ZIL-135 ("Hurricane"): photo and technical characteristics

The first military trucks differed significantly from what is being created now. Even in the days of the Great Patriotic War, the so-called multi-purpose vans, various types of staff vehicles and mobile repair trains were especially popular.

It was the war that accelerated the development of machine building, and further brought it to a higher and better level. To meet all the wishes and needs of the army, specialized vehicles are needed. Thanks to the interest of military departments, such vehicles as military trucks were produced at an incredible speed, and each time became more and more perfect.

When compared with the first models of technology, modern transport seems to be something unusual and high-tech.

ZiL-135 "Hurricane"

The ZiL-135 LM "Hurricane" reactive system was originally designed to engage armored and lightly armored vehicles, small motorized infantry divisions and tank detachments. The base machine is ZiL-135 LM, the characteristic of which is suitable for this task.

History of development

Initially, the machine was developed by ZiL, and the ZiL-135L model differed from the rest of the company's vehicles with the automatic transmission. In the 135th model, a hydromechanical transmission with six switching stages is installed. Initially, such nodes developed and produced one of the highly equipped instrumental subsidiaries of ZiL.

The BAZ could not make such GMFs due to the fact that there was no specialized equipment, for this reason it was necessary to create a new transmission urgently. This time the car was equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox, which was perfect for working with the YaMZ engine. This design was finalized, resulting in a change in the value of gear ratios. For normal and harmonious operation of the transmission and power unit, the designers have installed a two-disk clutch. To solve the synchronization issues, twin control units were created.

Over the winter, the design bureau successfully completed the development and rework of the new chassis. March 4, 1963 was presented to the first, with a mechanical transmission, the car ZIL-135 LM. The main designer was LP Lysenko, Ph.D. Due to the change in the transmission, the speed and the thrust decreased slightly, but in the end the car became more economical.

Chassis

In the same way as the predecessor, the new ZIL-135 LM installed two carburetor engines. It is a V-shaped engine with 8 cylinders of the ZIL-375Y model. At the same time the power of each of the power units was 180 "horses". For better cooling along the sides of the compartment with power units, two radiators were installed, the fans of which had a drive each from their motor. To drive each of the electric motors was installed two generators from the tank. ZiL-135 LM is the first military truck on which a completely new ignition system was introduced.

Features

The shielded ignition system made it possible to separate the operation of the two engines. In the event that one of the engines fails, the car will not lose mobility. Even a single power unit allows the combat vehicle to reach the base without loss of speed, as well as patency. It was not recorded a single case, when this machine was returned to the base with the help of a tug. This did not happen even in Afghanistan.

Using the twin motor

The use of a system of two engines on the ZIL-135 was caused by an unwillingness to increase the level of reliability of this rolling stock. The main reason was that at the time of the creation of the military machine in the entire USSR there was not a single automobile power unit that would have been so powerful. Despite this, reliability has indeed become several times higher than that of its predecessor. The main disadvantage is the level of fuel consumption, it was simply catastrophic. In this regard, there was a lot of criticism.

Tropical Option

For countries with tropical climate, a special export version of ZIL-135 LMT was created. The main difference of this specimen from the basic vehicle is a strengthened cooling system, as well as specially developed hermetic electrical equipment. The appearance also changed, ZiL was painted in sand color. Along with all the changes, the program included a specialized chassis, which has two batteries. It is worth noting that the base machine has four batteries. The design has changed, as well as fixing the covers in the engine compartment. These fastenings are necessary for mounting an additional charging machine of the brand ТЗМ 9Т29.

Prototype

A new prototype of the lightweight modernized chassis of the 135 LMP was created in 1972. This chassis was designed as a universal vehicle. From the predecessor prototype differed by improved shock absorbers, as well as a more powerful brake amplifier. There was also a new heater in the cabin of the car. Improvement touched the appearance, a new casing appeared, in which additional equipment was placed. It was carried for the front part of the car's cladding. After the tests, the control fuel consumption was established, which had already risen to 100 liters per 100 kilometers. Together with this, the power reserve was reduced, it became equal to 520 km.

Conclusion

The truck completely satisfied the military from a technical point of view, but it was impossible to ignore the opinion of scientists who were developing new prototype variants of it. For example, the modification of the ZIL-135 E has remained as a prototype, despite the improved technical characteristics. For 135E, the chassis of the base machine 135L was finalized, which was eventually equipped with a torsion suspension on both the front and rear wheels. This vehicle was practically devoid of the shortcomings of the previous prototypes, but for no apparent reason so into the series and did not go.