URL : https://www.valka.cz/Opal-I-t192387#554707
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In 1976, the licensed production of the Soviet multi-purpose armoured personnel carrier MT-LB began in the People's Republic of Poland (at the Huta Stalowa Wola plant). During production, the original parts were gradually replaced with their Polish alternatives, and the process resulted in the total modernisation of the vehicle, which became known as Opal-1. The main changes are the use of a modified SW680 engine with slightly higher power (the SW680 is a 0.680 engine manufactured under license in Poland by British Leyland), the rebuilding of the driver's workstation, the improvement of the flotation characteristics, and last but not least, the use of a new turret with the NSWT machine gun installed, which is a machine gun NSVT manufactured under license in Poland.
In addition to the basic Opal-I version, an Opal-II version is also in production, which is extended by one pair of running wheels and uses the SWT680 (or SW680T) engine with power increased to 220 kW (about 300 hp).
The Opal-I and Opal-II chassis were used by the Polish manufacturing industry as the basis for a number of special bodies (some remained only in prototype, others are mass-produced).
Opal-I: - LSPZRA Sopel - Hyrid PL kit - ZWD-10R Łowcza 3 - automated command and control system for air defence - ZWD-1 - part of ASV IRYS-2000 - WPT Mors - technical assistance vehicle - Bor - ammunition vehicle (prototype only) - TRI Hors - engineer reconnaissance vehicle - TRI-D Durian - engineer reconnaissance and demining vehicle - WEM Lotus - medical evacuation vehicle
Opal-II - LSPZRA Stalagmit - Hypersonic PL kit - ISM Kroton - engineer rocket minelayer - BWO-40 - infantry fighting vehicle equipped with a turret from a CV-90 BVP - 2S1 Gvozdik - licensed production of Soviet self-propelled guns
From the Opal-II version, a further modernization was developed into the LPG (Lekkie Podwozie Gąsienicowe) version, a prototype of which was unveiled in 2008, and mass production is due to begin in 2010. The LPG differs from its predecessor not only with a new powerpack, but also with increased armour protection and an overall shape change (raised rear section), which brought the weight increase to 16-17 tonnes. The changes also rendered the vehicle amphibious. On the LPG chassis, the manufacturer offers several special versions, mainly command vehicles, but also a self-propelled mortar of 120 mm calibre.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Opal-I-t192387#706833
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