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MT-LB Multipurpose Armoured Vehicle

The MT-LB amphibious armoured tracked vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled in the water by its tracks. The low-silhouette MT-LB has a flat-track suspension consisting of six road wheels with no return rollers. The box-like welded steel plate hull has a crew compartment at the front, engine immediately behind on the left side, and a troop compartment at the rear which has inward-facing folding canvas seats for 10 infantrymen. The flat hull roof has two forward opening troop exit hatches. The infantry enter and leave the vehicle by two rear doors which are provided with firing ports. The total of four firing ports also include one on each side of the vehicle. The small turret to the right of the commander's position mounts a single 7.62-mm machine gun. Standard equipment on all vehicles includes an NBC protection system.

The MT-LB is an amphibious armored tracked vehicle with a low-silhouette, box- like hull made of welded steel plates and a small turret on the right front, mounting a single 7.62-mm machine gun. There are four firing ports, one on each side of the vehicle and one in each of the two rear exit doors. Two additional, forward-opening, troop exit hatches are located on the flat hull roof. The flat-track suspension consists of six road wheels with no return rollers.

The MT-LB can employ an extra-wide-track with an "aggressive" grouser to make over snow and swamp operations easier. The wide-tracked version, designated MT-LBV, has a track which is 565 mm wide compared to the normal 350-mm-wide track. The wider track reduces ground pressure from 0.46 to only 0.28 kg/cm2.

The MT-LB is a multipurpose vehicle. When used as an ARC or command vehicle, it can carry ten personnel besides its two-man crew (driver and commander-gunner). It also is used as a prime mover for various types of artillery. In this case it can also carry the artillery crew (six to ten personnel). It is frequently used as prime mover for the 100-mm antitank gun T-12. As a cargo and general transport vehicle, it has a cargo capacity of 2.0 metric tons (towed load 6.5 metric tons). The wide-tracked MT-LBV is used as a soft-terrain vehicle.

The MT-LB is lightly armed and lightly armored.

The MT-LB was first designated M 1970 since it was initially identified by the West in 1970. Its design is based on the MT-L light transport vehicle and prime mover. The MT-L, which is unarmored and turretless, was first developed for geological research in the far north.

VARIANTS

The MT-LB chassis also has become the basis for a variety of other vehicles. Russian AG-17 30-mm automatic grenade launcher modification is available for use on MT-LB. Russian KBP offers a drop-in one-man turret, called Kliver, with a stabilized 2A72 30-mm gun, a 4 Kornet ATGM launcher, thermal sights, and improved fire control system.

Specifications

Alternative Designations MT-LB-T
Date of Introduction 1970, modernized in 1995
Proliferation At least 9 countries
Description
Crew 2
Troop Capacity 11 passengers
Combat Weight (mt) 11.9
Chassis Length Overall (m) 6.35
Height Overall (m) 1.87
Width Overall (m) 2.85
Ground Pressure (kg/cm 2 ) 0.46 standard track / 0.28 wide track
Automotive Performance
Engine Type 290-hp Diesel
Cruising Range (km) 500
Speed (km/h)
Max Road 61.5/70 modernized
Max Off-Road 30/45 modernized
Average Cross-Country INA
Max Swim 3-4
Fording Depth (m) Amphibious
Radio R-123 or upgrade to -123M/-173
Protection
Armor, Turret Front (mm) 7-14
Applique Armor (mm) N/A
Explosive Reactive Armor (mm) INA
Active Protective System N/A
Mineclearing Equipment N/A
Self-Entrenching Blade Yes
NBC Protection System Collective
Smoke Equipment N/A
ARMAMENT
Main Armament(s)
Caliber, Type, Name 7.62-mm (7.62x 54R) machinegun, PKT
Rate of Fire (rd/min) 250 practical / 650 cyclic, 2-10 round bursts
Loader Type Belt-feed
Ready/Stowed Rounds INA
Elevation (°) -5/ +35
Fire on Move Yes
Auxiliary Weapon N/A
ATGM Launcher N/A
Firing Ports 1 on each side and 1 in each rear door.
FIRE CONTROL
FCS Name INA
Main Gun Stabilization N/A
Rangefinder N/A
Infrared Searchlight N/A
Sights w/Magnification
Gunner
Day PP-61AM, 2.6x
Field of View (°) 23
Acquisition Range (m) 1,500 (est)
Night N/A
Commander Fire Main Gun No
MAIN ARMAMENT AMMUNITION
Caliber, Type, Name7.62-mm API, API-T
Maximum Aimed Range (m) 1,500
Max Effective Range (m)
Day 1,000/400-500 on the move
Night INA
Tactical AA Range INA
Armor Penetration (mm) 8 (RHA) at 500 m
Other Ammunition Types Light Ball, Ball-T, Heavy Ball, Incendiary

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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/mt-lb.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Sunday, January 16, 2000 7:50:52 AM