First seen in 1972, the BTR-70 has the same overall design as the BTR-60PB, but many small changes. The turret is the same, but the hull is slightly larger. Passenger seating is rearranged, with two benches sat back-to-back along the mid-line of the vehicle, facing towards the three firing ports and passenger vision block on each side. Two additional folding seats are located in front and to the side of the turret. Disembarkation is made much easier thanks to two small doors located between the second and third wheel on each side. The commander and driver’s hatches are redesigned, and the two small roof hatches in the troop compartment each have a firing port so the troops can shoot upwards. Night-vision devices are provided for the driver (gives Night Vision 4) and commander (gives Telescopic Vision 2 and Night Vision 4).
The 5-ton winch (ST 50), water-jet propulsion system, window covers (increase the windows’ DR 20 to DR 40), infrared illuminators (70-yard headlamps and 0.25 mile searchlight, see GURPS High-Tech, p. 47), medium radio (GURPS High-Tech, p. 38), and central tire inflation system (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229) are all similar to those of the BTR-60PB. The engine compartment has a fire-suppression system (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
Armament is the same as the BTR-60PB: a ZiD KPVT HMG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 134) with 500 rounds and a coaxial KMZ PKT MG (GURPS High-Tech, p. 135) with 2,000 rounds. The gunner has a 4× sight (+2 Acc). The manually rotated turret takes two Ready maneuvers to change facing. In addition, six smoke dischargers are mounted to the back of the turret.
The BTR-80 (1984) replaces the two gasoline engines with a single diesel one and adds a bit of armor. Its turret is more angular and capable of higher gun elevation, but has a similar loadout, except the sight is now a 5.5× magnification night sight (+2 Acc, Night Vision 4). The side doors are redesigned to give a step when open, and the roof hatches are rearranged to a more symmetrical layout.
The BTR-80A (1994) replaces the turret with a remotely operated powered one. This mounts a 2A72 autocannon with a 4× magnification night sight (+2 Acc, Night Vision 6) and 300 rounds in a stabilised mount, a PKT MG (with 2,000 rounds) in another stabilised mount, and six smoke dischargers. The gunner operates it from inside the hull. Turret rotation takes one Ready maneuver per facing change.
An unnamed BTR-70 variant used during the Soviet-Afghan War removes the smoke dischargers and fits an open mount for an AGS-17 Plamya AGL (GURPS High-Tech, p. 142) to the turret. This requires someone to stand on top of the vehicle to operate it!
The BTR-82 is a refitted BTR-80A, which entered service in 2011. The autocannon is replaced with a ZiD KPVT HMG (with 2,000 rounds). Other changes include improved night vision devices (all now give Night Vision 8), spall liners (add DR 10 to occupants and negate the special effect of HESH warheads), and satellite navigation system (+3 Navigation). The BTR-82A (2013) is similar, but retains the autocannon (BTR-80s upgraded to this standard are designated BTR-82AM). The BTR-82AT adds a thermal imager (gives Infravision) to the turret, the option to mount a Kornet ATGM, and slat armor (front, sides, and rear of the hull are treated as having spaced armor, see GURPS High-Tech, p. 229). The BTR-87 is a BTR-82A with the engine relocated to the right side of the hull and a rear door.
DRIVING/TL (TRACKED)
| TL | Vehicle | ST/HP | Hnd/SR | HT | Move | LWt. | Load | SM | Occ. | DR | Range | Cost | Locations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | BTR-70 | 112 | −1/4 | 10f | 2/24 | 12.7 | 1.5 | +4 | 3+8S | 40/24 | 370 | $40.0k | t8W | [1][2][3][4] |
| 8 | BTR-80 | 119 | −1/4 | 10 | 1/27 | 15 | 1.5 | +4 | 3+8S | 40/30 | 370 | $50.0k | t8W | [1][2][3][4] |
| 8 | BTR-80A | 122 | −1/4 | 10 | 1/27 | 16.1 | 1.5 | +4 | 3+7S | 40/30 | 370 | $70.0k | T8W | [1][2][3][4] |
[1] Amphibious: water move 1/3.
[2] Central Tire Inflation System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[3] Fire-Suppression System (GURPS High-Tech, p. 229).
[4] Higher DR is for hull front and turret front, sides, and rear. Lower DR is for hull sides and rear. Underside and top have DR 20.