There’s Nothing Quite Like an Armored Vehicle Race

While watching this try to imagine a fleet of these (including Tanks, APC’s and Amphibs, like 50 or more) attacking at once…the “swarm” tactic is widely used in both Russian and Chinese Military doctrines, and not just  with Armored Vehicles, but also with Drones and Attack Aircraft. -SF

Russian, Chinese combat vehicles tackle obstacles, explosions, and even drift​.

Race cars? Please. This undated video purports to show a friendly race between Russian and Chinese armored personnel carriers. Whenever it was and whatever the circumstances, the drill/race is punctuated with obstacles and the occasional simulated explosion making it, overall, very worth the watch.

The Russian vehicle is a BMD-3 airborne infantry fighting vehicle. BMD stands for “Boyevaya Mashina Desanta”, or Combat Vehicle of the Airborne. The BMD-3 was developed by the Soviet Union as an air-droppable infantry fighting vehicle along the lines of the venerable BMP. It supports a crew of three—along with four passengers—and is equipped with a 30-millimeter autocannon, 7.62-millimeter machine gun, and an AT-4 Konkurs anti-tank guided missile. This particular BMD-3 has red and gold airborne insignia on the front of the hull, and markings on the side indicating it belongs to the 76th Guards Air Assault Division.

The Chinese vehicle is a ZBD03 airborne combat vehicle. The ZBD03 is both internally and externally similar to the BMD-3. Like the Russian vehicle, the Chinese one has a small turret with one 30-millimeter autocannon, one HJ-8 anti-tank missile, and a 5.8-millimeter machinegun. The ZBD03 can also carry four passengers. This vehicle likely belongs to one of China’s three airborne divisions.

The race itself immediately makes the difference in the vehicles apparent. The Russian one takes off like a jackrabbit and obviously has a lot more horsepower than its Chinese competitor. You can also see how much of a difference the drivers make as well. The Russian vehicle goes at the track aggressively, even drifting for a little bit, while the Chinese one seems a fair bit more reserved.

Still, both blast through water, fly over hills, and cruise around corners with more giddy-up than you might give them credit for. Never forget that even tracked vehicles can haul. 

Read the Original Article at Popular Mechanics