KshTMS

     Notes: This is a Bulgarian modification of the ACRV (MT-LBu) chassis, used as a command post vehicle at battalion level or above. In this role, the vehicle has at least three radios (and usually more), a computer with wireless modem and LAN capability, a teletype or teleprinter, and a tent that may be erected up to 100 meters away from the vehicle and connected by a fiberoptic cable.  The tent is big enough for the crew and staff of the vehicle, plus four other people, or more standing.  A couple of folding tables and several folding chairs are carried strapped to the sides.

     The driver is in the front left of the KshTMS, with the commander to the right, and a small aisle between their positions that links to the rear of the vehicle. The driver and commander have hatches on the front face of the vehicle; these are not normally used for ingress and egress from the vehicle, as they open only part way (so that they are standing just slightly above straight out from the front face), and both the commander and driver have normal hatches above their positions.  The front hatches are square, while those above their positions are oval; the hatch sometimes used by a gunner is large and circular. The KshTMS has only two firing ports, one in the front right side of the troop compartment, and the other in the rear door. This rear compartment hatchway is filled by a blanking plate. The armor of the KshTMS is of aluminum instead of the steel of the MT-LB, and provides no better protection than that of the MT-LB. The engine is a YaMZ-238N 300-horsepower diesel which is actually an adapted heavy truck engine.  The engine gives the KshTMS the same 6.5-ton towing capacity as the MT-LB. The KshTMS has an automatic transmission, and the driver has conventional driving controls – a steering yoke, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal. Like the MT-LB, the KshTMS is amphibious with a minimal amount of preparation (a trim vane must be erected and bilge pumps turned on), though on the KshTMS a crewmember must leave the vehicle to erect the trim vane instead of simply climbing out onto the front of the vehicle, so 7 minutes are required for preparation instead of five. The KshTMS variants are generally equipped with an NBC overpressure system.

KShM R-81 Delfin

     Notes: This is a command and staff version of the MT-LB armored personnel carrier, used at company-level and above.  In this version, the MT-LB carries at least 3 data-capable radios and four field telephones, and has a 4-meter flexible antenna mounted on the roof, along with a 5kW generator.  Usually mounted are land-navigation computers, battle control computers, and map boards, and a computer with wireless modem and LAN capability. Two cable reels that hold a total of 1000 meters of communications wire are carried in the rear for field telephones.  The machinegun cupola is retained; the turret uses 360-degree manual traverse, and the machinegun has manual elevation from +30 to -5 degrees. The commander has a hatch between his position and the driver’s; the turret has no hatch. The driver can replace his front vision block with a night vision block, and the commander has a small, short-range WL/IR searchlight with a range of about 40 meters; this is primarily to aid the driver when driving at night. The engine is in the front of the vehicle. A small aisle between the commander and driver gives access to the troop compartment.

     The engine of the MT-LB is a 240-horsepower YaMZ-238 diesel engine.  This engine, while only modest in power for an armored vehicle, generates considerable torque and the MT-LB is capable of towing 6.5 tons. Like most Soviet-designed vehicles of the period, the MT-LB’s suspension is of conventional torsion bars and has shock absorbers on the first and last set of roadwheels.  Construction of the MT-LB is largely of steel and armor is rather thin, especially on the sides and rear.

KShM R-55

     Notes: This is an ACRV (MT-LBus) fitted out for the advanced communications role.  The MT-LBus in this role is fitted with at least 5 radios of varying ranges including one very long-range VHF radio, four radio telephone sets, teletype, teleprinter, and computer with wireless modem and LAN, along with various scrambling and encrypting modules.  This vehicle is used to facilitate higher headquarters' communication with other headquarters and lower echelons, and one or more normally accompanies a division command element.  It essentially functions as a communications node. They are not normally armed, but some have a mount for a PK machinegun by the commander's hatch.

     The driver is in the front left of the R-55, with the commander to the right, and a small aisle between their positions that links to the rear of the vehicle. The driver and commander have hatches on the front face of the vehicle; these are not normally used for ingress and egress from the vehicle, as they open only part way (so that they are standing just slightly above straight out from the front face), and both the commander and driver have normal hatches above their positions.  The front hatches are square, while those above their positions are oval; the hatch sometimes used by a gunner is large and circular. The R-55 has only two firing ports, one in the front right side of the troop compartment, and the other in the rear door.  The rear compartment has a large square hatch on the rear deck which opens to the rear. The armor of the R-55 is of aluminum instead of the steel of the MT-LB, and provides no better protection than that of the MT-LB. The firing ports of the base MT-LBus are retained, one on the front right side and one in the rear door. The engine is a YaMZ-238N 300-horsepower diesel which is actually an adapted heavy truck engine.  The engine gives the R-55 the same 6.5-ton towing capacity as the MT-LB, with the R-55 often towing a pair of generators to power its communications suite. The R-55 has an automatic transmission, and the driver has conventional driving controls – a steering yoke, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal. Like the MT-LB, the R-55 is amphibious with a minimal amount of preparation (a trim vane must be erected and bilge pumps turned on), though on the MT-LBu base a crewmember must leave the vehicle to erect the trim vane instead of simply climbing out onto the front of the vehicle, so 7 minutes are required for preparation instead of five. The R-55 has an NBC overpressure system.