BPzV Sněžka
Auto-cannon Recon
GUIDE > RTS > WGRD > UNIT
by
Pijove
Posted on August 23, 2019
BPzV Sněžka
Introduction
In 1988, the development of the replacement vehicle (BPzV Svatava) was started. It was decided to use the BVP-2 (BMP-2) platform. The project was developed between 1988 and 1990, when it was cancelled under the name of BPzV Sněžka. The AT-4 Spigot (9M113 Konkurs rocket) launcher was removed, the only weapons to stay were the 2A42 30mm autocannon and the PKT machinegun. The vehicle was equipped with television and thermovision sets and an independent electric source for the recon systems. Only a prototype was made, the vehicle was never accepted to service. Sněžka does not translate to ‘Sneaky’. Sněžka is a mountain on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland, its summit is the highest point in the Czech Republic (Fig.).
Stats
Unit stats for BPzV Sněžka (Fig.).
Overview
- Autocannon: good for Recon
- Armour: 4/2/1/1, Very good for non-tank Recon vehicle
- Optics: Good, lowest quality of recon optic
- Speed: 65km/h, good
- Stealth: Medium, standard on recon vehicles
- Autonomy: 600km, good
- Amphibious: yes, useful for vehicle recon
Armament:
Autocannon, 24A2 (Late)
Quick comparison of autocannons (19). Two main types, accurate and slow, or inaccurate and fast (Fig.) This isn’t the full list. The graphs are mainly for visualisations. Data is from the armoury stats. BPzV Sněžka uses the 24A2(L).
To get a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses, it’s good to see how they perform at the same distance, simplify hidden stats like KE Scaling & Accuracy boost, when distance is decreased. (Fig.)
Vs Infantry
AP value means nothing against infantry, the HE value for autocannons is 1 (few exceptions), combination of Accuracy and Rate of fire. The actual data values aren’t important. Armoury stats is difference to hidden stats anyway. The 24A2(l) ranks 4th, so it is effective against infantry (Fig.).
Vs Vehicles
Autocannons are [KE] weapons so Accuracy and AP can be increased by decreasing the distance between the unit and the target. Accuracy increases by 5% every 175m and AP increases by 1 every 175m. For anti vehicle purposes, it worth noting if it better suits to Long range of short range (Fig.). The further it deviates from the line, it either favours long range or short range. The 23A2(l) favours short range slightly.
This table (Fig.) takes into account stabilisers too, as you can see 24A2(L) ranks highly.
Vs Helicopters
Helicopters are harmed by the HE value. Autocannons can punish helicopters that stray too close (Fig.).
Armour
Armour is another important factor to take into consideration. The enemy must be able to inflict 4AP+ to harm you frontally, If they cannot do so, they must come closer to scale their AP. Sneka damage can range from 2-12AP depending on distance (Fig.). 22AP can destroy the BPzV Sněžka with one shot.
Optics / Stealth
Good Optics is the worst quality of recon you can get (Fig.), but the benefits are increases availability and cheaper cost. You can deploy 12 of these (V.Good:6, Exceptional:4). I enjoy the ability to ‘spam’ these around the map. From hidden stats sheet, Medium & Bad optics were left out. I attempted fill out the values from the armoury tool using maths (probably wrong). Medium stealth is useful, as it makes it more difficult to spot, especially for non recon units. This allows for an advantage in ‘recon wars’. Infantry will be more stealthy than vehicles, take this into consideration.
Comparison
For the comparison (Fig.), many recon units with autocannon as weapon. Similar vehicles are also amphibious. Very Similar are specifically tracked not wheeled. BPzV Sněžka is well rounded. Equal or above average across features, except for accuracy which is slightly less although stabiliser is above average. Most noticeable difference is the trait difference between tracked & wheeled. Wheeled having better mobility but less armoured.
Usage
Opener / Initial stage of game
BPzV Sněžka is tracked, not wheeled so no speed advantage on roads, so cannot used in a similar way like a BRDM-3 or LAV-25 Scout. By being tracked, it can keep pace and formation with Tanks & AA without bolting out in front.
Amphibious capabilities
Amphibious vehicles don’t have to rely on bridges. Extra manoeuvrability can allow for more elusive or less predictable paths. Useful for infiltration. Just be aware traversing water uses more fuel than on land. Note in water is lower than land, this can break LoS. To maximise on this stay close to the bank closest to the enemy (Fig.12a). Korea Rocks is a good map to demonstrate amphibious capability (Fig.12b).
Flank Defence
Place in cover for added stealth, if possible, place in area with decent Line of Sight and where an infiltrator may pass. Luckily for Flank Defence the enemy will likely be infantry, another recon or a helicopter. All of these should be good targets especially if BPzV Sněžka strikes first.
Infiltration
For deep infiltration, although 600km is good, it may be short for an elusive path. To minimise this, have a supply truck follow to ‘near’ the front line & refuel in a safe location. Then retreat the supply unit and continue the infiltration unassisted. Turn OFF weapon if crossing open ground, identify the unit first before you decide to engage or not. Forest can be stealthier due to LoS. Operating solo in unknown forest, could be fatal, Infantry AT, AA etc can stun lock, a tank will destroy with 1 shot. Try to choose a path with little resistance. However deep forest provides an awkward LoS for helicopters and make it harder for them to retaliate. These factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing the path.
Recon Net
Spam multiple recon spread across the map and keep moving them safely forward until you spot an enemy. A wealth of knowledge can be gain from this. If an area is uncontested this allows you to gain ground. Like a noose that slowly tightens around the enemy’s neck. Note it is hard to spot an ATGM etc at a distance, so be cautious travelling across open ground.
The ‘bully’
Stealth, Optics, Armour, Autocannon. Drive around looking for something to pick on. Transports are an easy target. Often since they have such bad optics, they are unable to see what hit them, even if they do spot you their weaponry is no match.
Odd game, enemy used a quad stack of LAV-25 Scout (Fig.). I decided to chase them down as they were trolling my teammates infantry and transports. First two destruction were easy, as they were firing on something else & at max range couldn’t on the BPzV Sněžka. Eventually the LAV stop firing, so they were hidden again. I on purposely attacked the Jaegere recon, exposing side armour, allowing the LAV-25 to strike, I immediately rotated to be protected by front armour and destroyed the remaining two LAV-25’s. Then continued forward to provide fire support and crush the pair of recon infantry.
Ambush
Hide very close to a road or path you expect the enemy to appear. If it has cover that’s great, however this can still work without cover. Using Line of Sight, choose a spot where you cannot be seen from the path they are coming from. When they drive past you will get instant side or rear shots before they can react. This is a significant advantage. Four AMX-10RC were ambushed in quick succession (Fig.), only one was able to return fire, damaging the BPzV Sněžka significantly, it was still able to ambush 3 more targets.
Conclusion
Versatile recon vehicle. Cheap and high availability mean providing recon in many areas is viable. Lowest recon quality optic makes it harder to detect units in cover (unless they fire). Being tracked means it cannot do speedy and elusive routes that motorised units can. More likely to be used as defensive recon unit rather than an infiltrator. Well Armoured, & good firepower allows it to provide fire support like an IFV would. Autocannon can attack a range of targets.
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