The main task that the machines faced in wartime was supply troops. Initially dealt with it steam tractors delivering provisions to British troops during the Crimean War. Since the beginning of the 20th century, cars with gasoline engines appeared in the army, and by the end of the century, the range of military vehicles has seriously expanded.
During World War I, some countries already had their own automotive divisions. In those days, fighting vehicles or military buggies, as they were called in the USA, were mainly used to motorize headquarters and supply soldiers with provisions. In truth, what kind of buggies have the military never had in history, except for electric vehicles. Also, with their help, it was possible to quickly transfer troops, tow artillery pieces and evacuate the wounded. After the 1st World War, a rapid modernization of military equipment began. All the leading armies of the world intensively introduced military vehicles (BAT).So the operation second world war is no longer imaginable without the use of military equipment.
Over the past 60 years, several generations of military automotive technology have changed. Quantity and quality of tasks solved military equipment increased in proportion to the development of technology. Modern military equipment is usually divided according to the following criteria of use: wheeled tractors, tracked vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, mobile workshops, technical and medical assistance vehicles.
There are also two more classifications by type: tracked and wheeled.
In each country, the development of BAT took place different ways. We will focus on the leading countries and the most interesting military vehicles.
It is quite understandable that the desire of the armed forces of the leading world powers to have equipment in service own production, or network to serve BAT foreign manufacturers, in case of emergency. The Russian military fleet in 2005 consisted of 480 thousand vehicles of Russian and Soviet production.
After the collapse Soviet Union part of the manufacturers turned out to be “foreign”, and the production and maintenance of strategically important equipment cannot be made dependent on “external” conditions. Therefore, the cars of the Ukrainian Kremenchug plant soon went out of service in Russia. As for the Belarusian automobile plants, they managed to maintain trusting relations with the Russian armed forces (Minsk Automobile Plant, MAZ, Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, MZKT).
Military SUVs Passenger cars with cross-country ability with a 4x4 wheel formula and the most simplified design were used in the Second World War as ambulances, commanders and transport vehicles. Later, the Americans began to produce SUVs with frame structure bodies, more dynamic and light, they were called military buggies.
Cars developed after the end of the Second World War were the progenitors of the first jeeps. Until now, many jeeps are based on jeeps of the 50-60s, such veterans as American M151, british "Land Rover" or the Soviet UAZ-53. However, the ways of warfare are changing, and generations of combat vehicles are changing with them.
For example, in the USA, after the Vietnamese campaign, they completely abandoned the car "Willis", and instead they began to use a completely different car, which was first calledHMMWV (abbreviation meaning multipurpose vehicle high mobility). Also, this car is known by the nickname Hammer (hammer). However, only commercial modifications of this car are called Hummers, not military ones. This car successfully combined independent suspension, wide-profile low-pressure tires, wide wheelbase, impressive ground clearance and a powerful diesel engine. An indicative requirement for a car. Possibility of control with injury of one arm and one leg, using automatic transmission. An air intake with an air filter located above the hood increases the depth of the ford to be overcome. RulerHMMWV contains 15 modifications with a common chassis, transmission and engine. 8 of which are combat vehicles carrying ammunition on board. The rest are sanitary or staff. In total, the family of hammers has 44 replaceable modules.
Armored modifications of the hamer changed in the following order: bulletproof armor of vehicles using Kevlar, steel and polycarbonate armored glass.
In the 90s, an increase in the current armor began, first anti-fragmentation armor was added to the bulletproof Kevlar armor, and then the chassis was modernized and mine bottom protection was installed. After the war in Afghanistan, where mine protection saved more than one crew from an exploding mine, the demand for such vehicles increased dramatically.
LuAZ - 967 M (4x4)
The demand for the installation of armor is growing every year. For example, from 1993 to 2006, Armor Holding equipped 17.5 thousand Hamers, 14 of which were after 2003.
During the Iraq War, engineers from South Africa offered their version of booking hamers, paying attention to protection against high-explosive mines, by that time South Africa had solid experience in dealing with landmines, and the United States just lacked information support and experience in this area.
Italian armored car from IVECO
SUVs have dual purpose. Most military SUVs have civilian modifications. The most famous of them Mercedes G -class, Hummers, Land Rovers and Soviet UAZs, widely used in households. needs.
Car GAZ-64
Barsi TigersFirst serial SUV 4x4 appeared in the USSR in 1941. It was the GAZ-61 model, followed by models 64 to 67B. Despite this, during the great patriotic war in our troops, most of all there were the following models: "Willis", "Dodge ¾", "Ford". In 1953, serial production of the GAZ-69 began. Off-road vehicles have become increasingly popular.
Flyer R combat buggy12 Singaporean production is used in the USA.
Characteristics: diesel engine 81 hp, cruising range 500 km, max. speed 110 km/h, crew 3 people, weight 2.47 tons
And since 1972, serial production began at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant UAZ-469, worthy of employees in our days. Various modifications This car has been visited in more than 80 countries around the world. Yielding to Western SUVs in terms of comfort, the Russian UAZ won with cross-country ability, reliability and maintainability. An illustrative case from Ethiopia: when overcoming a low-water river with sand and silt, we were firmly stuck Land Rovers, and the UAZ slipped for a short time, crossed the river and took Land Rovers to the tug.
The lineup UAZ upgraded over time. For example, in 1985 a more powerful 80 hp was installed. engine, transmission, chassis and controls have been improved. Later, a number of changes were made to significantly improve the performance of the machine. The military units used the following modifications: chemical and radiation reconnaissance vehicle, vehicle general purpose, command and control vehicle. UAZ also provided for the use of additional. special-purpose equipment: a set of railway tracks for movement on rails, both for domestic gauge (1520 mm) and for European gauge (1435 mm).
A little later, in the 90s, a number of attempts were made to modernize the old "goat" UAZ-469, primarily for commercial use. In the Chechen war, UAZs were also widely used in combat operations.
GAZ 29752 "TIGR" 4x4. Used by internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and OMON. Weight 5 tons, load capacity 1.5 tons (up to 10 people), diesel engine 205 hp, fuel range 1000 km.
Later, the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant delivered a more powerful 137 hp. engine with electronic injection, combined with 5 step box gears, front and rear spring suspension and gear axles.
Bars or UAZ 3159 Later, on the basis of Bars with an increased gauge, they created the UAZ-2966, which has been supplied to the troops since 2004. Spacing the wheels in width was associated not only with an increase in stability and maneuverability when cornering. Such an expansion of the base not only had a positive effect on the layout of units and units, but also made it possible to install additional. min. In Dagestan and Chechnya, the Russian army faced the same mine problems as the Soviet army in Afghanistan. Local booking brought good results. An illustrative case of that time:
"Bars", which came under fire from Chechen bandits, withstood not only hundreds of bullet hits, but also a shot from an RPG. The entire crew that was in BARS survived.
combat buggies
Other branches of the military needed more maneuverable and lighter vehicles. For example, for the airborne troops, such a need was clear from the outset. Jeeps created for them can be called ultra-small and light. Their main advantages: low visibility on the ground, ease of loading / unloading on an airplane, a helicopter for the purpose of prompt troop transfer. To the first military buggy includes the American M274, called the "Mechanical Mule" (engine 21 hp), a very unusual Austrian buggy "Steyr-Puch" 700 AR "Haflinger" with 22 hp. engine, intended for military operations in the mountains.
Distinguished in Germany , having adopted in the 1970s the Kraka 640 car of the Faun company with a boxer two-cylinder engine and a folding frame into service with the airborne troops. Despite the light wheelbase, the Krak served as a platform for transporting heavy weapons, recoilless rifles, missile systems.
Faun Krak 640 (4x4)
IN USSR the development of a compact SUV took up in 1950s. The main goal was to create an inconspicuous leading edge conveyor (TPK). Later, in the 60s, the LuAZ - 967 floating off-road vehicle, produced at the Lutsk Automobile Plant, appeared in service with the Soviet army. Squat pontoon hull, 4-cylinder engine air cooling made it unique in its own way. TPK was used to evacuate the wounded, transport provisions and ammunition, install certain types weapons (machine guns, grenade launchers). The pilot could control the TPK while lying down. And the small dimensions and weight, combined with good buoyancy and maneuverability, made the TPC very convenient for transferring troops, removable bridges + a winch significantly increased the maneuverability, the winch could pull wounded soldiers and cargo to the car.
Assault buggy
Buggies equipped with automatic cannons or machine guns were assembled at the beginning of the 20th century. Battle buggies were used in two world and several local wars. For example, during the Second World War, the Red Army successfully used machine-gunned "Willis". And anti-aircraft and machine-gun installations on automotive chassis generally were a favorite weapon.
French special forces vehicle, Panhard
SCV
Weight 4t; capacity 6-8 people; diesel engine 210 hp, cruising range 800 km; speed up to 120 km/h.
Later in the 70-80s, there was another increase in interest in lightweight combat vehicles, all-terrain vehicles. This time in connection with the development of rapid reaction forces and airborne troops.
The buggies were used for territory patrolling, reconnaissance and search and rescue operations.
The lack of armor was compensated for by the unique mobility achieved by powerful engines combined with a lightweight frame structure. Also, the buggies had little visibility compared to their older brothers. Low body, low noise level, contributed to inconspicuous movement buggy. Transport helicopter could take on board two cars with crews. Here, armored cars could not compete with lightweight buggies.
buggy- light frame car, characterized by small size, high traffic, speed and cornering stability. An example is the American battle buggy: ALSV, FAV and LSV . These buggies developed max. the speed was 130 km/h, and 50 km/h was already reached at the 8th second, when starting off, with a full crew (4 people on board). At the same time, the buggy uses a commercial version of the diesel engine and gearbox.
Israeli car « Desert Raider » 6x6, weight - 2, 6 tons, Gas engine 150 HP Cruising on fuel 600 km. 2 front wheels are driven. The car had good stability, a high base and an inconspicuous exhaust system. Used to transport soldiers, install machine guns and RPGs.
military buggy American air forces.ALSV . Crew - 3 people, engine 140 hp diesel. Weight 2, 35 t.
Using the chassis of the well-known Mercedes G class later built impact buggies LIV , weighing 2.55 - 3.3 tons. Four jacks carried on board make it possible to deploy a combat module with a missile system, reconnaissance equipment or a fuel and lubricants tank in the field, not to mention the installation of an automatic grenade launcher or machine gun.
In the world of military vehicles, there is a growing division between heavy, well-protected wheeled armored fighting vehicles and ultra-light, highly mobile buggies. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown that increasing the armor protection of off-road vehicles inevitably leads to the loss of their ability to perform a number of reconnaissance missions. In this situation, light attack vehicles with high maneuverability, low visibility and relatively low cost come to the aid of armored cars.
The need to carry out quick and at the same time imperceptible sorties into enemy concentration areas, sabotage in its deep rear, covert pursuit of retreating groups of terrorists and continuous monitoring of their movement - all this led to an increase in the attention of the Pentagon and its allies to special attack vehicles similar in buggy designs. The basis of these machines with 4x4 or 4x2 wheel forumla is a body made of high-strength steel pipes chat structures. The engine and transmission are located in the aft part of the hull. The crew of the buggy has from two to six people, for their protection it is possible to install light bulletproof or anti-mine pads made of Kevlar. Such vehicles are armed, as a rule, with a 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun, a 30 mm automatic cannon, a 40 mm grenade launcher or an ATGM launcher. Due to the high specific power buggies have good performance speed, significant speed (120-160 kilometers per hour) and a large power reserve (500-600 kilometers), as well as the ability to overcome obstacles (lift at an angle of 30 degrees, roll up to 20 degrees).
Depending on the combat weight and overall dimensions special shock vehicles are divided into small (combat weight 750-2700 kilograms), medium (3500-4500 kilograms) and large (5000-6000 kilograms). Currently, such machines are in service with the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, Israel and other countries.
Impact buggy ALSV, USA. Weight - 2.35 tons, crew - 3 people, engine - diesel, 140 liters. s., speed - up to 130 km / h, cruising range - 500 km
One of the main companies focused on the development and production of special shock vehicles is the American company Chenowth. It has a range of buggy products in its arsenal, including the Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV), Multi-Sensor Towed Detection (MSTD), Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) and Teleoperated Dune Buggy (TDB). The Light Strike Vehicle and its further modernization Advanced Light Strike Vehicle received the greatest popularity.
In the mid-80s, about 300 such vehicles were purchased for the needs of the Army, Marine Corps (MCC) and the US Navy. The ALSV machine is made according to the standard scheme for a buggy. The chassis is a high strength chrome molybdenum alloy frame. Used as a power plant carbureted engine STD air-cooled 94 horsepower or diesel. The commander of the vehicle - the gunner of the weapon is able to fire in two opposite directions. The navigator is located next to the driver in the front. The placement of the power plant in the stern and a low center of gravity provide high speed and driving stability.
Prototype combat buggy Aggressor.
Various weapons are mounted on the ALSV base: a 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun, a 40 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher, a TOU ATGM, and a 30 mm ASP-30 automatic cannon. The crew can be armed with MANPADS "Stinger". LSV was used in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm by the US Armed Forces. The American company Teledain has developed a two-axle all-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicle LFV (Light Forces Vehicle). Its power plant is located in the aft part of the hull, where the diesel engine and automatic transmission are located. LFV equipped disc brakes And independent suspension.
The tubular frame of the vehicle in combination with armor plates provides protection for the crew and serves as the basis for mounting various kinds armament: 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun, 30 mm automatic cannon, 40 mm grenade launcher or ATGM TOU.
Flying buggy Chimera.
Currently, representatives of the Army and the USMC are considering several prototypes of promising combat buggies - ITV (Internally Transportable Vehicle), LSV (Light Strike Vehicle) and TAC-C (Tactical Autonomous Chassis-Combat vehicle). Since the beginning of 2008, the Pentagon has been conducting tests in Afghanistan developed by the company BAE Systems multipurpose machine SPRAT (Specialized Reconnaissance Assault Transport), which is capable of carrying four people and one ton of cargo at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. The main attention in the creation of new machines is given to the suspension and engines, in particular, work is underway to create shock absorbers with magneto-rheological fluid and diesel-electric power plants.
At present, a prototype of the Aggressor hybrid car with interesting futuristic shapes has already been developed. In addition to standard schemes, US military engineers are developing the concept of flying light attack vehicles. Thus, the American company Atair Aerospace presented at the Modern Day Marine Military Expo the Chimera flying car, designed for paragliding into enemy territory. During flight, the Chimera is propelled by a ducted propeller.
Vehicle M-626/G "Desert Raider" (6x6), Israel. Weight - 2.6 tons, engine - gasoline, 150 liters. s., or diesel, 107 liters. s., speed - up to 110 km / h, cruising range - 600 km.
In 1997, specifically for special forces and rapid reaction forces, the Engineering Equipment Division developed a six-wheel drive all-wheel drive special strike vehicle M-626 / G Desert Raiders (FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle). The car of the original design has a gasoline engine with a working volume of 2429 cubic centimeters (it is also possible to install a VM diesel engine with a working volume of 2498 cubic centimeters) and an automatic transmission. The original design of the rear suspension (independent suspension of the rear pair of wheels for each side) allows the car to overcome the 60-cm barrier, take the slope up to 70 degrees and continue to move, even if only one wheel touches the ground.
Desert Raiders have low noise and thermal visibility and can be transported in cargo hold helicopter CH-53. The driver's seat is located in the center, on the sides of it - two passenger seats, behind - a cargo platform (two more seats can be installed instead). Armament - three 5.56 mm Negev machine guns. The machine was officially adopted by the Israel Defense Forces under the name Tomer, but due to financial difficulties, its serial deliveries are delayed.
Jordan
At the beginning of 2005, the Al-Thalab LRPV (Long Range Patrol Vehicle) all-wheel drive special strike vehicle, developed jointly with the British company Jankel Armoring and the Jordanian KADDB (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) based on components and assemblies, was adopted by the Jordanian ground forces. Land Rover And Toyota Land Cruiser 79. A 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher can be mounted on the vehicle.
Singapore
Buggy Spider.
Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics) has developed an all-wheel drive special 4x4 Spider strike vehicle (American version of Flyer Defense, ITV-1), which can be armed with an automatic cannon, a heavy machine gun or a 120-mm mortar. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that along with manual transmission can be used electric drive for silent movement on the battlefield or over rough terrain. There are still a number of combat vehicles created according to the buggy scheme, in particular the Jordanian Desert Iris, the British Super Supacat, Saiker and others.
Impact buggy FLYER R-12 made in Singapore, used in the USA. Weight - 2.47 tons, crew - 3 people, engine - diesel, 81 liters. s., speed - up to 110 km / h, cruising range - 500 km
The spread of light cross-country vehicles such as "buggies" aroused the military's natural interest in them: small-sized high-speed vehicles, characterized by high cross-country ability, seemed ideal for raid operations. The first such vehicles, designated by the abbreviation FAV (Fast Assault Vehicle - “high-speed assault vehicle”), were acquired by American special forces. Following them, buggies were adopted in a number of other countries.
Fighting vehicles such as "buggies" have gained considerable popularity in Latin America. This was facilitated not only by their tactical qualities, but also by the exceptional simplicity of the design, which makes it possible to assemble such vehicles literally in sheds, presenting them as a product of the “domestic military industry”. As a result, combat buggies own development appeared in service not only in the relatively developed Peru and Uruguay, but also in the much less industrialized Bolivia.
The American FAV class vehicles served as the prototype for combat buggies.
medium.com
Common features of all combat buggies: the most lightweight, but at the same time, a strong body formed by a tubular spatial truss and practically devoid of any skin, as well as a reinforced suspension and a crew of three (driver and commander - in front, shooter - behind and above their). On cars, various options for commercial engines with a working volume of 1.6–2.5 liters are used, which, combined with a small mass, provides a combat buggy excellent dynamics. As a rule, these machines are non-wheel drive - with a leading rear axle.
"Kojak"
In the first half of the 90s, a retired colonel of the Bolivian army named Cornejo set out to provide the military with a light and cheap combat vehicle. The first prototypes of the Bolivian buggy were tested in 1995-1997, but the development of the design took almost ten years. Only in October 2005, the car was put into service, choosing for it the name of the protagonist of the once popular television series - "Kojak".
Even against the background of its “classmates”, the Bolivian “Kojak” is distinguished by its extremely narrow dimensions. On the one hand, this greatly facilitates camouflage, on the other hand, there was no room for a trunk in the car, and backpacks with crew members' belongings are hung on the outside of the frame. Another drawback that catches the eye is the insecurity of the shooter: there are no safety arcs at his workplace. When capsizing the Kojak, the shooter in best case get off with serious injuries ... The only element made of sheet steel is the bottom of the car. There is no cover for the sides, not even swamps. The machine can tow a light single-axle trailer with additional reserves, which is quite appropriate when operating in isolation from the main forces.
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The main armament options for the Kojak are: a 7.62 mm machine gun (on the right side of the vehicle) and a 12.7 mm machine gun (on the left).
www.razonyfuerza.mforos.com
The Kojak shooter is not protected even by the simplest safety arcs.
www.razonyfuerza.mforos.com
It is believed that the Bolivian army has acquired about four dozen Kojaks. Standard option armament is considered to be machine-gun: a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine gun is mounted on the upper mount at the shooter, the commander has only an automatic rifle. At the same time, the Bolivian military is trying to pile literally everything at hand on the Kojak: RPG-7 grenade launchers, Chinese HJ-8A ATGMs, Chinese MANPADS, as well as launchers of 70-mm unguided rockets created in Bolivia.
The Kojak, armed with a 70mm rocket launcher, tows a single-axle trailer.
www.razonyfuerza.mforos.com
"Aperea"
The Uruguayan military took care of creating their own buggy about a decade later than their Bolivian counterparts, and the car turned out to be more thoughtful. A power frame made of pipes with a diameter of 50 mm protects not only the commander and driver, but also the shooter. For the last additional protection in case of a rollover, a spare wheel is used, which is attached from above. From splashes and dirt, the crew is covered with a hood and small sidewalls, the car is equipped with swamps.
The Uruguayan buggy was given the name "Aperea", meaning a rodent, also known as the Brazilian guinea pig. The buggy is largely equipped with components imported from Brazil, in particular, these include Volkswagen diesel engines with a working volume of 1.6 or 1.8 liters. The maximum speed with the first of them is 140 km / h, with the second - 160 km / h. 60 liter fuel tank provides a car with a 1.6-liter engine a decent power reserve - 700 km. An empty car weighs 630 kg, equipped (with a crew) - up to 1100 kg.
"Aperea", armed with a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62-mm machine gun.
defensanacional.foroactivo.com
As in the case of the Kojak, the Aprea's main armament includes two machine guns: a 12.7 mm M2NV for the shooter and a 7.62 mm FN MAG for the commander. Instead of the upper machine gun, you can mount a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher - an American Mk 19 or a Singaporean CIS 40. The heaviest weapons tested on Aprea are the American 30-mm M230 automatic cannon.
The shooter on the "Aperea" is protected by a massive tubular frame.
vasili.io.ua
"Lobo"
The Peruvian "Wolf" (this is how the nickname "Lobo" is translated) gives the impression of the most thoughtful design among all Latin American "crafts". The development of the machine under the official designation VATT (Vehiculo de Ataque Todo Terreno - “all-terrain assault vehicle”) has been carried out by Casanave SA since 2001, and the first production models entered service in 2005.
"Lobo" with basic weapons - 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns.
discasanave.com
Like the "classmates", the body of the "Lobo" is made of steel pipes, but of higher quality - with a titanium anti-corrosion coating. In addition to the hood and low sides, some of the vehicles are equipped with a roof over the driver's and commander's jobs. The car can be transported by air (including on the external sling of a helicopter) and is adapted for landing on a cargo parachute.
The length of the VATT is 4.5 m, the width is 2.2 m, the height is 2.6 m. The reference books indicate a mass of 850 kg, but most likely this figure does not include weapons (“Lobo” can carry a wide variety of its combinations) . In addition to the almost standard set of 7.62-mm and 12.7-mm machine guns for Latin American buggies (ammunition load of 2500 and 500 rounds, respectively), several anti-tank missile systems were tested on the Peruvian vehicle. The most common option is the ATGM 9K11 "Baby" (or its Chinese clone HJ-73C). Two ATGM launchers of this complex are mounted on the sides of the upper part of the vehicle (spare missiles, as far as can be judged from the available photos, are not provided). In addition, more modern anti-tank systems were tested on Lobo: the Russian 9K135 Kornet, the Israeli Spike LR, the Ukrainian Skif (with the Barrier RK-2 ATGM), as well as the Rayo self-developed complex. An alternative to the ATGM is the RPG-7V grenade launcher with a portable ammunition load of six grenades.
"Lobo", additionally armed with ATGM "Malyutka".
discasanave.co
Depending on the power plant, there are several variants of VATT. For army units of special forces, the M-1A2 variant was supplied with a four-cylinder petrol boxer air-cooled engine "Volkswagen Escarabajo" with a working volume of 1.6 liters with a manual gearbox (four speeds forward, one back). Engine power is 120 hp. From 0 to 70 km / h, the car accelerates in 6 seconds, the maximum speed reaches 120 km / h. The army men considered that this was quite enough, but the Marines were not enough: the M-2A1 variant, supplied to the Marine Corps, is equipped with a 1.8-liter Volkswagen engine with a capacity of 140 hp. Export Models M-3E and M-4E are equipped with even more powerful Subaru EJ-25 engines with a working volume of 2.5 liters. The power reserve of Lobo, depending on the engine, is 380-450 km. Without weapons, the car costs about $18,000 (probably with a Volkswagen engine), and with weapons and communications equipment, the price of the Lobo reaches $45,000.
VATT on the exercises of the ground forces of Peru.
discasanave.com
VATT turned out to be the only Latin American combat buggy, the production volume of which was not limited to a few dozen units, and also the only one that was exported. The Peruvian military acquired a total of 210 Lobos. The largest foreign buyer was Angola, which acquired fifty VATT. Smaller batches arrived in Niger (15 cars), Guinea (12) and Honduras (12). Finally, there are reports of the delivery of a dozen Lobos to Ukraine, but we could not find documentary evidence of this.
The raid group of the Peruvian special forces: in the foreground - "Lobo", behind him - light cars "Puma".
discasanave.com
VELA and VLF
The development of their own combat buggies at one time was carried out by the Argentines. They needed a car weighing no more than 1000 kg, adapted for transportation by a UH-1H Iroquois helicopter (on an external sling). The VELA car (Vehiculo de Exploracion Ligero de Asalto - “light reconnaissance and assault vehicle”) was equipped with a 1.6-liter Volkswagen engine and was armed with two machine guns (12.7 mm M2NV and 7.62 mm M60). An interesting detail Argentinean buggy was equipped with two grenade launchers for firing smoke grenades.
Armament VELA: 12.7-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns, smoke grenade launchers (on the sides of the spare wheel), as well as two disposable M72 RPGs stacked on the roof.
taringa.net
Conceptually, VELA was close to the Bolivian Kojak, being devoid of any body panels, but the Argentine designers still took pity on the shooter, protecting him with a safety arc. VELA prototypes were tested in the 601st airborne assault battalion, but the car was not accepted into service: the Argentine military preferred more heavy vehicle"Gaucho", reminiscent of a reduced SUV HMMWV.
Argentine car VELA.
vasili.io.ua
They also created a combat buggy on the "Island of Freedom". The Cuban state enterprise Union de Industrias Militares (UIM) developed the VLF (Vehiculo Liviano de Fiero - “light fire machine”). Information about her is limited to a few photographs. The VLF is armed with a 7.62 mm PKM machine gun and a 30 mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, with the last shooter firing while standing. The parameters of the power plant of the car are unknown, but from the photographs it can be assumed that the VLF is all-wheel drive. The number of machines manufactured, probably does not exceed one and a half dozen, they are operated by the Cuban special forces "Avispas Negras" ("Black Wasps").
VLF fire support vehicle of the Cuban special forces "Avispas Negras".
Kulhanek L. Vojenské “buginy” zemí Latinské Ameriky // ATM, 2015, No. 5
Literature:
- Kulhanek L. Vojenské “buginy” zemí Latinské Ameriky // ATM, 2015, No. 5
- www.razonyfuerza.mforos.com
- defensanacional.foroactivo.com
- discasanave.com
- militar.org.ua
The main specifics of Chenowth were and remain racing buggies. rally cars its designs took part in numerous Dakar Rally, all kinds of Bajas and other types of off-road racing. But in the 1980s, the company won an army contract to develop a fast military buggy capable of traversing the sand dunes while carrying a significant amount of weapons and combat equipment. In 1982, the Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) was born.
In the first batch there were 120 FAVs - but in reality the cars were idle until the early 1990s. Their first major operation was the war in Kuwait. During the Desert Storm, it was the FAVs that became the first vehicles to enter the capital of Kuwait - and they did not move along the roads at all. The cars were equipped with 2-liter 200-horsepower Volkswagen engines, weighed 680 kg and could travel 320 km on one gas station, the maximum speed was 97 km / h. In the same 1991, the cars received a different name (according to the documents) - Desert Patrol Vehicle (DPV). 
Combat use revealed a number of shortcomings. It was necessary to increase the power and carrying capacity of the car (they could carry a mass approximately equal to their own). Therefore, Chenowth Racing Products, Inc. developed the second generation - Light Strike Vehicle (LSV). This car weighed 960 kg, accelerated to 130 km / h and could carry significantly more cargo, in particular, it was standardly armed with 12.7 mm M2, 5-56 mm M249 SAW LMG, 7.62 M60 and two anti-tank AT4. In general, it was almost a tank. The LSV is still in use and, in addition to the United States, is in service with Greece, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Portugal, Spain and Bangladesh. 
Finally, in 1996, the third and final generation of the US Army buggy, the Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV), appeared. It was an even heavier monster weighing 1600 kg with a 160-horsepower engine capable of "dragging" a car in full gear on 75-degree slopes. The buggy was designed to be transported by a standard army helicopter, say the CH-47 Chinook. 
Despite a successful "army career", Chenowth today exists only on paper and does not produce equipment - neither military nor sports. However, her buggies are regularly used by the US Army in various wars and anti-terrorism operations.
Today, light and fast military vehicles are becoming increasingly important. The armies of many countries are armed with ATVs and buggies. In Russia, not so long ago, the army all-terrain vehicle AM-1 was adopted. At the same time, the Research Center for Automotive Technology of the 3rd Center of the Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense is considering the prospect of introducing buggy-type all-terrain vehicles into the Russian army. Such machines are actively used in the armies of some states, so the military in Russia is seriously interested in their capabilities in relation to the realities of our country.
One of the most active operators of army buggies is the US military. More than 20 types of buggies manufactured here are in service. various companies. Initially, their main purpose was to patrol the US borders. Also, these vehicles are well suited for operations in the desert, conducting sabotage attacks and reconnaissance. Usually they are carriers of light weapons, and their crew consists of 2-3 people. Military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that improving the armor protection of off-road vehicles inevitably leads to an increase in their mass and the loss of the ability to perform a number of reconnaissance missions. In this situation, they have to give way to light vehicles with high maneuverability, speed, low visibility on the ground and a relatively low price.
The first buggies appeared in the USA in the 1950s. For their manufacture, old, unused Volkswagen Beetle cars were usually used. From the diminutive form of the name of the Volkswagen "Beetle" - Volkswagen Bug, the word "buggy" - "bug" came from. During the alteration, the body, wings, doors were removed from the cars, and a lightweight frame or fiberglass body was installed as a supporting structure, and in some cases a stripped-down version of the standard Volkswagen body was left. Due to the strength of the chassis and the patency of the "Beetle", the absence of a radiator, high ground clearance, as well as the rear engine, this popular and recognizable to this day passenger car was ideal for creating a buggy based on it. The popularity of the buggy was also facilitated by the availability of a passenger car. Volkswagen car Bug.
In the late 1970s, the United States realized that military vehicles did not have to be large and inspire fear in their appearance. Even then, the army felt the need for a fast and light vehicle that would be suitable for patrolling the desert, remembering the buggy. Buggy is a light frame car, characterized by high cross-country ability, speed, small dimensions and good cornering stability. These machines have proven to be very helpful. The first production buggies were delivered to the US military by a small Californian company, Chenowth, which specializes in the production of racing buggies. Cars of her design successfully participated in the famous races of the Dakar Rally.
In the early 1980s, this Californian company won an army contract to build a fast military buggy that could easily navigate the sand dunes while carrying a significant amount of various combat equipment. Already in 1982, the first army buggy was born, which went to mass production, FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle. In the first batch there were 120 buggies, but in reality the cars were idle until the early 1990s. Their debuts were operations in the Persian Gulf. They were first used in Kuwait. During Operation Desert Storm, it was the FAV buggies that became the first vehicles to enter the liberated capital of Kuwait. At the same time, they did not move along the roads at all. As part of Operation Desert Storm, buggies were used not only by the US military, but also by British special operations forces.
Fast Attack Vehicle equipped with two-liter air-cooled engines Volkswagen developing maximum power 200 hp, 4-speed gearbox and independent suspension. The car weighed 960 kg and could travel 320 kilometers on one gas station. The maximum speed of the buggy was about 130 km / h. A characteristic feature of the buggy was a light body, which was made of high-strength steel tubular structures (frame and safety arch), as well as the location of the transmission and engine in the rear of the hull. 7.62-mm and 12.7-mm machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-tank systems or MANPADS could be used as weapons, and a radio station could be additionally installed. Over time, the buggy received a new designation DPV - Desert Patrol Vehicle (literally - transport for patrolling the desert).
The DPV buggy was built on the basis of the VW Beetle. On tubular frame a front torsion bar suspension was installed, and an air-cooled boxer engine was located at the rear. The frame was sheathed with sheet steel. The crew of the FAV/DPV buggy consisted of 3 people. Two of them were traditionally located, as in an ordinary car (one was the driver, the second was shooting from a machine gun, reading cards), another crew member was located in the upper superstructure located above the power unit. He could fire from a machine gun or a grenade launcher.
Tactical and technical characteristics FAV/DPV:
Overall dimensions: length - 4080 mm, width - 2100 mm, height - 2000 mm.
Ground clearance - 410 mm.
Weight - 960 kg.
Maximum speed - 130 km / h (on the highway).
Acceleration from 0 to 50 km / h - 4 s.
The maximum slope is 75%.
The maximum side slope is 50%.
Load capacity - 680 kg.
Fuel supply - 80 l.
Crew - 3 people.
A further development of the DPV buggy was the new LSV - Light Strike Vehicle (literally translated as light strike vehicle). Possible armament was significantly expanded and could consist of: 12.7 mm machine gun M2, 5.56 mm machine gun M249 SAW LMG, 7.62 mm machine gun M60 or M240 of the GPMG series. Two AT4 anti-tank grenade launchers or one BGM-71 TOW ATGM could also be used.
Later, around October 1996, the improved buggies ALSV - Advanced Light Strike Vehicle saw the light of day. They became the third generation of Chenowth's army buggies and the direct heirs of the DPV and LSV models. The improved light shock vehicle is available in two versions - with a 2-seater and a 4-seater body. This vehicle is in service with the US Army and Marine Corps, some NATO countries, the states of the Middle East and Central America.
It should be noted that recently there has been a trend towards changing the design of desert buggies. Given the fact that the Volkswagen Beetle has ceased to be produced since the mid-1990s, the front torsion bar suspension is gradually being replaced by a suspension with transverse A-arms. Rear suspension The buggy is built on diagonal levers.
The most "advanced" Advanced LSV army buggies, built on the basis of the Humvee car, received a proper name - Flyer ("flyer"), which only emphasizes the good speed characteristics machines. According to the manufacturer's information, the entry and exit angles of these buggies are 59 and 50 degrees, respectively. New model The buggy has already managed to prove its mobility and firepower. Thanks to the presence of a circular turret, the shooter can fire 360 degrees without deploying the buggy for this. The machine can be equipped with a heavy 12.7 mm M2 machine gun or a 40 mm MK19 automatic grenade launcher. As additional weapons, light machine guns and portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems can be used. Each of the buggy doors can be equipped with a turret for mounting 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm machine guns.
The mass of the buggy has increased to 2 tons. Thanks to the presence of a 160-horsepower diesel engine and all-wheel drive, the buggy has excellent off-road qualities. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. There are variants of the ALSV buggy, designed to transport the wounded and transport goods, as well as vehicles that are equipped with armor and are intended for direct participation in combat operations. At the same time, ALSV buggies still remain compact, they can be transported by air by CH-47 Chinook or CH-53 Sea Stallion transport helicopters.
The tasks for which such buggies are intended remain unchanged:
- conducting special operations;
- fast attack/penetration deep into enemy territory;
- reconnaissance operations;
- adjustment of fire on ground targets (including with the help of UAVs);
- team car.
The performance characteristics of Flyer ALSV:
Overall dimensions: length - 4570 mm, height - 1520 mm, width - 1520 mm.
Clearance - 355 mm.
Turning radius - 5.48 m.
Curb weight - 2041 kg.
Gross weight - 3400 kg.
Load capacity - 1360 kg.
The power plant is a 1.9-liter diesel engine with 160 hp.
Fuel reserve - 68 l.
Power reserve - 725 km.
Crew - 2-3-4 people.
