BMP-M2 CZ: Czech version of the modernization of the BMP-1
According to official information, the car shown at the exhibition was made on the basis of the BMP BVP-1 (the licensed version of the BMP-1). Nevertheless, the similarity of the structures will probably allow the various modifications of both the BMP-2 and the BMP-1 to the BMP-M2 CZ state. Due to this, the proposed project may be of interest to a large number of states whose armies use Soviet or licensed infantry fighting vehicles. The aim of the project was to improve the performance of the machine by increasing the level of protection and increasing firepower. In addition, the installation of new electronic systems.
The BMP-M2 CZ project provides for the modernization of the base armored vehicle, so when it was created, the designers of Excalibur Army tried to improve the design without major changes. However, to improve performance and capabilities, they were forced to make adjustments to the design of the armored hull. The main changes in the hull design are related to the reconfiguration of the troop compartment in its aft part. For greater convenience of placing paratroopers, the roof of the troop compartment was raised to 500 mm. Because of this, the upper front part of the hull was extended, which now almost reaches the shoulder strap of the tower. Improvement of anti-bullet protection is carried out with the help of additional booking modules installed on top of the case. To protect against the explosion of mines on the bottom, it is proposed to install an additional booking module.
The applied hull changes and optional booking modules provide protection that is compliant with the 3 standard of the NATO STANAG 4569 standard. This means that the body of the BMP-M2 CZ is protected from shelling using 7,62x51 mm NATO armor-piercing cartridges. The level of mine protection below: the machine must withstand the undermining of 6 kg of TNT under the tracks (level 2a) or 300 g under the bottom (level 1).
The layout of the internal volume of the body as a whole has remained the same. In the front right side of the hull, the engine compartment remains, to the left of which are the jobs of the driver and commander of the vehicle. Behind them there is a large troop compartment with six seats for paratroopers and a workplace for the gunner. It is proposed to attach all the seats of the crew and the assault force to the sides in order to reduce the impact of the blast wave when the mines are exploded under a track or bottom.
The driver can use his own hatch in the roof of the car to get into the car. He should observe the situation with the help of several viewing instruments. The commander also has his own hatch with viewing devices. The troop compartment and the command compartment are not separated, so that if necessary, the driver and the commander can leave the car through the stern hatches of the landing force. The entrance to the troop compartment is proposed to be carried out through two stern hatches with ramps. Instead of swinging doors with fuel tanks, as on basic machines, the BMP-M2 CZ project involves the use of lowered ramps installed in openings of increased height.
The BMP-M2 CZ is a deep modernization of the BMP-1. Perhaps for this reason, the engineers at Excalibur Army decided to equip it weaponssimilar to that used on the BMP-2 armored vehicle. The BMP-M2 CZ carries a turret with an 30-mm automatic cannon and a twin machine gun of the 7,62 caliber. In addition, there is a launcher for anti-tank guided missiles. All the weapons of the upgraded BMP are mounted on a remote-controlled uninhabited tower. Tower systems provide circular guidance in the horizontal plane. Vertical guidance ranges from -10 ° to + 60 °.
The tower is equipped with a camera and a thermal imager for searching for targets and pointing weapons. It is argued that such opto-electronic systems allow the use of both barreled and rocket weapons. In addition, they provide surveillance of the battlefield.
The first reports of the BMP-M2 CZ project appeared in 2012 year, but the main characteristics of the upgraded infantry fighting vehicle have not yet been announced. Probably, after the upgrade, the machine was noticeably heavier, which affected its mobility. At the same time, it was possible to slightly increase the level of protection, the firepower almost did not change (in comparison with the BMP-2 and its modifications), but the working conditions of the crew should improve.
Excalibur Army claims that the BMP-M2 CZ project is a modular design. During the modernization, the infantry fighting vehicle of the old model is updated to the state of BMP-M2 CZ, and at the request of the customer can receive a set of additional equipment. Thus, it is possible to use additional booking modules corresponding to 4 to STANAG 4569 (armor-piercing bullets of the 14,5x114 mm cartridge), as well as to mine protection 3a + (450 g of trotyl under the bottom). Installation of anti-cumulative grids is also provided.
The optional equipment also includes a video surveillance system, modern communication equipment, including for interaction with infantry, updated aiming devices, etc.
The BMP-M2 CZ project, although it is of some interest, still risks becoming another upgrade option for obsolete armored vehicles that did not interest potential customers. It is worth noting that, in theory, the modernization projects of the BMP-1 and BMP-2 armored vehicles are quite a profitable undertaking, since a total of several tens of thousands of units of such equipment were built. In this regard, many organizations are trying to create their own options for updating and improving old equipment, but not all such projects find their customers. Time will show how successful the BMP-M2 CZ project will be. The first prototype of this car was shown a few weeks ago and now potential customers are likely to decide whether they need BMPs, upgraded in this way.
On the materials of the sites:
http://army-guide.com/
http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/
http://excaliburarmy.com/
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