BVP-M2 SKCZ Šakal: infantry fighting vehicle with an ambiguous future
In the early seventies, Czechoslovakia received a license to manufacture infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1. In the eighties, Czech specialists mastered the production of another Soviet design, the BMP-2. Copies of Soviet cars still form the basis of the fleet of armored vehicles of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. At the same time, both countries urgently need to replace existing BMPs due to their physical and moral obsolescence. Machinery with a developed resource should be written off over the next few years, but the armies of the two countries do not yet have a clear plan for replacing it. Slovakia, according to some data, intends to abandon tracked infantry fighting vehicles and buy wheeled vehicles of similar purpose abroad, and the Czech Republic, in turn, creates new projects based on well-developed production.
Last spring at the IDET-2013 exhibition in Brno, the prototype of the infantry combat vehicle BVP-M2 SKCZ Šakal (“Jackal”) was first shown. The project, developed by the Czech company Excalibur Army in cooperation with Slovak companies EVPU and VOP Trenin, offers a number of measures aimed at improving the performance of outdated equipment. According to various sources, according to the BVP-M2 SKCZ project, new armored vehicles can be built, as well as the repair and re-equipment of old vehicles is possible. It is argued that the ideas used in the project can significantly increase the capabilities of infantry fighting vehicles.
Although the BVP-M2 SKCZ BMP was developed on the basis of Soviet combat vehicles, the developers claim that it retained the minimum number of components and assemblies of the base technology. According to the authors of the project, the promising BMP "Shakal" took over from the BMP-1 and BMP-2 only some elements of the undercarriage and the 30-mm automatic cannon. All other machine units are either entirely new developments, or are heavily reworked elements of the basic technology. At the same time, it is stated that during the modernization and alteration of the BMP-1 or BMP-2 in the BVP-M2 SKCZ, up to 50-60% of components and assemblies are retained.
Improvements basic armored vehicles led to a noticeable change in size and weight. The total length of the BVP-M2 SKCZ reaches 7 meters, the width is equal to 3,2 m, the height is 2,9 m. For comparison, the similar parameters of the BMP-1 should be given: the length of 6,73 m, the width of 2,94 m and height around 2 m. The increase in size and numerous design changes affected on the combat weight of the car. BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ weighs about 18 tons.
When developing a new project on the basis of the old, the armored case of the machine has undergone the greatest changes. For more convenient crew accommodation and assault forces, Czech designers have increased the overall height of the hull by 270 mm. This affected the overall dimensions of the infantry fighting vehicle, but it made it possible to improve the conditions for the deployment of fighters in the troop compartment. Due to such a refinement of the hull, we had to change the shape and size of the upper front part of the body. It, as well as on Soviet armored vehicles, is located at a large angle to the vertical, but has a greater length and reaches the roof of the troop compartment.
In addition to changing the shape of the body receives additional booking sheets that increase the level of protection against small weapons and explosive devices. According to the developers, the body of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ in the basic version corresponds to the 3 level of the NATO standard STANAG 4569 and is able to withstand a hit of the 7,62-mm armor-piercing bullet rifle cartridge. The ballistic protection of the machine can be enhanced with the help of additional modules providing the 4 level of protection. In this case, the crew and units of the machine are protected from the bullets of the cartridge 14,5x114 mm. At the request of the customer, the machine can be equipped with anti-cummer grilles.
Reinforced bottom of the hull allows you to protect the crew from undermining 6 kg of TNT under the caterpillar or 300 g under the bottom. To avoid injuries and to reduce the impact of the shock wave on the crew, the upgraded BMP is equipped with special seats that absorb part of the energy of the explosion.
The overall layout of the internal hull volumes of the updated infantry fighting vehicle remained the same, but the layout of some units has changed. In addition, part of the equipment available on the base machines was removed for various reasons. The engine compartment still occupies the front of the hull with a shift to the starboard side.
The Caterpillar C9.3 diesel engine with 300 kW power (about 405 hp) is used as the power plant in the new project. For comparison, the BMP-2 cars were equipped with UTD-20C1 engines with the HP 300 power. or 221 kW. The engine of greater power is proposed to use to compensate for the increased mass of the machine. The power density of the upgraded BMP exceeded the 22 HP per ton, which allowed us to maintain acceptable performance. The maximum speed of the car on the highway reaches 70 km / h, power reserve - 550 km.
BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ retained the design of the chassis, used on the basic technique of the Soviet design. It has six track rollers on each side. Independent torsion bar suspension. The first, second and sixth rollers on each side, apparently, retained hydraulic shock absorbers. It should be noted that the new Czech BMP, in contrast to the basic machines, does not have hydrodynamic grids in the rear of the hull. Probably due to the relatively large combat mass, the Jackal does not have the ability to cross water barriers by swimming.
To the left of the engine and transmission there is a relatively narrow control compartment with the workplace of the driver. Behind his seat is the workplace of the commander of the machine. The middle and aft part of the habitable volume is allocated for the placement of troops with weapons. In the troop compartment there are six seats for the fighters and one for the weapon operator.
The workplace of the driver is equipped with its own sunroof and periscope observation devices for driving in a combat situation. In the existing photos it is clear that the control post of the BMP Šakal was made “in fashion” of the last years. The dashboard is equipped with two dial gauges and a multifunctional color display. Sidebar has color indicators. The machine is controlled by a compact steering wheel.
The places of the commander and gunner-operator are located under the combat module and therefore are not equipped with periscopic observation devices or hatches. To monitor the situation, the commander and the gunner must use the video systems installed on the tower. Jobs commander and gunner in general are similar. They are equipped with LCD displays and control panels for weapons and on-board systems. Joysticks are used as one of the system controls on the consoles. The workplace of the commander is equipped with one such control knob, the gunner - two. Apparently, one of them is responsible for surveillance devices, and the other is used to control armaments.
In the troop compartment has six landing chairs, mounted on the sides of the hull. The fighters are placed in three at each side, facing each other. For the convenience of planting and leaving the car seats are made of folding seats. Safety assault provided four point belts.
Czech and Slovak engineers decided not only to change the layout of the troop compartment, but also to use the new aft door. Instead of two swing doors with built-in fuel tanks, used on Soviet-made BMPs, the Czech-Slovak machine BVP-M2 SKCZ has one large hatch, which is closed with a hydraulic ramp lowered. In the middle of the ramp there is a door that can be used in case of hydraulic failure. If necessary, the landing can use two large hatches in the roof of the hull.
The demonstration model of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ was equipped with a remote-controlled combat module with receiver armament Turra-30, developed by Slovak experts. The use of a remote-controlled combat module is said to increase the level of protection for the crew, “hiding” it inside the armored hull, as well as to ensure acceptable performance of the weapon system. In addition, the absence of under-turret units made it possible to save space inside the troop compartment.
Turra-30 tower has a characteristic shape formed by the docked armor plates. In the middle of the tower is a swinging installation with attachments for the gun and coaxial machine gun. To the right of the gun and in the stern there is a place for some units, probably for boxes of ammunition. In the characteristic notch on the left side of the turret there is a swinging block of aiming equipment. Judging by its appearance, the crew can use a television camera, a thermal imager and a laser range finder for pointing weapons. To monitor the situation using similar equipment, placed in a spherical casing on the roof of the combat module. In the lower frontal part of the tower there are eight smoke grenade launchers.
The main weapon of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ is the 2А42 automatic gun of the 30 mm caliber, which was previously installed on the BMP-2 vehicles. 7,62-mm PKT machine gun is paired with the gun. Barrier armament combat module uses tape power. Ammunition unknown. It is proposed to install two transport-launch containers with anti-tank missiles 30М9 “Competition” of Soviet / Russian production or with Israeli Spike on the sides of the Turra-113 turret. Depending on the wishes of the customer, the armored vehicle is completed with the appropriate control equipment.
It is alleged that, at the request of the customer, the Turra-30 combat module can carry not only the 2А42 cannon, but also other weapons of a similar class, such as the Bushmaster II 44 caliber Mk30 gun. In addition, it is possible to use large-caliber machine guns of various models. Instead of the Slovak Turra-30 turret, the BVP-M2 SKCZ BMP can carry other combat modules with the appropriate equipment and weapons.
Shortly after the first demonstration, the new BVP-M2 SKCZ Šakal infantry fighting vehicle went to the test. It is noteworthy that even before the start of the tests, some Czech and Slovak military and experts expressed distrust of the new car. They appealed to the fact that the Jackal is a deep, but still a modernization of the outdated BMP-2 or its Czechoslovak version of BVP-2. Thus, the newest project will not allow the armies of the two countries to be equipped with modern equipment capable of remaining in service for the next few decades.
Tests of a prototype of a promising machine showed its advantages, and also made it possible to identify shortcomings. The Czech press reports that the military was unhappy with the new development. They were not satisfied with the composition of armaments, which did not fully meet modern requirements, as well as the weak mine protection. In this regard, without additional modifications BMP Šakal can not be adopted. An interesting fact is that domestic editions reprinted news about the processes around the new Czech BMP with an error. For some reason, the BVP-M2 SKCZ was named the BVP-M2 SRCZ. However, this error did not affect the veracity of the news.
According to reports, the main customer of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ is the Czech Republic. The Slovak military is currently seriously considering the possibility of completely discarding existing Soviet-made infantry fighting vehicles and replacing them with modern foreign-made wheeled armored vehicles.
The Czech Ministry of Defense, in turn, intends to continue the operation of wheeled infantry fighting vehicles in the future. Earlier it was reported that the Czech military is ready to acquire at least hundreds of new BMPs worth about 6,5 billion crowns (more than 300 million US dollars). The test results of the BMP affected the opinion of Czech commanders. A number of sources claim that the Czech Defense Ministry has almost completely lost interest in domestic armored vehicle modernization projects and is now eyeing the Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicle.
According to recent reports, the fate of the BVP-M2 SKCZ project is completely dependent on its creators. A potential customer in the face of the Czech Ministry of Defense has a number of complaints about the proposed armored vehicle. If they are corrected in the near future, the new BMP will be able to get into the troops. Otherwise, the military will no longer support the project, because of which in the future the fleet of infantry fighting vehicles will be updated with the help of foreign armored vehicles.
On the materials of the sites:
http://army-guide.com/
http://armadninoviny.cz/
http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/
http://alternathistory.org.ua/
http://vpk-news.ru/
http://i-mash.ru/
Last spring at the IDET-2013 exhibition in Brno, the prototype of the infantry combat vehicle BVP-M2 SKCZ Šakal (“Jackal”) was first shown. The project, developed by the Czech company Excalibur Army in cooperation with Slovak companies EVPU and VOP Trenin, offers a number of measures aimed at improving the performance of outdated equipment. According to various sources, according to the BVP-M2 SKCZ project, new armored vehicles can be built, as well as the repair and re-equipment of old vehicles is possible. It is argued that the ideas used in the project can significantly increase the capabilities of infantry fighting vehicles.
Although the BVP-M2 SKCZ BMP was developed on the basis of Soviet combat vehicles, the developers claim that it retained the minimum number of components and assemblies of the base technology. According to the authors of the project, the promising BMP "Shakal" took over from the BMP-1 and BMP-2 only some elements of the undercarriage and the 30-mm automatic cannon. All other machine units are either entirely new developments, or are heavily reworked elements of the basic technology. At the same time, it is stated that during the modernization and alteration of the BMP-1 or BMP-2 in the BVP-M2 SKCZ, up to 50-60% of components and assemblies are retained.
Improvements basic armored vehicles led to a noticeable change in size and weight. The total length of the BVP-M2 SKCZ reaches 7 meters, the width is equal to 3,2 m, the height is 2,9 m. For comparison, the similar parameters of the BMP-1 should be given: the length of 6,73 m, the width of 2,94 m and height around 2 m. The increase in size and numerous design changes affected on the combat weight of the car. BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ weighs about 18 tons.
When developing a new project on the basis of the old, the armored case of the machine has undergone the greatest changes. For more convenient crew accommodation and assault forces, Czech designers have increased the overall height of the hull by 270 mm. This affected the overall dimensions of the infantry fighting vehicle, but it made it possible to improve the conditions for the deployment of fighters in the troop compartment. Due to such a refinement of the hull, we had to change the shape and size of the upper front part of the body. It, as well as on Soviet armored vehicles, is located at a large angle to the vertical, but has a greater length and reaches the roof of the troop compartment.
In addition to changing the shape of the body receives additional booking sheets that increase the level of protection against small weapons and explosive devices. According to the developers, the body of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ in the basic version corresponds to the 3 level of the NATO standard STANAG 4569 and is able to withstand a hit of the 7,62-mm armor-piercing bullet rifle cartridge. The ballistic protection of the machine can be enhanced with the help of additional modules providing the 4 level of protection. In this case, the crew and units of the machine are protected from the bullets of the cartridge 14,5x114 mm. At the request of the customer, the machine can be equipped with anti-cummer grilles.
Reinforced bottom of the hull allows you to protect the crew from undermining 6 kg of TNT under the caterpillar or 300 g under the bottom. To avoid injuries and to reduce the impact of the shock wave on the crew, the upgraded BMP is equipped with special seats that absorb part of the energy of the explosion.
The overall layout of the internal hull volumes of the updated infantry fighting vehicle remained the same, but the layout of some units has changed. In addition, part of the equipment available on the base machines was removed for various reasons. The engine compartment still occupies the front of the hull with a shift to the starboard side.
The Caterpillar C9.3 diesel engine with 300 kW power (about 405 hp) is used as the power plant in the new project. For comparison, the BMP-2 cars were equipped with UTD-20C1 engines with the HP 300 power. or 221 kW. The engine of greater power is proposed to use to compensate for the increased mass of the machine. The power density of the upgraded BMP exceeded the 22 HP per ton, which allowed us to maintain acceptable performance. The maximum speed of the car on the highway reaches 70 km / h, power reserve - 550 km.
BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ retained the design of the chassis, used on the basic technique of the Soviet design. It has six track rollers on each side. Independent torsion bar suspension. The first, second and sixth rollers on each side, apparently, retained hydraulic shock absorbers. It should be noted that the new Czech BMP, in contrast to the basic machines, does not have hydrodynamic grids in the rear of the hull. Probably due to the relatively large combat mass, the Jackal does not have the ability to cross water barriers by swimming.
To the left of the engine and transmission there is a relatively narrow control compartment with the workplace of the driver. Behind his seat is the workplace of the commander of the machine. The middle and aft part of the habitable volume is allocated for the placement of troops with weapons. In the troop compartment there are six seats for the fighters and one for the weapon operator.
The workplace of the driver is equipped with its own sunroof and periscope observation devices for driving in a combat situation. In the existing photos it is clear that the control post of the BMP Šakal was made “in fashion” of the last years. The dashboard is equipped with two dial gauges and a multifunctional color display. Sidebar has color indicators. The machine is controlled by a compact steering wheel.
The places of the commander and gunner-operator are located under the combat module and therefore are not equipped with periscopic observation devices or hatches. To monitor the situation, the commander and the gunner must use the video systems installed on the tower. Jobs commander and gunner in general are similar. They are equipped with LCD displays and control panels for weapons and on-board systems. Joysticks are used as one of the system controls on the consoles. The workplace of the commander is equipped with one such control knob, the gunner - two. Apparently, one of them is responsible for surveillance devices, and the other is used to control armaments.
In the troop compartment has six landing chairs, mounted on the sides of the hull. The fighters are placed in three at each side, facing each other. For the convenience of planting and leaving the car seats are made of folding seats. Safety assault provided four point belts.
Czech and Slovak engineers decided not only to change the layout of the troop compartment, but also to use the new aft door. Instead of two swing doors with built-in fuel tanks, used on Soviet-made BMPs, the Czech-Slovak machine BVP-M2 SKCZ has one large hatch, which is closed with a hydraulic ramp lowered. In the middle of the ramp there is a door that can be used in case of hydraulic failure. If necessary, the landing can use two large hatches in the roof of the hull.
The demonstration model of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ was equipped with a remote-controlled combat module with receiver armament Turra-30, developed by Slovak experts. The use of a remote-controlled combat module is said to increase the level of protection for the crew, “hiding” it inside the armored hull, as well as to ensure acceptable performance of the weapon system. In addition, the absence of under-turret units made it possible to save space inside the troop compartment.
Turra-30 tower has a characteristic shape formed by the docked armor plates. In the middle of the tower is a swinging installation with attachments for the gun and coaxial machine gun. To the right of the gun and in the stern there is a place for some units, probably for boxes of ammunition. In the characteristic notch on the left side of the turret there is a swinging block of aiming equipment. Judging by its appearance, the crew can use a television camera, a thermal imager and a laser range finder for pointing weapons. To monitor the situation using similar equipment, placed in a spherical casing on the roof of the combat module. In the lower frontal part of the tower there are eight smoke grenade launchers.
The main weapon of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ is the 2А42 automatic gun of the 30 mm caliber, which was previously installed on the BMP-2 vehicles. 7,62-mm PKT machine gun is paired with the gun. Barrier armament combat module uses tape power. Ammunition unknown. It is proposed to install two transport-launch containers with anti-tank missiles 30М9 “Competition” of Soviet / Russian production or with Israeli Spike on the sides of the Turra-113 turret. Depending on the wishes of the customer, the armored vehicle is completed with the appropriate control equipment.
It is alleged that, at the request of the customer, the Turra-30 combat module can carry not only the 2А42 cannon, but also other weapons of a similar class, such as the Bushmaster II 44 caliber Mk30 gun. In addition, it is possible to use large-caliber machine guns of various models. Instead of the Slovak Turra-30 turret, the BVP-M2 SKCZ BMP can carry other combat modules with the appropriate equipment and weapons.
Shortly after the first demonstration, the new BVP-M2 SKCZ Šakal infantry fighting vehicle went to the test. It is noteworthy that even before the start of the tests, some Czech and Slovak military and experts expressed distrust of the new car. They appealed to the fact that the Jackal is a deep, but still a modernization of the outdated BMP-2 or its Czechoslovak version of BVP-2. Thus, the newest project will not allow the armies of the two countries to be equipped with modern equipment capable of remaining in service for the next few decades.
Tests of a prototype of a promising machine showed its advantages, and also made it possible to identify shortcomings. The Czech press reports that the military was unhappy with the new development. They were not satisfied with the composition of armaments, which did not fully meet modern requirements, as well as the weak mine protection. In this regard, without additional modifications BMP Šakal can not be adopted. An interesting fact is that domestic editions reprinted news about the processes around the new Czech BMP with an error. For some reason, the BVP-M2 SKCZ was named the BVP-M2 SRCZ. However, this error did not affect the veracity of the news.
According to reports, the main customer of the BMP BVP-M2 SKCZ is the Czech Republic. The Slovak military is currently seriously considering the possibility of completely discarding existing Soviet-made infantry fighting vehicles and replacing them with modern foreign-made wheeled armored vehicles.
The Czech Ministry of Defense, in turn, intends to continue the operation of wheeled infantry fighting vehicles in the future. Earlier it was reported that the Czech military is ready to acquire at least hundreds of new BMPs worth about 6,5 billion crowns (more than 300 million US dollars). The test results of the BMP affected the opinion of Czech commanders. A number of sources claim that the Czech Defense Ministry has almost completely lost interest in domestic armored vehicle modernization projects and is now eyeing the Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicle.
According to recent reports, the fate of the BVP-M2 SKCZ project is completely dependent on its creators. A potential customer in the face of the Czech Ministry of Defense has a number of complaints about the proposed armored vehicle. If they are corrected in the near future, the new BMP will be able to get into the troops. Otherwise, the military will no longer support the project, because of which in the future the fleet of infantry fighting vehicles will be updated with the help of foreign armored vehicles.
On the materials of the sites:
http://army-guide.com/
http://armadninoviny.cz/
http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/
http://alternathistory.org.ua/
http://vpk-news.ru/
http://i-mash.ru/
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