Lazar BVT
Encyclopedia
The Lazar BVT, is an Serbian
mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP
, manufactured by Yugoimport
. Named after Lazar
, a 14th century ruler of Serbia.
agreement level V+ armor protection. In addition to the two armor configurations mentioned, both can be upgraded with ERA packets for protection against close range urban attacks with RPG weapons, as well as cages and other means of protecting against heavy fire. The armor itself can be considered NERA and is meant only to protect against infantry portable weapons. The ballistic glass is extremely strong, rated at level III in the front and level II+ at the sides. In addition, the specially formatted hull and internal seating arrangement affords maximum protection against IED devices, anti-tank mines and other ground-level explosive devices.
Cupola
options:
OR
Turret options:
OR
OR
OR
All versions are equipped with 4 x FLIR and optical ECM smoke launchers. There is an internal space which can be used for transportation of MANPAD systems, larger machine gun setups, all types of food or ammunition and so on.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP
MRAP (armored vehicle)
A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected is a family of armored fighting vehicles design led by the United States Marine Corps in use by the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces with the goal of surviving IED attacks and ambushes - prompted by US deaths in Iraq...
, manufactured by Yugoimport
Yugoimport SDPR
Yugoimport SDPR is a Serbian state-owned defence company and represents the Government and military industrial complex of Serbia in the sphere of importation and exportation cooperation of defence equipment and related services...
. Named after Lazar
Lazar of Serbia
Lazar Hrebeljanović , was a medieval nobleman that emerged as the most powerful Serbian ruler after the death of the previous, childless, Emperor Uroš the Weak, which resulted in years of instability in the Serbian realm. As Stefan Lazar, he was Prince of Serbia from 1371 to 1389, ruling what is...
, a 14th century ruler of Serbia.
Design
Lazar was a vehicle conceived for use in urban and rural anti-infantry patrol and transport role, a supplementary vehicle meant to prevent exposure of even basic infantry units to enemy fire as well as to run support of heavier vehicles in convoy situations. The chassis is started as a simple redesign of the TAM-150 truck but evolved to include a completely modified hull, 4x4 and 8x8 configuration, added armor and dozens of structural improvements. Special attention was given to a high acceleration rate, stability (due to high center of gravity), hardiness and reliability in many types of environments (fire, snow, ice, rain, mud etc). During testing, the vehicle outperformed every parameter except the weight requirement, which was exceeded in full armor and armament load-out, although the report excused this by saying that the extra weight does not degrade vehicle function.Protection
This vehicle has a standard steel hull with STANAG level III+ protection in the basic configuration, although additional laminate armor developed by Jugoimport provides an upgrade to NATO STANAG 4569STANAG 4569
NATO AEP-55 STANAG 4569 is a NATO Standardization Agreement covering the standards for the "Protection Levels for Occupants of Logistic and Light Armored Vehicles".The standard covers strikes from Kinetic Energy, artillery, and IED blasts....
agreement level V+ armor protection. In addition to the two armor configurations mentioned, both can be upgraded with ERA packets for protection against close range urban attacks with RPG weapons, as well as cages and other means of protecting against heavy fire. The armor itself can be considered NERA and is meant only to protect against infantry portable weapons. The ballistic glass is extremely strong, rated at level III in the front and level II+ at the sides. In addition, the specially formatted hull and internal seating arrangement affords maximum protection against IED devices, anti-tank mines and other ground-level explosive devices.
Mobility
The V shaped hull and special drive train construction affords excellent mobility in mud pit situations, over deep trenches, icy and slippery surfaces as well as inclines smaller than 50 degrees. Each wheel and tire has centrally controlled pressure and is created in such a way as to be useful even if the tires are completely destroyed (run flat inserts); the quick lock mechanism allows for fast replacement. The 440 HP engine provides good acceleration but low speed over treacherous terrain, a standardized mechanical transmission allows for direct control. Steering and suspension both are primarily hydraulic and both have mechanical backups. Brakes are dual circuited pneumatics and have an on-off ABS switch in the cab. Maximum speed of 90km/h can be achieved in ten meters of driving and continued for 600km before refueling. Wheel configuration is independent and allows fording by 1.5 meters of depth and trench hopping at 2m of depth.Ordinance
The thing which stands out about the Lazar is the open side system which allows troops inside to use their own personal weapons (40mm grenade launchers, assault rifles etc) to engage the enemy or help locate threats in a 360 degree area. Of course, in addition to this open concept system there are a variety of turrets, cupolas and other weapons systems depending on budget and application of vehicle.Cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
options:
- 7.62 x 54 mm machine gun M86
OR
- 30 mm grenade launcher BGA-30 (Serbian license-built AGS-17AGS-17The AGS-17 Plamya is a Soviet-designed automatic grenade launcher currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service worldwide.-Description:...
)
Turret options:
- 12.7 x 108 mm machine gun M87Zastava M87The Zastava M87 is a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun produced by the Zastava Arms works of Serbia. The M87 is a licenced copy of the Soviet NSV 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. It is intended for anti-aircraft duties, but it also used for action against ground and water targets at long...
/M02Zastava M02 CoyoteThe Zatava M02 Coyote is a 12.7mm heavy machine gun produced by Zastava Arms. The M02 is very similar to the Kord machine gun in appearance and capability. The M02 can fire over 700 rounds per minute and has a maximum effective range of 2000 m against grounds targets and 1500 meters against...
/M07 and 7.62 x 54 mm machine gun
OR
- 20 x 110 mm cannon M55 (Yugoslav, now Serbian development based on the HS.804) and 7.62 x 54 mm machine gun
OR
- 30 x 170 mm cannon M86 and 7.62 x 54 mm machine gun
OR
- 2 x AT missile system Malutka 2
All versions are equipped with 4 x FLIR and optical ECM smoke launchers. There is an internal space which can be used for transportation of MANPAD systems, larger machine gun setups, all types of food or ammunition and so on.
Special features
These features can be selected from by a potential buyer.- Air conditioning with compressor and overpressure system for CBRNCBRNCBRN is an initialism for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear. It is used to refer to situations in which any of these four hazards have presented themselves. The term CBRN is a replacement for the cold war term NBC , which had replaced the term ABC that was used in the fifties...
protection - 15W VHF radio with UMR
- Interlinked Command Information System with such features as encrypted communications, GPS maps, in-action battle plan modification etc
- Full sensors loadout stabilized in two planes with LIDAR, IR, and optical devices
Variants
- Lazar SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense): anti-aircraft system with 30 mm cannon M86 and Strela-10M (SA-13 Gopher) missiles
- Lazar 4x4: A shorter variant with less seats and 4x4 wheel configuration
- Lazar Ambulance: Personnel cab removed to house an ambulatory section
- Lazar IFV: Infantry fighting vehicle with an attached 20mm auto-cannon and grenade launcher (The auto-cannon can be used in an anti air role)
- Lazar Howitzer: Canceled variant with personnel cab removed to house a small howitzer or mortar
- Lazar Tracked: Canceled variant with quad tracks instead of wheels
- Lazar Amphibious: Canceled variant with sealed substructure capable of deep fording