The PRP-4MU armoured reconnaissance vehicle is intended for reconnaissance of stationary and moving ground targets day and night, under any weather conditions, at ambient temperature ranging from - 40o C up to + 40o C, up to 3000 m above sea level.

The vehicle retains high performance of its base vehicle - BMP-1 (AIFV):

• extremely high manoeuvrability,

• high speeds of movement,

• good cross-country capability and the ability to negotiate water obstacles afloat using its track assembly as well as sufficient armour protection.

The armoured reconnaissance vehicle is provided with radar station, thermal vision device, laser range finder, night active pulse and day periscopic vision device, navigation and orientation means, computer, switchboard equipment, communications and data transmission means and equipment for setting up of an observation post outside the vehicle.

The PRP-4 battlefield reconnaissance vehicle is a further development of the earlier PRP-3 battlefield reconnaissance vehicle which first appeared in 1975. Details of the PRP-3 are given in the entry for the BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle on which the PRP-3 and PRP-4 are based.

The PRP-4 reconnaissance vehicle has been designed to carry out reconnaissance of both stationary and moving targets, including low-flying helicopters, by both day and night, under any weather conditions, at altitudes of up to 3,000 m above sea level and in temperatures ranging from -40 to +40°C.

The system is usually found with self-propelled artillery units, especially those equipped with 122 mm 2S1 and 152 mm 2S3 self-propelled guns. There has been no recent production of the PRP-4 reconnaissance vehicie.

The hull of the PRP-4 is virtually identical to the BMP-1 infantry combat vehicle although, as it has a different mission, the layout of the vehicle and roof hatches is very different.

The driver is seated front left with the power pack to his right and another crew member seated to his rear. Both have single-piece hatch covers and associated observation devices. The driver's hatch lifts and swings to the right while the hatch to the rear of the driver opens forwards.

The two-man power-operated turret is in the centre of the vehicle and is provided with two roof hatches, sensors and a single 7.62 mm PKT machine gun which is aimed and fired under complete armour protection.

Optical devices are mounted on the forward part of the roof and in pods on either side of the turret.

Mounted in the rear of the turret is the IRL-133-1 radar with a flat antenna that folds forwards when not operational. This radar can detect and track MBT-size targets out to a range of 8 to 10 km. When not required, the radar antenna is retracted under full armour protection.

The 1PN71 thermal night vision system is mounted on the left side of the turret and has a target detection range of at least 3,000 m or 1,300 m and a target recognition range of at least 2,000 m.

Mounted on the right side of the turret is the 1PN61 infra-red night vision device with a detection range in the active mode of 2,500 to 3,000 m and 1,500 m in the passive mode.

To determine the range to targets, a 1D11M-1 periscopic laser binocular range-finder is also fitted in the right side of the turret. An ID13 laser range-finder is carried inside the vehicle and deployed away from the vehicle when required.

Navigation equipment fitted includes course plotter KP-4, gyro course indicator 1G13 and gyrocompass 1G25-1.

Information processing and communications equipment fitted includes a 1V250 electronic calculator, an R-173 radio system and a 1A30M automatic command receiver.

The fifth crew member is seated in the rear and has a circular roof hatch that opens to the rear. The twin doors in the hull are retained but the vehicle does not have any firing ports.

As the PRP-4 has extensive communications equipment and other systems that need additional power, an auxiliary power unit is fitted as standard.

The PRP-4 retains the amphibious characteristics of the BMP-1 and is fitted with an NBC system as standard; it can also lay its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet which is located on the right side of the hull.

Late production models are designated the PRP-4M which is similar to the PRP-4 but has improved 1PN59 night vision sensors.

Production complete. In service with the Russian Army and some other countries.