The Soviet Union is rightfully considered 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 those of the first sample of the infantry vehicle. In the course of development, interesting design decisions were made. Due to the high performance of the BMP-3 can be called a model of a new generation of armored vehicles. The public first saw the combat vehicle in 1990. Information about the history of creation, design and performance characteristics of the BMP-3 can be found in this article.
Introduction
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 mobility, armament andsecurity of infantry military formations in the conditions of using nuclear weapons. The armored vehicle can also work effectively in conjunction with tanks. Despite the fact that the BMP-3 (a photo of this vehicle can be seen in the article) was demonstrated to the general public in 1990, in fact, it began to be operated back in 1987
Beginning of creation
Work on the design of a new BMP employees of the design bureau began in 1977 at the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant. The gunsmiths took into account the experience of using the previous two models of infantry fighting vehicles. The 3rd option was to be a completely new light tracked armored vehicle. By 1977, Soviet designers already had considerable experience in the development and use of equipment of this class. At this time, a light tank for the airborne troops was created in the USSR. It was planned that, due to its small size and weight, it would be adapted for landing from aircraft. At the same time, a light reconnaissance tank was designed by Soviet gunsmiths for the needs of the ground forces. Both of these projects were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the designers still had a lot of technical and engineering developments, which it was decided to apply to the new armored combat vehicle. According to experts, over a hundred inventions were patented in the course of work on the BMP-3. 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, in contrast to the alleged performance characteristics, the BMP-3turned out with a slightly overestimated combat weight and caliber.
About Design
According to experts, at the very beginning, the designers were going to equip armored vehicles with a 30-mm cannon, a machine gun coaxial with it and an automatic grenade launcher "Flame". Due to the fact that such weapons could not provide the BMP with the necessary firepower, they were rejected by the Soviet military. It was decided to use a 100-millimeter cannon firing guided anti-tank missiles as the main weapon. 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 an infantry fighting vehicle will be unsuitable for landing and swimming.
In the end, we decided to use special aluminum armor. BMP-3 with a new undercarriage, power unit, significantly increased security and a new weapon system. While working on the layout for the combat vehicle, there were disputes between the designers regarding the location of the engine. In the BMP-3, the engine was located at the stern. This design solution pursued the following goals: 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 engine located in front of the infantrymen could use it as additional protection. It has also become more convenient for military personnel to parachute from the back of the vehicle.
Test
By 1986, the first prototype of armored vehicles was ready. In the same year it was tested. At first, the new layout was unusual, and therefore uncomfortable for the paratroopers. Since not steel, but aluminum armor was used to make the BMP hull, 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, 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. The BMP-3 was the first to use a hydromechanical transmission, making it much easier to control armored vehicles.
About production
Serial production has been launched 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 compartments of the BMP-3.
Description
BMP-3, like the previous model of the infantry vehicle, consists of four compartments: combat, control, airborne and power compartments. However, unlike other infantry fighting vehicles, in this transport unit, the departments are located differently. The aft part of the combat vehicle became the place for the power compartment. BMP-3 is controlled by a driver, a place for which is reserved in the bow.
Two more paratroopers are stationed next to him. Such an arrangement makes it possible to fire from two PKTs 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 unit has good mobility and maneuverability.
In the infantry vehicle under the bottom there are special jet propulsion, thanks to which it is able to move on the water surface. A separate hatch is provided in the control compartment for the driver and each of the fighters. The fighting compartment in the center of the infantry fighting vehicle. BMP-3 in this compartment is equipped with seats for the commander and gunner-operator. The tower was equipped with observation devices, sighting devices, communications equipment and a mechanism for loading the gun. Behind the combat compartment - landing with seven fighters. They have several loopholes and observation devices at their disposal. There is also a toilet in this department.
About armor protection
For the manufacture of the tower and 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 armor in the frontal part quite successfully withstood 30-mm ammunition from a distance of 200 meters. Can the crew of the BMP-3 surviveafter being hit by a modern sub-caliber projectile, it is still unclear. 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 applied 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. The technical characteristics of this unit remain the same, but with a reduced operational resource. During the landing of the fighters, they are partially protected by a cover that opens in a vertical position behind the engine. Additional protection is provided by fuel tanks located in front of the engine.
What are armored vehicles armed with?
BMP-3, the photo of which is in the review, was equipped with a 2A70 artillery launcher with a rifled semi-automatic 100-mm cannon. The weight of the gun is 400 kg. Within one minute, up to 10 shots can be fired from the gun mount. The combat kit for the 2A70 provides for 40 shells, another 22 are equipped with a loading machine. Also, the armament of the BMP-3 is represented by the 9K116-3 complex, which uses anti-tank guided missiles. The combat set consists of 8 ATGMs, 3 more - in the loading mechanism. Also in armored vehicles they use an automatic 30-mm twin gun 2A72. This BMP-3 cannon fires high-explosive fragmentation (HEF) and armor-piercing shells. The number of OFZ ammunition is 300 pieces, armor-piercing - 200.
Since the barrel of the automatic gun has a long stroke during recoil, in order toTo ensure acceptable accuracy of battle, the designers equipped the gun with a movable clutch, which connected the barrels in the 2A70 and 2A72 complexes. In addition, armored vehicles are equipped with Kalashnikov 7.62x54 mm tank machine guns. Two rifle units are mounted on the body of the BMP-3. They are controlled by two fighters located near the driver. During the dismounting, they perform this task remotely. Another machine gun is located in the tower. A bullet fired from the PKT barrel has an initial velocity of 855 m/s. Each machine gun comes with 200 rounds of ammunition. It is possible to use small arms while moving through the water. The 100mm gun is effective at a distance of up to 4,000 meters, while the 9K116-3 is effective from 3,000 to 6,000 meters.
As an additional armament, the BMP-3 is equipped with the 9M117 "Kastet" ATGM, which is a complex that uses 100-millimeter T-12 anti-tank guns. The aiming of the guns is carried out at an angle of 360 degrees. Armored vehicles provide for automatic ejection of spent cartridges. The fire control system operates in both automatic and manual modes. The gunner, in order to ensure the accuracy of the battle, can make the necessary amendments for this. The objects of fire using the SLA are enemy low-flying and hovering helicopters. However, some experts have doubts about the advisability of using such anti-aircraft weapons against helicopters.
TTX BMP-3
They look like this:
- 600 thousand meters - range of armored vehicles on the highway.
- The BMP-3 is equipped with torsion bar suspensions and a UTD-29 engine with a capacity of 500 horsepower.
- The power density is 26.7 l/s.
- In one hour, a car travels 70 km.
- The BMP-3 overcomes rough terrain at a speed of 10 km/h.
- When driving on a dirt surface, a pressure of 0.60 kg/cm2 is applied to the road.
- Armored vehicles overcome slopes at an angle of 30 degrees, 70 cm walls and ditches 220 cm long.
- The body of the BMP-3 is 714 cm long and 330 cm wide.
- The height of armored vehicles is 230 cm.
- Army vehicle with a combat weight of 18.7 tons and a rear-engine layout.
- There are 3 people in the crew. The landing party is represented by seven fighters, two more soldiers are in the management department.
- The BMP-3 is equipped with combined day and passive night sights using laser rangefinders.
About modifications
The following models of armored vehicles were created on the basis of the BMP-3:
- BMP-3K. It is an infantry command vehicle. 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 R-173 radio station is 40 thousand meters.
- BMP-3F. Made for the Marines. In addition, it is used by coastal and border troops during the landing of marines on the coast. Unlike analog, thisthe equipment is more buoyant, equipped with a telescopic air intake pipe and a lightweight water deflector. Equipped with a new "SOZH" 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 turbocharged engine UTD-32T, whose power is 660 horsepower. The operator, thanks to the presence of a more advanced fire control system, can recognize a target at a distance of up to 4.5 km. The effectiveness of shooting does not depend on the range to the target and on the speed of the armored vehicles. Additional armor screens and the Arena-E protective complex are provided for the BMP-3M
- BMP-3 with Cactus remote sensing. The demonstration took place in the city of Omsk in 2001. The sides of the vehicle, the turret 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 lattice screens. This combat unit does not differ from the basic model in terms of the weapon system, control system and internal layout. Due to the fact that the weight of the machine is increased, it is not able to swim. If the additional protection is dismantled, then the armored vehicles can be used on the water, since the designers left the water jets.
- BMP-3 with KOEP "Shtora-1". According to experts, the machine is reliably protected from enemy anti-tank guided missiles usingsemi-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 vehicle was fired upon by ATGMs. However, from a distance of 3 thousand meters, none of the missiles reached the target.
- BMP-3 with BM "Bakhcha-U". The vehicle uses a modern fire control system and a single loading mechanism. With the help of the Arkan 9M117M1-1 guided missile, a modern tank can be destroyed from a distance of 5.5 km. Fire with new 100-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectiles ZUOF19 is carried out from the anti-aircraft guided combat system ZUBK23-3. The effective range of the ammunition is 6.5 km. Lightly armored targets are destroyed by a 30 mm armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile "Kerner" ZUBR8.
- BMP-3M "Dragoon". It is a modernization of the BMP-3M. The machine is located in front of the engine compartment. A ramp is provided for landing the combat crew. The power plant is represented by a four-stroke multi-fuel engine UTD-32, the power of which is 816 hp. with. The unit has a dry sump, turbocharging and liquid cooling. Armored vehicles are equipped with combat modules of three types: "BM 100 + 30" (using a 100-mm cannon and 2A72 caliber 30 mm), "BM-57" (caliber of the main gun in this modification of the BMP-3 57 mm) and "BM-125" (main weapon 2A75 caliber 125 mm).
BMP-3 "Derivation". Armored vehicles use the AU220M module and a 57mm automatic cannon
In closing
Eventwo decades after its appearance, disputes about the advisability of using a peculiar layout in an infantry fighting vehicle do not subside. According to experts, the developers sought to increase the indicators of firepower and mobility. Unlike the previous version, the production of the new BMP-3 is much more expensive and more difficult to maintain. Parameters such as crew comfort and security are still to be improved.
