The 9P148 "Konkurs", also incorrectly identified by some as the "BRDM-3", is a variant of the base BRDM-2 Amphibious Scout Car series appearing in 1962, developed to replace the BRDM-1. The BRDM-2 series proved itself quite an adaptable and capable battlefield system since its inception and went on to see service beyond the Soviet Union with some 40 countries worldwide - many continuing its operation even today. The Konkurs derivative is mechanically similar to the base BRDM-2 vehicle and only differentiated by its mounting of the Konkurs (NATO: "Spandrel") anti-tank missile launcher atop the hull. The end-product is, therefore, a highly mobile, cross-country, anti-tank support vehicle that can reconnoiter terrain, report enemy positions and defend itself against enemy armor.
Outwardly, the 9P148 highly mimics the original BRDM-2 Scout Car as it retains the rather utilitarian appearance of the original including its four wheel 4x4-power layout, slab lower hull and angled upper hull facings. It also retains the four auxiliary wheels that can be lowered at the center of the vehicle sides. Various vision ports allow the crew of two or three personnel sighting opportunities from the relative safety of the vehicle. Multiple access hatches allow for entry/exit of the vehicle. The boat-like front hull is purposefully designed as the 9P148 - like the base BRDM-2 before it - is fully amphibious, propelled through water by a propeller system buried at the rear facing of the lower hull.
Concerning the support for the Konkurs missile, the 9P148 sports a five-launcher rail for the 9M113 Konkurs series wire-guided, anti-tank missile system (NATO: AT-5 "Spandrel"). The 135mm missile was introduced in 1974 to provide Soviet anti-tank teams a counter to NATO armor in-the-field. The missile packed a tandem HEAT (High-Explosive, Anti-Tank) warhead coupled with a solid-fueled rocket booster while detonation was by way of direct force contact. With an effective range of 2.5 miles, the Spandrel could reach out to enemy tanks at distance with good penetration results. As a wire-guided weapon, however, the operator could only control the missile (via thrust vectoring) during flight so long as the data wire attached to missile and launcher had not been severed. Sighting was accomplished by way of a device installation mounted along the front right of the upper hull. The launching system was specifically designed to be retractable and rest along the turret roof during transport while also decreasing the vehicle's side profile. The crew could launch all five missiles from within the protective hull or remotely by way of a relay cable, the crew positioned up to 80 meters away from the vehicle. Reloading was, however, managed externally from the onboard supply of missiles and as many as 14 could be carried. The crew reloaded the launcher rails through a hatch located aft of the launcher itself.
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Specifications
Molotov GAZ Plant - Soviet Union / Russia Manufacturer(s)
Algeria; Czech Republic; Egypt; Hungary; India; Libya; Morocco; Nicaragua; Poland; Romania; Russia; Serbia and Montenegro; Slovakia; Soviet Union; Syria Operators
ANTI-TANK / ANTI-ARMOR
Base model or variant can be used to track, engage, and defeat armored enemy elements at range.
ARMOR CAR / SECURITY
Design, of typically lightweight nature, providing onroad/offroad capabilities for the scouting or general security roles.
RECONNAISSANCE
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.
18.9 ft (5.75 meters) Length
7.7 ft (2.35 meters) Width
6.6 ft (2.01 meters) Height
15,432 lb (7,000 kg) Weight
7.7 tons (Light-class) Tonnage
1 x GAZ-41 V-8 water-cooled, gasoline-fueled engine developing 140 horsepower at 3,400rpm driving conventional wheeled arrangement. Drive System
62 mph (100 kph) Road Speed
466 miles (750 km) Road Range
5 x Missile Launcher Rail System on hull roof.
AMMUNITION
14 x 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) missiles OR 10 x 9M111 Fagot (AT-4 Spigot) missiles and 10 x 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel.
9P148 "Konkurs" - BRDM-2 Scout Car modified to carry 5-shot missile launcher rail system for 9M113 Konkurs wire-guided anti-tank missile; later support for 9M111 Fagot missiles; later installation of whip aerial antenna and improved sighting devices.
Images
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Front right side view of the 9P148 Konkurs Scout Car with Spandrel missile system mount; color
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