Russia
BTR-70 Armored Personnel Carrier
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

BTR-70
GENERAL DATA
 BTR-70
Country of OriginCIS (formerly USSR)
RoleAmphibious armored personnel carrier
Date Of IntroductionLate 1970s
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)) + 8 passengers
Combat Weight12.7 tons (11.5 mt)
Ground Pressure?
Drive Formula8 x 8
Length, Overall 24.72 ft (7.535 m)
Width, Overall 9.19 ft (2.8 m)
Height, Overall 7.33 ft (2.235 m)
Ground Clearance18.7 in (475 mm)
PERFORMANCE
 BTR-70
EngineTwo 120 hp (89 kw) ZMZ-4905 8-cylinder gasoline
Range373 miles (600 km)
Fuel Capacity92 gal (350 l)
Road Speed50 mph (80 km/h)
Cross Country Speed28 mph (45 km/h)
Swim Speed6.2 mph (10 km/h)
Fording DepthAmphibious
Grade60%
Side Slope40%
Trench Crossing6.6 ft (2.0 m)
Vertical Wall Climb1.6 ft (0.5 m)
PROTECTION
 BTR-70
ArmorHull: 0.39 in (10 mm). Turret: 0.28 in (7 mm)
Applique ArmorN/A
Explosive Reactive ArmorN/A
Active Protective SystemN/A
NBC Protection SystemYes
Smoke EquipmentN/A
ARMAMENT
BTR-70
Type Mount Typical Ammo Load
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun Turret 500
7.62mm PKT machine gun Coaxial to main gun 2,000
Firing ports: 3 on each side of troop compartment
FIRE CONTROL
 BTR-70
Fire Control SystemN/A
Main Gun StabilizationN/A
RangefinderYes
Infrared SearchlightN/A

NOTES

The BTR-70 (Bronetransporter-70) is a fully amphibious vehicle that is propelled through the water by a single water jet at the rear of the hull. The vehicle has an all-welded hull with improved protection over its frontal arc, as compared to the original BTR-60 series. The nose is also wider and the front of the vehicle provides added protection to the front wheels.

The commander and driver are seated at the front with the commander on the right and the driver on the left. The troop compartment is to the rear of the turret and the engine compartment is at the rear of the vehicle. The BTR-70 has a filtration and overpressurization system for NBC protection.

Like the BTR-60PB,the BTR-70 has good cross-country capability, high road speed, and large troop-carrying capacity. The redesigned seating arrangement allows the troops to sit back-to-back, facing outward. The vehicle's versatility and amphibious capability are also advantages.

IN0534: BTR-70
Recognition features: BTR-70

VARIANTS

BTR-70 with BTR-80 Turret
A number of BTR-70 APCs have been observed fitted with the high-angle-of-fire turret of the more recent BTR-80. Other changes include: a modified wave deflector, rear bumpers, head light brush guards, rooftop firing ports (this included two on each side, mounted in chamfered edges of the hull roof) and brackets which may possibly be used to attach additional armor to the sides of the vehicle.
BTR-70 with AGS-17
A number of these versions have been observed in Afghanistan fitted with the pintel-mounted 30mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher on the roof to the rear of the driver and commander. The machine gun turrets on these vehicles are retained.
BTR-70MS
A turretless communications vehicle.
BTR-70 KShM
A command/staff vehicle.
BREM (Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle)
A BTR-70 fitted with a bow-mounted jib crane and no turret.

BTR-70 Photos - Click on image sample to see full size image.

RSLC, OCT-2005: BTR-70
BTR-70
U.S. Army Photo
790x533, 123K, JPEG