Question about Russian/Soviet vehicles

PlasmaKrab · #1 September 7th, 2006, 06:05 AM

As far as I know, the BMP and BTR units had similar operational concepts, in other words, both vehicles could have been swapped in mechanized units without modifying the squads.
The BTRs were more mobile, cheaper and had more amphibious capacity.

I've just checked the default game OOBs, and it turns out that both BTRs and BMPs have a carry capacity of 109, which is identical if optimistic.
Though, the BMPs all have a crew of 2 (driver and gunner), which reflects the fact that the squad leader/ vehicle commander is supposed to dismount with the squad. I don't know if that is coherent with Russian doctrine, but it makes sense as far as the in-game formations are concerned (platoon leader is always an infantry unit).
In comparison, the BTRs have a crew of 3, regardless of a lighter weapon system, which means that the commander stays on board for some reason, and that in theory, the vehicle carries one person more.

As to the Vodnik having a capacity of 6 men, I couldn't comment on that. Maybe it's supposed to reflect the reduced capacity of a vehicle beefed up for airdrop and supporting a para section? Or to keep in tune with the BMDs?
These vehicles are modular, so you could probably go for larger troop-carrier boxes and reach the BTR-Ds 110.

pdoktar · #2 September 11th, 2006, 05:28 AM

I�ve been riding both BMP-1 and CV-90, guess which was more comfortable and offered more "personal space" for the poor grunts with their rifles, a PKM, 4 LAWs, and an occasional APILAS, maybe a few Anti-Tank mines also.

It is difficult to stuff 7 soldiers with their webgear and weapons in a BMP-1. Keep your helmets on, a true cross country joyride, with different protruding metallic objects poking everywhere.

BTW squad leader is usually the APC-vehicle leader, and usually the driver is also used in defending positions as a regular infantryman, if he is not vital driving his vehicle around, as in advance and assault-type missions. However in IFVs the situation is different as the vehicle is considered combat-capable.