Russia's UralVagonZavod has completed its latest enhanced version of the PRP-4A reconnaissance vehicle, with enhanced capabilities.



The PRP-4A - which is based on the BMP-1infantry fighting vehicle - has been designed to carry out reconnaissance for artillery units and act as a general forward observation vehicle. In the former role, target information is sent to an artillery battery command post vehicle, usually based on the tracked Artillery Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle in Russian service, which then initiates a fire mission with weapons such as the 152 mm 2S19 self-propelled artillery systems.

Although completed by UralVagonZavod, the actual prime contractor for the PRP-4A is Rubtsovsky Branch Research and Production Corporation.

Each PRP-4A is normally operated by a commander, reconnaissance system operator, surveyor/radio operator, and driver/mechanic. Its sensor package enables it to conduct missions around the clock, determining target co-ordinates through 360° in traverse, and +/-5° in elevation.

The sensor suite combines a suite of specialised electro-optical equipment - which can be used on board and while dismounted - and battlefield surveillance radar. It has two work stations, one for the commander and one for the reconnaissance systems operator. Both have multifunctional video monitors, a video screen, KL-85 keyboard, and controls for their individual specialised subsystems.

The radar is an IL120-1 installation, which can be retracted into the turret rear when not required. It can be operated by the commander or driver and detect a dismounted individual at a range of 7 km and a tank-sized target at 20 km.



A 1D14-1 periscopic laser rangefinder is mounted on the left of the turret roof, able to lase tank-sized objects at a maximum range of 10 km, or 20-25 km against larger objects. The device's field-of-view is limited by the turret, offering a limited traverse of 30° left and right of boresight, or 360° when the turret is traversed. The 1PN125 sensor is mounted on the right side of the turret under armour protection. It has three modes of operation, passive, active and strobe, and can be used day and night.

On the left side of the turret is a 1PN126 thermal camera - with a range measuring device - which is also under armour protection. It has a stated maximum range of 5 km with two modes of operation: detection and identification.

PRP-4A standard equipment includes 1D18 (LRP2) laser rangefinder binoculars (with a maximum range of 20 km), standard B10 x 32 binoculars, and BN-3 (1PN-94) image intensification night-vision binoculars.

Some of this equipment can be unshipped to create a dismounted observation post that can be set up 500 m from the vehicle using a wired connection, or 6 km using a VHF radio link. An R-168-5(E)-2 portable radio can be used for dedicated dismounted communications, together with a PAB-2AM aiming circle. However, a direct line provides voice transmission for short dismounted operations.

The 1T144 survey and navigation system receives information from a number of sensors and then displays the data on a flat-panel display.

Its communications package comprises one R-168-100KBE high-frequency radio, two R-168-25UE VHF radios, 1T827 vehicle intercom system, and a T-236-V data communications system. This has a maximum unrelayed range of 50 km.

The combat weight of the PRP-4A is 13.8 tonnes, and it is powered by a UTD-20S1 V-6 diesel, which develops 300 hp and propels the vehicle up to a maximum speed of 65 km/h. The vehicle is fitted with an auxiliary power unit to power the sensors with the main engine switched off.

Its armament is strictly for close-in self-defence, with a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun and an optical-electronic suppression system (SOEP), which is connected to 14 grenade launchers arranged around the turret to provide coverage through 360°.

SOEP detects incoming laser radiation and displays this information on a monitor. The laser threat is then countered by an aerosol screen created by 81 mm 3VD35 grenades.

In addition, like the BMP-1, the PRP-4A can lay its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet on the front right side of the hull. The resulting cloud will typically cover a distance of 100-150 m and persists for about one minute, weather permitting.

The vehicle is fully amphibious with little preparation and is propelled through the water by its tracks at a maximum speed of 7 km/h.

Standard equipment includes an NBC system, fire detection and suppression system, unditching beam (which is normally carried on the left side of the hull), and camouflage equipment which includes a camouflage net and set of heat shields.

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> PRP-4 "Nard" (Ob'yekt 779, 1V121)The replacement for the PRP-3 "Val", it entered service with the Soviet Army in the 1980s. It was an improved PRP-3 with one 1A30M and two R-173 radios, a 1G25-1/1G13/KP-4 navigational system, a 1D11M-1 active pulsed laser range finder, a 1PN59 thermal vision device and a 1PN61 active pulsed night vision system fitted. A 1RL-133-1 "Tall Mike" retractable battlefield surveillance radar replaced the 1RL-126 "Small Fred" set. The vehicle was fitted with protected mountings on either side of the turret which house optical devices. The PRP-4 was also equipped with new electronic information processing equipment and a self-contained power supply which can be used while the vehicle is stationary. The 2P130-1 missile launcher was removed. The IFV was produced by the Rubtsovsk Engineering Works.

> PRP-4M "Deyteriy" (Ob'yekt 779M, 1V145) – Was a modernized version of the PRP-4 "Nard" developed in 1988. It is equipped with a 1PN71 thermal infrared vision device (which gives the crew a range of up to 3,000 m), a 1D14 periscopic laser rangefinder, a 1D13 portable laser reconnaissance device and a turret antenna mount located on the center of the turret roof behind the radar hatch. It is the latest member of the PRP family of vehicles to be mass-produced.

> PRP-4M "Deyteriy" – Fitted with a fake gun mantlet and offset gun barrel to resemble a BMP-2.

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> PRP-4MU (Ob'yekt 508)
The PRP-4MU armoured reconnaissance vehicle is intended for reconnaissance of stationary and moving ground targets day and night, under any weather conditions, at ambient temperature ranging from - 40o C up to + 40o C, up to 3000 m above sea level.

The vehicle retains high performance of its base vehicle - BMP-1 (AIFV):

+ extremely high manoeuvrability,
+ high speeds of movement,
+ good cross-country capability and the ability to negotiate water obstacles afloat using its track assembly as well as sufficient armour protection.

The armoured reconnaissance vehicle is provided with radar station, thermal vision device, laser range finder, night active pulse and day periscopic vision device, navigation and orientation means, computer, switchboard equipment, communications and data transmission means and equipment for setting up of an observation post outside the vehicle.

Development

The PRP-4 battlefield reconnaissance vehicle is a further development of the earlier PRP-3 battlefield reconnaissance vehicle which first appeared in 1975. Details of the PRP-3 are given in the entry for the BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle on which the PRP-3 and PRP-4 are based.

The PRP-4 reconnaissance vehicle has been designed to carry out reconnaissance of both stationary and moving targets, including low-flying helicopters, by both day and night, under any weather conditions, at altitudes of up to 3,000 m above sea level and in temperatures ranging from -40 to +40°C.

The system is usually found with self-propelled artillery units, especially those equipped with 122 mm 2S1 and 152 mm 2S3 self-propelled guns. There has been no recent production of the PRP-4 reconnaissance vehicie.

Description



The hull of the PRP-4 is virtually identical to the BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle although, as it has a different mission, the layout of the vehicle and roof hatches is very different.

The driver is seated front left with the power pack to his right and another crew member seated to his rear. Both have single-piece hatch covers and associated observation devices. The driver's hatch lifts and swings to the right while the hatch to the rear of the driver opens forwards.

The two-man power-operated turret is in the centre of the vehicle and is provided with two roof hatches, sensors and a single 7.62 mm PKT machine gun which is aimed and fired under complete armour protection.

Optical devices are mounted on the forward part of the roof and in pods on either side of the turret.

Mounted in the rear of the turret is the IRL-133-1 radar with a flat antenna that folds forwards when not operational. This radar can detect and track MBT-size targets out to a range of 8 to 10 km. When not required, the radar antenna is retracted under full armour protection.

The 1PN71 thermal night vision system is mounted on the left side of the turret and has a target detection range of at least 3,000 m or 1,300 m and a target recognition range of at least 2,000 m.

Mounted on the right side of the turret is the 1PN61 infra-red night vision device with a detection range in the active mode of 2,500 to 3,000 m and 1,500 m in the passive mode.

To determine the range to targets, a 1D11M-1 periscopic laser binocular range-finder is also fitted in the right side of the turret. An ID13 laser range-finder is carried inside the vehicle and deployed away from the vehicle when required.

Navigation equipment fitted includes course plotter KP-4, gyro course indicator 1G13 and gyrocompass 1G25-1.

Information processing and communications equipment fitted includes a 1V250 electronic calculator, an R-173 radio system and a 1A30M automatic command receiver.

The fifth crew member is seated in the rear and has a circular roof hatch that opens to the rear. The twin doors in the hull are retained but the vehicle does not have any firing ports.

As the PRP-4 has extensive communications equipment and other systems that need additional power, an auxiliary power unit is fitted as standard.

The PRP-4 retains the amphibious characteristics of the BMP-1 and is fitted with an NBC system as standard; it can also lay its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet which is located on the right side of the hull.

Variant

Late production models are designated the PRP-4M which is similar to the PRP-4 but has improved 1PN59 night vision sensors.

Status

Production complete. In service with the Russian Army and some other countries.



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