GAZ-3937 Vodnik

The GAZ-3937 Vodnik is a high-mobility multi-purpose 4x4 from the Arzamas Machine-Building Plant, nicknamed the "Russian Hummer" because of its role and appearance. The GAZ-39371 is a modified version with the crew seated further forward. Originally intended for the military, it also found civilian work in oil and gas fields, power-line maintenance, rescue operations and crew transport in remote areas.

Design

The welded, sealed hull is built as two detachable modules. The front module holds the driver's compartment and the engine bay, separated by a sealed bulkhead. The rear module carries people, cargo or special equipment, and can be swapped quickly even in the field, so one chassis can serve as a personnel carrier, cargo vehicle or mobile accommodation unit. The vehicle has independent torsion-bar suspension, central tyre-pressure control, a smooth underside with 475 mm ground clearance, power steering, heating and air conditioning, and disengageable front-wheel drive. Optional armour protects against small arms. The engine is a GAZ air-cooled turbocharged multi-fuel diesel of 175 hp, and Cummins and Steyr engines were being developed as alternatives.

The vehicle carries up to ten people and 1.5-2.5 tonnes of cargo. Top speed is about 110-120 km/h on the road and 4-5 km/h in water, with a range of 800-1,000 km. It was built to work from -45 to +50 °C and at altitudes up to about 4,500 m.