Amphibian UAZ "Jaguar" amphibian: photos, characteristics

Amphibian UAZ "Jaguar" - this is almost gone into oblivion project from Ulyanovsk automakers. At one time, it could rightfully be considered the pride of domestic producers. Despite the fact that the creation of this all-terrain vehicle began several decades ago, it still has not lost its relevance. Consider the history of its creation, as well as the characteristics and features of the machine.

Development and creation

In 1977, at the automobile plant in Ulyanovsk, the development of special off-road vehicles was launched, geared to the needs of the army and the agrarian sector. The project was headed by the famous designer LA Startsev. The project began to be developed under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense and was given the name of the all-terrain amphibian under the code code of UAZ "Jaguar".

The main purpose of the new off-roader is transportation of personnel, cargo, installation of special technical devices and towing of trailer devices weighing up to 750 kilograms. The machine is made on the basis of modification 3151. In 1978, the documentation was presented, in which a significant amount occupied the drawings of various devices. This is due to the fact that it was planned to mount several innovative nodes on the amphibian. Among them: a winch, spindles with a power take-off shaft, pumping pumps, water steering and a few more innovations.

Testing

For six months in 1980 four models of UAZ "Jaguar" were tested. Tests were conducted in different climatic conditions:

1. In Astrakhan in the steppe landscape at a temperature above +40 degrees Celsius.
2. In Yakutia in the winter.
3. On the mountain range in the Pamirs, at an altitude of 4600 meters above sea level.

As a result, the amphibian was tested in the temperature range from -45 to +47 degrees. At the same time, the all-terrain vehicle showed excellent performance and successfully overcame most of the obstacles. In parallel with the running-in of the equipment, the documentation was improved, including equipping the system with water pumping and parking brake.

In the second quarter, the developers released two more prototypes of the UAZ car of the Jaguar project. They took into account the previous defects and flaws in the design. The total distance traveled during testing of the all-terrain vehicle samples was about 150 thousand kilometers. As a result, the Ministry of Defense and the automotive industry decided to establish a serial release of the modification.

Improvement

Within three years (1986-1989) on the rights of implementation of the agreement between the combine and the KGB, the UAZ 3907 Jaguar model was developed and tested, the photo of which is presented above. The car is designed for border guards, received the second name "Cormorant".

Among the additional features of the machine are the following aspects:

• Having six pairs of skis.
• Equipping with a radio station and a location system.
• Armament in the form of a machine gun.

This model was equipped with a carburettor power unit type 4141610. The engine power was 77 horsepower at a maximum speed threshold of 100 km / h. The fuel consumption in the mixed mode was about 12 liters for every 100 kilometers of the road.

Design Features

The Jaguar UAZ was equipped with a modification frame 3151. It was improved by welding on the front and rear part of the extension cables, which provided the possibility of mounting the winch, and also served as bumpers for the installation of propeller arms and other additional equipment.

The designers decided not to complicate the project especially, in this connection bridges equipped with wheel gears were used. The short front springs were replaced by an elongated variation, which made it possible to make the course of the amphibian smooth. As the developed modification of UAZ 3907 "Jaguar" was intended also for moving in water, the body of the all-terrain vehicle was made absolutely hermetic. This allowed the machine to protect itself from moisture and the risk of contamination of the engine and other internal parts and components.

The individual heat exchanger in the cooling system ensured the functioning of the power unit afloat in an acceptable thermal regime. The winch installed on the all-terrain vehicle is able to work on the fly with the first gear engaged, and also in the case of unwinding the cable at the rear speed. The lifting device is driven by a power take-off.

The interior of the army car is made in an ascetic style. Despite the minimum of amenities, a pair of soft seats and two longitudinally folding seats are provided inside. This decision allowed the transportation of a brigade or the separation of the military order of seven fighters.

Exploitation

The most interesting feature in the design of the UAZ all-terrain vehicle of the Jaguar project is the amphibious buoyancy. It showed the possibility of overcoming water obstacles with two dozen people on board. The first models were equipped with water rudders, which help increase maneuverability on the water, but this decision led to the emergence of ambiguous situations.

One of the tests on the Volga River showed that after the maneuvers the water steering wheel simply disappeared. Most likely, he broke off as a result of a collision with a solid obstacle. In addition, that the testers did not notice the loss of the helm, the maneuverability of the all-terrain vehicle remained at the same level. The front wheels have coped with the function of controllability, resulting in a water steering wheel recognized as an unnecessary addition.

If we note the patency of the car under consideration in conditions of poor road conditions, the model was not inferior to the basic modification of the 3151. The only disadvantage is the high mass of the car, which exceeded by 400 kilograms the analogous index of the predecessor. At the same time, both variants were equipped with motors of 2.5 liters. The disadvantage was to some extent leveled by a flat bottom, allowing to exit from large drifts or swampy areas. In addition, there were situations when the amphibian was actually floating in liquid mud.

What do experts say?

The floating parameters of the UAZ "Jaguar" car, the photo of which is presented above, are designed in such a way as to maximize the imagination of the average user. Based on the results of a number of tests, the commission concluded that this amphibian needs a more powerful motor. For subsequent modifications, a three-liter engine was installed. As there was no transfer case of a differential type on the vehicle, the service life of bridges was higher than that of road vehicles of the same category. After installing a more powerful power unit, experts noted the increase in torque and speed indicators both on land and in water.

Competitors

Among foreign analogues it is possible to note cars of mark Gibbs. In this segment, a foreign developer presents two options related to modern amphibians:

1. The Phibian model is famous for being the representative of a completely new kind of floating SUV. It is equipped with a diesel engine with a turbine, the power of which is 500 horsepower. There is a choice of the type of movement in three variations: water cannon, front or full ground drive. Three members of the crew, 12 passengers or 1500 kilograms of cargo are placed on board.
2. Amding Humdinga I is an all-terrain vehicle equipped with a motor with the arrangement of cylinders of the V8 type with supercharging. Capacity of the unit is 350 horsepower, drive - permanent full. Depending on the design features, the amphibian can transport up to 750 kilograms of different cargo or seven people.

Both modifications can move at a speed of up to 26 knots, it takes no more than ten seconds to convert from land to land.

In conclusion

Despite the fact that the all-terrain amphibian UAZ-3907 "Jaguar" proved to be excellent on tests, the economy interfered with its destiny. The lack of finance and sponsors put an end to the further development of the project.

It was finally closed in 1990. Nevertheless, the question on this machine can not be called completely solved. Such an amphibian is useful not only in the army, but also in the fishing, hunting and agrarian spheres. To a large extent, the future of the UAZ-3907 car of the Jaguar project depends on timely financing and confidence in the development of this technology.