宜？“道尔”导弹这车藏半个答案 |url =https://www.sohu.com/a/242410168_617301 |access-date=29 March 2023 |date=20 July 2018 |language=zh}}</ref>
*{{CZE}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Technika a výzbroj: MT-LB |url=https://acr.army.cz/technika-a-vyzbroj/poz/vbv/mt-lb-210449/ |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Czech Republic)]] |access-date=27 April 2022 |language=cs}}</ref>
*{{flag|Egypt}}
*{{FIN}} – Artillery command vehicles, ambulances and signals vehicles {{citation needed|date=December 2016}}
*{{GEO}}
*{{HUN}} – 21 MFAJ{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
*{{IRQ}}
*{{KAZ}}
*{{LBY}} – At least 1 heavily up-armored example currently in use by Misratan militias.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/tjtA05ymWBY Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170327192142/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjtA05ymWBY Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjtA05ymWBY| title = فيديو حصري لقوات البنيان المرصوص(المحور الشمالي) تسيطر على مواقع التنظيم الإرهابي وسط سرت | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*{{POL}}
*{{RUS}}
*{{SRB}}
*{{UKR}}
*{{VEN}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taringa.net/+militares_en_t/mega-post-venezuela-4-febrero-con-desfile-civico-militar_rzcc0|title=Mega post: Venezuela 4 febrero con desfile Civico Milit|date=6 February 2012}}</ref>
===Former operators===
*{{DDR}} – 17 sets 1V12 (136 vehicles), 1 set PASUV (18 vehicles), 1 set R-381T "Taran" (5 vehicles) and R-330P. Passed on to Germany after the [[German reunification]].
*{{GER}} – All sold, scrapped and returned to the Soviet Union briefly after the German reunification.
*{{USSR}} – Passed on to successor states.
*{{SWE}} – 38 Pbv 4020, 12 Stripbv 4021 and 10 Sjvpbv 4024. {{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
==See also==
* [[List of AFVs]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Hull, A.W., Markov, D.R., Zaloga, S.J. (1999) ''Soviet/Russian Armor and Artillery Design Practices 1945 to Present''. Darlington Productions. {{ISBN|1-892848-01-5}}.
* Gau L-R., Plate J., Siegert J. (2001) ''Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge - Bundeswehr und NVA''. Motorbuch Verlag. {{ISBN|3-613-02152-8}}
==External links==
{{commons|MT-LBu}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070520105804/http://www.hsw.pl/eng/transporteryo.php Huta Stalowa Wola - producer of MT-LB]
* [http://www.minotor-service.com/index.php?page=fasc&lang=en Minotaur's website]
* [http://www.militaertechnik-der-nva.de/Waffensysteme/PASUV/Pasuv.html About PASUV, in German]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927180908/http://www.roe.ru/cataloque/airdef_cataloque.html Catalogue of Rosoboronexport]
* [https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/mt-lb.htm MT-LB Multipurpose Armoured Vehicle]
* [http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/inf/MT-LB.html MT-LB Light Armored Multi-purpose Vehicle]
{{PostWWIISovietAFVS}}
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Amphibious armoured personnel carriers]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Tracked armoured personnel carriers]]