Heavy fighting vehicle of flamethrowers BMO-T

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On May 9, the first public demonstration of a promising heavy-duty infantry fighting vehicle built on the basis of the Armata universal platform is to take place. Several photos of this car have already become publicly available, but before the official "premiere" remains just over a month. Over the next few years, a new heavy BMP will be launched into a series, after which supplies of new equipment to the troops will begin.

Heavy fighting vehicle of flamethrowers BMO-T


The heavy armored infantry vehicle of the Armath family will be the first vehicle of this class delivered to the Russian armed forces. Nevertheless, since the beginning of the two thousand years, our army has a heavy fighting machine of the BMO-T flamethrowers (the project “Object 564”), which under certain reservations can be considered an analogue of the Armata infantry fighting vehicle. The fact is that the term “combat vehicle of flame throwers” ​​refers to a special kind of infantry fighting vehicle adapted for solving certain tasks. First of all, the combat vehicle of flamethrowers differs in its purpose: such equipment is not built for infantry, but for personnel of the RCBZ troops. In addition, the state-of-the-art equipment should not carry anti-tank grenade launchers, but jet flamethrowers. In the combat or airborne compartment of such a machine, additional stowage should be provided for the transport of such weapons.

Thus, the BMO-T combat vehicles available in the Russian armored brigade forces can be considered heavy infantry fighting vehicles, which have some specific features. In the context of the discussion of the Armata project, the BMO-T vehicle is of particular interest since it is built on the basis of the existing tank chassis. The basis for this machine was the main battle tank T-72. As conceived by the authors of the project, such a base was to provide a high level of protection and the possibility of combat work in the same order as tanks.



The main task of the BMO-T machine is the transportation and fire support of flamethrowers. Such a technique can be used as a highly protected vehicle suitable for use on the front edge. A characteristic feature of the BMO-T, associated with the intended use, is a set of stacks in the troop compartment, in which it is proposed to transport a large number of rocket flamethrowers. Thus, the crew and landing BMO-T can attack manpower, equipment and enemy fortifications, using several types of small arms, as well as using more serious systems.

In order to simplify the construction of new technology, the main tank T-72 was chosen as the basis for the BMO-T. When converting a serial tank into a fighting machine, flamethrowers were asked to dismantle some units and replace them with new ones. At the same time, part of the units and assemblies should have remained unchanged. So, the BMO-T "inherits" the engine and transmission, running gear and some other systems of the base tank.

The hull has undergone the most noticeable changes. Instead of a native roof with a shoulder strap on it, it was proposed to install a special armored superstructure of a polygonal shape. The front part of this superstructure is a continuation of the inclined upper frontal detail of the base tank and, apparently, has a similar design. At the bottom of the superstructure forehead provides a rectangular recess located above the hatch of the driver. To preserve the required level of protection, a special triangular-shaped construction is mounted on the hatch, which, when the hatch is closed, “fills” a recess in the frontal part. Upper frontal parts of the hull and superstructure of the BMO-T machine are covered with dynamic protection.

From the sides, the crew and landing force are protected by spaced booking. Its inner sheets are a continuation of the hull sides of the tank, and the outer ones are mounted on the fences, directly above the side screens. Between the external and internal side sheets of the superstructure, volumes are provided for the placement of fuel tanks, some equipment and various assets. Double sides cover not only the habitable volume, but also some space above the roof of the engine compartment. The rear cut side of the "boxes" is at the stern of the hull. It is assumed that such a layout of the modified armored hull should provide additional protection for the landing force.

When the tank was converted into a flamethrower combat vehicle, only the hull design underwent major changes. Its layout has changed in accordance with the purpose of the machine. In the front part there is still the workplace of the driver, the middle part is given for the placement of troops and weapons, and in the stern are the units of the power plant. Preserving the overall layout of the hull to some extent facilitated the development of the new BMO-T machine, but it affected some aspects of operation, primarily, the convenience of landing and disembarking.

According to reports, the machine BMO-T is equipped with a multi-fuel engine B-84-1 or B-84M power up to 840 hp. The engine and other units of the power plant are unchanged borrowed from the base tank. Thus, the engine is equipped with a two-stage (cyclone apparatus and filters) air cleaner, air and electric starting systems. Torque is transmitted to the drive wheels through a mechanical transmission with a step-up gear, side gearboxes, etc. equipment. The transmission has 7 forward gears and 1 reverse gears. The fuel system has undergone major changes. In front of the hull there is a fuel tank with a capacity of 347 l, in the side boxes of the hull there are four more tanks on the 961 l.



General view of the LMC-T
1 - T-72 Tank Base Chassis
2 - engine compartment
3 - Chassis
4 - driver's door
5 - superstructure front wall
6 - rear sloping wall of the superstructure
7 - right wall of the superstructure
8 - the left wall of the superstructure
9 - frontal front sheets
10 - bottom
11 - starboard
12 - port side
13 - motor partition
14 - Roof
15 - Commander's Turret
16 - hatch
17 - anti-aircraft machine gun with remote control

Inhabited compartment and ammunition
18 - Commander's Seat Brackets
19 - Commander's Seat
20 - driver's seat
21, 22, 23, 24 - flamethrower seats on the starboard
25, 26, 27 - flamethrower seats on the left side
28, 29, 30 - ammunition flamethrowers
31 - RPO launch pipes
32 - top longitudinal beam
33 - lower longitudinal beam
34 - bolted
35 - bounding brackets
36 - eyelets
37 - longitudinal holes
38 - locking restrictive covers
39 - cylindrical tubes
40 - longitudinal through groove
41 - axis
42 - Springs
43 - pens
44 - Mounts
45 - Pallet
46 - dynamic protection armored
47 - aft hull sheet
48 - frame top wall
49 - bottom wall
50 - longitudinal side walls
51 - dynamic side protection
52, 53 - fuel tanks
54 - filtering unit
55 - rechargeable batteries
56 - Start-up equipment
57 - additional ammunition flamethrowers
58, 59 - deck hatches
60, 61 - sealed armor doors that open up to the side of the nose of the car
62 - VLD dynamic protection
63 - side screens
64 - Smoke Curtain Launch Systems
65 - Handrails
66 - footboards
67 - Springs
68 - spring loaded steps



The chassis of the BMO-T fully repeats the corresponding units of the T-72 tank. It includes six track rollers, front guide and rear drive wheels, as well as three support rollers on each side. Suspension - individual torsion bar, rollers have external shock absorption. The 1,2 and 5 pairs of road wheels are equipped with additional hydraulic shock absorbers. Like the base tank, the BMO-T is equipped with a metal caterpillar with a metal or rubber-metal joint.

The BMO-T, based on the aggregates of the T-72 tank, has similar dimensions and mobility indicators. The combat weight of the flamethrower machine is 43,9 m. The total length is about 7,2 m, the width is 3,8 m, and the height is less than 2,3 m. Thanks to the used power plant, the machine can reach speeds of up to 60 km / h and travel at a single fuel station to 710 km. Other mobility characteristics remained at the level of the base T-72. A BMO-T can climb an 30-degree slope or a wall with a height of 85 cm. It is possible to cross a moat up to 2,7 m wide and ford 1,2 m deep.

The main task of the BMO-T combat vehicle is the transportation of the flamethrower department, which affected a large number of its features. So, the car received the weapon, peculiar to modern armored personnel carriers. In front of the roof of the hull provides a hatch with a remotely controlled machine gun turret, on which is mounted a heavy machine gun NSV. Additional armament consists of 12B “Cloud” smoke grenade launchers. In different photographs, various types of BMO-T carry such weapons both in the stern, on the side boxes, and on the front sheet. As far as is known, mass-produced cars are equipped with grenade launchers mounted above the front fenders of the tracks, in groups of 902 pieces.

A characteristic feature of the modifications of the armored hull is a change in the placement of some units. According to reports, part of the equipment was placed on fences and placed between the side reservation sheets. Thanks to this, it was possible to free up additional volumes inside the habitable compartment. As a result, it became possible to accommodate not only the crew and troops, but also a sufficiently large amount of weapons.



The crew and assault forces of the BMO-T vehicle are located in the total habitable volume, which does not have a clear division into the control, landing and combat compartments. In front of the case, in the old place, is a driver. Directly behind him is the place of the commander of the machine, also acting as the shooter. Along the hull sides in the side and behind the commander there are seven seats for the landing. On the left side there are three seats, on the right - four.

On the frontal part and the roof of the case, three groups of optical instruments are provided for monitoring the environment. The driver uses four devices, the commander - three. A few more periscopes installed in the roof above the places of paratroopers. In this case, however, the landing can observe, but does not have the possibility of firing from personal weapons. Due to the specific spaced booking of the sides, the car is not equipped with loopholes.

In addition to personal small arms, the Flamethrower paratroopers have 30 rocket flamethrowers RPO-A Bumblebee. This weapon is placed on three racks of a special design. Flamethrowers are transported in a vertical position and fixed in order to avoid falling from the rack. One of the shelves for the "Bumblebees" is located in the middle of the hull, between the landing places; the second is located along the left side, in front of the seats; and the third is installed at the right side of the hull, perpendicular to the axis of the machine. According to some information, an additional compartment for the transport of flamethrowers is provided in the fencer shelves.

The crew and assault force of the BMO-T flamethrower combat vehicle has a set of hatches for landing and leaving the vehicle. The driver's hatch is located in the characteristic recess of the frontal part of the hull and superstructure. On the roof, under the machine gun turret, there is a hatch commander. To the right and to the left, behind the turret, two more hatches are provided, which the paratroopers can use. There are two main hatches for the landing of troops in the rear of the superstructure. The aft sheet of the superstructure is angled, and the manhole covers are made in the form of a triangular (when viewed from the side) structure, because of which, when closed, turn out to be a small continuation of the roof. During the landing, the hatches are raised and secured in a vertical position, providing additional protection for the fighters.

To leave the BMO-T vehicle, flamethrowers must open the feed hatches of the habitable volume, go to the roof of the engine compartment and, after passing through it, descend to the ground. For greater convenience on the side screens of the body, in the middle part of it, there are loop-steps. At the rear of the hull are folding steps. The layout of the habitable compartment suggests that if necessary, any crew member or flamethrower can leave the car through any of the available hatches.

According to reports, the heavy fighting machine flamethrowers BMO-T was developed in the late nineties. At the same time, the equipment passed the entire test cycle, after which in the 2001, the RCBZ was put into service. Around the same time, mass production of new equipment began. There is no exact information on production methods: it is not known whether new BMO-Ts are being built from scratch or are being converted from existing T-72 tanks. According to different sources, to date, the RCBZ troops have received at least 10-15 machines of a new type. The production of such equipment continued, at least until the end of the last decade.

A number of BMO-T vehicles are currently operated by the Russian armed forces. From time to time, such equipment appears on photographic and video materials from various exercises, parades and other events in which RHBZ units take part. Exact information about the operation of such technology is not yet available.

The BMO-T heavy flamethrower combat vehicle is a very curious version of a heavy infantry fighting vehicle based on a tank chassis. Despite the specific purpose and availability of special racks for jet flame throwers, this technique clearly shows the possibilities and prospects of machines of its class. The adoption and operation of the BMO-T testifies to the fundamental possibility of creating and successfully using highly protected vehicles with fire support functions for the fighters.

Nevertheless, the BMO-T is not without some flaws that can impede the effective performance of combat missions. First of all, it should be noted relatively weak defensive weapons. Domestic infantry fighting vehicles are equipped with tools of different calibers, and large-caliber machine guns are characteristic of armored personnel carriers with slightly different tasks. Nevertheless, as shown by the project of a heavy BTR-T armored personnel carrier based on the T-55 tank, such equipment can also be equipped with combat modules with more serious weapons.

The failed BTR-T project should also be recalled in a different context. Like the BMO-T, this armored personnel carrier had landing hatches located in the rear of the superstructure, in front of the engine compartment. This feature was one of the reasons for the claims, because of which the BTR-T was never accepted for service. With this method of landing, despite the powerful armor of the machine itself, the landing does not have sufficient protection and is seriously at risk. Increasing the level of protection of the landing fighters can only be accomplished with a radical processing of the hull layout. To do this, move the engine compartment to the front of the hull, and the landing place - in the stern.

For a number of reasons, the BTR-T armored personnel carrier never left the testing stage, having failed to interest potential customers in the person of the Russian Ministry of Defense and foreign military. The combat vehicle of flamethrowers BMO-T, in turn, was put into service and built serially. Probably, in the case of the latter, the level of protection of the crew and the landing force was put at the forefront, as well as the possibility of transporting additional weapons in the form of several dozen flame throwers. Obviously, the proposed machine fully complied with the requirements of the customer in the person of the command of the RCBZ troops, which affected her fate in a positive way.


On the materials of the sites:
http://btvt.narod.ru/
http://rus-guns.com/
http://defendingrussia.ru/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.ru/
http://vestnik-rm.ru/
25 comments
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  1. +4
    April 3 2015 06: 57
    Outwardly, the most vulnerable spot in the frontal projection is the so-called. rectangular recess above the driver's hatch. Covering it with a "special triangular design" which is installed on the driver's hatch cover is rather controversial. It will most likely not work to make the frontal projection of this structure commensurate with the width of the frontal armor along the entire height. Moreover, the mass of such a design will not allow the driver to open the hatch. Will dynamic protection save?
  2. +1
    April 3 2015 07: 14
    Not a bad concept, but most importantly - that on the popular T-72 chassis.
    1. itr
      +1
      April 4 2015 04: 47
      Megaton is simply no other chassis from 80 expensive but probably not necessary
  3. +5
    April 3 2015 07: 47
    The landing exit is certainly not very convenient, but the same scheme is used in all BMDs, as well as in the BMP-3.
    To replace RPO-A with Meadowsweet or Vampire in a stowed position, I think it will be quite possible.
    It is bad that there is no information on the operation ... As well as on the operation of the BMPT.
    1. +1
      April 3 2015 09: 02
      Well, yes, I immediately mine, Bams remembered))
    2. 0
      April 3 2015 13: 01
      Quote: -Dmitry-
      The landing exit is certainly not very convenient, but the same scheme is used in all BMDs, as well as in the BMP-3.
      To replace RPO-A with Meadowsweet or Vampire in a stowed position, I think it will be quite possible.
      It is bad that there is no information on the operation ... As well as on the operation of the BMPT.

      Isn't it better to deploy the chassis?
      And protection l / s in the frontal projection becomes better and the output can be made human
      1. +2
        April 3 2015 17: 37
        Quote: Vasya
        Isn't it better to deploy the chassis?

        expensive --- almost like a new BM ...
        dill tried, but it didn’t go further than single copies ...
        more effective, or an armored tank ((ala self-propelled guns / SU 152,122))) or a compact MTO on board ((Ahzarit)))

        example with "Object 1200" of the USSR, cited

        as an example, lumpy arrangement of MTO and input / output-wheeled AFV "Ratel-20s"
        1. 0
          29 March 2023 22: 28
          By the way, the Ukrainians did not badly upgrade the T-55 tank, turning it into a BMP-55.


          and the T-64 tank, turning it into the BMPV-64.

      2. 0
        April 3 2015 22: 27
        Why does 99% of the population repeat the same stupidity, according to which the front location of the internal combustion engine somehow "improves" protection? What place of the internal combustion engine in the front reveals the protection? Fuel hoses? Brake fluid? Oil? Battery cables? Alternator or starter? You do not take into account the front weight of the machine. And even if you slam the T-72 on top of the VLD by the mass of the T-XNUMX, then such a super tank will not go anywhere - the front rollers will crack.
        1. 0
          29 March 2023 22: 31
          Because it's not stupid. The front engine layout really improves protection.
        2. 0
          29 March 2023 22: 38
          And if you put a VLD on top of it in terms of weight like the T-72, then such a super tank will not go anywhere - the front rollers will crack.
          Nothing will crack there. Ukrainian modernization of tanks T-55, T-64 with a front engine.
      3. 0
        April 5 2015 20: 50
        The smallest price for redesigning a tank chassis is the main motive for this arrangement. Remember the time when this, not a bad machine, was developed, put into service and put into production ...
      4. 0
        29 March 2023 23: 20
        Isn't it better to deploy the chassis?
        Now everyone is doing just that.
        BMP-55 on the chassis of the T-55 tank.


        BMPV-64 on the chassis of the T-64 tank.


        BMP AB-14 Temsah on the chassis of the tank "Centurion".


        And many others.
  4. 0
    April 3 2015 08: 00
    There is never too much armor !!!
  5. +4
    April 3 2015 08: 37
    Do not forget that flamethrowers should be used in conjunction with infantry, artillery, tank and other types of troops together. BMO-T is a promising vehicle, it has more reinforced armor, which is very important for transporting flamethrowers and their weapons as the primary purpose of the vehicle, and the lack of firepower is compensated for by combining with other troops. The main purpose of flamethrowers is the capture of fortified points and objects, as well as their protection and separation of flamethrower-incendiary weapons along the depth of the combat formation of units. The ability to carry 30 Bumblebee flamethrowers, which are capable of a lot, is also a very good performance of the machine. This is all in theory, and the real combat capability of the vehicle can only be judged after being used in military field conditions and in real battle conditions.
    1. +1
      April 3 2015 16: 13
      Quote: Azov
      BMO-T is a promising car

      This machine is adopted:
      It is in service with the 1st mobile brigade of the RCBB (item Shikhany) and the 6th separate tank brigade (Noginsk).
      Quote: Azov
      Isn't it better to deploy the chassis?
      And protection l / s in the frontal projection becomes better and the output can be made human

      As I understand it, the "budget" product of the late 90s. Under the annoying kicks from the townsfolk about the insufficient armor of the Soviet armored personnel carriers.
    2. 0
      April 7 2015 14: 14
      Under military conditions, it was driven in and continues to be tested, this machine, which is in the army of the Russian Chemical Forces (Shihan), has already been repeatedly shown in specialized programs. Yes, 12,7 mm will not be enough, but if you recall the staff (1986) of the RPO flamethrower platoon, there the transport is GAZ-66, tented, no armor, so for me that would be a gift.
  6. +5
    April 3 2015 09: 44
    Nevertheless, BMO-T is not without some drawbacks that may impede the effective performance of combat missions. First of all, it is worth noting the relatively weak defensive weapons.
    Yes, it’s rather a virtue ... Since it allowed to place a normal landing ...
    The very concept of separating flamethrowers into a separate compartment is, in my opinion, utter nonsense .. A flamethrower can and should be given to an assault infantry group of 4-5 people as a STRENGTH ... Can you carry 30 flamethrowers and 5 flamethrowers under one roof? What would they be covered at once? There were 30 flamethrowers - broads - and that’s it! you are only with guns ....
    It was wiser to call this TBTR machine ...
    1. 0
      April 7 2015 14: 21
      In fact, this is an armored personnel carrier, with an enhanced protection function. It doesn't matter what they call it, IMPORTANT !!! - HOW TO APPLY WILL BE !!! And finally, your exaggeration: "... The very concept of separating flamethrowers into a separate compartment is, in my opinion, utter stupidity .. A flamethrower can and should be attached to an assault infantry group of 4-5 people as a REINFORCEMENT .." because before the assault is attached to the group, it is necessary to get to this group somehow, and then only as a reinforcement.
  7. +1
    April 3 2015 11: 28

    Yes, not enough, not enough of them ...

    here would be such a thingion to this machine
    1. +2
      April 3 2015 21: 02
      And actually a couple more guides for the "bumblebees" for using them under the protection of armor, then it would be the case!
  8. +1
    April 3 2015 20: 49
    and how, here you can’t remember .... BMP-T .... objects-781 and 782 ...

    78 object1: two 30-mm guns with coaxial machine guns, ATGM with two rockets on the launcher, two grenade launchers in the fenders ...

    782 object : 100-mm gun and coaxial 30-mm gun, 5 PKT machine guns and two 40 mm AGS ...

    at the beginning of -90's, the ChTZ program was closed, but it's a pity ...
    1. +1
      April 3 2015 21: 28
      Oh, better not remember ... And then again srach nachnetssto
  9. +2
    April 3 2015 21: 07
    Dear, the design itself makes sense, but improvements are needed for specific tasks (BMP, assault vehicle, BMP of flamethrowers, BMPT), I would very much like to still land the troops from the stern, then you can talk, for today this is an intermediate option, at least I would like to believe this, and the rearmament of the tank units allows us to use the T-72 as the basis for a whole range of equipment
  10. 0
    April 4 2015 02: 09
    everyone starts to lift from dusty shelves, quietly but surely rearming.
  11. 0
    April 4 2015 13: 45
    There is probably no need for external weapons, the tasks before the machine are different, but the heavy machine gun must be done by gentlemen, the designers can be controlled remotely or in a tower (like from BTR-60 or BRDM). Change your approach to people. The soldiers also have mothers .... I don’t know who will look at this .. but I think this is a transitional model. If you leave the MTO behind so as not to change the base of the tank, can you provide the outputs from the side as well? .. Yes, I understand that many will say right away that it is necessary to increase the height and weight, etc., but can still consider this option? Ahzarit weighs like a tank or maybe it’s more, but the truth is that it has a rear exit due to the size of the engine. Ultimately, it’s possible to perform thinner armor on the sides, and I’m not talking about DZ ...
  12. 0
    29 March 2023 19: 44
    In my opinion, this picture is missing in the article.