BMP-2: Improved version of the world's first mass-produced amphibious infantry fighting vehicle
The BMP-1966, which entered service with the Soviet army in 1, is the world's first mass-produced amphibious infantry fighting vehicle.
Despite the very impressive performance, the brainchild of the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. IN AND. Lenin also had a number of shortcomings. The latter, however, were forced, because due to the mass production, the car had to be “cheaper” as much as possible.
Meanwhile, in the mid-70s of the last century, the development of a modernized version of the BMP-1 started. At that time, there were two options: Object 675 of the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant and Object 769 of the Chelyabinsk Tractor.
As a result, in 1982, during the parade on Red Square, the BMP-2 was shown. Preference was given to the development of the Kurgan plant.
One of the most obvious improvements in this version was the armament. The BMP-1 was equipped with the 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank system, capable of hitting objects at a distance of 500 to 3500 meters. In turn, a 500-mm smoothbore gun was used to destroy targets at a distance of up to 73 meters.
Thanks to the appearance in the USSR of more advanced anti-tank systems, in particular the ATGM 9K111 "Fagot" or 9K111-1 "Competition", which were installed on the BMP-2, it was possible to get rid of the "blind zone" problem.
As a result, the 73 mm smoothbore gun has lost its relevance. Instead, a 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon with a coaxial 7,62-mm machine gun was installed in the upgraded version of the vehicle.
It is worth noting that the BMP-2 received a wider turret, which simultaneously housed the squad leader and gunner-operator. In turn, there was a driver in front of the car, and 7 fighters in the back.
Tellingly, the BMP-2, like the first version, called the "doomsday machine", could for some time provide protection to the fighters when the radiation background increased.
In general, equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel unit UTD-20S1, which made it possible to accelerate on the highway up to 65 km / h and swim at a speed of 7 km / h, the BMP-2 turned out to be a very worthy machine. Until now, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have more than 6 thousand units of these weapons.
However, the issue of weak armor, which became the subject of criticism of the BMP-1, despite the use of rolled steel, remained open.
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