Unfortunately, over the past 20 years, our armored forces have been repeatedly used in the most unfortunate situations for them, which is why the tankers suffered significant losses in equipment and personnel. In many respects, all this is due to the fact that MBTs were used in urban areas, without adequate cover for them by groups of infantrymen. In principle, all this was thought about by the Soviet developers, who created the machine, which later received the sonorous nickname "Terminator". The BMPT, that is, the tank support combat vehicle, was supposed to accompany tank units, provided that cities were cleared and to suppress the actions of enemy grenade launchers and missile system operators, being in close cooperation with their infantrymen.
It must be said that the development of such equipment was started in the USSR, during the Afghan campaign. Then the unpleasant features of the domestic BMP-1/2 had already become clear, which were too easily knocked out even from heavy machine guns, but to actthey had to in "tank" conditions, for which, theoretically, this armored vehicle was intended (albeit partially). The first model of the Terminator BMPT (you will see a photo of the machine in the article) was called the Viper, but after the collapse of the USSR, everyone was not up to it.
Basic information
The experience of recent years (especially the actions of the Americans in Iraq) clearly shows that in populated areas, well-equipped infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers are in no way inferior in their combat effectiveness, and sometimes even surpass tanks. This is due to the fact that their weapons are much better suited to identify and eliminate the enemy, armed with heavy anti-tank weapons. In addition, practice shows that the enemy rarely uses expensive anti-tank systems to knock out light armored vehicles, preferring to use heavy machine guns. At the same time, the crew of the same BMP often remains alive, and the accompanying equipment reveals unmasking fire and destroys the enemy.
For this, NATO troops prefer to use heavy infantry fighting vehicles, and in our country a special vehicle, the Terminator, has long been created for this purpose. This BMPT allows you to solve a wide range of combat missions.
What is this?
For the first time, Rosoboronexport demonstrated this technique at an international exhibition back in 2011, but it was created much earlier. This machine, which has a full set of weapons to protect against anti-tank weapons, and also has a powerful "diagnostic" complex designed to identify and destroy the enemy's camouflaged manpower. The same technique can beused to destroy low-flying targets, including combat and transport helicopters, as well as drones. Because of what did the car get the "overseas" nickname "Terminator"? This BMPT really has no analogues in the world, and therefore it was dubbed so by the Western media, admiring the capabilities of the Russian novelty.
What is it for?
The BMPT is intended for operations as part of motorized rifle, tank and infantry units. But its main task is to identify and suppress all enemy weapons that pose a direct danger to tanks. The main weapon of the vehicle is a 10-mm cannon OPU 2A70, which is accompanied by an impressive ammunition load, which allows it to effectively suppress targets of various types at a distance of up to five thousand meters, and also fight almost on equal terms even with enemy heavy armored vehicles.
So, at a distance of up to 2, 5 thousand meters, the BMPT can effectively fight even with tanks. A 40-mm grenade launcher mounted on the turret makes it possible to destroy enemy manpower at a distance of up to two kilometers. This weapon clearly shows the layout of the BMPT "Terminator". The model (“Zvezda” TV showed it in one of the episodes) allows you to visually verify the thoughtfulness and power of standard weapons.
If it becomes necessary to defeat heavy enemy armored vehicles at a distance of up to five kilometers, Arkan missiles are used, launched through the main gun. For the same purposes, the Kornet ATGM is mounted on board, the missiles of which are in containers protected against bullets and shrapnel. In bothcases, it is possible to effectively defeat not only tanks, but also enemy helicopters at a distance of up to four kilometers (provided that they move along an inclined trajectory).
Features of the new machine
On state trials, the possibility of defeating the enemy's manpower through the use of all weapon systems was evaluated. Already the first prototype of the BMPT "Terminator" managed to impress everyone then. The test results were excellent. This is largely due not so much to the power of the guns as to the modern complex of surveillance devices, which until then were installed only on the latest domestic tanks (and even then in export configuration). A full range of weapons allows simultaneous firing at three targets at once.
Thus, in a combat situation, each crew member can perform his task. Because of this, even the prototype BMPT "Terminator" (6th level of armor protection, by the way), showed an extremely high degree of combat effectiveness, which even the performance of tanks does not always reach.
Care for the life of the crew
This car stands out due to the increased concern for the safety of the crew. Relatively small dimensions and thoughtful coloring ensure its low visibility on the battlefield. BMPT "Terminator", the photo of which is in the article, is equipped with built-in dynamic protection, which several times increases the chances of the crew to survive when shelled with cumulative ammunition. There is also an active system for setting smoke screens. When using itequipment can be hidden not only from visual detection by the enemy in combat conditions, but also significantly reduce the likelihood of it being hit by missiles with active homing systems. There is also the possibility of jamming artillery systems with laser targeting systems.
The side projections of the machine are completely covered by dynamic protection screens. In combination with remote lattice screens, which were developed at the Research Institute of Steel, this makes it possible to ensure maximum survivability of the Terminator BMPT. The assembly model of this machine, which was repeatedly shown on TV, allows you to visually evaluate the armor of the hull.
The entire fuel supply is also placed in high-quality armored compartments inside the hull. Like the sides, the aft projection is completely covered with lattice screens. Even if the armor is pierced, the probability of hitting the crew with its fragments is minimized, since the entire internal volume of the troop compartment is lined with special fabric screens that protect people in the belly of the BMPT. "Terminator" drawings (general), which can sometimes be seen in the media, confirm that the degree of survival of fighters in this vehicle is certainly not lower than in a modern tank.
Mobility and maneuverability
Despite its impressive weight and armor, the car has excellent maneuverability and mobility. This was made possible by mounting a significantly improved diesel engine with a power of 1000 hp. with. There is a turbocharger, cooling - liquid, chassispart and transmission are old, time-tested models that provide the greatest smoothness. If you look at the layout of the BMPT "Terminator" (model 1:35), it becomes obvious that the transmission was taken from the tanks of the T-72/90 family with virtually no changes.
One of the main features of the new machine is its modularity. Because of this, combat modules can be mounted on almost all types of tank chassis made in the USSR and Russia. The manufacturer claims that they can also be installed on relatively light infantry fighting vehicles and even on small-tonnage sea boats. However, only time can reveal the specific possibilities of using this machine and its modifications.
In any case, the currently available information suggests that the massive use of this equipment in the troops will significantly reduce losses, increase maneuverability and combat effectiveness of motorized infantry and tank troops. The new Terminator looks even more promising. BMPT-72, to be precise.
BMPT-72
As you might guess from the name, the main difference from the previous model is the type of chassis used. In fairness, it should be said that even the first model of the Terminator BMPT was already created on the basis of the widespread and technologically advanced T-72 tank, but then they decided to use the more advanced T-90. The creators returned to the original version: there are a lot of stocks of early modifications of the T-72, which is important if there is a need for mass production of Terminators. In addition, the old T-72s are in service with dozens of states, whichwill certainly be interested in buying the Terminator BMPT. Photos of this technique, which regularly appear in the Western media, indirectly confirm this fact.
Second generation specifications
The manufacturer himself claims that the weight of the second generation machine is 44 tons. Depending on the specific modification of the tank that was used for the conversion, the power of the installed engine varies from 800 to 1000 hp. with. The maximum speed on the highway is up to 60 km / h, on rough terrain - within 35-43 km / h. On one gas station, the car can travel up to 700 km.
Unlike the BMP-2 and even the BMP-3, which, contrary to the military doctrine used in our country, is simply unrealistic to use on a par with tanks, the BMPT may well be used in the front echelon. In this case, not only tankers, but also suppliers will be happy: in fact, the chassis of the Terminator is no different from the T-72, so there will be no issues with spare parts.
You can immediately notice that the BMPT ("Terminator" drawings confirm this) is much heavier than the "clean" T-72 of the early series. This is explained by the installation of new combat modules and protection systems. The forehead and sides are covered with dynamic protection plates. The engine compartment is additionally equipped with gratings that prevent damage by cumulative grenades. Finally, to make it difficult to use anti-tank systems, there are jamming systems, as well as mortars for releasing smoke grenades.
Simplification and unification of production
Because the production of the new car was ingreatly simplified, this model has quite noticeable differences from the previous version. The crew consists of only three people: they removed two full-time grenade launchers and their weapons, leaving the driver, commander and gunner. These measures made it possible to significantly simplify the re-equipment of the old tank, since the layout of the armored volume remains practically unchanged. Finally, the absence of two people will greatly simplify both the training of the crew and the combat use of the vehicle.
Weapons of the second modification
As in the previous case, the entire weapon system is mounted on the turret. In general, the Terminator BMPT itself, whose armament is disclosed in the article, fully fits into the standard T-72 shoulder strap, without requiring any modifications to the hull. Almost all tower equipment and weapons are completely identical to the first replica of the Terminator. But there are some technical nuances that significantly increase the security and combat survivability of the vehicle. Particularly noticeable is the high-quality bulletproof armor of all the elements placed on the armor without exception.
The main trump card is two 30-mm 2A42 guns, which are quite securely covered by an armored casing. Their total ammunition is 850 shells. The guns are "omnivorous"; any 30-mm domestic-made shells can be used for firing. Shooting can be carried out in two modes: rapid-fire, when the gun makes more than 500 rounds per minute, and slow, when the rate of fire does not exceed 200-300 rounds per minute. Directly above the guns is a PKTM machine gun, ammunition forwhich is 2100 rounds. In urban combat conditions, it is extremely useful, providing increased security for the BMPT-72 Terminator.
Other improvements
There were many complaints about the first model, the essence of which was the poor protection of the anti-tank systems. This time, guided anti-tank weapons are placed in two well-armored casings, inside which there can be 9M120-1 or 9M120-1F / 4 missiles. They can effectively hit enemy heavy armored vehicles at a distance of up to six kilometers. Control complex - B07S1. His work was well covered at the presentation of the Terminator BMPT from Zvezda.
There are sights for the gunner and the commander of the combat vehicle, the sighting system also includes laser rangefinders. To facilitate aiming and increase combat effectiveness, a barrel stabilizer and a high-quality ballistic computer are used. The vehicle commander can use the sight using a thermal imaging or television channel. The field of view is stabilized in two planes. The commander also has his own rangefinder. The gunner has access to a sight with optical and thermal imaging channels. According to its characteristics, it is equivalent to the command one, but it has a special laser channel for directing guided missiles.
Since the vehicle is actually equipped with normal sights of the modern level, the commander has every chance of detecting the enemy at a distance of up to five kilometers. At night, this distance is reduced to 3.5 km. The gunner has the ability to detectthe same goals. And this is good, because on many domestic T-72s that are in the army, the gunner has better working conditions than even the commander, who simply does not see what is available to his subordinate.
On the prospects of new development
Immediately after the appearance of new equipment at exhibitions, representatives of the Ministry of Defense spoke about its prospects. Everyone has a firm confidence that the machine will find its customers. One of the main highlights of the BMPT is the running base, borrowed from the solid and unpretentious T-72. Since these tanks are used everywhere, customers will not have to spend much money on retraining mechanics and crews.
An interesting feature of the new technology lies in the fact that it was originally created not only from the position of building new vehicles, but also with an eye to re-equipping existing tanks. There is also official information from the manufacturer, which indicates the readiness to supply customers with not only finished vehicles, but also conversion kits with a team of engineers who can convert old T-72s on the spot. Firstly, this approach will cost several times cheaper. Secondly, on the spot, specialists will be better able to adapt the equipment they remake to local realities.
Possible flaws and claims
The level of protection, when compared with the previous model, remained at the same level. Hypothetically, a negative role can still be played by refusalfrom automatic grenade launchers. But this circumstance is unlikely to scare away potential customers. In general, some claims towards the first "Terminator" just boiled down to the fact that it was stupid to keep two additional crew members just for the sake of 40-mm grenade launchers. And the point here is not so much in the combat effectiveness of such weapons, which is very high, but in limited aiming angles.
In principle, the characteristics of the barrel and missile weapons on this model are no worse than those on its predecessor, so there should be no complaints in this matter. This is largely due to the fact that the developers really tried not only to develop a simple tank conversion project, but also took into account all the comments about the previous version. Judge for yourself: with minimal effort and cost, converting an old vehicle into a new model of weapons - what could be better?
By the way, a new car "lit up" even in the game Armored Warfare. BMPT "Terminator" is clearly "pushed" to the international arms markets, using all available media. However, in the "real" everything is in order: field tests of new equipment have already been carried out, as a result of which our military became very interested in its capabilities on the battlefield. It remains to be hoped that the Russian military will also receive this equipment (in case of a positive decision on its production) in the proper quantity.
The need for this kind of BMPT is obvious, since in urban combat conditions it can not only effectively coverother heavy armored vehicles, but also to act independently, being an extremely effective combat unit.
