This week all Ukrainian armored vehicles developed for defence, law and security enforcement agencies of Ukraine came to “AutoKrAZ”. Another stage of testing of new armored vehicles developed to meet the needs of the Ministry of Interior, National Police, National Guard, State Border Service and Special Forces units has been conducted by Ukrainian Ministry of Interior Research Institute on the proving ground of the automobile plant.
Performance of vehicles was assessed by expert panel consisting of military and scientists in accordance with program and test procedure developed by the Research Institute. The following vehicles came for testing: Каzаk-2 (NPO “Praktika”), Bars (GP “ASZ No 2” AK Bogdan Motors), Triton (PJSC “Lenin’s Smithy Plant”), Varta (ООО “Ukrainian Armored Vehicles”). Host, PJSC “AutoKrAZ”, presented for testing its advanced vehicles: KrAZ-Shrek and КrAZ-Spartan.
We are pleased that the Ministry of Interior of Ukraine has chosen proving ground of “AutoKrAZ” as test site. This decision is quite logical because KrAZ’s proving ground with its unique concrete facilities for testing heavy wheeled vehicles is the only of its kind in Ukraine. Its feature is a small size: two test tracks 4 m wide each with 20 special obstacles are arranged on 2 ha area to conduct comparative tests, minimize time needed for driving from one obstacle to the next and watch obstacle course from comfortable viewing stand.
Test facilities built on the proving ground are used to assess off road performance, maneuverability, dynamic behavior and durability under extreme loads. Configuration and specifications of tests facilities meet those of worldwide renowned proving grounds such as IDEX (UAE), SOFEX (Jordan), NII21 (Bronnitsy, RF), NICIAMT (Dmitrov, RF).
We are proud to say that only KrAZ vehicles could overcome all the obstacles of the proving ground including log run made of huge logs and rock run other vehicles could not even approach. Moreover, steel guests overcame either mandatory obstacles in accordance with program such as wading trough, sand pit, 30 and 60 percent hill and only to the extent possible and according to purpose of use or at its own option. For instance, Varta vehicle could not climb 60 percent hill that other vehicles overcame, while Triton and Bars could not overcome 0,4 m step due its design and performance capabilities. As for mandatory tests for fording ability Bars vehicle negotiated 0,5 m water obstacle in accordance with performance specifications declared by its manufacturer, other vehicles undergoing testing could cross 0,76 m deep wading in compliance with operational requirements of the Ministry of Interior. The KrAZ-Shrek vehicle made our day once again by overcoming 1,2 m deep obstacle without any preparation.
The next stage of tests will include assessment of performance on earth roads. We are sure that KrAZ armored vehicles will prove their excellent performance and compliance with parameters aimed by designers.
