Basic Information

Name

RKhM-6 Russian 8x8 Amphibious CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle

Designation

RKhM-6

Alternate Designation

RKhM-6

Equipment Type

CBRN Vehicle

Manufacturer

Arzamas Machine-Building Plant

Date of Introduction

2014

Description

RKhM-6 "Povozka" – the latest version with state-of-the-art detection systems, including the PRKhDD-2B with a detection range of about 3 km. Furthermore, the RKhM-6 is equipped with an SN-RKhM inertial navigation system and a 14Ts834 satellite navigation system. In service since 2011. Deployed to Syria in November 2018. It is an advanced variant of the RKhM-4-01 CBRN vehicle. The 8×8 CBRN vehicle is designed to conduct chemical, radiological, biological, and nuclear reconnaissance missions for CBRN reconnaissance elements of the Russian Armed Forces. It can transmit reconnaissance data to reconnaissance devices and command control centers. The Russian Army RKhM-6 is an advanced Nuclear, Bacteriological, and Chemical (NBC) reconnaissance vehicle derived from the BTR-80 armored vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a satellite navigation system and can cover an area of four square miles. The crew can transmit the result of their analysis to remote command and control centers without leaving the vehicle. The RKhM-6 vehicle is expected to enter service with the Russian Army in early 2016.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine Water-cooled, V8 Diesel

Variants

RKhM-4 The RKhM-4 (Razvedyvatelnaya Khimicheskaya Mashina) chemical reconnaissance vehicle is fitted with various detection devices for the detection of radiation, biological and chemical agents.

RKhM-4-01 The RKhM-4-01 vehicle is an updated version of the RKhM-4. Biological, chemical and radiological detection equipment fitted to the RKhM-4-01 vehicle.

RKhM-4-02 The RKhM-4-02 is another incremental update to the base vehicle.

RKhM-6 The RKhM-6, is another incremental update of the RKhM-4.

RPM-2 The RPM-2 (Razvedivatelno-Poiskovaya Mashina) radiation survey/reconnaissance vehicle is based on the RKhM-4.

System

Alternative Designation RKhM-6

Type CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle

Manufacturer Arzamas Machinery Plant of Military Industrial Company (VPK)

Description The vehicle is based on the hull of BTR-80 armoured personnel carrier (APC). The conventional layout accommodates the driver’s compartment at forward hull, NBC laboratory in the middle and engine at the rear.

Configuration 8x8

Crew 3 ea

Dimensions

Length 7.7 m

Width 2.9 m

Height 2.41 m

Weight, Combat 13.6 tons

CBRN Equipment

Chemical Agent Detector GSA-14 automatic chemical agent detector, one set

Dose Rate Meter #1 IMD-23 dose rate meter, one set

Dose Rate Meter #2 IMD-2NM dose rate meter, one set

Never Agent Gas Alarms PKhRDD-2B automatic nerve agent gas alarm and KPKhR-3 automatic nerve agent gas alarm

Aerosolized Particulate Matter Detector ASP-13 aerosolized particulate matter detector, one set

Sampler Sets KPO-1 sampler, one set and the APSO sampler, one set.

Meteorological Kit AMK meteorological kit, one set

Navigation System 14TS834 navigation system and the SN-RKhR navigation system

Data Processing Device UIK-RKhB data processing device and the T-236-V data processing device

Note The RKhM-6 is equipped with a more advanced NBC laboratory. The fully automated system is controlled by single personnel and enables the automatic detection of chemical and radioactive substances, with alarms ringing inside the vehicle if any such contamination is found. The sensors aboard the vehicle can detect any type of radioactive contamination from inside the vehicle, and the crew can test the samples from within the vehicle. The vehicle lacks special suits for dismounting troops in a radiation environment but carries three sets of MOPP suits and filters. The biological sensors on the vehicle can detect biological molecules such as viruses, while the chemical detection optical devices use the onboard computer for analysis. The vehicle can detect vapors and aerosols of toxic and hazardous substances in a contaminated environment of 10m² a minute. The vehicle runs at a speed of 20km/h-50km/h in accordance with the level and complexity of contamination. The RKhM-6 is equipped with battlefield management systems (BMS), and Perunit-V satellite navigation system based on GLONASS. The advanced meteorological suite provides coverage across 4km² of the area or accurate direction up to 6km. It measures wind speed and direction, air samples, weather conditions, rain, and snow.

Automotive

Engine Name KamAZ Series, Model: INA

Engine Type Water-cooled, V8 Diesel

Automotive Performance 300 hp

Range, Cruising 600 km

Speed, Maximum Road 80 km/h

Speed, Maximum Off-Road 60 km/h

Speed, Maximum Swim 9 km/h

Speed, Radiological Reconnaissance Less than 50 km/h

Speed, Chemical Reconnaissance Less than 50 km/h

Speed, Biological Reconnaissance Less than 0 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.5 m

Trench 2.0 m

Fording Depth Amphibious m

Note The vehicle is equipped with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres for high mobility over different terrains

Communications

Primary R-163-50U VHF radio communications set

Secondary R-163-UP VHF radio communications set.

Intercome R-174

Main Weapons System

System

Name 1 x KPVT 14.5mm Heavy Machine Gun (KPV)

Type Heavy Machine Gun (KPV)

Caliber 14.5 mm

Manufacturer V.A. Degtyarev Plant

In Service 1949-Present

Proliferated Widely Proliferated Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Armenia Bangladesh Benin Bulgaria: locally produced Cambodia Cameroon Congo China: Type 56 machine gun, produced by Norinco Cuba Czechoslovakia (ex) Egypt Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Finland (KPVT) Georgia Guinea-Bissau Hungary India - Manufactured at Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli Iraq- Iraqi Armed Forces Popular Mobilization Forces Iraqi Kurdistan Iran Islamic State Ivory Coast Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Laos Lebanon Libya Malawi Mali - Armed and Security Forces of Mali Malta - North Korea-made KPVs Mongolia Mozambique Myanmar North Korea Nicaragua Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army. Panama Poland Romania: KPV and KPVT built under license Russia Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic São Tomé and Príncipe Serbia (KPVT) Sierra Leone: Chinese QJG56 and Polish KPVT Slovenia (KPVT) Somalia South Africa Sudan Syria Togo Ukraine Yemen Vietnam Tanzania Zimbabwe

Length, Total 1.980 mm

Barrel Length 1,346 mm

Width 162 mm

Height 225 mm

Weight 49 kg

Rate of Fire 600 rds/min

Maximum Firing Range 4,000 m

Effective Firing Range 3,000 m

Fire on the Move Yes

Maximum Elevation +60 deg

Minimum Elevation -4 deg

Feed System 40-round belt

Sights iron or optical

Ammunition

Name INA

Type API-T

Caliber 14.5 mm

Cartridge 14.5×114 mm

Muzzle Velocity 1,005 m/s

Effective Range (Day) 2,000 m

Effective Range (Night) INA

Tactical Range 1,500-2,000 m

Armor Penetration 20mm at 1,000 m/ 30mm at 500 m

Basic Load 500 ea

Note Additional Ammo includes: API, I-T

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 1 x 7.62mm PKT (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) General-Purpose Machine Gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62 mm

Function In use as a front-line infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon with Russia's armed forces.

In Service 1961-present

Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant

Proliferation 1 Million +

Length, Total 1,203 mm

Length, Barrel 605 mm

Weight (Gun Only) 9 kg

Weight (Tripod Only) 7.7 kg

Action Gas-operated, open bolt

Max Rate of Fire 650 rds/min

Effective Rate of Fire 250-300 rds.min

Effective Firing Range (With Sight Adjustments) 100-1,500 m

Feed System Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes

Sights Iron Sights

Ammunition

Name 57-N-323S

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×54mmR km

Muzzle Velocity 855 m/s

Accuracy of fire at 300 m 90 mm

Basic Load 2,500 ea

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS INA

Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander INA

Thermal Sight Gunner INA

Gunner Day Sights 1P3-6, 1.2x/4x

Main Gun Stabilization No

Infrared Searchlight OU-3GA2M

Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) Capable Yes

Battlefield Management Systems (BMS) Yes

Navigation System Perunit-V satellite navigation system based on GLONASS

Meteorological Suite Yes, Provides coverage across 4km² of area or accurate direction up to 6km. It measures wind speed and direction, air samples, weather conditions, rain and snow.

Protection

Hull Armor Front armor of the RKhm-6 protects against 12.7 mm rounds. All-round protection is against 7.62 mm rounds and artillery shell splinters. It features spaced and heavier armour at the forward hull, while the sides and turret are hinged with aluminium and steel plates.

Turret Armor Protection against 12.7mm and shrapnel

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing INA

Mine Protection The vehicle also integrates a reinforced roof and blast-resistant floor for protection against mine explosions.

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes, Collective & a advanced NBC laboratory

Smoke Equipment 6 x 81-mm smoke grenade launchers

Note The vehicle also integrates a reinforced roof and blast-resistant floor for protection against mine explosions.

Image Sources

Notes https://www.army-technology.com/projects/rkhm-6-cbrn-reconnaissance-vehicle/; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RKhM-6_-9.jpg; ;