Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms Space By Flag By Year By Tag

BMP-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)

1987 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER MODERN

History

Soviet engineers and factories gained extensive experience in massive tank battles with Germany and the Axis powers that led to World War II throughout Eastern Europe. This knowledge was integrated and further developed in the many postwar developments developed in the ensuing Cold War decades for another (possible) major war, this time against the West.

Soviet engineers first introduced the concept of the "Infantry Fighting Vehicle" (IFV) to the world, combining the best aspects of a light tank (speed and firepower) with the best aspects of an armored personnel carrier ("APC"). ) (tank protection), which eventually became the BMP-1 in 1966.

The BMP-1 proved the success of the Soviet Army and its global allies. However, the design had some inherent limitations that spurred the development of improved versions, especially after the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the Soviet-Afghan War that engulfed much of the 1980s, the latter leading to the Soviet Empire's contribution in 1991.

This led to the development and final production of a new and improved version of the 1980/1982 BMP-2. The BMP-2 modified the internal layout of the BMP-1, moved the commander to the turret and a more favorable position, integrated smoke grenade launchers, modified the primary armament from a 73mm cannon to a more accurate 30mm system, and made More lethal anti-tank missiles fired from mounted launchers.

Tens of thousands of both the BMP-1 and BMP-2 have been produced and circulated in more than 40 countries around the world, many of which are still in service today.

During the development of the BMP-2 in the mid-1970s, a prototype appeared - the Ob'yekt 685 - which had a 100mm main gun of the 2A48-1 series in a movable turret. Development takes place at the Kurganmashzavod factory in Kurgan, Russia. The prototype was then further developed as an Ob'yekt 688 pilot vehicle with a new power pack, while still retaining much of the same shape, performance and amphibious qualities as the previous BMP-1 and BMP-2 series product lines.

Development of this type continued until the 1980s, when the vehicle passed the required state tests and was officially accepted by the Red Army in 1987. Then there were a limited number of vehicles before mass production began in 1989.

The car, now known as the "BMP-3", first attracted the attention of the West during the Moscow military parade in 1990, where it received the NATO designation "M1990" for lack of better serial identification.

In all respects, the BMP-3 continues the lineage that began with the original BMP-1 in 1966, although it should be recognized that the newer series incorporates some design changes that differ from the BMP-1 and BMP-1. distinguish. 2 minutes. Special attention was paid to improved crew and system protection, resulting in a slight increase in armor thickness (up to 35mm) on the critical front fairing.

While retaining the engine-based smoke protection system of the BMP-1 and BMP-2, six electrified smoke grenade launchers (three on the front turret side) allow the vehicle to set up its own screens during maneuvers or retreats. The operator remains the standard three, including the driver, commander and gunner.

The driver sits in the front center hull (unlike the left offset BMP-1/BMP-2), the commander and gunner are in a two-man turret (commander on the right, gunner on the left). The vehicle can carry up to seven combat-ready infantrymen, five in the rear passenger compartment and two in the forward fuselage driver's wing (each with a roof hatch).

On the BMP-3, the repositioned engines (front to rear right) now allow the driver to sit in the middle. The fighting compartment has five firing ports. The power unit - a UTD-29M series diesel-powered engine - produced an impressive 500 hp, an increase over the BMP-2's 300 hp system.

Road speeds hit 45 mph and range is 370 miles (BMP-2 over 45 mph or 370 miles). An NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) kit is standard, as is an automatic fire suppression system. All three crew members get night vision.

ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) blocks can be used on BMP-3 vehicles to further enhance protection against next-generation intruders.

Like the previous BMP-1 and BMP-2 series, the BMP-3 retains its amphibious performance in full compliance with Soviet tank warfare doctrine. After some simple preparations by the crew (wings trimmed up, bilge pumps turned on), the BMP-3 was able to propel into deep water with two water jets mounted on the aft lower hull (the BMP-2 relies on moving its track).

The wading speed is an acceptable 6.2mph.

The BMP-3 also retains the six dual wheel configuration of the BMP-1/BMP-2, the drive sprocket is now moved to the rear of the vehicle and the track idlers are moved from the rear to the front. Three track deflection rollers are still featured in the track layout, and the upper area is partially protected by short armored skirts.

Suspension is achieved with a torsion bar system that the rider can fully adjust on the fly to adapt to changing terrain.

The BMP-3 design provides a low profile due to its short hull construction and robust turret assembly. As always, the rake plate is well raked and leads to the top line of the hull. The sides of the hull are vertical but short, making direct flanking of the vehicle somewhat difficult with anti-tank weapons. The engine was moved from the front right to the rear right of the fuselage, allowing for a left offset passenger cabin, with passenger entry and exit still via two outward-opening hinged doors (lowering when the doors were open).

Satisfied with the rather high ground clearance of the hull). The fuel supply is located under the bottom of the hull. Hatches are located on top of the passenger cabin, three are located above the forward hull and two are located on top of the tower.

While being able to carry passengers under protection is one of the key qualities of the entire BMP range, another is the use of heavier than normal firepower. The BMP-3 uses a turret housing a rifled 2A70 series 100mm main gun, linked to an automatic loading system, which fires 22 usable 40x100mm rounds. The BMP-3's armament is further enhanced by a coaxially mounted 30mm Series 2A72 automatic cannon, which can be used for equal lethality against light armored vehicles and infantry.

Like the BMP-1 and BMP-2, the BMP-3 is given the ability to fire/launch anti-tank missiles to counter the threat of modern main battle tanks (MBTs) as support for the 9M117 "Fortress". " / AT-10 "Stabber" laser-guided anti-tank missile (ATGM) is fired from the 100mm main gun itself. In addition to these installations, the vehicle is equipped with an optional 40mm grenade launcher, coaxially mounted standard 7, 62 mm PKT machine guns and a pair of standard 7.62mm machine guns are defended in fixed forward positions at the front corners of each hull. Personal weapons carried by passengers can also take advantage of the available firing ports.

Notable thanks to the excellent stabilization system, the vehicle's primary weapon can strike a variety of targets while the vehicle is stationary, moving, or in water. Targets include low-flying aircraft, MBTs, light armored vehicles, fortifications, and infantry.

The original BMP-3 unit was simply referred to as "BMP-3". A modernized form followed, with a completely new turret, fire control system and powerplant in the BMP-3M. The Russian Navy received the BMP-3 as a BMMP, although they were equipped with the BMP-2's 30mm armed turret. The BMP-3K is a command vehicle with improved communications and navigation facilities, while the BRM-3K "Rys" is a command and reconnaissance model for the Russian Army.

A special amphibious variant of the Russian Navy known as the BMP-F, its sustained water capability allows it to stay at sea for up to seven hours and fire in rough seas. The BREM-L is a dedicated Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV), the 9P157-2 "Khrizantema-S" became a dedicated missile launch platform, and the similarly ranged 9M163M-1 "Kornet-T". The BMP-3 chassis was further developed into a one-off 2S18 "Pat-S" prototype self-propelled artillery platform with a 152mm howitzer, a 2S31 fire truck with a 120mm mortar and a DZM "Voxtorg-2" combat engineering vehicle (CEV) and Hermes self-propelled air defense System prototype.

KhTM acts as a driver trainer.

Since the introduction of the BMP-3, the Russian Army has received nearly 700 (693) vehicles. However, this type has not seen such extensive service in foreign hands as the previous BMP-1 and BMP-2.

The UAE has delivered nearly 400 systems so far, making the UAE the second-largest operator of the BMP-3 family, while Greece's 415-strong order has been delayed. The vehicle also has limited service in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Indonesia, Kuwait, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

India - currently (2013) the world's largest importer of military products - remains a potential candidate for Russia's BMP-3 family, pending the results of domestic future infantry fighting vehicle (FICV) development.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Soviet Army wanted to replace its entire line of BMP-2 vehicles with newer BMP-3 models. However, the premature collapse of the empire and subsequent military budget cuts put the two side-by-side in the inventory of the modern Russian military.