"Terminator" support vehicle. BMPT "Terminator": description, characteristics

Unfortunately, over the past 20 years, our armored forces have been repeatedly used in the most unfortunate situations for them, causing tankers to suffer tangible losses in technology and personnel. In many ways, all this is due to the fact that the CBT was used in the conditions of cities, without their satisfactory cover by groups of infantrymen. In principle, all of this was thought of by the Soviet developers who created the car, which later received the sonorous nickname "Terminator." The BMPT, that is, the tank support vehicle, was to accompany tank units under the condition of mopping up cities and suppress the actions of enemy grenade launchers and missile system operators, in close cooperation with their infantrymen.

It must be said that the development of such equipment was begun in the USSR, even during the Afghan campaign. Then unpleasant features of the domestic BMP-1/2 were found out, which were too easy to get even from large-caliber machine guns, and in fact they had to act in "tank" conditions, for which, theoretically, this armored vehicle was intended (albeit partially). The first model of the BMPT "Terminator" (the photo of the machine you see in the article) was called "The Viper", but after the collapse of the USSR, everyone was not up to it.

Basic information

The experience of recent years (especially the actions of Americans in Iraq) clearly shows that in well-equipped settlements the well-equipped infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers are not inferior in any way to their combat effectiveness, and sometimes they even outperform tanks. This is due to the fact that their armament is much better suited for identifying and eliminating an enemy armed with heavy anti-tank weapons. In addition, practice shows that for enemy light armored vehicles, the enemy rarely uses expensive ATGMs, preferring to use heavy machine guns. At the same time, the crew of the same infantry fighting vehicle often remains alive, and the accompanying equipment reveals the unmasking fire and destroys the enemy.

For this purpose, NATO troops prefer to use heavy infantry fighting vehicles, and in our country for this purpose a special car, the "Terminator" has long been created. The BMPT allows solving the widest range of combat missions.

What it is?

For the first time this technology was demonstrated by Rosoboronexport at the international exhibition in 2011, but it was created much earlier. This machine, which has a full set of weapons to protect against anti-tank weapons, and also has a powerful "diagnostic" complex, designed to identify and destroy the disguised enemy manpower. The same technique can be used to destroy low-flying targets, including combat and transport helicopters, as well as drones. Because of what did the car get the "overseas" nickname "Terminator"? BMPT, this really has no analogues in the world, and that's why it was dubbed by Western media, admired by the possibilities of Russian novelty.

What is it for?

The BMPT is intended for actions in the composition of motorized rifle, tank and infantry units. But its main task is to identify and suppress all enemy weapons that pose a direct threat to tanks. The main weapon of the machine is the 10 mm cannon OPU 2A70, to which an impressive ammunition is attached, - it allows it to effectively suppress the targets of the most diverse types at a distance of up to five thousand meters, and also to almost even fight even with heavy armored vehicles of the enemy.

So, at a distance of up to 2,5 thousand meters the BMPT can effectively fight even with tanks. Installed on the tower 40-mm grenade launcher allows you to destroy the enemy's live force at a distance of up to two kilometers. This weapon clearly shows the breadboard model of the BMPT "Terminator". The model ("Star" TV showed it in one of the issues) makes it possible to clearly see the reasonableness and power of the regular armament.

If there is a need to defeat the enemy's heavy armored vehicles at a distance of up to five kilometers, the Arkan missiles launched through the main cannon are used. For the same purposes, the Kornet ATGM is mounted on board, the missiles of which are in containers that have protection against bullets and fragments. In both cases, it is possible to effectively destroy not only the tanks, but also the enemy helicopters at a distance of up to four kilometers (provided they move along an inclined trajectory).

Features of the new machine

At state trials, the possibility of hitting the enemy's manpower by using all weapons systems was assessed. Already the first prototype of the BMPT "Terminator" managed to hit everyone. The results of the tests were excellent. In many respects this is due not so much to the power of the guns as to the modern complex of observation instruments, which were previously installed only on the newest domestic tanks (and even in the export package). A full range of weapons allows simultaneous fire at once for three purposes.

Thus, in a combat situation, each crew member can perform his task. Because of this, even the prototype BMPT "Terminator" (level 6 armor protection, by the way), showed an extremely high degree of combat effectiveness, which is not always even reach the performance of tanks.

Caring for the life of the crew

Especially this machine stands out thanks to increased care for the safety of the crew. The relatively small size and thoughtful coloring ensure its low visibility on the battlefield. BMPT "Terminator", the photo of which is in the article, is equipped with built-in dynamic protection, which several times increases the crew's chances of surviving a shelling with cumulative ammunition. There is also an active system for setting smoke screens. With its use, the technique can be covered not only from visual detection by the enemy in combat, but also to significantly reduce the probability of its destruction by missiles with active homing systems. There is also the possibility of jamming artillery systems with laser targeting systems.

The car's side projections are completely covered by dynamic protection screens. In combination with remote grating screens, which were developed at the Research Institute of Steel, this allows to ensure the maximum survivability of the BMPT "Terminator". The combined model of this machine, which was repeatedly demonstrated on TV, allows to visually evaluate the booking of the hull.

The entire fuel stock is also housed in high-quality armored compartments inside the hull. Like the sides, the aft projection is completely covered with trellised screens. Even with the penetration of the armor, the probability of the crew being damaged by its fragments is minimized, since the entire internal volume of the landing compartment is covered with special fabric shields protecting people in the womb of the BMPT. "Terminator" drawings (general), which can sometimes be seen in the media, confirm that the survival rate of fighters in this machine is probably not lower than in a modern tank.

Mobility and maneuverability

Despite its impressive mass and reservation, the car has excellent maneuverability and mobility. This was made possible by mounting a significantly improved diesel engine, whose capacity is 1000 liters. from. There is a turbocharger, cooling - liquid, running gear and transmission - old, time-tested models that provide the greatest smoothness of stroke. If you look at the model of the BMPT "Terminator" (model 1:35), it becomes obvious that the transmission is taken from tanks of the T-72/90 family with practically no changes.

One of the main features of the new machine is its modularity. Because of this, combat modules can be mounted on almost all types of tank chassis manufactured by the USSR and Russia. The manufacturer says that they can also be put on relatively light infantry fighting vehicles and even small-tonnage boats. However, only the time can reveal the specific possibilities of using this machine and its modifications.

In any case, the information available at the moment suggests that the mass use of this equipment in the troops will significantly reduce losses, increase maneuverability and combat effectiveness of the branches of the motorized infantry and tank troops. Even more promising is the new "Terminator". BMPT-72, to be more precise.

BMPT-72

As it is easy to guess from the name, the main difference from the previous model is the type of chassis used. In fairness, it's worth mentioning that even the first model of the BMPT "Terminator" was already created on the basis of the widespread and technologically advanced T-72 tank, but then they decided to use the more advanced T-90. The creators returned to the original version: the T-72 stocks of early modifications are many, which is important, if there is a need for mass production of "Terminators." In addition, the old T-72 is armed with dozens of states that are likely to be interested in buying the BMPT "Terminator". The photos of this technique, which appear regularly in the Western media, indirectly confirm this fact.

Second Generation Features

The manufacturer claims that the mass of the second generation machine is 44 tons. Depending on the specific modification of the tank, which was used for rework, the installed engine's power varies from 800 to 1000 liters. from. The maximum speed along the highway is up to 60 km / h, on rough terrain - within 35-43 km / h. At one gas station, the car can pass up to 700 km.

Unlike BMP-2 and even BMP-3, which, contrary to the military doctrine used in our country, is simply unrealistic to use in a row with tanks, the BMPT can be used in the front echelon. In this case, not only the tank crews will be happy, but also the suppliers: in fact, the running "Terminator" is no different from the T-72, so there will be no questions with spare frequent ones.

You can immediately notice that the BMPT ("Terminator" drawings confirm this) is much heavier than the "clean" T-72 early series. This is explained by the installation of new combat modules and protection systems. The forehead and sides are covered with dynamic protection plates. The engine room is additionally equipped with grilles preventing damage by cumulative grenades. Finally, to impede the use of ATGM, there are systems for generating jamming, as well as mortars for the release of smoke grenades.

Simplification and unification of production

Since the production of the new machine has been largely simplified, this model has quite noticeable differences from the previous version. The crew consists of only three people: they removed two regular grenade launchers and their weapons, leaving the driver, commander and gunner mechanic. These measures made it possible to considerably simplify the re-equipment of the old tank, since the layout of the zabornevogo volume is practically unchanged. Finally, the absence of two people will greatly simplify both the training of the crew and the combat use of the machine.

Armament of the second modification

As in the previous case, the whole complex of weapons is mounted on the tower. In general, the BMPT "Terminator" itself, the weaponry of which is disclosed in the article, completely fits into the standard T-72 shoulder strap, without requiring any modifications of the hull. Almost all the tower equipment and weapons are completely identical to the first replica of the "Terminator". But there are some technical nuances that significantly increase the security and combat survivability of the machine. Especially noticeable is the qualitative bulletproof booking of all items, without exception, on the armor.

The main trump card is two 30-mm 2A42 guns, which are covered fairly securely by an armored casing. Their total ammunition capacity is 850 shells. Guns are "omnivorous", for firing can use any 30-mm shells of domestic production. Shooting can be conducted in two modes: quick-fire, when in a minute the gun makes more than 500 shots, and slow, when the rate of fire does not exceed 200-300 rounds per minute. Directly above the guns there is a PKTM machine gun, ammunition to which is 2100 cartridges. In urban combat conditions, it is extremely useful, providing enhanced security for BMPT-72 "Terminator".

Other improvements

The first model had many complaints, the essence of which was the poor security of the ATGM. This time, guided anti-tank weapons are deployed in two well-armored hoods, inside which there can be 9M120-1 or 9M120-1F / 4 missiles. They can effectively hit the heavy armored vehicles of the enemy at a distance of up to six kilometers. Management complex - B07S1. His work was well covered at the presentation of the BMPT "Terminator" from the "Star".

There are sights for the gunner and the commander of the combat vehicle, the sighting complex also includes laser rangefinders. To simplify the aiming and increase combat effectiveness, the barrel stabilizer and a qualitative ballistic computer are used. The commander of the machine can use the sight, using a thermal imaging or television channel. The field of view is stabilized in two planes. The commander also has his own range finder. A sighting with an optical and thermal imaging channel is available to the gunner. According to the characteristics, it is tantamount to commander's, but has a special laser channel for sending guided missiles.

Since the car is really equipped with normal sighting devices of the modern level, the commander has every chance to track the enemy at a distance of up to five kilometers. At night, this distance is reduced to 3.5 km. The gunner's ability to detect targets is the same. And it pleases, since on many domestic T-72s that are in the troops, the gunner has better conditions for work than even a commander who simply does not see what is available to his subordinate.

On the prospects of new development

Immediately after the appearance of new equipment at exhibitions, representatives of the Ministry of Defense spoke about its prospects. Everyone has a firm belief that the machine will find its customers. One of the main highlights of the BMPT is the undercarriage, borrowed from a good and unpretentious T-72. Since these tanks are used universally, customers do not have to spend a lot on retraining mechanics and crews.

An interesting feature of the new technology is also in the fact that it was originally created not only from the position of building new machines, but also with an eye to the re-equipment of tanks already in service. There is also official information from the manufacturer, which indicates the readiness to supply customers with not only ready-made machines, but also conversion kits with a team of engineers who can convert old T-72s in place. First, such an approach will cost several times cheaper. Secondly, on-site experts will be better able to adapt the technology they are remodeling to local realities.

Possible shortcomings and claims

The level of protection, if you compare this indicator with the previous model, remained at a similar level. Hypothetically negative role can still play a failure of automatic grenade launchers. But this circumstance is unlikely to scare off potential customers. In general, some of the claims towards the first "Terminator" just did amount to the fact that it is foolish to keep two additional crew members only for the sake of 40-mm grenade launchers. And the point here is not so much in the combat effectiveness of such weapons, which is very high, but in limited corners of guidance.

In principle, the characteristics of the barrel and missile weapons on this model are no worse than those standing on its predecessor, so there should be no claims in this matter. In many respects this is explained by the fact that the developers really tried not only to develop a simple project for the conversion of the tank, but also took into account all the remarks about the previous version. Judge for yourself: with a minimum of effort and cost to convert an old car into a new weapon, - what could be better?

By the way, the new machine was "lit up" even in the Armored Warfare game. BMPT "Terminator" clearly "push" to the international arms markets, using all available media. However, in "real" everything is all right: field tests of new equipment were already conducted, according to which our military was very interested in its capabilities on the battlefield. It remains to be hoped that the Russian military will also receive this equipment (in case of a positive decision on its production) in the proper amount.

The need for this kind of BMPT is obvious, since in the conditions of urban fighting it can not only effectively cover other heavy armored vehicles, but also act independently, being an extremely effective combat unit.