The BRDM-1 series of amphibious scout cars first appeared in the late 1950s and would serve as the principle armored car in service with the Red Army until eventually being replaced by the equally successful BRDM-2 series. The BRDM-1 developed into several successful anti-aircraft variants mounting a variety of missile systems and was completely amphibious with its built-in waterjet at rear. The BRDM series of scout cars would be the definitive scout car for the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War and be exported en mass to several Soviet-friendly nations.
Development of the Soviet BRDM-1 was spurned along by the need to replace their aging World War 2-era BA-64 series of armored cars. The BRDM-1 appeared as a 4x4 vehicle with a front mounted engine and roof-mounted hatches (earlier models were open-topped). Interestingly, the BRDM-1 featured an extra twin set of road wheels which could be lowered by the driver. Additionally, the driver could control tire pressure through an integrated regulation system for customized off-road or ditch crossing performance.
Standard armament for the BRDM-1 was initially a single 7.62mm arrangement though some models were fitted with an additional 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. In that arrangement, the heavy machine gun was mounted forward whilst the 7.62mm caliber type was to the rear of the crew compartment. Crew accommodations amounted to the driver and up to four passengers depending on the role and mission. Power was derived from a 6-cylinder gasoline engine generating some 90hp.
The BRDM-U became a Command Vehicle and was distinguished from other BRDM-1s by the integration of four antenna instead of the usual one. The BRDM-1RKhb served as a radiological and biological reconnaissance vehicle in the event of a nuclear war and was distinguished by two rectangle-shaped packs held at rear of the vehicle. Anti-tank launcher models consisted of AT-1, AT-2 and AT-3 launchers fitted on the roof and raised when ready to fire. Each progressive design featured an increased engagement range and an increase missile count.
The BRDM-1 was later replaced by the similar BRDM-2 series of amphibious scout cars.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the BRDM-1 4x4 Wheeled Amphibious Light Armored Scout Car.
1 x GAZ 6-cylinder gasoline-fueled engine developing 90 horsepower driving conventional wheeled arrangement. Installed Power
50 mph 80 kph Road Speed
311 miles 500 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the BRDM-1 4x4 Wheeled Amphibious Light Armored Scout Car.
5 (MANNED) Crew
18.7 ft 5.7 meters O/A Length
7.4 ft 2.25 meters O/A Width
6.2 ft 1.9 meters O/A Height
12,346 lb 5,600 kg | 6.2 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the BRDM-1 4x4 Wheeled Amphibious Light Armored Scout Car.
1 x 12.7mm DShKM MG anti-aircraft machine gun mounted at front
1 x 7.62mm SGMB MG at rear mounting
AMMUNITION: Not Available
Variants Notable series variants as part of the BRDM-1 family line.
BRDM-1 - Base Series Designation
BRDM-1 Model 1957 (BTR-40P) - Open-Topped Crew Compartment.
BRDM-1 Model 1958 (BTR-40P) - Closed-Top Crew Compartment; fitted with roof hatches.
BRDM-1 Model 1959 (BTR-40P) - 1 x 7.62mm machine gun at front roof
BRDM-1 Model 1960 (BTR-40P) - 3 x 7.62mm machine guns at front roof and sides of superstructure.
BRDM-1U (BTR-40PU / BRDM-U) - Command Vehicle; fitted with specialized communications equipment; distinguished by four antennas.
BRDM-1RKh (BTR-40P Rkh) - Radiological / Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle; distinguished by two rectangle-shaped components at rear.
2P27 - Tank Destroyer; fitting 2K16 launcher for 3 x 3M^ "Shmel" (AT-1 "Snapper") anti-tank guided missiles.
2P32 - Tank Destroyer; fitting 2K8 launcher for 4 x 9M11 "Falanga" (AT-2 "Swatter") anti-tank guided missiles.
9P110 - Tank Destroyer; fitting 9K14M launcher for 6 x 9M14 "Malyutka" (AT-3 "Sagger") anti-tank guided missiles.
SPW-40P - East German Designation for unarmed BRDM-1
SPW-40PA - East German Designation for armed BRDM-1
9P111 - East German Designation for 9P110 Tank Destroyer
FUG - Hungarian Designation
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the BRDM-1. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 10,000 Units Contractor(s): Molotov GAZ Plant - Soviet Union
[ Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Belarus; Benin; Bulgaria; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Cuba; Czechoslovakia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; East Germany; Egypt; Equatorial New Guinea; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Guinea; Hungary; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mongolia; Morocco; Mozambique; Nicaragua; North Vietnam; Peru; Poland; Romania; Sao Tome and Principe; Serbia; Seychelles; Somalia; Soviet Union; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Ukraine; Uganda; Vietnam; Yemen; Yugoslavia; Zambia; Zimbabwe ]
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Top left side view of the BRDM-1 armroed car
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Rear right side view of the BRDM-1; note all crew hatches
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Left side view of the BRDM-1; note mid-set road wheels
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Front left side view of the BRDM-1 armored car
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Rear right side view of a modified BRDM-1 armored car
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