Chimera – nuclear, biological, chemical reconnaissance vehicle
Agat – Electromechanical Plant JSC has launched a promising project to develop the Chimera nuclear, biological, chemical reconnaissance vehicle, which has significantly superior characteristics in comparison with its predecessors.
The R&D project will be financed by Belvneshpromservice. According to the developers, Chimera will be displayed at the MILEX 2021 exhibition.
Numerous armed conflicts and intensified activities of extremist and terrorist organisations aggravated by the threat of the use of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the emergence of man-made disasters and biological contamination zones are the “combustible material”, which the NBC protection troops are primarily called upon to counter. Therefore, the troops should be equipped with advanced intelligent technical assets capable of monitoring and eliminating emergencies of this nature.
The Chimera NBC reconnaissance vehicle fully meets the requirements stated by the time.
What are the advantages of this vehicle?
One of them is the chassis. The Chimera uses the domestically made Cayman mobile armoured chassis. This chassis was chosen for a reason. During their operation in the Belarusian Armed Forces, these armoured vehicles showed an excellent performance in various conditions, including extreme ones. The vehicle has a gross weight of seven tonnes. A 170 hp engine allows you to accelerate the vehicle to 110 km/h. The cruising range is 1,000 km. All-wheel drive, high engine torque, independent torsion-bar suspension and centralised tyre inflation system allow the vehicle to drive confidently even on very rough terrain. The armoured vehicle is capable of overcoming water obstacles on the move; its swimming speed is 8 km/h. The vehicle has received a reinforced partially V-shaped anti-mine hull and offers GOST R 50963 levels Br4 and Br5 protection; the glass offers the level 5aHL protection (which exceeds, for example, the protection class of the BTR-80 armoured personnel carrier).
The vehicle features a pintle mount for а weapon station. This will allow the troops to ensure the protection of the crew (patrol) and carry out the assigned tasks in conditions of possible gunfight with the enemy.
But the most important thing is the vehicle’s equipment. The vehicle will be fitted with a Belarusian-made automated hardware and software suite, which includes high-class nuclear, chemical, biological reconnaissance and control equipment (devices). This will make it possible to analyse, plot a real-time map and quickly transmit intelligence data via the channels of the automated command and control system and radio communication channels to command posts.
The Chimera NBC reconnaissance vehicle is capable of searching and determining the direction of gamma radiation sources, detecting toxic chemicals, and identifying biologically pathogenic agents.
It will allow troops to take samples contaminated with nuclear, chemical and biological substances in automatic (main) and manual (backup) modes, and deliver them to specialized laboratories.
These data will be used to assess the actual NBC situation and determine the order and methods of using individual and collective protective equipment. The stationary equipment on board the Chimera includes a GMX500 meteorological system that measures, processes and issues reports with data on wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity (dew point), pressure and precipitation. The automated meteorological observation system provides operational information about the meteorological situation at the place of reconnaissance.
The power supply system ensures the smooth operation of all systems and at the same time protects them from overload and interference.
The communication system for receiving/transmitting data makes it possible to establish an automated exchange of information between the crew (patrol) and troops about the situation at the operator’s commands and requests from the automated command and control system, or automatically in emergency situations.
The Chimera vehicle can be equipped with aids for automatic and manual installation of warning signs (blocks marking the contaminated zone) and evacuation routes from the contaminated zones.
The designers have also looked after the safety of the people who will operate the vehicle. To protect against contamination and ensure normal live supporting environment, the vehicle is fitted with a filter and ventilation unit. The crew has individual gamma radiation dosimeters, protective suits, kits for decontamination of weapons, uniforms and equipment at their disposal.
It is safe to say that in terms of its technical characteristics and capabilities, the Chimera will be on a par with similar foreign systems, and in a number of characteristics it will even surpass them.
The prototype will be unveiled at the MILEX 2021 international military exhibition.
