The BTR-90 armored personnel carrier was commissioned by the Ministry of Defense and is a joint invention of the serial car department of the management of design and experimental works of GAZ OJSC and the Arzamas engineering plant. This vehicle has roots that grow from the well-proven 8-myco-series BTR (60, 70, 80) series. On this basis, the BTR-90 scheme did not change much. The layout of the armored personnel carrier includes the engine with 2-mea jet propulsion at the rear of the combat vehicle, the wheel formula 8х8, an extensive troop compartment.
Features of the BTR-90 are in its armament, similar to the BMP-2. The tower carries ATGM "Competition", grenade launcher AG-17; 7,62 mm PKT machine gun and, of course, 30 mm 2A42 automatic gun. The increase in combat capabilities of the BTR-90 allowed him to fight tanks at distances of up to 4 km, effectively counteract aircraft and light armored vehicles at a distance of up to 2,5 km. It is worth noting that a promising armored personnel carrier platform (carrying capacity - 7 tons) could well be used to create a transportable combat vehicle with a 120-mm tank gun, a mobile air defense system or anti-tank system on its basis.
BTR-90 is endowed with a unique transmission, which increases its maneuverability. In addition to moving on the ground, the combat vehicle is able to sail, moving over the water surface, or in a storm up to 3 points.
By the development of the chassis BTR-90 approached with great care. Against the backdrop of a powerful 510-powerful, multi-fuel turbocharged diesel engine, the awesome mobility doesn't seem so fantastic. The universal torsion bar suspension on the transverse levers due to the large travel, wide-profile tires with a system of centralized air pressure regulation and energy-intensive telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers gives the armored personnel carrier the opportunity to drive more than 50 km / h - on difficult terrain and at a speed of 100 km / h on the highway. The machine is able to move in case of penetration of 4-x wheels.
On the BTR-90 used universal transmission design. The forces from the engine in the hydromechanical gearbox are transferred, through a differential system, to the 2 parallel flow along the sides of the armored personnel carrier. Due to the hydrostatic transmission, the required difference in rotational speeds of the four front steer wheels along the sides is ensured, which leads to the rotation of the car.
Despite the relatively large weight (around 21 t), the machine can overcome water obstacles without preliminary preparation thanks to the installation of two jet propulsion units. As tests have shown in the sea, with an excitement of up to three points, the machine is able to float, as well as confidently enter the landing ship from the water and get out of it.
The BTR-90 is the first of the armored personnel carriers that can be equipped with an on-board information and control system (BIUS), which allows for efficient automated control of the transmission and engine, monitoring and diagnostics of vital machine systems.
The double combat compartment serves as a shelter for the commander and gunner operator. It is stabilized in the 2-x planes. Thus, the BTR is able to fire in motion, regardless of the terrain.
The machine has a day commander's sight 1П-13, as well as a combined sight BPCZ-42 operator. At the request of the customer, the gunner’s sighting equipment can be replaced with a BOD-M sight with a thermal imager of the French company SAT.
Not without attention were issues of ensuring the protection of the crew. BTR-90 is equipped with a complex of collective protection against weapons mass destruction. The BTR mounted the collective defense systems of the assault force (10 people) from the shock wave and the effects of radiation, from the penetration of bacterial agents, radioactive dust, poisons during the use of the BTR in the contaminated area. Naturally, the crew is safe from the fragments of shells and bullets of large-caliber machine guns. In case of emergency, the machine can be equipped with additional armor, including elements of reactive armor and passive protection.