Vehicles for the Arctic and Antarctica

Indefatigable humanity conquered both poles of the Earth almost at the same time - the beginning of the 20th century. Then the question arose of the development of new territories. At the same time, not all the machines and special equipment produced at that time were able to cope with the climatic conditions of the South and North Poles. The designers of the countries of the world went in two directions: they adapted existing vehicles to frost and ice or developed completely new, unique models. Some were successful, others were not. About the first, and those that are used today, it is worth talking separately.

"Kharkovchanka"

Soviet development, which became a reality in 1958, initially received the factory name "Product 404C". The all-terrain vehicle had a mass of 35 tons and could tow a trailer with a load weighing up to 70 tons in the snow! Moreover: this colossus was also capable of swimming, developing a speed of 4 km / h. In fact, this is a house on caterpillars, adapted for the harsh northern climatic conditions. There were also disadvantages associated with the placement of the power plant, insufficient thermal insulation (it was only enough for temperatures not lower than -60 °. But, despite the shortcomings, the first model served for almost 40 years.



"Kharkovchanka 2" turned out to be more comfortable and adapted to the cold. Inside the all-terrain vehicle is designed for 3 polar explorers. There are all living conditions - a gas stove, sinks, a toilet room. From the living compartment, you can get into the cabin through the hatch and back.



It is impossible not to mention the American development - Snow Cruiser. This 34-ton monster that can accommodate 5 people was created in 1939 for expeditions to Antarctica: exploration of the coastline. It was assumed that the fuel reserves on board would be enough for 8 thousand km. But the design turned out to be unsuccessful - the all-terrain vehicle was elm in the snow, could not go without chains and additional wheels. As a result, the all-terrain vehicle managed to overcome 148 km and was turned into a stationary object. Soon, funding ceased and the Cruiser was simply abandoned. It was last seen in 1958.

"Arktika" based on KAMAZ

Sea trials of the polar all-terrain vehicle began in 2018. The requirements for the car are serious: it must withstand temperatures of -60 °, moving in complete off-road conditions. Some technical parameters of the "Arctic" models 6345 / 6355):

• ✅ engine - V-shaped diesel engine with 6/8 cylinders with a capacity of 400/450 hp. With.
  
• ✅ maximum speed - 60 km / h
  
• ✅ clearance - 0,7 m
  

The car has an articulated frame and four-wheel drive, at the rear there is a winch that provides a pulling force of 2,5 tons. The 6X6 model is equipped with a 16-speed manual transmission ZF 16 S1822. KAMAZ 6355 8X8 is equipped with a six-band "automatic" Allison 4500.



The residential module behind the cabin of the all-terrain vehicle has its own generator, toilet, bathroom, kitchen, sleeping places. Communication is via satellite phone. Offline, 3 people can comfortably spend three days.

Arctic amphibian "Burlak"

It uses the design ideas embodied in the BTR-60, as well as parts of the Japanese SUV Toyota Land Cruiser, including a diesel engine with 145 "horses". But the automatic transmission and low-pressure tires were specially ordered in China. The existing screw helps the amphibian to maneuver in the ice faults. If necessary, the power unit can be reached directly from the cabin, so as not to get out in the cold. There is a bedroom, kitchen, toilet, designed for a comfortable stay of four people. The tests were carried out in 2016 in the Kara Sea and in the north of the Urals. Within 16 days, 2800 km were covered without a single breakdown.

GAZ-3344

A snow and swamp-going vehicle made from a “loaf” has been produced since 2012 at the Zavolzhsky enterprise, which produces tractors. In the first compartment of the machine - a cabin for 5 people, power and transmission units. The second module can accommodate up to 16 participants of the trip. If necessary, this part of the all-terrain vehicle is converted into a medical unit or a workshop. Characteristics:

• ✅ engine - YaMZ for 190 "horses" or Cummins (USA)
  
• ✅ speed - up to 60 km / h, on water - 6 km / h
  
• ✅ fuel consumption - up to 50 l / 100 km
  

The all-terrain vehicle overcomes trenches up to 3 m wide, can drive with a roll of 25 ° and climb uphill with a steepness of up to 35 °.

Arktos Craft

Canadian arctic rescue vehicle. The thirty-two-ton colossus consists of two parts, can accommodate up to 52 people and can carry 20 tons. The amphibious body is made of Kevlar and can easily withstand both fire and collisions with ice floes. The all-terrain vehicle remains operational in frosts down to -50 ° and climbs slopes of 35 °. The movement of the car on the snow is provided by a pair of diesel engines of 260 liters each. With. each car floats on the sea with the help of water cannons and pontoons. For Arktos Craft, they ask for 3 million greenbacks, but despite this price, the amphibian was purchased not only by the US Coast Guard, but also by the rescuers of Kazakhstan, as well as some companies involved in oil production in the North.

CAT Kress Antarctica

A powerful arctic tractor produced by the German company Kress to carry out household work in the station area and scientific research. The road train consists of the car itself and a semi-trailer in the form of a trawl with a superstructure (something like a bus). The Caterpillar 730C engine modified for operation in cold weather is used as a power plant. The super all-terrain vehicle is still in use at the McMurdo Antarctic Station (USA). And not only for the delivery of goods, duty watches, crews, scientific research, but also as a means of organizing excursions. It is curious that the Canadians are not far behind in this regard: they recently built a trailer hotel Tundra Buggy Lodge, located in the north of the country, which can be used to visit polar bears.

Venturi Antarctica

The most interesting thing about this polar rover is its electric motor! Yes: modern technologies have reached the extreme points of the planet in the north and south. The Venturi Automobiles product was presented in Monaco in 2018. The event was attended by the prince of the dwarf state Albert II himself. It was he who initiated the development of a polar all-terrain vehicle with zero emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. The two-ton machine received a plastic case and a pair of electric motors with a capacity of 100 kW each. True, the technical data is not particularly impressive: the maximum speed is 25 km / h, the cruising range is 45 km. The all-terrain vehicle was tested in the north of Great Britain and Canada. It is expected that it will be used for scientific research in Antarctica.

"Chaborz M-Z"

The attractiveness of the northern territories of the Earth is well known: first of all, these are huge reserves of hydrocarbons, which are especially rich in the coastal shelf of the Arctic, which belongs to Russia. Therefore, the presence of the military in the region is not surprising. Special equipment is being developed for them, and one of its representatives is the Chaborz M-Z tactical vehicle, produced in Chechnya (Gudermes). This is a light three-seater buggy-type all-terrain vehicle. Only instead of wheels, skis are installed in front, and caterpillars are in the back. In addition to the driver, there are a couple of shooters in the car. Fire can be fired from a 30-mm grenade launcher or machine gun. An all-terrain vehicle weighing 1,27 tons is capable of accelerating in the snow up to 130 km / h! At the same time, the machine has such modest dimensions that it can be delivered to the place of warfare by the Mi-17 helicopter. Tests of the all-terrain vehicle were carried out in 2018 during the exercises on Franz Josef Land.

Conclusion

The development of the Arctic and Antarctica continues at an accelerated pace. The leading countries of the world are "mechanizing" the poles, introducing the latest technology capable of quickly transporting both civilian and military cargo. And the lag in this area for the Russian Federation, bordering the Arctic and having many stations at the South Pole, is unacceptable.