BA-64

     Notes: This light Russian armored car was designed during World War 2, based on the chassis of the GAZ-64 light truck and, to a certain extent, on captured German Sd Kfz 221 armored cars.  The BA-64 has a surprising amount of armor protection for its light weight, and a good amount of mobility and maneuverability.  It was not meant to do any major fighting, but instead for reconnaissance, command, and convoy escort duties.  The “D” model brought a wider track (to combat the tendency for the vehicle to tip on rough terrain or in tight turns), and a larger turret with heavier armament and powered traverse.  By 2000, the BA-64 was used only by Yugoslavia, China, and North Korea, and in China, they were generally used only in small numbers by local police forces instead of the Army. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BA-64 was nicknamed the Bobbie by US, British, and Australian troops that encountered them in North Korean hands during the 1950-53 Korean War; this nickname came back during the Twilight War.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BA-64

$9,873

G, A

200 kg

2.36 tons

2

1

Headlights

Enclosed

BA-64A

$9,888

G, A

200 kg

2.43 tons

2

1

Headlights

Enclosed

BA-64D

$11,843

G, A

200 kg

2.43 tons

2

1

Headlights

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BA-64

172/68

43/17

90

36

CiH

W(2)

TF3  TS3  TR3  HF4  HS2  HR2

BA-64B/D

180/72

45/18

90

39

CiH

W(2)

TF3  TS3  TR3  HF4  HS2  HR2

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BA-64/BA-64A

None

None

DT

1260x7.62mm

BA-64D

None

None

DShK

750x12.7mm

 

BRDM-1

     Notes: This vehicle replaced earlier vehicles like the BA-64 and a host of small and medium jeep-like vehicles in Russian service for scouting purposes, and was itself replaced in service by most countries by the later BRDM-2 and 4 series vehicles.  It is a basic armored car with a pintle-mounted weapon (or sometimes up to 3).  The BRDM-1 features a characteristic set of retractable belly wheels to increase mobility over rough ground.  It is a highly adaptable vehicle that has been modified into a number of variants.  Long out of the service of most former Pact countries, it is still used in 2000 by Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Cuba, Vietnam, and several African nations.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$43,531

G, A

500 kg

5.6 tons

2+3

2

Active IR

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

138/82

25/15/3

150

52

Stnd

W(4)

HF4  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

DShK, 2xPKT

750x12.7mm, 1260x7.62mm

 

BRDM-2

     Notes: This replacement for the BRDM-1 was first seen in public in 1966.  It features a more powerful engine for better speed, a better suspension for improved off-road maneuverability, heavier armament in a fully enclosed turret, a more powerful waterjet for higher amphibious speeds, an NBC system, and improved night vision equipment.  Like the BRDM-1, the chassis is very adaptable and has spawned numerous variants.  The turret uses manual traverse and elevation and can be a bit slow in a tense situation.  The BRDM-2 is or was used in its history by 45 countries and is quite a common sight throughout the world. 

     The BRDM-2-RKhb is a BRDM-2 fitted out as an NBC reconnaissance vehicle.  In this role, there are two dispensers at the back of the vehicle for marking pennants.  The vehicle has an optical chemical sniffer, a Geiger counter, a computerized land navigation system, and extra radios.   

     The BRDM-2U is a command version of the BRDM-2, normally found in artillery units and in scout regiments.  The turret is removed, and on the roof is a 5kW generator to power the 4 radios and the battle control computers.

     In 2001, Ukraine announced the development of an updated version of the BRDM-2.  Chief among these updated is the replacement of the engine with a slightly more powerful diesel engine; while this may increase performance somewhat, the fuel savings are enormous.  The engine also has more torque and a one-third longer service life.  The new engine makes the vehicle longer, but armor protection is also slightly improved. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BRDM 2M does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BRDM-2

$57,700

G, AvG, A

600 kg

7 tons

2+2

2

Passive IR

Shielded

BRDM-2-RKhb

$60,197

G, AvG, A

600 kg

7 tons

4

4

Image Intensification

Shielded

BRDM-2U

$95,982

G, AvG, A

1 ton

7.5 tons

5

4

Image Intensification

Shielded

BRDM 2M

$64,143

D, A

600 kg

7.9 tons

2+2

3

Image Intensification

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BRDM-2/RKhb

150/60

38/15/4

290

81

CiH

W(4)

TF5  TS4  TR3  HF6  HS3  HR2

BRDM-2U

150/60

38/15/4

290

81

Stnd

W(4)

HF6  HS3  HR2

BRDM-2M

150/60

40/15/4

290

54

CiH

W(4)

TF 5  TS4  TR3  HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BRDM-2

+2

Basic

KPV, PKT

500x14.5mm, 2000x7.62mm

BRDM-2-RKhb

+2

Basic

2xPKT

2000x7.62mm

BRDM-2U

None

None

PK (C)

1000x7.62mm

BRDM-2M

+2

Basic

KPV, PKT

500x14.5mm, 2000x7.62mm

 

GAZ-39344

     Notes: This light armored car is in use by Russian police, paramilitary, and KGB units.  It is primarily used for internal security and riot control and is a replacement for the BRDM-2 in those roles.  On either side of the hull is a large door for crew access.  Two firing ports are on the right side of the hull, one on either side of the door, and one firing port is in the left side of the hull.  On the roof is the same turret as mounted on the BTR-80, with the addition of a searchlight.  The engine is at the rear of the vehicle.  All windows are bullet resistant.  The GAZ-39344 has air conditioning, heating, a land navigation system, and blue flashing lights.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This vehicle was never produced.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$29,962

D, A

2 tons

7 tons

2+4

2

Passive IR, WL/IR Searchlight

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

146/58

37/15

145

45

CiH

W(3)

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF2  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

KPV, PKT

500x14.5mm, 2000x7.62mm