The Soviet Union is rightfully considered to be the state that had the strongest influence on the origin and further development of armored vehicles, namely infantry fighting vehicles. In the USSR, designers created the BMP-1 - the first army vehicle of this class. After the collapse of the great power, the work of their predecessors was continued by Russian designers. One of the models already used by the military of the Russian Federation was the BMP-3. The performance characteristics of this combat model, according to experts, are much higher than that of the first model of an infantry vehicle. During the development, interesting design decisions were made. Due to the high characteristics of the BMP-3, it can be called an example of a new generation of armored vehicles. The public saw the vehicle for the first time in 1990. Information on the creation history, design and performance characteristics of the BMP-3 can be found in this article.
Acquaintance
BMP-3 is a Soviet and Russian armored combat tracked vehicle. Its task is to transport personnel to the front flanks. Thanks to its performance characteristics, the BMP-3 increases the mobility, armament and security of infantry military formations in the context of the use of nuclear weapons. An armored vehicle can also operate effectively in conjunction with tanks. Despite the fact that the BMP-3 (photo of this vehicle can be seen in the article) was shown to the general public in 1990, in fact, it began to be used back in 1987.
Start of creation
The design bureau began design work on the new BMP in 1977 at the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant. The gunsmiths took into account the experience of using the previous two BMP models. The 3rd option was to become a completely new light tracked armored vehicle. By 1977, Soviet designers already had serious experience in the development and application of this class of equipment. At that time, a light tank was created in the USSR for the airborne troops. It was planned that due to its small size and weight it will be adapted for landing from aircraft. At the same time, the Soviet gunsmiths designed a light reconnaissance tank for the needs of the ground forces. Both of these projects were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the designers have a lot of technical and engineering developments, which it was decided to apply for a new armored combat vehicle. According to experts, in the course of work on the BMP-3, over a hundred inventions were patented. In accordance with global trends, armored vehicles should be with enhanced security and increased firepower. Such parameters were proposed in 1977. As a result, after several decades, unlike the proposed performance characteristics, the BMP-3 turned out to have a somewhat overestimated combat weight and caliber.
About design
According to experts, at the very beginning, the designers were going to equip the armored vehicles with a 30-mm cannon, a machine gun coupled with it and the Flame automatic grenade launcher. Due to the fact that such weapons could not provide the BMP with the necessary firepower, it was rejected by the Soviet military. As a main weapon, it was decided to use a 100-mm cannon firing guided anti-tank missiles. Working on the hull for a combat vehicle, the designers understood that if armored steel was used, the armored vehicles would turn out to be too heavy. Such a BMP will be unsuitable for landing and swimming.
In the end, we decided to use special aluminum armor. BMP-3 with a new chassis, power unit, significantly increased security and a new weapon system. During work on the layout for a combat vehicle, designers disputed about the location of the engine. In the BMP-3, the engine was located aft. This design decision pursued the following objectives: to improve visibility for the driver, to provide amenities for the combat crew. In addition, thanks to this arrangement, it was possible to evenly distribute the weight along the entire length of the machine. Due to the infantrymen located in front of the engine, they could use it as additional protection. Also, the military has become more convenient to land from the back of the car.
Test
By 1986, the first prototype of armored vehicles was ready. In the same year she was tested. At first, the new layout was unusual, and therefore uncomfortable for paratroopers. Since aluminum armor was used not for steel to manufacture the BMP case, the workers had difficulties. The problems were explained by the fact that the army masters had no experience in handling this alloy. In addition, this material is poorly welded. During testing, the expert commission was satisfied with the power of the BMP. However, the armored vehicles had strong recoil, as a result of which several cracks formed on its surface. In subsequent years, Soviet designers began to correct these shortcomings. For the first time, a hydromechanical transmission was used in the BMP-3, which made it much easier to control armored vehicles.
About production
Serial production is established at OJSC Kurganmashzavod. According to experts, in total, over 1,500 units were manufactured by this enterprise. In 1997, the People's Republic of China received a license for the production of combat units of the BMP-3.
Description
BMP-3, like the previous model of the infantry machine, consists of four departments: combat, managerial, landing and power compartment. However, unlike other infantry fighting vehicles, in this transport unit the compartments are located differently. The stern of the combat vehicle became the place for the power compartment. BMP-3 is controlled by a driver, a place for which is allocated in the bow.
Two more paratroopers are stationed next to him. This arrangement makes it possible to fire from two FCT in the direction of movement. The aft part has become a place for the BMP-3 engine, transmission elements, batteries, various sensors, a container with lubricants and a system responsible for cooling the power unit. Due to its high characteristics, this transport combat unit has good mobility and maneuverability.
In the infantry car under the bottom there are special water jets, thanks to which it is able to move on the water surface. In the management compartment for the driver and each of the fighters provides a separate hatch. The fighting compartment in the center of the infantry fighting vehicle. BMP-3 in this compartment is equipped with places for the commander and gunner-operator. The tower was equipped with observational devices, sights, communications equipment and a mechanism for loading the guns. Behind the fighting compartment is a landing party with seven soldiers. At their disposal are several embrasures and observation instruments. There is also a toilet in this section.
About armor protection
For the manufacture of the tower and the hull, special processed aluminum sheets of the ABT-102 brand are used. Due to their high characteristics, the BMP-3, according to experts, is able to withstand direct hits of 12.7 mm bullets. Also, the armored vehicle is immune to fragments of artillery shells. Previously, the frontal armor was quite capable of withstanding 30 mm ammunition when it fell from a distance of 200 meters. Whether the BMP-3 crew will survive after hitting a modern sub-caliber projectile is not yet clear. From a distance of 100-200 m, the crew is not afraid of B-32 bullets of 12.7 mm caliber. In an effort to strengthen the frontal armor, Russian designers reinforced it with additional steel sheets. With laid on armor, the weight of armored vehicles increases to 22.7 tons. According to experts, dynamic protection does not reduce the reliability of the chassis in the BMP-3. Technical characteristics of this unit remain the same, but with a reduced operational resource. During the landing of fighters, they are partially protected by a lid that is opened in a vertical position behind the engine. Additional protection is provided by fuel tanks located in front of the engine.
What is armed with armored vehicles?
BMP-3, a photo of which is available in the review, was equipped with a 2A70 artillery launcher with a rifled semi-automatic 100-mm gun. The weight of the gun is 400 kg. Up to 10 shots can be fired from a gun mount within one minute. The combat kit for 2A70 provides 40 shells, another 22 are equipped with a loading machine. Also, the BMP-3 weapons are represented by the 9K116-3 complex, which uses anti-tank guided missiles. The combat kit consists of 8 ATGMs, another 3 - in the loading mechanism. Also in the armored vehicles use an automatic 30-mm twin gun 2A72. This BMP-3 gun fires high-explosive shells (OFZ) and armor-piercing. The number of OFZ ammunition is 300, armor-piercing - 200.
Since a long stroke is provided for the barrel of an automatic gun at the time of recoil, in order to ensure an acceptable accuracy of the battle, the designers equipped the gun with a movable clutch, which connects the barrels in complexes 2A70 and 2A72. In addition, the armored vehicles are equipped with 7.62x54 mm Kalashnikov tank machine guns. Two rifle units mounted on the BMP-3. They are controlled by two fighters located near the driver. During dismounting, they perform this task remotely. Another machine gun is located in the tower. The bullet released from the barrel of the FCT has an initial velocity of 855 m / s. Each machine gun is accompanied by 200 ammunition. It is possible to use small arms while moving on water. A 100 mm gun is effective at a distance of up to 4 thousand meters, 9K116-3 - from 3 to 6 thousand meters. A 300 mm gun provides targeted shooting at a distance of only 2 thousand meters.
As an additional weapon, the BMP-3 is equipped with the 9M117 Kastet ATGM, which is a complex that uses 100-mm T-12 anti-tank guns. Aiming guns is carried out at an angle of 360 degrees. In armored vehicles, automatic ejection of shot cartridges is provided. The fire control system operates both in automatic and in manual mode. The gunner in order to ensure the accuracy of the battle can make the necessary corrections for this. Objects of firing with the use of SLAs are enemy low-flying and airborne helicopters. However, some experts have doubts about the advisability of using such anti-aircraft weapons against helicopters.
TTX BMP-3
They look as follows:
- 600 thousand m - the range of armored vehicles on the highway.
- BMP-3 is equipped with torsion bar suspensions and the UTD-29 engine with a capacity of 500 horsepower.
- The specific power index is 26.7 l / s.
- Within one hour, the car travels a distance of 70 km.
- BMP-3 overcomes rough terrain at a speed of 10 km / h.
- While driving on a dirt surface, the pressure is 0.60 kg / cm2.
- Armored vehicles overcome climbs of 30 degrees, 70-centimeter walls and ditches 220 cm long.
- The BMP-3 case is 714 cm long and 330 cm wide.
- The height of the armored vehicles is 230 cm.
- Army machine with a combat weight of 18.7 tons and a rear-engine layout scheme.
- There are 3 people in the crew. The landing is represented by seven soldiers, two more soldiers - in the management department.
- The BMP-3 is equipped with combined day and passive night sights using laser rangefinders.
About modifications
Based on BMP-3, the following armored vehicles were created:
- BMP-3K. It is the commander of the infantry. Unlike the basic model, this technique uses navigation equipment, two radio stations, a receiver, an autonomous generator and a radar transponder. The range of the radio station R-173 is 40 thousand meters.
- BMP-3F. It was created for marines. In addition, it is used by coastal and border troops when landing marines on the coast. Unlike its counterpart, this technique is more buoyant, equipped with a telescopic air intake pipe and a lightweight water-repellent shield. It is equipped with a new coolant sight using a laser rangefinder.
- BMP-3M. It is an improved modification of the BMP-3. It differs from the base model in increased mobility and firepower. The car uses a new UTD-32T turbocharged engine, whose power is 660 horsepower. The operator, thanks to a more advanced fire control system, can recognize the target at a distance of up to 4.5 km. The effectiveness of the shooting does not depend on the distance to the target and the speed of the armored vehicles. For BMP-3M, additional armor screens and the Arena-E protective complex are provided.
- BMP-3 with DZ "Cactus". The demonstration took place in the city of Omsk in 2001. The sides of the car, the tower and its frontal part are equipped with D3 blocks, which are insensitive to 12.7-mm shells. Also in the design of armored vehicles there are rubber fabric and trellis screens. The gun complex, management system and internal layout of this combat unit does not differ from the base model. Due to the increased weight of the machine, it is not able to swim. If you remove the additional protection, then the armored vehicles can be used on water, since the designers left the water jets.
- BMP-3 with KEPA "Blind-1". According to experts, the machine is reliably protected from enemy anti-tank guided missiles using semi-automatic and automatic aiming systems. This combat unit was presented to the public in 2003 at the IDEX-2003 exhibition. During the show, the armored car was fired at by ATGMs. However, from a distance of 3 thousand meters none of the missiles reached their goal.
- BMP-3 with BM "Bahcha-U". The machine uses a modern shooting management system and a single loading mechanism. Using the Arkan 9M117M1-1 guided missile, a modern tank can be destroyed from a distance of 5.5 km. Fire with the new 100-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells ZUOF19 is carried out from the anti-aircraft guided combat complex ZUBK23-3. The effective ammunition range is 6.5 km. Lightly armored targets are destroyed by a 30 mm Kerner armor-piercing-submunition projectile ZUBR8.
- BMP-3M "Dragoon". It is a modernization of the BMP-3M. A machine with a front engine compartment. A ramp is provided for landing a combat crew. The power plant is represented by a four-stroke multi-fuel engine UTD-32, the power of which is 816 liters. from. The unit has a dry sump, turbocharging and liquid cooling. The armored vehicles are equipped with three types of combat modules: BM 100 + 30 (using a 100 mm gun and 2A72 30 mm caliber), BM-57 (main gun caliber in this modification BMP-3 57 mm) and BM-125 (main weapon 2A75 caliber 125 mm).
- BMP-3 "Derivation". The armored vehicles use the AU220M module and a 57 mm automatic gun.
Finally
Even two decades after the appearance, disputes about the expediency of using a peculiar layout in infantry fighting vehicles do not subside. According to experts, the developers sought to increase indicators of firepower and mobility. Unlike the previous version, the production of the new BMP-3 is much more expensive and more difficult to service. Parameters such as crew comfort and security are still under development.