Ukrainian army uses Kevlar-E prototype of tracked armored IFV during Kharkiv combat
According to a video published on the Twitter account Mukhtar Magomedov on February 27, 2022, the Ukrainian army deploys their latest combat armored vehicles including a prototype of "Kevlar-E", a tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) that was spotted in the city of Kharkiv.
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Kevlar-E tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle at Defense Exhibition in Ukraine. (Picture source Defense Express)
The Kevlar-E is a tracked armored vehicle fully designed and developed in Ukraine by the company UkrInnMash Corporation. The vehicle was unveiled in 2017 and the first prototype was build in 2020.
The Kevlar-E is based on the Soviet-made 122mm tracked self-propelled howitzer 2S1. The original turret was removed and replaced by a Shturm remote weapon station. The turret is armed with a ZTM-1 30mm automatic cannon, one 7.62 coaxial machine gun, one 30mm automatic grenade launcher, two banks of three smoke grenades, and two launchers mounted on the right side of the turret used to fire anti-tank guided missiles.
The Kevlar-E has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and gunner. The rear part of the hull is able to carry six infantrymen. The hull and the turret provide ballistic protection STANAG 4569 Level 2 against the firing of small arms 7.62×39mm API BZ at 30 meters and mine protection of 6 kg TNT explosion under the body and the tracks of the vehicle.
The Kevlar-E can be powered by Deutz, Cummins or Caterpillar engine and can reach a maximum road speed of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km. The vehicle has a weight of 16,700 kg and is fully amphibious and powered in the water thanks to its tracks at a maximum speed of 5 km/h.
The suspension system of the Kevlar-E is similar to the MT-LB multipurpose tracked vehicle and either side consists of seven road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and no track-return rollers.
Rare Ukrainian "Kevlar-E" Infantry Fighting Vehicle was spotted in Kharkiv.
— Mukhtar Magomedov (@Mukhtarr_MD) February 26, 2022
"Kevlar-E" is the IFV prototype developed on the 2S1 Gvozdika SP howitzer chassis and equipped with a 30mm autocannon.#Ukraine pic.twitter.com/XlHCkFrunD