BTR-T from the tank
Heavy armored personnel carrier based tank The T-55 was first shown at the 2nd VTTV-97 exhibition in Omsk. Designing the car taking into account the heavy urban battles of the first Chechen campaign, the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (KBTM) in a fairly short time designed and built a tracked armored personnel carrier, using the outdated T-55 medium tank for this chassis.
It should be noted that the work was carried out on its own initiative, at its own expense. The result was a combat vehicle that was not inferior in terms of overall protection, and in particular, in terms of mine protection, it was superior to the main battle tanks T-80 and T-90. The “tub” of the hull, the engine with the systems and the chassis remained the same. Installation on T-55 more advanced engines with power up to 690 HP and upgrading the undercarriage using lightweight support wheels made of aluminum alloy KBTM KB was carried out on other samples, and the development was not implemented on this product in order not to increase its final cost. The fighting compartment increased the height of the upper part of the tank hull and expanded the fenders. The steel boxes were continued above the shelves to the stern, additional fuel tanks were placed inside them, and the Tucha smoke grenade launchers were mounted on top.
Defensive weapons installed in a rotating turret on the roof of the hull. In fact, the weapons are not in the turret, but above it, the gunner is placed inside the protected compartment of the vehicle. Manages the weapons commander of the machine, located in the tower. For aiming, day, night and anti-aircraft sights are used. Since the “Competition” ATGM complex is transported inside the vehicle, and for firing it is mounted on a bracket outside the tower, the operator needs to lean out of the tower hatch to the waist when aiming. It is possible to use the ATGM separately from the machine, its tripod is transported in packing. A prototype was demonstrated at the Omsk exhibition at different times with various weapon systems. The 30-mm 2-42 cannon and the ATGM or the 12,7-mm Cliff and the ATGM.
The front part of the hull and side are covered with built-in dynamic protection units, which double the structure's durability against cumulative projectiles and ATGM combat units. In terms of steel equivalent, its thickness reaches 600 mm (in perspective - up to 1 m). Dynamic protection, developed at the Moscow Steel Research Institute, does not respond to the entry of conventional and large-caliber bullets, fragments and 30-mm projectiles. When one of the blocks is triggered, detonation is not transmitted to the neighboring ones. Protection against armor-piercing shells increased not so significantly - 1,2 times, but here it is necessary to take into account the tactics of using such vehicles BTR-T - not a tank, to go on the attack, but a highly protected vehicle designed to deliver soldiers to the battlefield. The lower part of the body is covered with anti-cumulative rubber-and-fabric screens, supplemented in the area of the habitable part by steel screens, as on T-80U. The screens also perform the dust suppression function when the car is moving, which is important not only as a masking event, but also to maintain visibility from the inside of the car. The mine resistance of the hull was also increased by additional steel screens on the bottom (at one time, the T-55 and T-62 were modified in a similar way - from the experience of warfare in Afghanistan). The total mass of protection of the BTR-T is approximately equal to the mass of the turret with weapons at the base vehicle, the T-55, so the dynamic characteristics remain the same.
In addition to a crew of two, the BTR-T transports five infantrymen. The possibility of firing on the move for them is not provided, since its usefulness is questionable, which was the reason for refusing it in favor of enhancing protection. By the way, the same way is the modernization of technology in foreign countries. But the fighters have the opportunity to observe the surroundings through six surveillance devices, directed to the sides and back along the course of the car, timely informing the crew about the changing situation. For landing troops inside the machine are two reclining up massive hatch behind the habitable compartment, opening in the direction of the engine compartment (MTO). In the event of an assault landing under fire, they must also provide at least minimal protection from shelling from the front, and from the sides they will cover the box along the fences.
The name of the car "floated" - from the BTR-T to the patrol patrol car DPM and back, the first variant got accustomed. In the current conditions, the price of the “product” is also important, and in this case it was relatively low. T-55 were stored in sufficiently large quantities in warehouses, but their “livestock” was gradually exhausted all the same, either by cutting it into remelting, or by distributing it with a new “ friends ”(for example, apparently, no one was looking for the financial component in the transfer of tanks to the Afghan“ northern alliance ”, from the very beginning it was clear that there was nothing for Afghans to pay for - not in dollars from the sale of drugs, in fact.) Regarding the BTR- T appeared a whole series of Cree Tactical articles in which the authors rightly, in general, pointed out the flaws, they said, the landing was too small, the armament was rather weak. Someone demanded that the roof be protected dynamically, and others, on the contrary, wanted to remove the roof for a better view.
In the meantime, the army in Chechnya continued (and continues) to ride the BMP-1 / 2 and the 70 / -80 BTR, mostly on horseback, as their armor does not save anything from anything. There was no money for the release of at least an experimental batch of machines and their testing in a real situation. The Israelis, whose experience in the KBTM was probably taken into account, are in a state of prolonged armed conflict with the Palestinian population. In urban military operations, heavy tracked armored personnel carriers “Ahtsarit” are widely used, converted from medium-sized T-54 and T-55 tanks captured during previous Arab-Israeli conflicts. According to the Western press, the number of such cars reached almost a thousand! This is not surprising, considering that the first BTR of this type appeared already in 1987. From 44 t. Total weight of the machine more than 14 t. Accounted for protection, and armament consists of one remotely controlled machine gun FN 7,62 М240 (three more can be installed in the simplest mounts at the upper hatches, but you can shoot out of them only leaning at the waist The Detroit Diesel 8V071 TTA engine, in conjunction with the semi-automatic Allison XTG-411-4 transmission, enabled developers to re-build the MTO, providing space for the rear "tunnel" to ensure the safety of leaving the car under fire. However, for unlimited Americans Kie loans which not only naproektiruesh. We somehow have to come from their real possibilities, not wishful thinking to set "Arena" system, thermal imager, more powerful gun, mortar and MANPADS. And who will pay for all this "splendor"?
The BTR-T, remaining in a single copy, was used by the KBTM officers when traveling to the landfill as a super-passable "taxi". During the demonstration of new models of heavy flamethrower systems to the customer’s representatives, the car caught the eye of one of the generals of the chemical defense forces, who, having familiarized himself with the equipment more closely, immediately declared that he wanted the same, only better. Moreover, he managed to “break through” the financing of the new theme, and as a result a BMO-T flamethrower fighting machine appeared on the T-72 chassis. Until now, flamethrowers in battle were forced to move on the BMP, which deciphers as "infantry grave of the infantry", and even the additional stuffing of the "bumblebees" and undermined, guaranteed to destroy all life, not only in the car itself, but around.
The place of the tank tower was occupied by a larger cabin than on the BTR-T, covered in front and sides with built-in dynamic protection units. On the roof, instead of a specially designed turret, a standard commander's hatch with a turret for the 12,7 mm machine gun, used on "seventy doubles", was installed. Screens with elements of dynamic protection (like T-90) now cover the lower part of the case for almost the entire length. The increased height of armored ducts with additional fuel tanks on the futon shelves on the sides of the logistics procurement system increases the safety of leaving the car through the rear hatches. A kind of armored "trench", resulting from the cabin and the sides around the roof of the logistics, allows you to fire "Bumblebees", not dismounting. The sighting range is up to 600 m, and the maximum range up to 1000 m gives advantages in a battle with the defeat of pillboxes or firing points in urban areas. The production of BMO-T, conducted in Omsk, can be called small-scale. A certain interest in the car, which is constrained only by financial constraints, is also shown by the Ground Forces.
It should be noted that the work was carried out on its own initiative, at its own expense. The result was a combat vehicle that was not inferior in terms of overall protection, and in particular, in terms of mine protection, it was superior to the main battle tanks T-80 and T-90. The “tub” of the hull, the engine with the systems and the chassis remained the same. Installation on T-55 more advanced engines with power up to 690 HP and upgrading the undercarriage using lightweight support wheels made of aluminum alloy KBTM KB was carried out on other samples, and the development was not implemented on this product in order not to increase its final cost. The fighting compartment increased the height of the upper part of the tank hull and expanded the fenders. The steel boxes were continued above the shelves to the stern, additional fuel tanks were placed inside them, and the Tucha smoke grenade launchers were mounted on top.
Defensive weapons installed in a rotating turret on the roof of the hull. In fact, the weapons are not in the turret, but above it, the gunner is placed inside the protected compartment of the vehicle. Manages the weapons commander of the machine, located in the tower. For aiming, day, night and anti-aircraft sights are used. Since the “Competition” ATGM complex is transported inside the vehicle, and for firing it is mounted on a bracket outside the tower, the operator needs to lean out of the tower hatch to the waist when aiming. It is possible to use the ATGM separately from the machine, its tripod is transported in packing. A prototype was demonstrated at the Omsk exhibition at different times with various weapon systems. The 30-mm 2-42 cannon and the ATGM or the 12,7-mm Cliff and the ATGM.
The front part of the hull and side are covered with built-in dynamic protection units, which double the structure's durability against cumulative projectiles and ATGM combat units. In terms of steel equivalent, its thickness reaches 600 mm (in perspective - up to 1 m). Dynamic protection, developed at the Moscow Steel Research Institute, does not respond to the entry of conventional and large-caliber bullets, fragments and 30-mm projectiles. When one of the blocks is triggered, detonation is not transmitted to the neighboring ones. Protection against armor-piercing shells increased not so significantly - 1,2 times, but here it is necessary to take into account the tactics of using such vehicles BTR-T - not a tank, to go on the attack, but a highly protected vehicle designed to deliver soldiers to the battlefield. The lower part of the body is covered with anti-cumulative rubber-and-fabric screens, supplemented in the area of the habitable part by steel screens, as on T-80U. The screens also perform the dust suppression function when the car is moving, which is important not only as a masking event, but also to maintain visibility from the inside of the car. The mine resistance of the hull was also increased by additional steel screens on the bottom (at one time, the T-55 and T-62 were modified in a similar way - from the experience of warfare in Afghanistan). The total mass of protection of the BTR-T is approximately equal to the mass of the turret with weapons at the base vehicle, the T-55, so the dynamic characteristics remain the same.
In addition to a crew of two, the BTR-T transports five infantrymen. The possibility of firing on the move for them is not provided, since its usefulness is questionable, which was the reason for refusing it in favor of enhancing protection. By the way, the same way is the modernization of technology in foreign countries. But the fighters have the opportunity to observe the surroundings through six surveillance devices, directed to the sides and back along the course of the car, timely informing the crew about the changing situation. For landing troops inside the machine are two reclining up massive hatch behind the habitable compartment, opening in the direction of the engine compartment (MTO). In the event of an assault landing under fire, they must also provide at least minimal protection from shelling from the front, and from the sides they will cover the box along the fences.
The name of the car "floated" - from the BTR-T to the patrol patrol car DPM and back, the first variant got accustomed. In the current conditions, the price of the “product” is also important, and in this case it was relatively low. T-55 were stored in sufficiently large quantities in warehouses, but their “livestock” was gradually exhausted all the same, either by cutting it into remelting, or by distributing it with a new “ friends ”(for example, apparently, no one was looking for the financial component in the transfer of tanks to the Afghan“ northern alliance ”, from the very beginning it was clear that there was nothing for Afghans to pay for - not in dollars from the sale of drugs, in fact.) Regarding the BTR- T appeared a whole series of Cree Tactical articles in which the authors rightly, in general, pointed out the flaws, they said, the landing was too small, the armament was rather weak. Someone demanded that the roof be protected dynamically, and others, on the contrary, wanted to remove the roof for a better view.
In the meantime, the army in Chechnya continued (and continues) to ride the BMP-1 / 2 and the 70 / -80 BTR, mostly on horseback, as their armor does not save anything from anything. There was no money for the release of at least an experimental batch of machines and their testing in a real situation. The Israelis, whose experience in the KBTM was probably taken into account, are in a state of prolonged armed conflict with the Palestinian population. In urban military operations, heavy tracked armored personnel carriers “Ahtsarit” are widely used, converted from medium-sized T-54 and T-55 tanks captured during previous Arab-Israeli conflicts. According to the Western press, the number of such cars reached almost a thousand! This is not surprising, considering that the first BTR of this type appeared already in 1987. From 44 t. Total weight of the machine more than 14 t. Accounted for protection, and armament consists of one remotely controlled machine gun FN 7,62 М240 (three more can be installed in the simplest mounts at the upper hatches, but you can shoot out of them only leaning at the waist The Detroit Diesel 8V071 TTA engine, in conjunction with the semi-automatic Allison XTG-411-4 transmission, enabled developers to re-build the MTO, providing space for the rear "tunnel" to ensure the safety of leaving the car under fire. However, for unlimited Americans Kie loans which not only naproektiruesh. We somehow have to come from their real possibilities, not wishful thinking to set "Arena" system, thermal imager, more powerful gun, mortar and MANPADS. And who will pay for all this "splendor"?
The BTR-T, remaining in a single copy, was used by the KBTM officers when traveling to the landfill as a super-passable "taxi". During the demonstration of new models of heavy flamethrower systems to the customer’s representatives, the car caught the eye of one of the generals of the chemical defense forces, who, having familiarized himself with the equipment more closely, immediately declared that he wanted the same, only better. Moreover, he managed to “break through” the financing of the new theme, and as a result a BMO-T flamethrower fighting machine appeared on the T-72 chassis. Until now, flamethrowers in battle were forced to move on the BMP, which deciphers as "infantry grave of the infantry", and even the additional stuffing of the "bumblebees" and undermined, guaranteed to destroy all life, not only in the car itself, but around.
The place of the tank tower was occupied by a larger cabin than on the BTR-T, covered in front and sides with built-in dynamic protection units. On the roof, instead of a specially designed turret, a standard commander's hatch with a turret for the 12,7 mm machine gun, used on "seventy doubles", was installed. Screens with elements of dynamic protection (like T-90) now cover the lower part of the case for almost the entire length. The increased height of armored ducts with additional fuel tanks on the futon shelves on the sides of the logistics procurement system increases the safety of leaving the car through the rear hatches. A kind of armored "trench", resulting from the cabin and the sides around the roof of the logistics, allows you to fire "Bumblebees", not dismounting. The sighting range is up to 600 m, and the maximum range up to 1000 m gives advantages in a battle with the defeat of pillboxes or firing points in urban areas. The production of BMO-T, conducted in Omsk, can be called small-scale. A certain interest in the car, which is constrained only by financial constraints, is also shown by the Ground Forces.
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