Army-2019: New RKhM-8 wheeled CBRN reconnaissance armored vehicle.

At Army-2019, the International Military Technical Forum in Russia, Russian army unveils the RKhM-8, a new wheeled CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiation Nuclear) reconnaissance armored vehicle based on Tigr 4x4 tactical armored vehicle.

New RKhM-8 CBRN reconnaissance armored vehicle at Army-2019, International Military Technical Forum in Patriotic Park, Moscow region, Russia. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The RKhM-8 is based on the Tigr which was developed as a tactical armored vehicle for the Russian armed forces by the Company Arzamas Machinery-Plant. The vehicle has a crew of three and provides protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.

The RKhM-8 is a CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiation Nuclear) reconnaissance vehicle equipped with equipment able to detect nuclear radiation, chemical and biological agents and transfer data via control and communication systems to command post. The vehicle provides local detection of toxic chemical agents in the battlefield and on military equipment. It can collect samples of contaminated areas by nuclear radiation, chemical and biological agents and deliver information to specialized laboratories. All the detection equipment are mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

The RKhM-8 can perform CBRN reconnaissance missions at a speed from 20 to 50 km/h in road conditions and from 5 to 20 km/h in all-terrain conditions. It measures 5.7 m long, 2.7 m wide and 2.9 m high, and has a maximum gross weight of 7,500 kg.

According to our first analysis, the RKhM-8 CBRN 4x4 reconnaissance armored vehicle has no armament but two banks of two smoke grenade dischargers are mounted at the front, on each side of the roof vehicle.