BTR-50PK Úkol VOLANT - "The Thing"

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BTR-50P Úkol VOLANT

History

In 1955, the Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defense became interested in guided anti-tank missiles after receiving intelligence about Western systems such as the French SS.10 and American Cobra IV. This missile was somewhat of a joinnt project between Czechoslovakia and Soviet Union, as there were Soviet specialists present. During November 1955, tactical and technical requirements were prepared, officially creating the Úkol VOLANT. The weapon was intended to strengthen the anti-tank capabilities of infantry and airborne units. In 1956, work began in Konštrukta Trenčín. At first, engineers planned to guide the missile by radio, but it was realized that the missiles could be jammed during combat. Because of this, the design was changed to wire guidance, where commands were sent through wires trailing behind the missile. Konštrukta Praha took over this project in 1957, with the first prototype of Úkol VOLANT missile being made in 1958. The missiles were first trialed in 1959, with a lot of issues being found, such as them being unreliable. Progress was made in late 1959, when the missiles were made more reliable. In 1960, Czechoslovakia used Soviet BTR-50PK. This was tested in 1960 in Soviet Union, where Czechoslovak delegation was present to view these trials on this vehicle. Project was cancelled later in the same year by Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defence.

Armament

  • 8x 130mm VOLANT ATGMs
    • 2,200 m of range
    • Speed: 80 kph
    • 400mm of penetration at angled 30° of RHA
    • 8 ready to fire missiles (No additional ammunition inside the vehicle)

Mobility

  • Engine: 236 hp V6-B
    • Top speed: 44 kph
  • Transmission: Manual 4+1

Armour

  • Maximum amount of armor is 10mm
  • Armor is very limited and the vehicle is very vulnerable
Pictures


Volant on the back

Volant ATGM prototypes

image

image

Sources

Obrněný Transportér OT-62 TOPAS Jiří Frýba
ATM 2008/10
BTR-50PK Válka.cz
100 LET RAKET VHU

10 Likes

+1

1 Like

This is EXACTLY the kind of thing I love to see. The BTR-50 in general doesn’t get enough love, and this weird variant with ATGMs not seen anywhere else is just my type! +1

1 Like

The thing 🥹 +1

1 Like

It would be painful to play due to those slow asf ATGMs (even slower than that of Type 60 ATM or Swedish Huey), but also sooooo fun. They could also add MOTÝL as a modification, to give it a better ATGM (although it would be a bit ahistorical, as they were never fitted onto the vehicle itself and only wooden mockup of that ATGM was made, but lets not pretend this didnt happen before in the game). Anyway, +1

2 Likes

Note that the sight for the gunner is at same height level as drivers one.

2 Likes

Yeah, the sight would be a big problem too. Not much long-range shooting from behind cover with this bad boy. Although in some situations (mainly 3rd person view), the configuration of the vehicle actually aint all that bad, as the ATGMs are less exposed than on other ATGM carriers and the vehicle can be concealed more easily.
Also, idk if i remember correctly, but cant you use binolucars for guidance of manual (WASD) ATGMs? You use the keypads to guide them after all, not the sights themselfs. That could solve the problem of the low-sitting sights

2 Likes

For future Czechoslovakia-polish TT

1 Like

this and swedish Strv m/40L with missiles both need to be added

+1

3 Likes

I see 12 slots for missiles (13 if count also hole above turret).

1 Like