Manul platform: development continues
In recent years, the Russian defense industry has created a number of modernization projects for the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. One of the latest developments of this kind was called "Manul" and was presented in 2020. Work on this project is ongoing, and new details have recently become known.
Plans for the future
On August 12, the TASS agency published an interview with Pyotr Tyukov, Executive Director of Kurganmashzavod PJSC (High-precision Complexes holding from Rostec). The head of the enterprise spoke about the current projects of infantry fighting vehicles and other armored vehicles. Together with other developments, they also remembered the promising project "Manul".
According to P. Tyukov, development work with the Manul cipher continues. At the same time, the development of such an armored vehicle is now taking into account the updated terms of reference from the Ministry of Defense. The requirements for the combat vehicle have been adjusted taking into account the experience of military operations in Ukraine, and now all this is taken into account in the development of the project.
According to current estimates, the completion of the project, the construction and testing of experimental equipment, etc. it takes about three more years. After that, Kurganmashzavod will be able to start mass production of Manuls for delivery to the troops.
Last year, at the Army-2021 forum, it was reported that Manul would become a universal platform for accommodating various modules, complexes and loads. P. Tyukov said that such plans remain in force. It is planned to build a wide range of military equipment on the BMP chassis - from air defense systems and cannon artillery to special vehicles and MLRS.
The head of Kurganmashzavod notes the keenest interest in the Manul project from foreign customers. Its appearance was facilitated by the successful concept of this machine, which reflects modern trends in the development of armored vehicles. Potential buyers are attracted by the modular design, the front engine compartment and the landing through the aft ramp.
There is no talk about interest from our Ministry of Defense yet. However, its presence is indicated by a recent update of the terms of reference. Probably, new details will appear in the foreseeable future.
Perspective development
The Manul project provides for a deep modernization of the BMP-3 using modern solutions and components. The purpose of this update is to obtain new technical capabilities and turn the existing machine into a universal platform. The project is being developed by the Special Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering from the Kurganmashzavod. Work started at the end of the 2020s, and the first exhibition model was already presented at the Army-XNUMX forum.
The main idea of the Manul project is to change the layout of the combat vehicle. The original hull of the BMP-3 was redesigned, which made it possible to move the engine compartment to the forward compartment. At the same time, volumes in the stern of the machine were released, which can be more efficiently used to accommodate troops or special equipment.
The new MTO houses a UTD-32 diesel engine with a power of 660 hp. The transmission has not undergone fundamental changes. It is planned to install an information management system that monitors the operation of the units, identifies problems and even issues recommendations for their elimination. Tracked undercarriage with torsion bar suspension as a whole remained the same. As a result of all the improvements, the mobility and patency of the Manul on land increased in comparison with the BMP-3. We also managed to save the possibility of swimming.
The Manul infantry fighting vehicle still has aluminum spaced armor with protection against 30-mm projectiles when fired from the front corners and all-round anti-bullet / anti-fragmentation protection. At the same time, the project provides for the installation of side screens to enhance the protection of the lateral projection of the hull and chassis.
In the BMP configuration, the new Manul is more spacious. In the bow of the hull, three places for the crew are saved. The new aft troop compartment can accommodate eight people. Access to the aft compartment is provided by a folding ramp with an emergency door.
Combat loads
In 2020, the exhibition Manul was demonstrated with the Epoch combat module. This product carries a 30 mm automatic cannon and a 7,62 mm machine gun, as well as guided missiles. The module is completely placed outside the case and does not occupy internal volumes. The control is carried out remotely from the operator's workplace.
At the Army-2021 forum, the new BMP was again shown in this configuration. At the same time, it was reported that in the future, "Manul" will be able to receive other payloads. An approximate list of such equipment was recently revealed, and even this information shows the high potential of the platform.
So, new combat vehicles can be created by installing certain modules / compartments on the Manul. In this way, it is possible to manufacture infantry fighting vehicles with improved combat characteristics, as well as functional analogues of Sprut-SD, Nona-S or Lotos self-propelled guns. The creation of such projects will be facilitated by a significant internal volume of the hull and the absence of serious layout restrictions. Large internal compartments also allow you to create command and staff and ambulances, RCB reconnaissance vehicles, etc.
Middle platform
At first glance, "Manul" is just a variant of the modernization of the BMP-3 - one of many presented. However, this project is based on a bolder and more interesting idea. This time, not just a restructuring of the existing model, but the creation of a full-fledged unified middle-class platform is conceived. At the same time, such a platform is as similar as possible to the existing widespread model of armored vehicles.
This concept allows you to get all the pluses and benefits that are characteristic of unified platforms. At the same time, Manul is based on available units borrowed from a serial machine. This greatly simplifies and speeds up the development of both the platform and samples based on it. In addition, all the obvious operational benefits are provided.
In fact, "Manul" gives the customer the opportunity to get all the benefits of a unified platform of a modern look, but save money and avoid unnecessary technical risk. A platform of this kind can be a successful transitional stage between existing samples and promising families.
Of particular interest is the technical appearance of the proposed platform. Due to new components and solutions, Manul surpasses the original BMP-3 in a number of key parameters. Such a technical reserve can be used in almost all projects of specific combat vehicles. In addition, now the development of a new platform is carried out according to updated requirements, adjusted to reflect the latest experience. The positive results of such processes are obvious.
Great promise
Thus, one of the most interesting exhibits of the last year's forum "Army" did not remain an exclusively exhibition model and is being developed. Kurganmashzavod continues to develop the Manul platform, and all the accumulated experience is used in these processes, incl. received in recent months. The need for some changes to an existing project may adversely affect the timing of the work, but the expected results will fully justify such an expectation.
Over the next three years, the industry plans to complete the development of the updated Manul and equipment based on such a platform. Also in these terms will establish mass production. Whether it will be launched in the interests of the Russian army or foreign customers is not yet known. However, the Manul project has every chance to go beyond the exhibition sites and test sites.
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