Grenade launcher "Bur" - a new word in the production of military equipment. It was developed and put into service in 2014, having already managed to prove itself from the best side. The "Bur" is used to destroy unarmored vehicles and manpower of the enemy, and its relatively low weight in battle turns out to be an indisputable advantage.
History of creation and production
The development of a new grenade launcher was carried out by the instrument design bureau in the city of Tula. The model was based on the German Panzerfaust grenade launcher and the Russian Shmel infantry flamethrower.
In the 80s of the twentieth century, the design bureau. Academician A. G. Shipunov developed the 93-mm Shmel complex. In addition to a combat flamethrower, specialists also created devices for training firing for an RPG grenade launcher.
The "Bumblebee" jet flamethrower has undergone significant modernization, the purpose of which was to expand the capabilities of the weapon, which should deal with the enemy's modern technical equipment most effectively. On the basis of "Bumblebee" a new version was developed - a flamethrower of increased power and range RPO-M PDM-A, or more simply - "Bumblebee-M".
Furtherthis model served as the basis for the development of a new small-sized grenade launcher system. For the first time it was demonstrated to the general public during the INTERPOLITEX exhibition. It happened in the fall of 2013. The high marks of Russian experts prompted the developers to demonstrate new weapons at the EUROSATORY-2014 exhibition, which was held in Paris. The visitors were presented with a unique development of Russian designers - the Bur rocket launcher.
Currently, the production of these weapons has been established at the Tula military plant. The Belarusian holding "BelOMO" has developed and created several special types of sights for the new grenade launcher: day, night and thermal imaging.
Device
The "Bur" grenade launcher consists of two main parts:
- fiberglass rocket motor housing;
- ammunition trigger including trigger, pistol grip, manual safety, ribbed handguard, rangefinder or scope mount.
For the transfer of rocket engine cases, a special bag-backpack is provided, designed for three cases. The grenade launcher itself is transported using a special strap attached to the body.
Complex benefits
- different types of shots can be used;
- Sights of different types are suitable, they change depending onconditions;
- ammunition is highly effective despite its relatively small weight and dimensions;
- Bur grenade launcher, whose characteristics do not require significant space for firing, can be used even in small rooms with an area of 30 m³;
- safe to handle and reliable in combat;
- designed to fire from kneeling, prone, standing positions;
- easy to transport, can be used for airborne landings.
Unprecedented light weight makes the "Bur" simply indispensable. It can be used by soldiers of special forces units and sabotage and reconnaissance groups. The calculation of this grenade launcher complex consists of only one person. The reload procedure takes a few seconds and is carried out by a single fighter.
Shells
The Bur grenade launcher can use high-explosive fragmentation and thermobaric grenades. Projectile caliber - 62 mm. In order to recharge the complex, the installation must be placed in a new engine housing, having previously been removed from the empty housing.
Thermobaric grenades are characterized by the creation of extreme temperatures in a certain volume, resulting in a powerful blast wave. This allows you to inflict significant damage to enemy infantry, destroy fortifications, disable even lightly armored vehicles.
Tactical and technical characteristics
The "Bur" grenade launcher, the performance characteristics of which have several unique features, immediately after the appearance became the subject of increased attention of professionals. The maximum lethal range of the gun is 950 meters, and the minimum distance at which a target can be hit is 25 meters. When using an optical sight, a fighter armed with a Burom is able to conduct aimed fire from a distance of up to 650 meters. The launcher with an optical sight has a mass of up to 1.5 kg.
The Bur grenade launcher with a thermobaric warhead can be used for combat at ambient temperatures ranging from -40 to +60°C. The launcher is designed for at least five hundred shots. It has been established that the Bur grenade launcher has the following accuracy of fire at a distance of two hundred meters:
- height deviation (Vv) - ≦ 0.5;
- sideways deviation (Wb) - ≦ 0, 5.
Bur in service
At present, the tests of the "Bur" grenade launcher have been successfully completed. This weapon proved to be quite effective, thanks to which it was decided to put it into service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is used by units for various purposes, primarily paratroopers, special forces, and infantry.
Competitor
First of all, it is worth noting that the "Bur" grenade launcher is unique in its kind. Its only closest competitor is the German Panzerfaust 3. This anti-tank grenade launcher is reloaded in much the same way,that was used to recharge the Bur complex. Both guns use the same projectiles and have the same caliber. In principle, this is where all the similarities between them end.
