Ko-1 Multipurpose Remote Control Vehicle

Introduction

After reviewing the findings of the Military Strategy and History Institute of Voronej on the nature of modern combat, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has concluded that an efficient infantry squad based unit should consist of 10 to 12 men and a special remote control vehicle that can carry out multiple functions including scouting and carrying a part of the squad’s payload. Since Russian Federation did not have such a vehicle Ministry of Defense has contracted the Nizhny Tagil Ind. to create such a machine for use by the Russian Federation armed forces. The result was Ko-1 which is currently employed within the Russian Federation by both the military and civilian enforcement agencies.

Control

Ko-1 is controlled via a mobile VRPB (or a similar information networking system [RL equivalent=US datalink]) control center which is about the size of a regular notebook. It only takes one person to operate it. All the sensor data from the Ko-1 is displayed on MVRPBCC monitor. The MVRPBCC has its own long-range information link, which allows it to receive and share information with the VRPB computing HQs via the satellite connection. The information that is received from every unit on the battlefield is put into a single 3D battlefield model by the HQs and then given back to the units on the battlefield for use in combat, it is updated in real time. The MVRPBCC along with regular VRPB access allows one to remotely control any vehicle with an information link that has a remote control capability. In this case it is Ko-1. Ko-1 has its own short-range IL located inside the turret with a single antenna extending outside of the turret that allows it to receive and send signals back and forth with MVRPBCC which sends that same info to the satellite and the data gathered by Ko-1’s sensors gets included into the overall battlefield model this way. This is done to save money, because a long-range IL that would enable Ko-1 to send signals to the satellite is far too expensive to get included on a machine such as this, in addition it was deemed to be not necessary. The Ko-1 is controlled by receiving command signals from MVRPBCC. The maximum range at which Ko-1 can be controlled is 16 km. As a security measure a password is required to gain the access to the control over Ko-1.

Propulsion

Ko-1 is propelled by a 234 hp LR-21 Diesel-Hybrid engine located in the extra tungsten steel armored box in front of the vehicle. In the back of the vehicle is a turbine with an electric generator. The engine in addition to propelling the vehicle forward at the same time spins the turbine, which spins the electric generator, which creates electricity, and charges up the two batteries located behind the armored plates on either side of the vehicle. The maximum speed of the vehicle is 70 km/h.

Ko-1 standard issue wheels are easily replaceable by tracks due to the design of the vehicle’s underbelly.

Sensors

Ko-1 has both the infrared and night/day cameras, that transmit images in real time to the MVRPBCC display. The day/night cameras are located on the right upper side of the turret and above the left machine gun, while the infrared cameras are located on the left upper side of the turret and above the right machine gun. All the cameras can change their angle from -30 to +30 degrees. Near the right machine gun there is also a microphone that records sounds that are also sent to MVRPBCC via IL.

Arnament

Ko-1 is armed with two PD-71 7.62 mm machine guns, with 900 bullets per second rate of fire. The magazine boxes hanging from the sides of the machine guns each contain 1400 rounds. The machine guns can fire both anti-personnel and anti-armor ammunitions.

Armor

The armor scheme is simple a single 6 centimeter thick layer of tungsten steel followed by a rubber layer to protect all the inner systems from any possible damage by fragments. All the vital systems including the engine, the IL and all the sensors are enclosed in tungsten steel containers within the armor for extra protection. All the wires are covered with rubber beneath which is steel.

Utilities

Ko-1 has several features that are designed to help the infantry squad that possesses this fine machine.

The lower part of the turret has two powerful flashlights that can be used to light up the way for the troops during night or blind and confuse the enemy during a raid. While the right flashlight is simply a lighting tool the left flashlight uses the newest in the non-lethal weaponry by sending an intense beam of green light to disorientate whoever is standing in front of Ko-1 although this is mostly designed to fit the needs of the law enforcement this feature is also available on the standard issue army Ko-1s. Both flashlights can change their angle from -10 to +30 degrees.

Ko-1 can also be used to carry equipment for the squad, for that reason the army issue Ko-1s have metal hooks sticking out of the sides on which the bags of the whole squad can be hanged. Maximum payload for Ko-1 is 500 kilograms.

The army version of Ko-1 also has a recharging outlet on the back, which allows the squadrons wearing BU-1 battle suits or similar sort of equipment to recharge their batteries.

General Information

Production Name: Ko-1 Function: Multi-purpose remote control infantry support vehicle Arnament: 2 x PD-71 Machine guns Engine: LR-21 Diesel-Hybrid 234 hp Maximum Speed: 70 km/h Sensors: Infrared & day/night cameras Control: Via VRPB or a similar network system depending on the software. Weight (unloaded): 900 kilograms Length: 1.6 meters Width (not including wheels/tracks): 0.7 meters Cost: 170 Thousand USD per unit Production Rights: 247 million USD