The BMD-4M was created several years ago and entered service with the Airborne Forces in the 2016 year. To date, the troops have received nearly two hundred of these machines in the base configuration, and deliveries continue. This technique is intended for transportation and fire support of fighters on the battlefield. Like other airborne vehicles, combat vehicles of the new model can be parachuted in a landing and parachute way. High firepower is provided by the combat module, equipped with 100-mm gun-launcher, 30-mm automatic cannon and 7,62-mm machine gun. Together with a crew of three, the BMD-4M carries five paratroopers.
Airborne combat vehicles BMD-4M on exercises. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
The BMD-4М chassis, considered as the basis for various armored vehicles, gets a relatively light armored body capable of protecting against rifle bullets. weapons. In the original version, the hull has a classic layout with a front and central location of inhabited compartments and aft engine-transmission compartment. The chassis is equipped with a UTD-29 diesel engine with 500 horsepower. The pyatikatkovaya chassis has a controlled hydropneumatic suspension. To overcome the water obstacles are provided jet propulsion.
Unified armored personnel carrier
In the recent past, the BTR-MD armored personnel carrier was developed specifically for the Airborne Forces. At the heart of its design lay the landing gear chassis BMD-4, built in limited quantities. Later it was decided to re-equip the troops with the BMD-4M vehicles, as a result of which an improved version of the armored personnel carrier called the BTR-MDM "Shell" appeared. Unlike a number of other modern armored vehicles, this model is not based on the BMD-4M design. In this case, there is a unification of two machines on a number of units.
Most of the hull elements and internal equipment for the BTR-MDM is borrowed from the base BTR-MD. As a result, the two cars almost do not differ in appearance, and also have similar tactical and technical characteristics. At the same time, the upgraded "Shell" received a power plant from BMD-4М, including the engine UTD-29. Some improvements in the project have undergone hull and chassis. Other elements, such as means of transporting troops, weapons or communication systems, have not undergone major changes.
Armored personnel carrier BTR-MDM / Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
In connection with the decision to abandon the first version of the BMD-4 armored assault vehicle, the further fate of the BTR-MD armored personnel carrier at its base was in doubt. Several years ago this issue was resolved, and a newer BTR-MDM went into the series. It was assumed that the unification with the BMD-4M, which is also being put into series, could facilitate the joint operation of equipment. To date, the troops have received several dozen BTR-MDM, and their production continues.
BTR-based Scout
In domestic practice, armored personnel carriers are often considered as the basis for equipment of a particular purpose, including for auxiliary vehicles. In the autumn of last year, a new special vehicle, built on the chassis of an armored personnel carrier BTR-MDM, was adopted by the Airborne Forces. A reconnaissance chemical machine РХМ-5М was created for the units of radiation, chemical and biological protection. According to last year's reports, in 2018, it was planned to begin serial construction and supply of new equipment to the troops.
Externally, the new PXM-5M is almost the same as the basic Shell. There is also a maximum similarity of the internal units. The difference between the two machines is in the equipment of the habitable compartment. Unlike an armored personnel carrier, a reconnaissance vehicle bears a set of equipments necessary for working in the infected zones. It is able to automatically study the situation, track weather conditions, find threats and make maps of contaminated areas. Data on threats in an automatic mode are given to various consumers.
Intelligence chemical machine РХМ-5М. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Almost all of the targeted PXM-5M equipment is located inside a protected enclosure. Beyond it are only separate devices. The machine and its systems are operated by a crew of four placed in the common compartment. For self-defense there is an installation with a machine gun. Also saved smoke grenade launchers used on the base BTR.
"Octopus" on the new chassis
At the disposal of the airborne troops are self-propelled anti-tank guns 2S25 "Octopus-SD." This piece of equipment was built on an experienced light chassis. tank "Object 934" and received a combat module with a 125-mm smoothbore gun-launcher 2A75. Light self-propelled guns can land using parachute systems and support troops with fire. "Octopus-SD" is capable of fighting both manpower or unprotected equipment, and enemy tanks.
A few years ago, it was decided to thoroughly upgrade the existing self-propelled 2C25 self-propelled guns. As part of the 2C25М project, the Sprut-SDM1 proposed to upgrade the fire control system, increasing the basic combat qualities of the vehicle, and also to replace the existing chassis. In order to maximize unification with other airborne equipment, the upgraded combat compartment should be transferred to the modified BMD-4М chassis. The advantages of this upgrade are obvious.
Prototype SPTP 2C25 "Sprut-SDM1". Photo Concert "Tractor Plants" / tplants.com
In connection with the growth of loads, the existing chassis had to be lengthened. The hull received a new section, and in the chassis included a couple of additional support rollers and two supporting rollers on each side. The power plant and transmission are directly borrowed from BMD-4M. As for the fighting compartment, it gets an improved fire control system, which allows you to improve the accuracy of fire. Previously reported the possibility of introducing a new complex of guided weapons with anti-tank missiles launched through the barrel of the gun.
To date, no more than several experimental machines Sprut-SDM1 have been built. This year, it is planned to begin state tests, according to the results of which such equipment will be able to enter service. In the case of successful completion of the test, the Airborne Forces will receive new serial machines no later than the beginning of the twenties.
Artillery "Lotus"
The BMD-4М chassis extended to two skating rinks has already found application in another project of self-propelled artillery. Since 2016, the domestic industry has been working on the 2C42 self-propelled gun project with the cipher "Lotus". The goal of the project is to create a new combat vehicle with a full-swing turret with a 120 caliber gun. According to known data, in the future, the new “Lotus” will have to replace the outdated 2C9 “Nona-S” machines.
According to reports from the recent past, the chassis for the CAO 2C42 should not differ significantly from the corresponding design for the 2C25М. It was proposed to use the same armored body with anti-bullet protection, having an increased length. The chassis must also have seven road wheels on board. The power plant and transmission should not be changed. Combat weight will be 18 t, which will allow the use of self-propelled guns with modern parachute systems.
Model of the 2C42 "Lotus" combat vehicle. Photo by Vitalykuzmin.net
According to official data, Lotos will receive an 120-mm long-barreled gun with wide combat capabilities. By changing the elevation angles from -4 ° to + 80 °, the machine will be able to attack targets at ranges up to 13 km. In this case, it is likely that the gun will be able to solve the tasks of a field gun, howitzers and mortars, depending on the assigned combat mission and the ammunition used.
The industry has already shown models of the promising IJSC Lotos, but the full-fledged prototype has not yet participated in open events. According to last year's reports, by the beginning of 2018, the first prototype was supposed to be built, and in 2020, serial production would be launched. Thus, it is expected that in the near future the first public demonstration of the new 2-XNNXX “Lotos” will take place.
Landing "Cornet"
In 2015, the first reports appeared about the desire of the military department to develop a new self-propelled anti-tank missile system intended for the airborne troops. At the same time, it became known that this sample of equipment would be made on the chassis of the BMD-4M armored vehicle, and its weapon would be a launcher with Kornet missiles. The finished sample equipment received an index GRAU 9P162M. Unfortunately, for a long time there have been no new reports about this project.
A few months ago, it was officially announced that in the interests of the Airborne Forces the development work with the Cornet-D1 cipher, providing for the installation of an anti-tank complex on a tracked chassis, was indeed being implemented. Moreover, the project is already nearing completion. Over the next two years, it is planned to conduct state tests, after which self-propelled anti-tank systems will go into series and enter the troops.
The only known image of the complex 9P162M "Cornet-D1". Photo Gurkhan.blogspot.com
Experienced technology of the new type, if it exists, has not yet been openly demonstrated. Only one image is known showing the 9P162М / "Cornet-D1" product. This figure shows the BMD-4M chassis with enhanced side projection protection, but without a standard combat compartment with a turret. Instead, in the center of the case there are two retractable launchers of the Kornet complex. Each of them carries four transport and launch containers with missiles and opto-electronic fire control devices.
There is reason to believe that the prototypes of a new combat vehicle for the Airborne Forces are at least being built and are being prepared for future tests. In the near future for the first time they can show the public and professionals.
Anti-aircraft "Fowler"
Now the Airborne Forces are equipped with several short-range anti-aircraft missile systems, and these are relatively old systems. To replace them, a new model of technology is being created that meets modern requirements. The air defense system for the Airborne Forces is created in the framework of the project with the code "Birdies". As in a number of other cases, the BMD-4M tracked chassis was chosen as the basis for this sample.
ZRK "Pine" - a possible source of components for the complex "Fowler". Photo KB Tochmash them. A.E. Nudelman / kbtochmash.ru
Until recently, the process of shaping the shape of the future air defense system and the search for optimal solutions continued. In early August, the command of the airborne troops officially announced the completion of this part of the work. The appearance is formed, and now the industry is engaged in its embodiment in the form of design documentation, which will be used to build an experienced equipment. At the same time, as before, far from all the expected details were announced.
It has repeatedly been pointed out that for unification of the new anti-aircraft complex with other airborne equipment it is proposed to use the tracked landing gear of the BMD-4M airborne combat vehicle. What systems will be installed on it is unknown. In the recent past, suggestions have been made about the possible upgrading of the launch vehicle and missiles of the Strela-10М3 complex. It was also possible to use the system "Pine". Whether these assumptions are true, and whether they have become the basis for the technical appearance is not known.
A prototype of the Ptitselov air defense missile system is planned to be built in 2020 year. After all the necessary tests, an order for serial equipment will appear. Its deliveries are scheduled for 2022 year. After that, the "Birdies" will begin to replace self-propelled air defense systems of the family "Strela-10", which are currently the basis of air defense of the Airborne Forces.
Large family
Over the past decades, the Soviet and Russian army actively used the idea of using existing chassis as the basis for various types of equipment. In recent years, this idea has changed noticeably, which has led to the emergence of the concept of unified platforms, originally created as the basis for machines of different classes and types.
BMD-4M at the site. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation / mil.ru
The same trends can be observed in the development of combat and auxiliary vehicles for the airborne troops. A number of modern and promising models for the Airborne Forces are built on the basis of the BMD-4M chassis or with the extensive use of its units. This unification leads to obtaining obvious advantages of a production, operational and combat nature. Naturally, the military and industry are striving to realize the full potential of the idea of a unified chassis.
Several samples of armored vehicles, built on the basis of BMD-4М or using its units, have already been put into service, are produced in a large series and mastered by the troops. Over the next few years, new combat vehicles of other classes and other purposes will join the combat units in them. According to known data, at present, the Airborne Troops Command plans to create up to a dozen different types of equipment based on a single chassis, reconfigured in one way or another. Due to this, it will be possible to close most of the needs of the troops in the new technology.
Initially, the BMD-4M airborne combat vehicle could only be considered as a protected vehicle for fighters capable of supporting them with fire. Now the situation has changed. This model of armored vehicles becomes the base for a number of new combat vehicles for various purposes. After the implementation of all current plans involving the development of nearly a dozen samples on a unified chassis, the BMD-4M can deservedly be considered the basis of the Airborne Forces fleet.
On the materials of the sites:
http://mil.ru/
http://skbm.ru/
http://tplants.com/
http://tass.ru/
http://rg.ru/
http://ria.ru/
http://russianarms.ru/
http://bastion-karpenko.ru/
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.com/
https://bmpd.livejournal.com/