BTR 82A is a new word in the production of heavy military equipment. This armored personnel carrier, in fact, is a deeply modernized and revised version of the BTR 80. Through the efforts of designers and leading military engineers, several components and parts were improved and refined, and the conveyor was updated and equipped.
Armor
On the inner surface of the body of the BTR 82A there is a multi-layer shatterproof protection made of a synthetic material resembling Kevlar in properties. Floor protection is provided by high-quality mine mats that reduce the negative effects of explosions under the wheels. Each layer that forms the mat has a set of specific properties, which as a result provides reliable protection. In addition to mechanical protection, multilayer mats also dampen the effects of the wave generated by the explosion. Fighting the blast wave is also helped by special suspensions of the crew and landing seats.
Fire Resistance
Significantly improved fire extinguishing system. The outer armor reliably resists anti-personnel shells, and the multilayer protection, in addition to the direct function, also increases the comfort of crew members, enhancing thermal insulation inside the hull. The whole range of measures to increase fire resistance allowed to increase the survivability of the conveyor in battle by an additional 20% compared with the prototype.
Combat readiness
The BTR 82A has a unified combat module equipped with an electric drive and a two-plane weapon stabilizer. The main weapon of the combat module is a 30A 2A72 cannon, in addition, there are a KPVT machine gun with a caliber of 14.5 mm and a PKTM machine gun (7.62 mm caliber). KPVT is equipped with a single tape for five hundred rounds, and for PKTM a tape with 2000 rounds is provided. The designers provided for the possibility of installing other weapons on board the armored personnel carrier.
BTR 82A was equipped with a combined sight, equally effective at any time of the day. This sight has ample opportunities, thanks to the TKN-4GA gunner with a stabilizer of view. This allows you to increase firing efficiency compared to the prototype 2.5 times. With the new weapons, the BTR 82A, the technical characteristics of which are suitable for reconnaissance and sabotage measures, has further expanded its capabilities in contact battles.
Running gear, motor and dynamic performance
Due to the strengthening of the armor, the mass of the new car increased slightly. However, this did not have a negative impact on dynamic indicators. Moreover, the mobility of the machine has increased. This happened due to the installation of a KamAZ 740 diesel engine with a capacity of 300 “horses”. Wheel reducers have been unified. Shock absorbers with increased energy intensity and cardan shafts with special end splines are installed on the machine. Leading bridges were also designed. On the new BTR 82A, they got the opportunity of 100% forced blocking. This significantly increased the ability of the car to overcome the terrain. Among other things, a transfer case with permanent engagement was installed on the conveyor. Such an improvement allows to increase the wear life of the gears and prevents their premature failure.
Crew comfort
If it is necessary to shut off the engine during parking, when it is not possible to use the electric power of the battery, an auxiliary unit with five kilowatt power has been developed, capable of powering all BTR systems. The engine life of the main engine is not consumed at this time. For the convenience of the crew, a powerful air conditioner is provided, which ensures the proper level of microclimate inside the car.
Optional equipment
The machine is equipped with a radio station, and the navigation system is responsible for the orientation system "TRONA-1", equipped with autonomous and satellite channels for receiving information. This system determines the current coordinates of the machine, calculates the range of objects, and records the route of movement.
Armored personnel carrier in service
On February 7, 2013, Sergei Shoigu signed an order to put the new BTR 82A into service with the Russian army . The characteristics of the armored vehicle allow its use in several military branches, including in the landing and reconnaissance.
Recently, public attention was again drawn to an armored personnel carrier in connection with the hostilities in the Donbass. According to the Ukrainian side, the BTR 82A in Ukraine was spotted in service with the militia. Official Russia refutes this information, referring to the fact that this model of conveyor was not delivered abroad.
Currently, an even more advanced version is being developed - the BTR 90. Most likely, the new machine will be of a different, more heavy and expensive class. And the armaments of the "mass" army will remain transporters of grades 80 and 82.