Failure or prospects? BTR “Otaman-3” (Ukraine)
Advanced development?
The lead developer of the Otaman-3 project (Ataman-3) was the NPO Praktika itself. Also, several other enterprises from the Ukroboronprom concern took part in the work. As suppliers of components, foreign plants from Germany and the USA were involved in the project.
A new version of Ataman was created in accordance with the technical specifications of the Ukrainian Marine Corps and therefore has a number of characteristic features. At the same time, the machine retains some of the features of previous developments of the same name presented in the recent past.
The Otaman-3 design uses all the basic ideas and solutions specific to modern armored personnel carriers and special wheeled chassis as a whole. This should provide the performance characteristics of the required level. Also introduced some advanced components designed to give new opportunities and advantages.
The Practice Guide states that, to date, Otaman-3 is a complete and complete sample. It can be brought to the state tests, according to the results of which a decision can be made on adopting and ordering a series.
Technical features
Like the previous Atamans, the new model is an armored fighting vehicle with a three-axle chassis and water-jet propulsion. On the chassis can be mounted combat modules of various types. The presented prototype was equipped with the Ukrainian-made BM-7 Sail product.
Otaman-3 has an armored body with a front-mounted control compartment and engine compartment. The central and aft are given for landing. Declared enclosure protection meets 3 level of STANAG 4569 standard (resistance to armor-piercing bullets of cartridge 7,62x51 mm). It is possible to mount ceramic modules that increase protection to the 4 level (resistance to 14,5-mm bullets). Mine protection - up to 8 kg TNT.
In the engine compartment is a German Deutz TCD 2015 V6 diesel engine with a volume of 11,9 l and 550 horsepower. The transmission is built using a six-speed Allison 4500SP-P automatic transmission. The transmission provides the 6X6 wheel arrangement. An independent suspension developed by one of the American companies was used. In the aft part of the hull there are two water-jet propulsors for working on water.
The crew of the armored vehicle is placed in the bow of the control and in the troop compartment. An interesting innovation of the project is the use of a "transparent cabin" from the company Limpid. The armored personnel carriers were equipped with a set of external video cameras, the signal from which is processed and issued on the screens of the helmet of the driver or commander. This ensures a circular overview of the space around the armored car.
The Otaman-3 project proposes the use of a chassis as the basis for armored vehicles for various purposes. The exhibition model was built in the configuration of an armored personnel carrier for transporting infantry. Its landing squad holds 10 seats for fighters with landing through the aft ramp. The BM-7 combat module with the 30-mm automatic cannon, machine gun and Barrier anti-tank missiles was installed on the roof.
It is also proposed the construction of fire support vehicles, self-propelled guns or mortars, command post or repair and recovery equipment. The development of new samples contributes to the increased margin of safety of the chassis. The load on one axis can reach 9 tons. The maximum combat weight is 27 tons. The chassis can carry a payload or target equipment weighing up to 7 tons.
It is argued that high performance characteristics are achieved without unacceptable cost increases. The presented armored personnel carrier is comparable in price to the serial BTR-4. Moreover, more accurate figures have not yet been called.
Sample perspective
It is alleged that the Otaman-3 armored personnel carrier is ready for testing. Confirming his characteristics, he will be able to go into the series and enter the troops. Equipment with declared capabilities and characteristics would be useful for the Ukrainian army and could increase its combat effectiveness. However, there are serious reasons for doubt about the ability of the new armored vehicle to justify the expectations.
In the presented form, the Ataman armored personnel carrier looks quite interesting and has a number of obvious positive features. The project is based on proven and tested ideas. In fact, the Otaman-3 is a typical modern wheeled armored personnel carrier with all the characteristic features. The layout was used traditional for such a technique with a stern airborne compartment, the armored hull was reinforced to protect against shelling and mines, and different combat modules could be installed on the roof.
An important advantage of the Ataman is the high strength of the chassis, which makes it possible to build various military and auxiliary vehicles. However, almost all modern wheeled armored personnel carriers have similar capabilities.
Of particular interest is the introduction of a "transparent cabin." Similar systems have already been developed in several countries, but so far remain at the stage of testing and implementation in real projects. Among the few developers of technology with such capabilities, Ukraine suddenly appears.
However, the project is not without flaws and may face serious problems. So, during the construction of the experimental Otaman-3, components and assemblies of foreign production were widely used. The power plant, transmission and chassis are based on imported products. This increases the cost of the finished sample, and also leads to dependence on foreign deliveries.
The remaining components of the armored car also raise questions. In particular, it is known that Ukraine is experiencing difficulties with the production of armor and various systems for military equipment. These difficulties can be solved by import, which, however, complicates and increases the cost of production. Whether the new Ataman will succeed in not encountering such problems is not clear.
The state of the Ukrainian military industry casts doubt on its ability to produce new armored personnel carriers and equipment on their basis in sufficient quantities. A number of Ukrainian projects in recent years have been limited to the assembly of prototypes, after which the work stopped. This was facilitated by the poor state of enterprises, limited customer capabilities and other characteristic factors.
It is alleged that Otaman-3 is approximately equal in value to the serial BTR-4. However, significant differences in design, the widespread use of imported components and other factors can lead to a sharp increase in the cost of a real sample.
The high price can scare away the customer, which can be considered only the armed forces of Ukraine. The APU is chronically short of funding - the purchase of all necessary samples in the desired quantities is not possible. Production difficulties may block Otamanu-3's road to the international market.
Reasons for pessimism
The Otaman-3 project is of particular interest from the point of view of technology and applied ideas. Designers of NPO Praktika were able to collect all relevant solutions and make an interesting example of wheeled armored vehicles on their basis. Production capabilities allowed us to collect a new prototype, demonstrating all the positive aspects of the project.
However, there seems to be no significant future for the new project. The main customer is unlikely to be able to order noticeable quantities of new equipment, and the ability of contractors to complete a large order is in doubt. It is very likely that the current exhibition will be the main achievement of the Otaman-3 project, and it will not advance further.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Bmpd.livejournal.com, Autocentre.ua
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