New information about the heavy BMP T-15 "Armata"
The first official demonstration of the T-9 tank and the heavy BMP T-14 based on the Armata platform took place at the 15 Victory Parade in May. By this time some information about the project had already been published. In addition, a few weeks before the parade, the first photos and videos of the new equipment were captured. However, developers and the military are still in no hurry to disclose the details of new projects. Due to the importance and novelty of the Armat project, most of the information about it is still classified.
A few days ago, experts and interested public had the opportunity to learn some new facts about a promising project. TV channel "Star" showed a new edition of the program "Military Acceptance" called "Armata -" terra incognita. As the name implies, the theme of the program was the Armat project. As part of the program, defense industry experts and authors revealed some details of the unified platform project and three vehicles based on it - the T-14 tank, the heavy-duty BMP T-15 and the BREM T-16.
The journalists of the Zvezda channel revealed some details of the three projects, and also showed promising cars from different angles, and not only the external aggregates of the machines, but also part of the interiors were in the frame. Thus, only one TV program was able to significantly replenish the “bank” of the available information on a promising project.
Recall what information about the heavy BMP T-15 was available until recently. The first information about the possible appearance of a heavy-duty infantry fighting vehicle unified with promising tanks appeared a few years ago. The start of such a project was justified by the need to create a BMP with a high level of protection capable of working in the same combat formations with tanks. The main features of the new car, from the used chassis to the instrumentation and armament, are connected with this requirement.
Transportation power unit platform "Armata" in the shop of the plant. Frame from m / n "Military acceptance"
For a long time it became known that the promising BMP is built on the basis of the chassis, similar to the tank, but with some noticeable changes. To meet the basic requirements of the customer, it was decided to “deploy” the base chassis of the Armata platform backwards. Due to this, the engine was in front of the hull, and a large volume in the stern was given for the placement of troops. In addition, some adjustments were made to the hull structure.
Perspective heavy BMP can be equipped with various combat modules with remote control. At the same time, however, so far all the observed samples carried only the Epoch system with machine-gun, cannon and rocket weapons. Perhaps in the future there will be other modifications of this car with another weapons.
The journalists of the TV channel “Zvezda” in their recent program revealed some details of the T-15 project. Not all information of public interest has been announced due to the secrecy of the project. Nevertheless, the published data perfectly complement the current picture, and are also an excellent reason for new discussions and disputes.
Installing the power unit in the body of the armored vehicle. Frame from m / n "Military acceptance"
The essence of the Armata project is to create a unified heavy tracked platform on the basis of which various types of combat vehicles can be built. The platform used as the basis for different vehicles, has a unified body, power plant and chassis. This approach allows us to simplify the production of equipment of different classes, as well as to provide all new machines with high enough characteristics.
As already mentioned, the BMP T-15 chassis is actually a rear-facing T-14 chassis with corresponding modifications. As a result of such a change, the power plant of the vehicle is placed in the front of the hull, thereby releasing a large volume for accommodating the landing force and providing the most convenient and safe way of its landing through the stern ramp.
For the first time in domestic practice, armored vehicles receive a single power unit. The engine and transmission are assembled as a single unit, which is placed in the engine compartment of the machine. This approach to the design of the power plant allows you to simplify the assembly and repair of machines. Defense industry experts note that the replacement of the power unit, regardless of the existing conditions, takes no more than a few hours, while similar operations with “traditional” separated units can stretch for several days.
The basis of the power unit of the Armata platform is a multi-fuel X-shaped engine. Its power is still a secret, but it is argued that in this parameter the new engine surpasses all of the power plants of existing domestic tanks. Thus, the power of the engine "Armata" exceeds 1500 hp
The most important feature of the power unit, which favorably distinguishes it from the existing technology, is the reverse gearbox. This unit provides 8 for forward gears and 8 for reverse. As a result, the combat vehicle is able to move with equal speed both forward and backward. In addition, the available information on the gearbox suggests that the power units of the T-14 tank and the heavy BMP T-15 differ in their basic mode of operation: due to the “mirror” location of the unified power unit, the forward gear of the tank provides for the reverse of the infantry vehicle and vice versa .
The power plant of the BMP T-15 and, obviously, the tank T-14 is equipped with an auxiliary power unit. Auxiliary power plant, apparently, is designed to supply on-board systems with electricity when the main engine is off. Such equipment allows the use of all on-board systems without increased fuel consumption.
All cars based on the Armata platform receive a unified undercarriage. In its composition there are seven road wheels with independent torsion bar suspension on each side. In addition, in the early photographic materials it was clear that, at a minimum, the front two pairs of heavy BMP rollers are equipped with additional shock absorbers. When used as a basis for the T-15, the undercarriage retains some features related to the distribution of the load on the bearing surface. For this reason, the gaps between the rear three pairs of rollers are larger than in the case with the others. Due to the specific layout of the infantry fighting vehicle, drive wheels with lanterning gear are located in front of the hull. Guides, in turn, are in the feed.
The heavy-duty infantry fighting vehicle T-15 has tank defense systems that are standardized with the tank. In order to increase survivability on the battlefield, it was proposed to use a whole range of various means, from special active systems to the corps' own armor. Due to this, the BMP receives a "multi-layered" defense, able to withstand threats of a different nature at different stages of the enemy attack.
Computer simulation of the behavior of the suspension tank on rough terrain. Frame from m / n "Military acceptance"
The information about the unification of active remedies made public by the Zvezda channel makes it possible to draw some conclusions. If the tank and the BMP use the same set of active protection means, then there is reason to believe that the crew and the landing forces have a very high chance of accomplishing the combat mission without loss.
From the story of the “Military Acceptance” program about the means of protecting the T-14 tank, it is known that new type of armored vehicles are capable of protecting the crew and units with the help of several systems that solve different tasks. Due to this, it is alleged that the probability of survival on the battlefield of the machine reaches maximum values.
The first means of protecting the tank and, probably, BMP are special hull materials and paint. Their task is to counter enemy radar detection equipment. Thanks to the use of special materials and paint, the probability of detecting a combat vehicle with a subsequent attack is reduced, which makes it difficult or impossible to use various anti-tank systems.
Branch management BMP. On the left is the driver’s workplace, on the right is the commander. Frame from m / n "Military acceptance"
On the armor of an infantry fighting vehicle T-15 is a set of multispectral threat sensors, the task of which is to constantly monitor the environment. If any threat is detected, the automatics should independently take appropriate measures. So, when detecting radiation from a laser rangefinder or target illumination system, the machine should use smoke grenade launchers. In the direction of the radiation source, a grenade is shot, forming a cloud of smoke with metal particles. Such a smoke screen hides the combat vehicle and does not allow the enemy to continue the attack.
Tank T-14 and, most likely, the BMP T-15 is equipped with a system of electronic warfare, which should disrupt the enemy attack in the final stages. In the case of a successful launch of an anti-tank missile and its successful targeting, the EW system does not allow the guided munition to reach the target. The specific method of such opposition was not specified. In addition, the electronic warfare system is proposed to protect the equipment from mines with electromagnetic fuses.
View of the office of control from the troop compartment. In the background are the commander’s (front) and gunner’s (rear) seats. To the left of the gunner’s seat, there is a small extra seat for the ninth paratrooper. Frame from m / n "Military acceptance"
The next line of defense is armor and aids. Frontal projection protection T-15 is provided with a special module, made in the form of a triangular frame with protection installed on it. Probably, this unit is equipped with a combined armor, and also receives blocks of dynamic protection. Behind the front module there is an inclined upper frontal part of the case with the corresponding protection indicators.
The onboard projection of the machine is protected by its own body armor, as well as by screens on which the dynamic protection units are mounted, with the units on the sides of the troop compartment having an increased height compared to the others. A curious feature of the protection of the boards are the screens of their front. To ensure the release of exhaust gases from the main and auxiliary power units on the sides of a heavy infantry fighting vehicle, inclined screens are provided, connected to the front hull module. This design gives the car an unusual appearance, as well as visually increases its width. A relatively thin and weak stern ramp for the landing of troops is completely covered by an additional trellis screen.
Behind the front engine compartment in the T-15 is located the office of management with jobs of a crew of three people. At the left side is a driver, to his right - the commander. Behind the commander is the gunner-operator of weapons. The driver's workplace is made the same as in the case of the T-14 tank. The consoles of other crew members have some major differences from the tank. Unlike tankers, all members of the BMP crew have their own hatches in the roof. To monitor the situation, the hatches are equipped with a set of periscopic viewing devices.
The entire aft part of the internal volume of the hull is given under a large troop compartment. Along the sides of the car are eight seats for the soldiers, facing each other. In addition, a light seat for the ninth paratrooper can be mounted in the passage to the control compartment. To facilitate the landing troops seats have a spring-loaded lower part, automatically rising in the absence of load. Thus, after the landing of the fighters sitting closer to the exit, their seats rise and increase the width of the passage for the following soldiers.
Demonstration of the aft door and the embrasure for personal weapons landing. Frame from m / n "Military acceptance"
To get inside the combat vehicle and get out of her landing should through a large rear hatch with a lowered ramp. At the command of the crew, this unit, with the help of two winches and cables, is lowered to the lower position and serves as a step for convenient disembarkation. The stern ramp provides both ease of disembarkation and safety of fighters. From the shelling in front of them protects the entire body of the BMP, and on the side they are covered with two large onboard units of the body. The stern hatch with a ramp has a fairly large size, which further simplifies the landing. To demonstrate this, the “Military Acceptance” program leader, Alexey Egorov, was near the edge of the hatch, but could not prevent the paratroopers from getting inside the car without any difficulty.
In case of breakdowns of some units, a regular door is provided in the aft ramp. It opens to the left in the direction of travel and allows you to leave the car, even if there is no possibility to lower the main ramp. To protect against various threats in the door there is a ball mount for small arms, which allows shelling a certain sector of the rear hemisphere. Also on the door is fixed lattice screen, so that does not interfere with its opening.
For effective interaction between the crew of the vehicle and the dismounted troops, a small compartment in which the communications equipment is located is provided in the left aft "box". Following the pattern of some of the vehicles of past years, the BMP T-15 received a handset with which the infantry could communicate with the crew of the vehicle and coordinate joint actions.
The T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle in the current configuration is equipped with the Epoch remotely controlled combat unit, made in the form of a tower with a set of weapons of various types. An important feature of this system is the placement of all units on the roof of the base machine and outside the habitable volume. The “Epoch” module is designed as a turntable on which the tower of a characteristic shape is located. All units, from weapons to sighting systems, are mounted in a single package.
The BMP T-15 with the Epoch combat module carries the 30-mm automatic gun 2А42, the PKTM machine gun and two launchers with four Kornet guided missiles. Such weapons allow the machine to fight with infantry and unprotected equipment, as well as effectively destroy fortifications and armored vehicles. To control the weapons, the combat module is equipped with two blocks of opto-electronic equipment, with which the commander and the gunner can monitor the situation, detect targets and carry out an attack.
Additional armament of a combat vehicle consists of smoke grenade launchers on the roof of the hull. In addition, in some cases, an embrasure in the aft ramp may be useful. Other devices for firing personal assault weapons are not provided.
Most of the main characteristics of the promising heavy BMP T-15 are not subject to disclosure. Nevertheless, the military recently decided to reveal some details of this project, and also showed the interiors of the new technology. Thanks to the recently published information, the existing picture was supplemented with new details, and specialists and amateurs of military equipment had an excellent opportunity to continue the discussion of promising domestic machines using new information.
According to available data, at present, the specialists of the Uralvagonzavod corporation continue to test new vehicles based on the Armata platform, including the BMP T-15. Tests and improvements of the project should be completed within the next few years, after which an order for the construction of serial equipment may appear. The exact volumes of the future production of T-15 machines have not yet been determined, but preliminary plans have already been announced for the whole family. The current state armament program provides for the construction and transfer to the 2300 armed forces of armored vehicles based on the Armata platform. All these machines must be handed over to the customer before 2020. The exact number of tanks planned for construction, infantry fighting vehicles and other equipment of the family has not yet been specified.
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