BMMP project from Omsktransmash: a preliminary look and an unknown future
Back in 2013, the first reports appeared about the plans of the Ministry of Defense to create a specialized armored vehicle for the marines, fully complying with its special requirements. New projects started, and in 2015, at the International Navy Show, a radio-controlled model of a future BMP was shown. However, later it turned out that at a certain moment the Ministry of Defense stopped a promising program, but some of its participants continued to work on their own initiative.
In early April, information appeared in the press about the future development of a full-fledged project "sea" BMP. Without reference to the officials, it was claimed that such a project was provided for by the new State Armaments Program. In the first days of May, new information on this was published. At the well-known forum "Bravery" laid out a document of the research and production corporation "Uralvagonzavod" under the name "Unified Battle Platform", showing the actual version of the appearance of such equipment.
As follows from the document, the research work to determine the appearance was carried out by the specialists of Omsktransmash JSC, which is part of Uralvagonzavod. In addition, the Research and Production Center "Special Engineering" (SPC SM) at MSTU. Bauman. Together, the two organizations have developed a rather interesting and promising variant of a promising armored vehicle.
According to the presentation, the prerequisites for the emergence of a new project are related to the current state of affairs in the field of technology for the Marine Corps. A number of foreign countries are armed with specialized armored vehicles of this kind, while the Russian units use the BTR-80 and BMP-3 family vehicles. In general, solving the assigned combat tasks, domestic machines are significantly inferior to foreign ones in speed on the water. At the same time, new designs are being developed in the United States that can increase the potential of the marines. The prospective unified platform offered by Russian designers is intended to be the answer to foreign successes.
It was found that the highest combat and operational characteristics should be shown by tracked marines of the Marine Corps (BMMP) with a combined machine-gun and cannon armament and a rather large amphibious assault unit. Also, to obtain high performance, it is necessary to introduce several new solutions of one kind or another. In addition, you need to develop not a specific machine, but a universal platform suitable for use in different roles.
The concept-project Omsktransmash proposes the construction of a tracked armored vehicle with a hull of a characteristic shape giving the best characteristics on the water. You should use a powerful propulsion system and special equipment for swimming. The images presented show a housing with a recognizable wedge-shaped frontal part, coupled with vertical sides and a horizontal roof with bevelled side sections. In front of the hull it is proposed to place a single control unit with all crew workstations. Behind him, on the roof, you should install a combat module of the required type. The central compartment of the hull is given under the power plant of sufficient power, and in the stern there should be a landing (in the variant BMP) or other payload.
The body is proposed to be assembled from armored aluminum alloy with a plating layer. Part of the external parts of the hull and chassis should also receive a stainless steel coating. The frontal projection of the hull must protect against 30-mm sub-caliber projectiles when shooting a distance of 300 m. Boards are protected against 12,7-mm bullets at a distance of 100 m. Mine resistance - up to 6 kg under the track The project also provides for the installation of the active protection complex "Arena-M", covering the entire front hemisphere.
To obtain high driving characteristics on land and on water, BMMP needs a powerful engine. According to the presentation, the car must be equipped with a gas turbine engine up to HP 1500-2500. He, along with part of the transmission should be located in the center of the hull. With the help of cardan shafts, it is proposed to deliver power to the front block of a hydromechanical transmission associated with the drive wheels of a caterpillar propeller, as well as for a couple of feed water cannons.
It is proposed to use the chassis with five road wheels on each side. An independent, controlled suspension is required to allow the rollers to change position. In front of the chassis should be driving wheels, in the rear - guides with a caterpillar tension mechanism. For movement on water two water cannons of a fodder arrangement can be used.
One of the objectives of the future project is a significant increase in speed on the water. To do this, the body and chassis must have several additional devices and capabilities. So, after going down to the water, the machine should flip back the nasal drainage flap, as well as lower the front flap, which covers the running gear. After lifting the rollers and pulling up the track, the undercarriage should be covered with special swivel bottom flaps. Finally, at the stern it is planned to install another panel: in the stowed position it should be at the roof level, and in the working position it should go down to the bottom.
After a similar procedure, according to calculations occupying no more than 50, the BMMP is able to move at high speed in the gliding mode. The presence of several shields to a minimum reduces the resistance of the environment, increasing the driving characteristics.
The Omsktransmash project envisages the creation of a universal platform suitable for use for various purposes. At its base, first of all, it is proposed to build a specialized BMP for the marines. In addition, it is possible to develop a command and staff vehicle, a combat reconnaissance vehicle, a self-propelled artillery installation, a self-propelled anti-tank complex or an air defense vehicle. Due to the general chassis, they will be able to work in the same combat formations, and in addition, it will simplify joint operation.
The main representative of a hypothetical family of vehicles is considered a martial combat vehicle. In this version, the universal platform must be equipped with a combat module that meets the requirements of the customer, as well as have a spacious troop landing compartment. The dimensions of the latter make it possible to place 10 seats (5 on each side with face-to-face positioning) for the landing with exit through the aft ramp or upper hatches. It is curious that the current project allows the use of different combat compartments and modules.
On one of the presentation slides, it is indicated that BMMP can carry an inhabited Bakhcha turret with 100-mm and 30-mm guns, machine guns and rockets, or remotely controlled modules with machine guns of various calibers or small-caliber guns. Of particular interest is the "Dagger" module, equipped with an 57-mm automatic weapon. It should show the highest characteristics, and therefore on most images BMMP is shown with such equipment.
The product "Dagger" is a remotely controlled system, installed on the chase of the hull and occupying a minimum volume inside the base chassis. The main weapons such a module is a 57-mm gun with a rate of 80 rounds per minute. There is also a twin machine gun PKTM. The design of the module provides a circular focus with elevation angles from -5 ° to + 60 °, which provides some opportunities to combat airborne targets. The module is equipped with a pair of opto-electronic units for monitoring the terrain and pointing weapons.
The ammunition of the main gun includes existing high-explosive and armor-piercing shells. Also declared the possibility of creating an armor-piercing sub-caliber shot, guided projectile with a high-explosive warhead or products with programmable blasting. According to Omsktransmash JSC, BMMP with the Dagger module will be able to hit surface, coastal or air targets at distances up to 10-15 km.
Combat module is proposed to connect with a digital control system. Data from scopes, navigation system, etc. should come to the digital computing system and automated workplaces of the commander and the gunner. The crew, in turn, controls the aiming drives and weapons. The weapon control system is included in the on-board information management system. Other components of the latter must monitor the technical condition of the machine, as well as ensure the exchange of data both inside the BMD and with other equipment on the battlefield.
The own crew of the unified platform in the basic version should consist of three people. All of them are located in the forward part of the hull, in the general habitable compartment and have hatches in the roof. The BMMP project provides 10 seats for paratroopers. Other models of equipment based on the platform may have a different crew with a different location.
According to published data, BMPP of a new type should be distinguished by outstanding dimensions and weight. The total length is determined in 10,5 m with a width of 3,4 m and a height of 3,4 m. The calculated combat weight is 35 t. Depending on the engine parameters, the power density may exceed 40-42 hp per ton. Due to this, the maximum speed on land will reach 75 km / h, on the water - a record for domestic 37 vehicles km / h. Cruising on land is calculated at the level of 300 km, on the water - three times less.
Corrosion protection of the armored vehicle design, marine equipment, applied materials and technologies should provide high performance characteristics. Declared the possibility of operation at air temperatures from -60 ° C to + 50 ° C. The service life is more than 10 years, provided it is restored as part of an overhaul.
Also became known results of the research work. First of all, the advantages of the tracked undercarriage were established when working in theaters of operations characteristic of the coastal forces of the Russian Navy. In addition, the overall appearance of a promising universal platform and a marine infantry fighting vehicle, corresponding to the actual requirements of the command, was formed.
JSC "Omsktransmash" together with SPC SM pi MSTU. Baumana ready for the start of development work on a new theme. R & D should be completed next year, and after that, the authors of the new concept are ready to begin a full-fledged design. Design works are related to 2020-22 years. From 2023, it is possible to launch the mass production of promising technology in the required quantities. The release of armored vehicles with their subsequent technical support "Omsktransmash" is ready to take over.
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As follows from recent reports, the overall appearance of one of the variants of a promising infantry combat vehicle for the marines has already been determined. If this project is developed, development work will begin in the near future, and by the middle of the next decade, coastal forces of the Russian Navy will be able to master a completely new technique. Known data show that the emergence of serial BMMP can have the most noticeable impact on the potential of the marines in various operations.
At the beginning of the published presentation of Omsktransmash, a number of foreign samples of amphibious equipment are mentioned, including an experienced EFV / AAAV BMP of American design. The main objective of this project, as well as BMMP, was to obtain the highest possible speed on the water. Through the use of a number of characteristic solutions and units, it was possible to bring the speed up to 46 km / h. With the combat mass in 36 and EFV, they could take on board 17 paratroopers and support them with 30-mm automatic cannon fire.
It is not difficult to notice that the Russian BMPP machine to some extent resembles the American design. In particular, approaches to providing high running characteristics are similar, and similar means of increasing the flow around on water are used. However, the significant similarity of the two developments can be explained by the same requirements and the lack of a wide choice of usable technical solutions.
It should be noted that the experimental EFV and the hypothetical BMMP have noticeable differences in characteristics. Thus, the American model was distinguished by a greater capacity of the troop compartment and a higher speed on the water. In this case, a clear advantage of BMMP is the combat module "Dagger" with 57-mm gun, which provides superiority over a significant number of modern and promising models of armored vehicles.
However, there is one fundamental difference. The American EFV project was brought to the test, but then closed due to unacceptable cost. Russian development of the same kind so far exists only "on paper", and even then, only in the form of a pre-designed look. However, this may provide certain advantages, such as the ability to take into account foreign experience and prevent the appearance of already known errors.
With an optimistic development of events, the new BMPPs, in the described or modified form, will be able to enter into service and replace the equipment available to the coastal forces. According to known data, at present the Russian marines have about 1400 armored combat vehicles for transport purposes. The base of this fleet consists of armored personnel carriers BTR-80 and BTR-82; there are smaller numbers of infantry fighting vehicles BMP-2. It is not difficult to imagine how much promising technology must be purchased to completely replace existing samples. Thanks to this, the armed forces will be able to realize all the benefits from the construction of unified platforms.
Obviously, high-speed floating armored vehicles are necessary for the marines to implement the so-called. over-horizon landing. In accordance with current trends and ideas, universal amphibious ships should be used in such operations. However, as part of the Russian Navy ships of this class are not yet available, which leads to certain issues in the context of BMMP projects; both with regard to their necessity, and in terms of the future operation of serial equipment.
In the proposed form, the BMMP project from Omsktransmash and the Special Machine-Building Research and Production Center looks interesting, but its real prospects are still in question. Current work continues on the initiative and without an order from the Ministry of Defense. This may indicate that at the moment the military is not interested in obtaining specialized BMP for coastal troops, and therefore a curious development has no real future. However, the command may change its opinion, and in this case, the industry will not have to spend time on the preliminary study of the project.
One way or another, the Russian defense industry completed research projects already started and offered a rather interesting version of an armored vehicle with a special role. The further fate of this project is now in the hands of the Ministry of Defense. If warlords approve an initiative project, the marines will be able to count on a sharp increase in their potential. Otherwise, she will have to use the available machines with limited amphibious capabilities. However, in this case, the proposed ideas and developments can be used in other projects.
On the materials of the sites:
https://rg.ru/
https://flotprom.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://otvaga2004.mybb.ru/
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.ru/
- Ryabov Kirill
- NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / otvaga2004.mybb.ru
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