Overview of the Typhoon-VDV Based Reconnaissance Armored Car
The armored vehicle is engineered to detect and identify potential targets with precision. It not only locates coordinates with high accuracy but also communicates those findings to its onboard precision weapons system, enabling rapid, informed response on the battlefield. This integration of sensing and fire control makes it a formidable asset for reconnaissance missions, where timely and accurate target information is essential for decision makers and field operators alike.
The development first entered the public eye at the Army-2022 forum, where it was unveiled under the designation “Product 3R19U07.” The design draws its lineage from the Typhoon-VDV family, leveraging proven chassis and automotive platforms to accelerate integration of advanced reconnaissance capabilities while preserving mobility and reliability in demanding combat environments.
Currently, the vehicle is undergoing factory validation trials, with state-level testing slated to begin in early summer 2023. These trials are designed to evaluate performance across a broad spectrum of conditions, including extreme cold, blistering heat, and heavy precipitation. The tests place emphasis on durability, reliability, and the interoperability of sensors, navigation, and command interfaces under operational stress. The objective is to verify that the platform maintains sensor fidelity and communication integrity when confronted with real-world weather challenges and rugged terrain, ensuring readiness for potential deployment in diverse theatres of operation.
The reconnaissance suite aboard the new armored car is described as an integrated system with multiple sensing channels. It includes near, mid, and far infrared channels, as well as an optical detection pathway. This multi-band approach enhances the ability to detect concealed or distant threats, supporting both long-range identification and timely warning. According to reports from RIA Novosti, the combination of infrared and optical sensing provides a robust picture of the battlespace, enabling operators to distinguish targets from clutter and adverse lighting with greater confidence.
In practical terms, the reconnaissance package is capable of identifying adversaries at extended ranges, which also informs decision making about potential ambushes and sniper threats. The visibility offered by the system contributes to early threat assessment and supports safer routes for maneuver. The detection reach is substantial enough that personnel or equipment can be identified at distances of up to 18 kilometers under favorable conditions, underscoring the system’s ability to extend situational awareness far beyond conventional line-of-sight limits.
Key specifications of the Typhoon-VDV armored car are summarized below, reflecting its blend of speed, survivability, and firepower. The vehicle weighs about 13.5 metric tons, enabling rapid movement across varied terrains while maintaining a sturdy platform for sensor arrays and defensive systems. It can accelerate to speeds around 100 kilometers per hour and has a climb capability of approximately 30 degrees, with a water fording depth near 1.9 meters, which together illustrate its all-terrain versatility. The power plant delivers roughly 350 horsepower, supporting sustained operational mobility, while a stated range of about 1,200 kilometers offers extended endurance for reconnaissance patrols without frequent refueling stops.
Armament is configured to balance reconnaissance duties with defensive and light offensive capabilities. The primary weapon system is a 30-millimeter autocannon, the 2A42, providing immediate response options within close and mid-range engagements. The ammunition complement comprises 200 explosive fragmentation rounds and 100 armor-piercing tracer rounds, collectively enabling both suppression and penetration of threats as required by mission parameters. Target recognition extends to a practical range of up to 2,000 meters, allowing operators to engage targets with confidence as situational awareness improves. The vehicle accommodates a crew of six, plus a commander and a driver-mechanic, ensuring that command, control, and maintenance functions are effectively distributed across the platform.