BTR 82A - a new word in the production of heavy military equipment. This armored personnel carrier, in fact, is a deeply modernized and modified version of the armored personnel carrier 80. Through the efforts of designers and leading military engineers, several components, details were improved and finalized, and the upgrade and armament of the transporter were touched.
Armor
An anti-fragmentation multilayer protection made of synthetic material, similar in properties to Kevlar, is installed on the internal surfaces of the body of the BTR 82A. Floor protection is provided by high-quality anti-mine mats, which reduce the negative effects of explosions under the wheels. Each layer that forms the rug has a set of specific properties, which as a result provides reliable protection. In addition to mechanical protection, multilayer mats also dampen the impact of the wave generated during the explosion. Special suspensions for the crew and landing seats also help to fight the blast.
Resistance to fire
The fire extinguishing system has also been significantly improved. The outer armor reliably resists anti-personnel projectiles, and the multi-layered protection, in addition to its direct function, also increases the comfort of crew members, enhancingthermal insulation inside the case. The whole range of measures to increase fire resistance made it possible to increase the survivability of the transporter in combat by an additional 20% compared to the prototype.
Combat efficiency
The 82A armored personnel carrier is equipped with a unified combat module equipped with an electric drive and a two-plane armament stabilizer. The main weapon of the combat module is a 30 mm 2A72 cannon, in addition, there is a KPVT machine gun with a caliber of 14.5 mm and a PKTM machine gun (caliber of 7.62 mm). The KPVT is equipped with a single belt for five hundred rounds, and for the PKTM a belt 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 gunner TKN-4GA with a vision stabilizer. This allows you to increase the efficiency of firing compared with the prototype by 2.5 times. With new weapons, the BTR 82A, the technical characteristics of which are suitable for conducting reconnaissance and sabotage activities, has further expanded its capabilities in contact battles.
Chassis, motor and performance
Due to the strengthening of the armor, the mass of the new vehicle has increased slightly. However, this did not have a negative impact on dynamic performance. 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 gears were unified. The machine is equipped with shock absorbers with increased energy intensity and cardan shafts with special end splines. Leading bridges were also worked out. On the new armored personnel carrier 82A, they received the possibility of 100% forced blocking. This greatly increased the ability of the car to overcome impassability. Among other things, a transfer case with constant engagement was installed on the conveyor. This improvement allows you to increase the wear resource of the gears and prevents their premature failure.
Crew comfort
If it is necessary to turn off the engine during parking, when it is not possible to use the electric power of the battery, an auxiliary unit with a five-kilowatt power has been developed that can power all the armored personnel carrier systems. The motor resource of the main engine is not consumed at this time. For the convenience of the crew, a powerful air conditioner is provided to ensure the proper level of microclimate inside the car.
Optional equipment
The vehicle is equipped with a radio station, and the navigation system "TRONA-1" is responsible for navigation, equipped with autonomous and satellite channels for obtaining information. This system determines the current coordinates of the car, calculates the range of objects, and records the route of movement.
Armored personnel carrier in service
February 7, 2013, Sergei Shoigu signed an order to put the new armored personnel carrier 82A into service with the Russian army. The characteristics of an armored vehicle make it possible to use it in several branches of the military, inincluding airborne and reconnaissance.
Recently, public attention was once again drawn to an armored personnel carrier in connection with military operations in the Donbass. According to the Ukrainian side, the BTR 82A in Ukraine was seen in service with the militia. Official Russia refutes this information, referring to the fact that this model of the transporter was not supplied abroad.
Currently, an even more advanced version is being developed - the BTR 90. Most likely, the new vehicle will be of a different, heavier and more expensive class. And in service with the "mass" army will remain transporters of brands 80 and 82.
