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VTP-1 Orca 6x6 APC

The VTP-1 Orca [Orca - Killer Whale] [probably vehículo táctico del personal = tactical personnel vehicle] is an all-wheeled version of the BMS-1 Alacran, in a 6x6 configuration based on a "commercial truck chassis". At the time of development, the VTP-1 Orca was the largest and heaviest wheeled armored personnel carrier. What is remarkable about the Orca armored personnel carrier as it is the largest passenger capacity among modern BTR, as well as its size and weight. It was designed with the aim of providing the Chilean army with a universal high-cross transporter, which could quickly transport a large number of people, weapons and equipment over long distances.

The development of VTP-1 Orca began at the beginning of 1980s, and the project was officially announced in 1983. The Orca BTR was developed in parallel with the semi-tracked BMS-1 Alacran Halftrack armored personnel carrier, using a large number of mechanical and structural elements and therefore these machines have a close external similarity.

The VTP-1 was a 6 x 6 multirole armored vehicle that could serve as a troop transport and performr assault and reconnaissance tasks. The VTP-1 had a front-mounted engine with air-inlet louvers at the top and bottom to allow access to the engine for maintenance. The driver was located to the rear of the engine on the left, with the commander to their right. The vehicle had an open-top troop compartment at the rear of the hull, and entry and exit is through two rear doors.

The VTP-1 ORCA had frontal protection against 7.62mm ammunition or 0.50 caliber machine gun fire. Developed according to the philosophy of low cost and high efficiency, it employed the basis of a standard 6 x 6 vehicle chassis. It had a liquid-cooled diesel engine and an automatic transmission. With six wheels and wide tires, the ORCA can be used in difficult terrain for a wide variety of missions: transporting up to 16 fully equipped soldiers or 5 tons of material to support armored battalions, it can be used as a tank vehicle or equipped with a 120 mm mortar.

The version of the armored personnel carrier is equipped with a commander turret with a sliding installation for the 7,62-mm MAG machine gun, the M12,7HB 2-mm or the Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher. The hull can also receive heavy weapon systems (for example, a turret with an automatic cannon), although in this case a turret with weapons is excluded. The landing force can fire through two embrasures with viewing devices in the sides and one in the aft door. The interior is spacious, with individual seat cushions for 10 passengers, along with vehicle commander and driver stations, and stowage boxes are inside the lower sponsons. There are 4 firing ports and 4 vision blocks on either side of the vehicle, as well as 2 firing ports and 2 vision blocks. Pioneer tools are typically stowed outside, on the left front of the vehicle. There are two rectangular troop hatches in the roof and the rear door is apparently hinged on the sides.

The thickness of the armor of the alloy steel body varies from mm 6 to mm 16, which was said provides protection against explosions on mines, shell splinters and 7,62 mm armor piercing bullets. It is not known whether the machine had an anti-splinter lining, a system for protecting against weapons of mass destruction, or a fire extinguishing system.

The crew is located in front, the rear troop compartment takes up more than half the length of the car. The driver sits on the left, the car commander on the right, while the paratroopers sit on the sides of the car facing each other. There are two rectangular hatches in the middle of the machine, located closer to the sides and opening to the outside. There is one hinged door in the stern. BTP VTP-1 Orca currently has the largest troop compartment among the mass-produced wheeled armored personnel carriers.

Like most of the combat vehicles produced by developing countries, the electronics of the Orca BTR is rather modest. The radio station is standard, the driver’s night-vision periscope is optionally installed, but it is known that other optical and electronic components were offered for the car.

The BTP VTP-1 Orca is equipped with a six-cylinder Detroit Diesel 6V53T diesel engine with an 275 hp power, coupled with an Allison MT653DR automatic transmission with 5 front and 1 reverse gear. The maximum speed of the machine is 120 km / h, the maximum power reserve of 1200 km. The fuel tank capacity is 400 liters of diesel fuel. The suspension, according to some information, is taken from a civilian truck, but there are no more details on it. The VTP-1 Orca armored personnel carrier does not float.

In addition to its primary role of troop transport, the manufacturer has proposed the vehicle for a number of other roles including towing a 105mm or 155mm artillery weapon as well as carrying its crew and ammunition, 20 to 30mm air-defence weapon, 60 to 90mm direct fire weapon, anti-tank with ATGWs, mortar carrier with 120mm mortar that can be traversed through 360 deg. together with ammunition and crew, ammunition resupply vehicle, radar carrier to provide air-defence weapons with an early warning capability, command vehicle with a crew of 12+2, vehicle mounted communications relay station, mobile workshop, ambulance carrying up to 12 injured men, mobile hospital carrying an inflatable unit and a mobile emergency surgery.

It was completely developed by Cardoen, only two prototypes were manufactured, but it is said that some units were manufactured in series from 1986. It is not known whether the Orca BTR was in service, but according to some sources, the Chilean army ordered 100 vehicles in the 1985 year, and an order for a smaller number was issued by the Chilean marine corps. Production of this machine is currently impossible.

The Chilean Army did not show interest, given the poor performance that the vehicle demonstrated in difficult terrain.