BMD-2 (landing vehicle): specifications and photos

BMD - the abbreviation of the phrase "combat vehicle landing." Based on the name, the BMD is a vehicle for the movement of a subdivision of airborne landing troops. Its main purpose is to fight against enemy armored vehicles and enemy infantry. In professional military circles this machine was called "Budka".

To fulfill its combat mission, BMD can be transported by military aircraft to the landing site. The landing can be carried out from Mi-26 planes and helicopters using an external suspension.

How did the BMD-2 combat vehicle appear?

The first generation BMD designers developed in 1969, and after the test, it was put into service by the airborne troops of the Soviet Union. Serial assembly of the combat vehicle was carried out at the Volgograd Tractor Plant. The first years it was issued in a limited edition. For the start of serial production, the forces of the All-Russian Research Institute of Steel, E. Paton.

In 1980, Soviet designers, after studying the experience of using BMD in real battles, went on to improve the existing model. The need for modernization of the combat amphibious vehicle became evident after Afghanistan, where the armored car was actively used. Well proven in battle in the plains, the first-generation combat vehicle lost in the highlands.

The combat vehicle of the BMD-2 landing was put into service in the Soviet Air Force in 1985. The second-generation machine did not look very different from BMD-1. A comparative photo of BMD-2 and BMD-1 shows: changes have touched the tower and weapons. The body and the engine remained unchanged. The baptism of the armored car took place in the fighting in the Republic of Afghanistan.

In subsequent years, BMD-2 was used in armed conflicts on the territory of Russia and abroad. Today, the "booth" is in service with the armies of Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

Design features of BMD-2

The design of the combat amphibious vehicle is considered unique. In the front part of the center is a driver-mechanic, behind him is the commander, and to the left - the shooter. In the back there is an airborne compartment. It can accommodate 5 paratroopers.

The BMD-2 body is conventionally divided into 4 compartments:

• Department of Management;
• Combat unit;
• Landing department;
• Motor-transmission compartment.

The combat unit and the control compartment are united and located in the front and middle parts of the armored vehicle. The rear half is divided into landing and motor departments.

The armored case is welded from sheets of aluminum, which are covered by the BMD-2 crew. The characteristics of this metal can achieve effective protection at low weight. Armor is capable of protecting the crew from bullets, small fragments of mines and shells. The thickness of the body shell in the front part is 15 mm, on the sides - 10 mm. The tower has a 7 mm thick armor. The bottom of the BMD is reinforced with stiffening ribs, which allows for successful air landing. The minimum landing height is 500 meters, the maximum height is 1500 meters. In this case, multi-dome parachutes are used with the PRSM 916 (925) reactive system.

After modernization, BMD-2 received a new circular tower. It has a smaller size. In addition, she was given the opportunity to shoot at helicopters and low-flying aircraft. The vertical guidance angle was increased to 75 degrees.

The BMD-2 is hermetic. This turned the "booth" into a floating armored car. To move through a water obstacle a water-jet installation is used, based on the principle of jet propulsion. Before moving through a water obstacle, it is necessary to raise the waveguard guard from the front. Thanks to the properties of the amphibian machine, landing can be carried out from transport ships.

Engine and chassis

When creating the BMD-2, the engineers did not perform a complete modernization of the engine and undercarriage. In the combat landing machine, a 5D20 engine is installed. This is a diesel engine with 6 cylinders. He is able to develop a capacity of 240 horses.

BMD-2 uses a crawler. On each side are 5 rollers and 4 rollers. The driving axle is rear, in front there are guide wheels. The chassis has a design that allows you to adjust the clearance. The minimum ground clearance is 10 cm and the maximum ground clearance is 45 cm. The suspension is independent.

BMD 2. Characteristics of weapons

The modernization of the landing vehicle in the 80s mainly touched the tower and weapons. Revise the fire arsenal made military experience in Afghanistan.

As the main firepower, an automatic cannon 2A42 30 mm caliber is used. It is capable of firing in motion. Stabilization of the barrel is carried out in two planes with the help of the stabilizer of weapons 2E36-1 on electrohydraulics. In the roof of the tower there is the main sight of VPK-1-42, which guides the gun. "Budka" is capable of firing at a range of up to 4 kilometers.

Together with the gun in the tower there is a 7,72 mm PKT machine gun . The second-generation BMD combat kit consists of 300 rounds for the cannon and 2,000 cartridges for the machine gun.

To increase firepower, additional weapons for BMD-2 can be used. The operating manual defines the composition of the additional weapons:

• One 9M113 "Competition";
• Two ATGM 9M111 "Fagot";
• Launcher 9P135M.

Missile systems are capable of aiming within 54 degrees horizontally and from -5 to +10 vertically.

To conduct a successful battle with air targets, the missile systems "Igla" and "Strela-2" were introduced into the armament.

Equipping a combat amphibious vehicle

BMD-2 is equipped with a pendant negotiation device R-174, a radio station R-123 (later it was replaced by P-123M).

In addition, on board the armored vehicle is:

• Automatic fire extinguishing system;
• System for filtering and extracting air;
• A system of protection against weapons of mass destruction and atomic weapons;
• System of protection against chemical weapons ;
• night-vision devices;
• Ventilation air inside the body of the combat vehicle.

Technical characteristics of "Budki"

During the battle, the "booth" is able to overcome various obstacles. Without difficulty, the combat vehicle BMD-2 can leave the wall at a height of 80 centimeters and overcome a trench 1.6 meters wide.

Modifications of BMD-2

In the amphibious forces, two modifications of the amphibious assault vehicle are used:

• BMD-2K - the command version of the car, is additionally equipped with a radio station R-173, a gasoline generator of electric energy AB-0.5-3-P / 30 and a gyroscopic semicompartment GPK-59;
• BMD-2M - in addition to conventional weapons, has a dual installation of ATGM "Cornet", in addition, a weapon management system with the ability to aim at the target with a thermal imager.