AT-P

     Notes: Perhaps one of the oldest military vehicles still found in service, the AT-P can still be found in some remote corners of the Third World.  The AT-P was originally developed as an artillery tractor for the 85mm D-48 field gun and the 100mm T-12 field gun by the Soviet Union in the early 1950s, but in Third World countries, was later pressed into service as an APC.  In most former Soviet Bloc countries, it has been replaced by the MT-LBs, other such vehicles, or even simply trucks.  However, as late as the early 1980s, the AT-P was still found in reserve Soviet formations and some reserve Warsaw Pact units.

     The AT-P is basically an armored box on tracks, with the driver on the front left, a machinegunner on the front right, and the gun crew or troops in the rear.  The crew compartment is open-topped, with only the driver, bow machinegunner, and commander enclosed; a tarpaulin is provided to cover the passenger compartment if desired. The only armament is that of the bow machinegunner, who mans an SGM machinegun with a traverse of over 75 degrees, elevation of 30 degrees, and depression of 10 degrees.  Troops exit and enter through the rear compartment, going over the sides, or through small doors in the sides of the vehicle at about the center.  The driver, commander, and bow machinegunner all have hatches on the deck, with the commander to the rear and center of the hatches of the driver and bow machinegunner.  The crew members have simple vision blocks; the driver has three to the front, the bow machinegunner has a wide-angle vision block to the front, and the commander has vision blocks in all directions except the rear.  The bow machinegunner doubles as the radio operator. Later versions have a night vision block which can be mounted in place of the central driver’s vision block. The AT-P has a trainable searchlight mounted above the rear compartment. The troops in the rear share their compartment with racks behind their seats for ammunition; some AT-Ps are fitted out to carry only ammunition.

     The rear-mounted engine of the AT-P is a ZIL-123F gasoline engine with an output of only 110 horsepower, so it is fortunate that the AT-P is a light vehicle.  (Armor protection is correspondingly light, unfortunately.) The suspension is by conventional torsion bars and there are no shock absorbers, so the ride must be a bitch.  The transmission is similarly low-tech.  The AT-P can tow 3.7 tons.

 

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$15,449

G, A

1.2 tons

6 tons

3+6

4

Headlights

Open*

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

127/89

31/19

300

54

Stnd

T2

HF3  HS2  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

SGMT (Bow)

500x7.62mm

*The driver, commander, and bow machinegunner’s positions are Enclosed.

 

Volgograd JSC BMD-1 Airborne Combat Vehicle

     Notes:  The original member of the BMD series, the BMD-1, was designed to give Soviet Airborne divisions a lightweight, air-droppable AFV that was light in weight but could provide significant fire support to Airborne forces.  Some use of the BMD-1 was also made by Soviet Naval Infantry. The BMD-1 was first seen by the West in 1973.  The BMD-1 was produced in relatively minor amounts compared to its BMP-1 counterpart.  The export users included pre-Iraqi Freedom Iraq who don’t use them anymore; those countries still using the BMP-1 include Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India (status unknown), Iran (the largest non-Russian users, with 200 on the rolls), Ukraine, Moldova, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.  (Most of these are, of course, former Soviet vehicles left behind after the breakup of the Soviet Union.) The Russians still use some 700 BMD-1s, and have almost 2500 in storage.

     An interesting note: Soviet doctrine had the BMD’s driver and gunner being airdropped inside the vehicle!  The BMD-1 is also equipped with a transponder allowing the rest of the crew to find it quickly after a drop. (To be fair, the BMD-1 drops on a special platform equipped with retrorockets and several parachutes to make for a fairly soft landing.)

 

The BMD-1

     The BMD-1 looks very much like a smaller version of the BMP-1, but the two designs are only tangentially similar and are not directly related to one another.  (The BMD-1 is in fact more closely related to the PT-76 than anything else.) The driver is in the center front hull, but the engine is in the rear and the troops enter and exit through hatches on the rear deck.  The rear area is therefore small and carries only a maximum of three troops.  (Technically, the BMD-1 has seats for four troops in the rear, but even the Russians found that jamming that many troops in the rear was unacceptably cramped.) One more of the troops doubles as the left bow machinegunner; the commander doubles as the right bow machinegunner. The bow machineguns have a narrow field of fire – depending on the source, 20-30 degrees. The right machinegunner enters from the rear, and has no hatch of his own; the commander has his own hatch. The turret looks similar to that of the BMP-1, but is quite a bit smaller; it is a one-man turret with a hatch on top for the gunner.  On each side of the hull are two firing ports.  The commander’s cramped space is shared with a radio, and he and the driver have night vision blocks which can replace their day vision blocks.  The commander also has a traversable periscope.  The right machinegunner has the same equipment as the commander, minus the radio.

     Armament of the BMD-1 is impressive for such a small vehicle, including a 73mm main gun with coaxial machinegun, an ATGM launcher, and a pair of bow machineguns.  The engine is 270-horsepower 5D-20 diesel engine, giving the BMD-1 good power for its light weight; the transmission is manual. Armor protection is surprisingly good given the light weight; however, to save weight, the Soviets used magnesium alloy for the armor, which could go up like a Roman candle when hit.  The suspension is specially-designed for the BMD-1’s role; it is a variable-height hydropneumatic suspension that allows the BMD-1 to “squat” when being carried in aircraft and being airdropped.  The roadwheels are likewise small, and the tracks are a mere 230mm wide.  A side-effect of this suspension appears to be a relatively decent ride.  The BMD-1 is amphibious with a little preparation – a trim vane must be erected, bilge pumps turned on, and a periscope must be inserted into a socket and extended by the driver.  The bilge pump has a manual backup. This takes 10 minutes.  Propulsion in the water is by hydrojets. The hydrojets have shutters which allow for surprising maneuverability when swimming – the BMD-1 can turn a complete circle in place while floating.  This is aided by the hydrojets’ being able to suck in water as well as expel it.

 

Later BMD-1 Variants

     In the 1980s, the BMD-1P variant was introduced.  This replaced the AT-3 Sagger mount with a launcher beside the gunner’s hatch able to launch all variants of the AT-4 or AT-5 ATGMs.  The ATGM launcher is reloaded from the rear deck hatch, as the AT-4 and AT-5 missiles are too large to pass through the gunner’s hatch, and having the gunner reload the ATGM launcher would be awkward at best due to the position of the launcher. For game purposes, this is identical to the standard BMP-1 except for the launcher and missiles.

     Some BMD-1s were seen in Afghanistan and later with a 30mm autocannon in place of the 73mm gun.  These may have been testbeds for the BMP-2.  Also in Afghanistan, some BMD-1s were seen with the 73mm gun replaced with an AGS-17 grenade launcher.  The Soviets appear to have taken this model out of service after Afghanistan.  These two variants appear to have had no official designation other than “BMD-1.”  Both versions used the new launcher for AT-4/AT-5 ATGMs.

     A minor variant, often incorrectly called the BMD-1M, has improved interior ventilation, four smoke grenade launchers on either side of the turret, and stronger roadwheels.  For game purposes, this is identical to the standard BMD-1, except for what was mentioned before, and the addition of $54 of cost.

     A newer modification (post-Iron Curtain) has the BMD-1 hull topped with the Kliver turret, and is called the BMP-1M. The Kliver turret is a semi-overhead weapons station armed with an autocannon and coaxial machinegun capable of great elevation (almost straight up) and depression (able to engage enemy troops that are as little as 10 meters from the vehicle). The Kliver turret also has four launchers for AT-14 ATGMs, which are modular and can be replaced by up to four SA-18 SAMs (the missiles on each side of the turret must be replaced in pairs when doing this).  The gun and coax are fully stabilized and equipped with modern fire control equipment, and the gunner has excellent day and night vision sights (which may be accessed by the commander via a downlinked monitor).  The turret also has a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on each side. This version does not carry bow machineguns, though the seats are still there for carrying the commander and one troop.

 

Other BMD-1 APC Variants

     The BMD-1K (sometimes called simply the BMD-K) is a lower-echelon command version of the BMD-1.  It is largely unchanged from the BMD-1, except for the addition of an extra long-range and medium-range radios and a pair of “Clothes Rail” antennas, which run horizontally over the length of the vehicle. 

     The same sort of version exists for the BMD-1P, called the BMD-1PK.  However, the BMD-1PK has more command equipment, including a gyrocompass, radiation and chemical weapon detectors, and another long-range radio, as well as improved day and night vision equipment.  This extra equipment takes up the space of the left bow machinegun, as well as one of the rear troop seats; some space for ammunition has also been lost.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BMD-1 (Standard)

$271,896

D, A

600 kg

13.3 tons

3+5

8

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

BMD-1 (Autocannon-Armed)

$182,821

D, A

700 kg

12.8 tons

3+5

8

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

BMD-1 (GL-Armed)

$170,519

D, A

700 kg

12.8 tons

3+5

8

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

BMD-1M

$179,629

D, A

600 kg

13 tons

3+5

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BMD-1K

$272,496

D, A

400 kg

13.4 tons

3+5

9

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

BMD-1PK

$217,384

D, A

400 kg

13.5 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), Image Intensification (G, C), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BMD-1 (Standard)/BMD-1K

148/104

36/22/9

300

112

Trtd

T3

TF6  TS3  TR3  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMD-1 (Autocannon-Armed)

154/108

37/23/9

300

108

Trtd

T3

TF6  TS3  TR3  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMD-1 (GL-Armed)

154/108

37/23/9

300

108

Trtd

T3

TF6  TS3  TR3  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMD-1M

151/106

36/23/9

300

110

CiH

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMD-1PK

145/102

35/22/9

300

114

Trtd

T3

TF6  TS3  TR3  HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BMD-1 (Standard)/BMD-1K

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, 2xPKT (Bow), AT-3 or AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT-3 or AT-4/AT-5 ATGM

BMD-1 (Autocannon-Armed)

+1

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, 2xPKT (Bow), AT4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

300x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT4/AT-5 ATGM

BMD-1 (GL-Armed)

+1

Fair

30mm AGS-17 AGL, PKT, 2xPKT (Bow), AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

450x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT-4/AT-5 ATGM

BMD-1M

+3

Good

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, up to 4xAT-15 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAM Launchers

300x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, up to 4xAT-14 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAMs

BMD-1PK

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, PKT (Right Bow), AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 1750x7.62mm, 3xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

 

Volgograd JSC BMD-2 Airborne Combat Vehicle

     Notes:  The war in Afghanistan and the experience of allies with the BMD-1 really brought home to the Soviets the deficiencies of the vehicle, particularly the fire-prone magnesium alloy armor and the inability of the 73mm gun to engage targets at high elevation, as well as that gun’s relative inaccuracy and lack of range.  Though the BMD-2 is still based on the BMD-1 design, they are new-build vehicles rather than rebuilds of BMD-1s.  Development of the BMD-2 began shortly before the Russians withdrew from Afghanistan, and the BMD-2 entered main-line service in 1985, though the initial pre-production versions were used in Afghanistan as early as 1981. Users other than the Russians include India, Ukraine, and a small number used by Uzbekistan.  The Russians have about 360 on active duty and over 1500 in storage.

    Though the layout is basically the same as the BMD-1 (complete with cramped interior), the armor is of aluminum alloy instead of magnesium alloy.  The new armor composition increases the weight of the BMD-2 over the BMD-1, and this does degrade performance somewhat, as the BMD-2 uses a modernized form of the same engine as the BMD (it develops 300 horsepower instead of 270 horsepower).  The interior layout is largely the same as the BMD-1 (particularly the autocannon-armed version of the BMD-1), but the left side (commander’s) bow machinegun has been eliminated, and the right side bow machinegun has about double the traverse, elevation, and depression.  The rear deck has two larger hatches instead of the four smaller hatches of the BMD-1. The smaller engine allows for a rear door to be installed; unfortunately, like the BMP series, there is a large fuel tank in this door. (The moving of this fuel tank is part of what allowed the addition of a rear door, but of course presents problems against enemy fire of its own; if heavy combat is expected, the fuel supply from that rear tank can be cut off from the rest of the vehicle.) The base BMD-2 uses the AT-4/AT-5 (9P135M-1) ATGM launcher exclusively; it does not mount AT-3 ATGMs.  More compact radios, the lack of the commander’s bow machinegun and the associated ammunition storage, and some other equipment rearrangement have allowed for an increase in machinegun ammunition.  As with the versions of the BMD-1 that are armed with the AT-4/AT-5 launcher, the missiles are reloaded though the deck hatch over the passenger compartment.  One less ATGM is carried; this makes the passenger compartment a bit less cramped.  Night vision is somewhat improved, as has fire control, and the crew has a collective NBC system to tap into.  The BMD-2 is still amphibious in the same manner as the BMD-1, though internal flotation compartment balance had to be changed due to the difference in weight and center of balance. Radiation shielding has been added.

     As said above, the BMD-2 uses virtually the same engine as the BMD-1.  The suspension is likewise the same, and the driver and gunner still make drops inside the vehicle.  It should also be noted that the Soviets had also made a decision at the same time that the BMD-1 and BMD-2 were too small; originally, a larger version of the BMD-2 was also to be built, but this design was delayed, improved, and eventually became the BMP-3.

     Very few variants of the BMD-2 were built; these include the BMD-2M, which includes a number of small improvements, chief of which is the addition of four smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.  For game purposes, the BMD-2M is identical to the BMD-2, except for the smoke grenade launchers and the addition of $54 to the game price for those smoke grenade launchers. The BMD-2K command version of the BMP-2K closely follows the lines of the BMD-1K and BMD-1PK in that it has an extra long-range and medium-range radio, a gyroscopic compass, a radiation and chemical weapon detector, and space for two fold-up tables and chairs. Thusfar, the BMD-2 has not been seen with the Kliver turret modification.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BMD-2

$138,873

D, A

600 kg

14.3 tons

3+5

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Shielded

BMD-2K

$140,973

D, A

300 kg

14.5 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BMD-2/BMD-2K

143/100

35/21/9

300

114

Trtd

T3

TF6  TS3  TR3  HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BMD-2

+2

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, PKT (Right Bow), AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

300x30mm, 2940x7.62mm, 3xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMD-2K

+2

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, PKT (Right Bow), AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

300x30mm, 2665x7.62mm, 2xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

 

Volgograd JSC BMD-3 Airborne Combat Vehicle

     Notes: The BMD-3 is a new-build vehicle – though it is an attempt to address most of the shortcomings of the BMD-2, it is not merely an upgrade of the BMD-2.  It has a new hull with a new interior arrangement, new armament arrangements, better fire control and armor protection, and a better suspension with a much more powerful engine – yet technological advances make it a lighter vehicle than the BMD-2.  The combination of a more powerful engine and lighter weight, in particular, are strong improvements and give the BMD-3 outstanding agility and speed.  Design work began almost in tandem with the BMD-2, but the BMD-3 did not enter service until 1990 with the then-Soviet Union.  While past versions of the BMD series were airdropped with the driver and gunner onboard, the BMD-3’s seats are designed so that the entire crew, including passengers, can be dropped inside the vehicle; larger parachutes and a different retrorocket system assists in this capability.  Thusfar, the BMD-3 is used only by Russia, who have about 940 on hand.  Though the Russian/Soviet Naval Infantry never used the BMD-2, they do use small numbers of the BMD-3.

 

The BMD-3

     The BMD-3 looks at first glance very much like a BMD-2, but another look will tell you that even externally, it is a different vehicle.  It is a more compact vehicle, yet interior space, though still cramped, it better utilized due to better-thought-out arrangements and improved technology.  The passenger compartment, however, is still very cramped – though in an extreme case, up to 7 passengers could be crammed in, a more normal complement for the rear space is four troops.  The driver is in the usual place in the center front hull, with a bow gunner on the driver’s left manning an AGS-17 grenade launcher, and the commander on the driver’s right who also mans an RPKS-74 automatic rifle.  The RPKS-74 can be removed and used as a dismounted weapon, but doing so reportedly requires a contortionist to accomplish. Both mounts give their weapons about 30 degrees of traverse and elevation and 10 degrees of depression.  The bow gunner, commander, and driver all have forward-facing vision blocks; the bow gunner also has vision blocks to the left, and the commander to the right.  All three can remove their center forward vision blocks and replace them with night vision blocks.  The commander also has an extendible periscope that rotates 360 degrees, but it has only a day vision channel. 

     The turret is essentially straight off the BMD-2, but the fire control equipment is modernized and much more compact, and stabilization is improved.  Three smoke grenade launchers are also present on each side of the hull. The revised interior arrangements give the BMD-3 a greater ammunition supply.  Like the BMD-2, the ATGM launcher of the BMD-3 is reloaded through the roof hatch of the passenger compartment, but the BMD-3 has only one large hatch which opens to the rear.  The passenger compartment has a rear door (which has a fuel tank in it, though the fuel supply from that tank can be cut off it is on fire), and two firing ports on each side of the hull. The troops have a collective NBC system.

     The engine used on the BMD-3 is a 2V-06-2 450-horsepower supercharged diesel, coupled to an automatic transmission.  The suspension type is the same – a hydropneumatic variable-height suspension, but the height adjustment capability is different (130-530mm, versus 100-450mm for the BMD-1 and BMD-2).  Preparation for amphibious operations and amphibious performance is largely the same as the BMD-1 and BMD-2 (though the BMP-3 is faster when swimming).

 

The BMD-4 Bakhcha

     One can be forgiven for looking at the BMD-4 and thinking that the BMD-4 has no relation to the BMD-3 – but the BMD-4 is basically a BMD-3 hull topped with a turret that is a somewhat smaller version of the turret used on the BMP-3 IFV.  This basically makes the BMD-4 a fire support vehicle more than anything else, as the space needed for the new turret, weapons fit, and ammunition severely limits space in the rear for troops.  However, the increase in firepower is, of course, quite dramatic. Like the BMP-3, the BMD-4’s new turret has a comprehensive and modern fire control and night vision suite, and the gun fires both conventional ammunition and ATGMs.  The turret also has three smoke grenade launchers on each side of the gun mounting on the sides of the turret. In addition to the turret-mounted weapons, the BMD-4 retains the bow-mounted AGS-17 and RPKS-74 of the BMP-3, giving the BMD-4 considerable firepower in the frontal arc – though a version seen at an arms show in 2004 did not have any bow armament.  (The RPKS-74 is manned by one of the troops carried, like the AGS-17 is on the left bow, as the commander has been relocated into the turret.)  The commander and the gunner have independent day and night vision sights, giving the BMD-4 a hunter-killer capability. In addition, a target selected by the commander can be inputted into the fire control computer while the gunner is engaging other targets, and the turret and gun will automatically slew to that target at the touch of a button when the gunner has finished with his target; this can also be used by the commander to override the gunner’s target selection if necessary.  The commander has auxiliary controls for the main gun, coaxial autocannon, and coaxial machinegun; he does not have the equipment necessary to fire an ATGM, however.  The gun stabilization and gun recoil buffering is said by the Russians to be enough that the 100mm gun can even be fired repeatedly while the vehicle is swimming. The firing ports and rear door are retained on the BMD-4.  Performance does suffer, as the BMD-4 is considerably heavier than the BMD-3, but amphibious capability is retained. The final BMD-4 design was not seen until 2007, and only about 60 are known to be in Russian service by April 2010. No other country uses the BMD-4, though it is offered for sale internationally. (The turret system itself is also for sale, and is being used by China to development of a new IFV.)

 

The BMD-3M Kurgan

     The BMD-3M was seen at arms shows as early as 2001, but it still appears to be a prototype, and no substantive development seems to have taken place on the BMD-3M since 2007.  The BMD-3M is a less-expensive aftermarket upgrade kit for the BMD-3, a less complicated and costly version of the BMD-4 – sort of a “BMD-4 minus.”  The interior layout is closer to that of a BMD-3, and the fire control and night vision suite are not as advanced; most notably, the BMD-3M lacks the hunter-killer capability of the BMD-4, though the commander can access the gunner’s sights.  The BMD-3M does not have the extensive interior rearrangement of the BMD-4, so it carries less ammunition.  It’s a bit more of a kludge, and weighs a bit more than the BMD-4.  The BMD-3M does not appear to have interested any customers, and it is not even certain that Volgograd JSC will continue to offer it on the international market or even continue development.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BMD-3 was widely used by Soviet Airborne and Naval Infantry forces during the Twilight War.  The BMD-4, however, was a rare bird – an Airborne or Naval Infantry battalion would be lucky to have three or four of them, and these would generally be used to crack tough strongpoints or for scouting.  The BMD-3M was an even rarer variant during the Twilight War – most appear to have been assembled in-theater by support units from kits, and an Airborne or Naval Infantry brigade would be lucky to have two or three on hand.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BMD-3

$155,481

D, A

700 kg

12.9 tons

3+6

8

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), Image Intensification (G)

Shielded

BMD-4

$395,261

D, A

400 kg

14.6 tons

3+4

9

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C)

Shielded

BMD-3M

$335,060

D, A

400 kg

14.7 tons

3+4

9

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BMD-3

205/143

50/30/13

450

224

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR4  HF9  HS5  HR4

BMD-4/BMD-3M

183/128

45/27/11

450

253

Trtd

T3

TF11Sp  TS4Sp  TR4  HF9  HS5  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BMD-3

+2

Good

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, AGS-17 (Left Bow), RPKS-74 (Right Bow), AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

860x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 551x30mm Grenades, 2160x5.45mm, 6xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMD-4

+3

Good

100mm 2A70 Gun, 30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, AGS-17 (Left Bow), RPKS-74 (Right Bow)

44x100mm, 8xAT-10 ATGM, 550x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 350x30mm Grenades, 2160x5.45mm

BMD-3M

+2

Good

100mm 2A70 Gun, 30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, AGS-17 (Left Bow), RPKS-74 (Right Bow)

40x100mm, 6xAT-10 ATGM, 500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 320x30mm Grenades, 2160x5.45mm

 

KMZ BMP-1 Korshun

     Notes: One of the first true infantry fighting vehicles (an armored personnel carrier with significant antiarmor and fire support capability), the BMP-1 was introduced by Russian in the mid-1960s and first seen in public in 1967.  The BMP-1 marked a wide divergence from the “battlefield taxi” philosophy prevalent at the time for APC design. It reflected the Soviet tactical and strategic doctrine of the time -- that a World War 3 battlefield would inevitably include nuclear, biological, and chemical weapon use, and that infantrymen would need to be able to fight effectively from inside the protection of their vehicles.  It also reflected the Soviet strategy for an invasion of Western Europe at that time – the use of blitzkrieg tactics and rapidly-moving, overwhelming force.  The BMP-1 was designed with these ideas in mind, as well as to significantly increase the firepower of a mechanized infantry squad.  The design was also meant to provide as low a profile as possible, and the comfort of the crew and infantry squad was a rather remote consideration.  The typical Western infantryman would consider the interior of the BMP-1 unacceptably small, and indeed, the combat effectiveness of a Soviet infantry squad, especially after even a moderate-length trip, is still considered by many questionable.  Regardless, the BMP-1 was a revolutionary vehicle at the time of its inception, and influenced almost all subsequent infantry vehicle design for decades to come.  The BMP-1 first saw combat use in the 1973 Yom Kippur War in the hands of Egyptian and Syrian forces, and has since seen combat in dozens of conflicts; the BMP-1 or its variants continue to serve in at least 25 countries worldwide, including some that the original Soviet designers would never have imagined. Production licenses seem to have been given out everywhere, and unlicensed production was done in even more countries.  Even the US and Britain own a number of them, used in the OPFOR role for training purposes. Today, the BMP-1 is one of the most common IFVs in the world. (An interesting note: Afghanistan’s BMP fleet was largely destroyed by the US during the 2002 invasion, but afterwards, the US brokered a deal between Russia and Afghanistan for 80 BMP-1s and BMP-2s for the new Afghan Army.)

 

The BMP-1 – The Initial Versions

     The Soviet government first drew up their requirements for the vehicle that became the BMP-1 in the late 1950s.  Literally scores of concepts were explored and discarded, with elements taken from many of those designs and later incorporated into the final product.  Eventually, the Kurgan Engineering Works (KMZ) Ob’yekt 764 was selected as the best design; the original prototype appeared in 1965, and initial limited production began in 1966.  Large-scale production followed in 1967.  The BMP-1 featured a low-profile turret armed with a 73mm main gun which fired low-pressure rounds adapted from those fired by the SPG-9 recoilless rifle, though the two weapons cannot fire each other’s rounds.  The rather short barrel of the main gun greatly limited engagement ranges, and the small caliber was insufficient to engage tanks – it was primarily meant to take out enemy light armored and soft-skinned vehicles, and to crack strongpoints, though at the time of the BMP-1’s introduction, the main gun could penetrate the front, side and rear armor of NATO tanks.  For longer-ranged engagements or for if the BMP-1 did actually have to engage a tank, KMZ mounted a launching rail above the main gun which fired the then-new 9M14 Malyutka (NATO reporting name: AT-3 Sagger) wire-guided ATGM, with controls for the ATGM controls requiring the gunner to stick at least his head out of his hatch (the ATGM cannot be fired if the BMP-1 is buttoned-up).  For infantry engagements, the turret had a coaxial PKT machinegun.  The production versions had a rather poor suspension, engine, and transmission, all of which were prone to failure; nonetheless, this initial version was produced until 1969, when it was replaced by a version with a beefed-up suspension and more reliable engine and transmission that was manufactured until 1973.  The improvements did increase the weight of the vehicle.  Further improvements in reliability and the suspension were again introduced in 1973, and this improved version was produced until 1979.  Except for the weight of these three versions and the performance consequences of the increased weight, these three versions are essentially identical for game purposes.  It should be noted that NATO went left and right with their initial designations for the BMP-1, mostly because they didn’t know the actual designation – variant designations included the M-1967 and various spins on the BMP designation, including BMP-A, BMP-76PB, or simply BMP (when it was the only BMP known to be in existence).  US troops often refer to the BMP-1 (and to a lesser degree, other BMP versions), as the “Bimp.”

     The driver is located in the left front of the hull, with the engine to his right.  He is seated behind a sharply-raked glacis plate which allows the BMP-1 to have much better frontal armor protection than the thin metal of the armor would otherwise provide.  The driver has three vision blocks to his front; the center block can be removed and replaced by a night vision block.  The first version used an active IR block; later improvements gave the driver a passive IR block to be used in conjunction with IR headlights or an IR searchlight.  The driver’s controls are remarkably simple for APCs and IFVs of the period: the driver has a steering yoke and a conventional gas and brake pedal.  To the rear of the driver is the commander’s position; though many mistakenly believe the BMP-1’s turret contains both the commander’s and gunner’s positions, the turret is in fact a one-man turret.  The commander has control of a rotatable IR searchlight; a periscopic IR vision head is part of this searchlight, as is a conventional day vision periscope. The day periscope has a magnification of x5, while the night head has a magnification of x4.2.  The commander’s vision blocks have heating devices to help remove fogging due to weather as well as wipers to remove moisture due to rain or mud.  The commander also has a radio at his position; this is normally a medium-range radio, but this can vary depending upon what level of the command structure the commander occupies.

     The gunner occupies the turret.  He has a hatch on the roof of the turret.  In addition to the obvious uses, he must use it to fire the AT-3 ATGM as well as to reload the launcher (a difficult exercise which is also dangerous in combat – to reload the launcher, he had to climb atop the turret to reach the launcher.  Because of this, the launcher would more likely be reloaded by the commander, who would only have to expose his head, arms, and torso.  In either case, the Sagger missile barely fits through the hatches).  The turret has electrical traverse, and gun electrical elevation and depression. The main gun has two defects that are rather dangerous to the crew.  One is that the main gun has a “dead zone” into which it cannot fire – if the gun is traversed to between the 10:00 and 11:00 of the BMP-1’s hull, the main gun and coaxial machinegun have to elevated past their normal maximum elevation to avoid destroying the commander’s IR searchlight, and the main gun is designed to automatically do this regardless of the desires of the crew.  In addition, the main gun is fed by an autoloader that get over-enthusiastic -- the autoloader on the 73mm gun tends to malfunction, trying to stuff the gunner’s left arm into the breech of the gun instead of a 73mm shell.  If this occurs, the gunner takes 1D6 damage to the left arm and requires 6 phases (30 seconds) to extricate his arm from the gun and replace it with a 73mm round.  The autoloader is also a high-maintenance piece of equipment that can work its way out of alignment rather easily if not constantly paid attention to. For this reason, many BMP-1 crews disabled the autoloader before going into combat; BMP-1s with a disabled autoloader may fire the main gun every other phase instead of each phase of combat.  The low profile of the turret also means that the main gun and coaxial machinegun have virtually no depression capability (a bit less than 3 degrees), and enemy infantrymen within 20 meters of the BMP-1 have little to fear from the turret’s weapons as long as they don’t stand up.  The low profile of the BMP-1 in general also means that the main gun and coaxial machinegun are less than two meters from the ground; if you are a friendly infantryman near the BMP-1, you’d better duck when the vehicle provides supporting fire. The original BMP-1 versions a basic day/night sight (with x6/x6.7 magnification) and a simple optical rangefinder.  The main gun had no stabilization at all. The gunner can also mount a white light or IR searchlight atop his turret, though the BMP-1 was not produced with a searchlight that had both white light and IR channels.  The ATGM launcher installation has another problem of its own – the AT-3 sights have no access to the BMP-1’s night vision equipment and cannot benefit from the IR searchlights, and this is in addition to the significant shortcomings of the AT-3 ATGM system itself. On the turret is also located an NBC sensor; though not quite as capable as a full Geiger counter or chemical agent sensor, it was able to alert the crew as to the presence of such agents.

     The rear troop compartment has four firing ports on each side of the hull and a single firing port in the left rear door.  The roof of the troop compartment has four D-shaped hatches for use by standing troops.  The primary access to the passenger compartment is by two large doors in the rear of the vehicle.  The designers decided to also put  a fuel tank in both of these rear doors – it is a significant design flaw, and I can tell you from experience that hitting the rear doors of a BMP-1 can cause a flash fire in the BMP-1 that is a truly impressive sight.  The main fuel tank, containing just over 329 liters, is in the floor between the troop benches, with 66.5 liters of fuel in each door tank.  In case of fire, the flow from these tanks can be cut off by the commander or driver, but it’s not an automatic system (let’s hope they’re quick).  The troops four to a side and back-to-back, facing outwards.  The interior is so cramped, however, that many armies reduce the troop complement to seven or even six, rather than try to cram eight troops inside and reducing their effectiveness due to lack of space and exhaustion caused by the close accommodations.  The cramped interior often leads to personal gear and extra equipment being stowed on the rear deck, often stopping the turret from traversing to the rear.  Though the BMP-1 has an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup, it has no actual ventilation or anything that might cool the interior of the vehicle – and it doesn’t have a heater either.  This, along with the cramped interior, makes the BMP-1’s interior absolutely oppressive in hot climates.  This proved a serious problem in both the Middle East and Afghanistan; the crews would keep the roof hatches open under almost all conditions, and the crew and troops were then vulnerable to sharpshooters and machinegunners.  On early versions of the BMP-1, the protection of the crew and passengers from radiation is also considered questionable.

     The UTD-20 300-horsepower diesel engine is mounted in the front to the right of the driver, and is coupled to a manual transmission.  The BMP-1’s engine has a limited multi-fuel capability – it can burn almost any grade of diesel fuel, and it can also burn kerosene. The BMP-1 may lay a thick, oily smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into its exhaust. The ground pressure is relatively low, and the BMP-1 can cross fairly deep snow without getting bogged down; it can also traverse some swampy terrain with a reasonable chance of success.  The BMP-1 is also amphibious with minimal preparation; a trim vane must be erected at the front and bilge pumps turned on.  The hull is airtight once the rear doors are closed, and buoyancy is assisted by hollow roadwheels and roadwheel arms with air chambers in them.  The amphibious capability is rather limited – a current as little as 1.2 meters per second (4.3 kilometers per hour) can swamp a BMP-1. Cross-country travel, however, is unpleasant for the crew and passengers, particularly on a long trip or at high speeds, as even on the improved versions, the shock absorbers suck and the ride is bouncy, sometimes to the point of being violently bouncy.

     The BMP-1 is constructed by and large of steel.  Though the original requirements were that the armor be able to stop hits from 23mm autocannons through the frontal arc, 12.7mm machineguns on the sides, and 7.62mm guns from the rear, the front and side armor requirements were drastically scaled back in the interests of saving weight (and money) and improving speed.  As a result, even the frontal armor can often be penetrated by .50-caliber machinegun rounds, and the rear of the vehicle is vulnerable to 7.62mm NATO ammunition.  In Afghanistan, this weakness led to crews sometimes filling the rear fuel tanks with sand, and improving the rest of the armor with whatever metal or wood scraps they could find.  The turret armor is a bit better, but still not what the original design specifications called for. BMP-1s had walls with radiation shielding installed in them, but in models exported to the Middle East before the 1973 war, the radiation shielding was replaced with simple fiberboard coverings.

     The improved version of the BMP-1 (produced from 1969-73), as stated above, had a number of reliability improvements, particularly to the suspension.  In their pre-production forms, the original BMP-1 was referred to by the Soviets as the Ob’yekt 765Sp1 and the first improved model was the Ob’yekt 765Sp2, but both carried the official designation of BMP-1.  The first improved version is regarded as the first standard production version.  Changes from the initial version included a higher hull and changes to nose section for better flotation that increased length by 200mm, making the BMP-1 a better swimming platform.  The exhaust port behind the turret was fitted with an extendible snorkel for amphibious operations and deep fording.  A small air intake to the left of and in front of the driver was removed, again to increase swimming integrity.   This version was further improved or short time later; some rudimentary gun stabilization was added.  Improvements were made to the NBC system and engine to improve reliability.  The autoloader for the main gun was less accident-prone, though some arm-grabs did still occur.  Night vision was also slightly updated.  In 1976, a further improved version was fielded; until the introduction of this version, the BMP-1’s main gun fired only HEAT rounds.  The Objekt 765Sp3 (M-1976) had stowage and modified sights which allowed for the use of the new OG-15V HE-FRAG round.  The M-1976 completely deleted the autoloader, at the request of the crews.

 

Later BMP-1 Modifications

     Based on early experience in Afghanistan, the Soviets added an AGS-17 AGL on a pintle mount at on corner of the turret, manned by a soldier standing on the rear deck.  The weapon and the ammunition storage take up the space of one passenger. Large numbers of these modifications were made. Though this version is generally referred to as the “BMP-1G” (as I have below), and sometimes by NATO as the M-1979/1, the variant had no official designation in the Soviet Army.  Another common modification was the addition of three smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.  Though sometimes called the BMP-1M, this too is not an official designation; the smoke grenade launchers were actually added to a number of BMP-1 (and other BMP) variants. For game terms, this variant is identical to any other BMP-1 (or variant), except that the grenade launchers add $54 to the cost of the vehicle.

     The Finnish, and later the Germans, Greeks, and Swedish, did a minor modification, one that some other countries also did on an unofficial basis – they disabled or removed the troublesome autoloader for the main gun.  Even the Soviets, Warsaw Pact, Russians, and former Russian Republics did this on an unofficial basis to some of their BMP-1s. This has no game effect except to slow the rate of fire; such a BMP-1 can fire its main gun every other round instead of every round.

     The BMP-1P was the result of experience gained from the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the Angolan Civil War three years later, where the shortcomings of the AT-3 Sagger and its control system became all too apparent.  This resulted in the AT-3 launchers above the main gun being replaced by a launcher mounted on the turret beside the gunner’s hatch that used the superior 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) ATGM.  Though this launcher required that the gunner stand in the hatch with his head, arms, and torso outside of the vehicle to use the missiles sight and guidance equipment, the AT-5 was so superior to the AT-3 that the sacrifice was deemed to be worth it.  The launcher can also accept clip-on night vision equipment and has a superior guidance unit.  The launcher is loaded through one of the hatches atop the troop compartment, as the missiles are too large to pass through the gunner’s or commander’s hatch and the mounting of the missile launcher makes it impossible for them to load the ATGM without getting completely out of the vehicle and climbing out onto the rear deck.  A short time later, this launcher itself was replaced by one that could use both the 9M113 Konkurs and the 9M111 Fagot (AT-4 Spigot) ATGMs interchangeably.  Other modifications came in special NBC coverings for the engine compartment access hatch, inside and outside the turret, and at the driver’s and commander’s hatches, solving an overpressure leakage problem.  The engine and transmission were also improved in reliability – in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Syrians lost about 60% of their BMP-1 force, and most of these were lost when the crews abandoned broken-down vehicles that actually had easy-to-fix problems. Interior ventilation was improved, as this also proved to be a problem in the 1973 war and the Middle East’s hot climate. The Soviets also analyzed the use of napalm by US forces against North Vietnamese armor and added an automatic fire detection and suppression system for the engine, crew, and troop compartments.  Two more firing ports were added – one on the left side of the hull, and one just in front of the turret.  A subtype of the BMP-1P, the BMP-1PM2, has kovriki appliqué turret armor and three smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.  A further modification, the BMP-1PG, itself had three variants.  The first had an AGS-17 AGL mounted on a pintle mount at the left top of the turret, which was to be manned by one soldier standing on the rear deck.  A later version of the BMP-1PG added the tracks and drive sprockets of the BMP-2; a subsequent modification also gave the BMP-1PG a minor chassis overhaul and the small side skirts and the mudguards of the BMP-2 as well.  In addition, this version had a rearranged troop compartment that was basically the same as that of the BMP-2, which is a little roomier due to rearranged stowage.

     The BMP-1D was called the “Afghan” variant by Russian troops.  This version is characterized by the appliqué armor on its sides and front as well as increased belly and deck armor, and armored side skirts to protect the suspension.  The belly armor is even heavier under the driver’s and commander’s positions, the most likely casualties in a mine attack.  The kovriki appliqué turret armor is also employed. The side appliqué armor has holes cut in it to allow the troops to continue using the firing ports. Firing ports were also added to the four overhead hatches, so the troops could fight while standing up, using the hatches as cover.  Though not all BMD-1Ds had them, they were often seen with an armored stowage box at the rear of the vehicle on the deck.  Four smoke grenade launchers are added to each side of the turret. The BMP-1D modifications add considerable weight to the vehicle; in addition, the center of gravity changes so much that amphibious operations are impossible. A sub-type of this variant mounted an AGS-17 AGL in place of the AT-4/AT-4 ATGM launcher, as the AGS-17 was much more useful in Afghanistan than the ATGM launcher.  After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the BMP-1Ds were “downgraded” back into standard BMP-1s or converted into other BMP-1 versions.  The Iraqis developed a similar version to the BMP-1D on their own, fielding the modifications on some of their BMP-1s starting in 1988.  For game purposes, this Iraqi version is identical to the BMP-1D.

     The BMP-1-30 is an upgrade kit for the BMP-1 that sold poorly and was quickly discontinued.  It used a standard BMP-1 chassis, but was topped with a turret similar in concept to that of the BMP-2, though the autocannon used was different.  The engine was also replaced with a UTD-230 supercharged diesel engine developing 360 horsepower. (A similar idea, the BMP-1 Razbezhka, replaced the BMP-1’s turret with that of the BMP-2, but never left the design phase.)

     The BMP-1M is an upgrade that the Russian Army hopes to apply to all the BMP-1s and BMP-1Ps that they still have in service, as well as get decent sales from internationally.  The first test vehicle was built in 1998, and the BMP-1M was first shown internationally at the IDEX 99 International Arms Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The BMP-1M upgrade can be applied to any version of the BMP-1.  It is unknown how many BMP-1M modifications have been made by Russia.  The BMP-1M uses the Kliver turret in place of the standard BMP-1 turret, which is armed with an autocannon/machinegun/ATGM combination along with greatly-superior sights, night vision, and gun stabilization. The Kliver turret includes four launchers for AT-14 ATGMs, which are modular and can be replaced by up to four SA-18 SAMs (the missiles on each side of the turret must be replaced in pairs when doing this).  The commander can access the gunner’s sights and vision devices via a downlinked monitor.  The Kliver turret includes a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.

 

The Recon Variant – The BRM-1

     Work on the reconnaissance/scout version of the BMP-1 started almost as soon as the BMP-1 entered service, with development beginning in the late 1960s, first issue to Soviet units and low-rate initial production starting in 1972, and full production in 1973.  The first BRM-1s were externally very similar to BMP-1s, but could be distinguished by the extra antennas and the wider, flat turret mounted near the rear of the hull instead of near the front like on the BMP-1.  The rear hull deck also has a pair of hatches at each corner of the rear that are smaller than standard BMP-1 roof hatches. The larger turret primarily housed some of the extra radio equipment and interfaces for the BRM-1’s inertial navigation system, and also gave the turret room for two crewmembers so that the commander could conduct better observation while the gunner kept the weapons manned.  The turret has hatches for both the commander and gunner. (The inertial navigation system used in the initial production batches of the BRM-1 was relatively primitive and had to be reset every 30 minutes; in the late 1970s, a better inertial navigation system was fitted that largely solved this problem.) The BRM-1 carries a crew of four (driver, gunner, commander, and navigator), but the passenger compartment carries only a small dismount scout team of two troops; most of the rest of the space is used by extra communications and other specialized scouting aids and by extra supplies for the crew and scout team on long reconnaissance missions.  The armament was also initially identical to the BMP-1, though the autoloader for the main gun was deleted.  Soon after the BRM-1s introduction, the Tall Mike ground surveillance radar was added to the rear of the turret and the ATGM launcher and missile reloads were deleted.  Other equipment of the BRM-1 includes a laser rangefinder (not linked to the main gun, and not part of a fire control system), an additional short-range radio, and a medium-range and long-range radio; the latter is data-capable.  A radio mast is carried on the rear of the vehicle which can be erected on the ground next to the BRM-1 when it is halted, and this increases the range of the long-range radio to 300 kilometers (with the radio’s standard whip antenna, the range is 50 kilometers). The Tall Mike ground surveillance radar could detect vehicles at 7 kilometers and personnel at 2 kilometers; in 1993, Doppler radar ranging was added to the system which allowed for more precision identification of targets and automatic tracking of moving and static targets.  Most BRM-1s have a cluster of three smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.  Some later versions also have the three whip antennas used by the BRM-1 relocated to the rear of the turret. The BRM-1 retains the firing ports of the BMP-1, though of course there are much fewer personnel to man them. When the BRM-1 was first identified by the West, it was given the designation BMP M-1976/1, and later BMP-R, until the true Soviet designation was known.

    An enhanced version of the BRM-1, used primarily as a command reconnaissance vehicle, entered service at the same time as the standard BRM-1.  This is the BRM-1K.  The BRM-1K is not only has the same equipment as the BRM-1 (including the Tall Mike GSR system), it has some extra systems as well.  In addition to the BRM-1 equipment listed above, the BRM-1K is equipped with a turret-mounted 50mm flare rocket launcher, a longer-ranged laser rangefinder (with a range of about 4 kilometers, as opposed to the 2-kilometer range of the BRM-1’s laser rangefinder), a radio direction finder/detector, a device that detects and measures both radiation and chemical contamination (and another that can identify the type of chemical weapon that may be contaminating the area), a mine detector located in the front hull, and a compact 1kW gasoline-powered APU that is carried internally.  The BRM-1K is fitted with an extendible radio mast instead of the ground-mounted long-range mast of the BRM-1. The crew is provided several pairs of binoculars, a hand-held IR night vision device, two hand-held image intensifiers designed for day use, and one hand-held image intensifier that is designed for night use.  The inertial navigation system is more advanced than that of the BRM-1, and did not need to be reset as often since it has a gyrocompass backup and the BRM-1K is also equipped with computerized surveying system.  Later upgrades included those of the BRM-1K and also included a GLONASS GPS system with an inertial navigation backup, and a computerized mapping system; thermal imaging is also added. Of course, this extra equipment comes at a cost; the BRM-1K carries only half the normal ammunition for its main gun and an ATGM launcher was never fitted to the BRM-1K.  The BRM-1K is also a little heavier than the BRM-1.

 

Other APC-Type BMP-1 Modifications

     Various command versions of the BMP-1 exist.  The basic command versions of the BMP-1 are called the BMP-1K and look externally almost identical to a standard BMP-1, except for having extra radio antennas (one or two).  Internally, they are rearranged to carry more radios, tables, map boards, and other command equipment.  The interior seating is designed for the needs of the command mission and seating for only three personnel is provided along one side.  The firing ports are welded shut and the associated vision blocks removed, except for the one in the rear.  The BMP-1K1 is a platoon leader’s vehicle and has two additional medium-range radios.  The BMP-1K2 company commander’s vehicle is virtually identical, but one of the medium-range radios is data-capable.  The BMP-1K3 battalion commander’s vehicle is also virtually identical, but instead of two additional medium-range radios, it has one additional medium-range and one additional long-range radio; the long-range radio is data-capable.  All three have additional equipment to help the commander to accurately call for artillery strikes. In the mid-1990s, these vehicles were modified to carry the GLONASS GPS system and the radios were updated; the BMP-1K2 and BMP-1K3 also had ruggedized laptop computers added.  All of these versions carry standard BMP-1 armament and ammunition.  The updated versions were designed primarily for export, as lower-cost upgrades to foreign customers’ command versions of the BMP-1K. The BMP-1K was initially issued to Soviet troops in 1973. 

     Command versions of the BMP-1P were also built, and began to replace most of the BMP-1Ks in Russian service in the late 1970s alongside the BMP-1P; these versions are the BMP-1PKs, and there are versions equivalent to the BMP-1K series (BMP-1PK1, BMP-1PK2, and BMP-1PK3). The BMP-1PK3 also has a telescoping sensor and observation mast at the right rear of the vehicle, equipped with telescopic sights and night vision devices. They too were modernized in the mid-1990s. A command version of the BMP-1M has also been designed and is entering service with the Russians; this is the BMP-1KM, and has the same sort of equipment as the BMP-1K3 of the mid-1990s (though even more up-to-date), but does not have the mast-mounted sensors.  The BMP-1KM can also use its laser rangefinder as a designator for laser-guided weapons launched by artillery or aircraft, and the command crew can access the gunner’s sights via downlinked monitors.  The BMP-1PK3 and BMP-1KM have ruggedized laptop computers as part of their equipment.

     The BMP-1KSh Potok is a command vehicle used at brigade level and above in Motorized Infantry Divisions and some Corps-sized units.  It first appeared in 1978. It is also used by some units as a forward observation post, and as an FDC vehicle at brigade level and above, and some other specialized command and control units.  The turret’s weapons are deleted; the turret is still present, but it is fixed in place and cannot rotate, being used only as a commander’s cupola. Normally, the BMP-1KSh is sometimes unarmed, though normally it has a pintle-mounted weapon at the commander’s hatch.  The interior has been given substantial rearrangement of the interior into space for the command staff and their equipment, including one short-range, two medium-range, and two-long range radios (one of which is data-capable).  Atop the vehicle is a 10-meter folding mast for an AMU long-range antenna; the vehicle also has a 10-meter telescoping mast at the right rear, similar to that of BMP-1PK3, with observation equipment.  The BMP-1KSh is also festooned with normal whip antennas, normally having no less than four of them. The BMP-1KSh has an inertial navigation with a gyrocompass as a backup, and on the rear deck are a pair of 1kW gasoline-fueled APUs to power the vehicles equipment when the engine is off.  Two of the roof hatches are deleted to make room for these generators, and there are also racks on the deck for fuel cans for those APUs.  It has a ruggedized laptop computer. Exact command equipment varies with the role of the BMP-1KSh in question.  In the 1990s, these vehicles were given an upgrade; these vehicles are called BMP-1KShMs.  They have modernized command and control equipment, as well as modernized observation equipment.   The GLONASS GPS system has been added, with an inertial navigation backup; the thermal imager on the mast is also replaced with a FLIR, and a laser rangefinder is added.  A ruggedized laptop computer is carried. The pair of 1kW APUs are replaced with a single 5kW diesel-fueled generator which can run off of the vehicle’s fuel tanks as well as its own.

 

     Twilight/Merc 2000 Notes: The BMP-1M does not exist in the Twilight 2000 World, nor do any of the variants based on it.  The upgrades of BMP-1s listed above as having occurred in 1995 or later are very rare.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BMP-1 (M-1967)

$228,659

D, A

1 ton

12.6 tons

3+8

8

Active IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C)

Shielded

BMP-1 (M-1969)

$231,394

D, A

1 ton

13 tons

3+8

8

Active IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C)

Shielded

BMP-1 (M-1976)

$168,394

D, A

1 ton

13.2 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1G

$176,384

D, A

1 ton

13.2 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1P

$170,078

D, A

1 ton

13.4 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PG

$178,148

D, A

1 ton

13.4 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PM2

$171,269

D, A

1 ton

13.5 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1D

$176,912

D, A

1 ton

14.5 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1DG

$180,258

D, A

1 ton

14.5 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1-30

$75,608

D, A

1 ton

13.8 tons

3+8

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1M

$176,657

D, A

1 ton

12.9 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BRM-1

$503,590

D, A

500 kg

12.9 tons

4+2

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-1 (1993)

$343,480

D, A

500 kg

12.9 tons

4+2

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-1K

$614,126

D, A

500 kg

13.2 tons

4+2

12

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-1K (1993)

$406,236

D, A

500 kg

13.2 tons

4+2

12

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G), GSR Radar

Shielded

BMP-1K1

$230,929

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1K2

$230,979

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1K3

$232,144

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1K1 (1995)

$187,929

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1K1 (1995)

$248,644

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1K1 (1995)

$249,144

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PK1

$169,826

D, A

500 kg

13.4 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PK2

$169,876

D, A

500 kg

13.4 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PK3

$233,001

D, A

500 kg

13.4 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, Mast), Image Intensification (Mast), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PK1 (1995)

$150,131

D, A

500 kg

13.4 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PK1 (1995)

$150,181

D, A

500 kg

13.4 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1PK1 (1995)

$221,048

D, A

500 kg

13.4 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, Mast), Image Intensification (Mast), Thermal Imaging (Mast), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1KM

$235,707

D, A

500 kg

12.9 tons

3+3

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BMP-1KSh

$388,523

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+4

12

Passive IR (D, G, C, Mast), Image Intensification (Mast), Thermal Imaging (Mast), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

BMP-1KShM

$276,686

D, A

500 kg

13 tons

3+4

12

Passive IR (D, G, C, Mast), Image Intensification (Mast), FLIR (Mast), IR Searchlight (G, C), WL Searchlight (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BMP-1 (M-1967)

156/109

38/23/4

462

126

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1 (M-1969)/BMP-1K

152/107

37/22/4

462

130

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1 (M-1976)BMP-1G

151/106

37/22/4

462

131

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1P/BMP-1PG/BMP-1PK

150/105

37/22/4

462

134

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1PM2

147/103

36/22/4

462

137

Trtd

T3

TF11  TS7  TR7  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1D/BMP-1DG

137/96

34/20

462

144

Trtd

T3

TF11  TS7  TR7  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR4*

BMP-1-30

145/102

36/21/4

462

138

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1M/BMP-1KM

154/108

38/23/4

462

128

CiH

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR4

BMP-1KSh/BRM-1

152/107

37/22/4

462

130

Stnd

T3

HF8  HS4  HR4

BRM-1K

149/105

36/22/4

462

133

Trtd

T3

TF10  TS6  TR6  HF8  HS4  HR4

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BMP-1 (M-1967)

+1

None

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AT-3 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 5xAT-3 ATGMs

BMP-1 (M-1969/1976)/BMP-1K/BRM-1

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AT-3 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 5xAT-3 ATGMs

BMP-1G

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AGS-17 AGL, AT-3 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 290x30mm, 5xAT-3 ATGMs

BMP-1P/BMP-1PM2/BMP-1PK

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AT-5/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 5xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMP-1PG

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AGS-17 AGL, AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 290x30mm, 5xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMP-1D

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AT-5/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 5xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMP-1DG

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT, AGS-17 AGL

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm, 290x30mm

BMP-1-30

+1

Fair

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 5xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMP-1M/BMP-1KM

+3

Good

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, up to 4xAT-15 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAM Launchers

300x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, up to 4xAT-14 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAMs

BRM-1

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT

40x73mm, 2000x7.62mm

BRM-1K

+1

Fair

73mm 2A28 Gun, PKT

20x73mm, 2000x7.62mm

BMP-1KSh

None

None

PK (C)

2000x7.62mm

*Belly armor for the BMD-1D and BMP-1DG is 4; the belly armor under the driver’s and commander’s position (an area of about 1.5 meters long and 1 meter wide) is 5.

**The “Turret” of the Snezka actually refers to the sensor mast.  This “Turret” has no crew inside and no crew casualties are possible from a “Turret” hit on the Snezka.  All crew casualties for the “Turret” are converted to electronics/equipment damage.

 

BMP-2

     Notes:  Russian troops realized early on that the BMP-1 had numerous shortcomings, especially in the area of armor protection and its armament.  The performance of the BMP-1 in the 1973 Yom Kippur War intensified this realization, even to the high levels of the Soviet Army – the 73mm gun proved to fall off rapidly in accuracy, the sighting and control equipment used for the AT-3 ATGM on the BMP-1 were even more difficult to use than those of the manpacked AT-3, and the BMP-1’s frontal armor could be penetrated by even .50-caliber machinegun fire.  The commander’s IR searchlight was a critical flaw, giving enemy troops a handy avenue of approach where they knew they would not be vulnerable to the BMP-1’s turret-mounted weapons.  The vision blocks of the BMP-1’s firing ports had a very narrow field of view.

     The Soviet experience in Afghanistan further intensified knowledge of these flaws, and revealed others – the vision blocks of the BMP-1 make observation of troops on the ground within 20 meters of the BMP-1 difficult, the commander’s periscope also has a very narrow field of view.  But the worst flaw revealed by Soviet experience in Afghanistan was revealed by the mountainous terrain – the BMP-1’s turret-mounted weapons were simply incapable of elevating to the point of being useful against enemies even moderately high above the vehicle, and it cost the Soviets a huge amount of lives.

     The Soviets had started to study improvements to the BMP-1 in 1974, and this resulted in some of the BMP-1 variants listed above as well as about 10 other prototypes.  Eventually, in the mid-1970s, this research resulted in the BMP-2, which was first issued to Soviet units in 1974 and saw its first combat use in the Angolan Civil War in 1975.  However, high-rate mass production did not really take off until the late 1970s, and though BMP-2s were part of the initial invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979, large-scale use in combat did not occur until 1980, and it was not until 1984 that the Soviet Union employed more BMP-2s than BMP-1s.  The BMP-2 it still used by some 33 nations in active military service, and in the past has been used by six more; the US and Britain also use an undisclosed number of them in the OPFOR role for training purposes.  Production numbers of the BMP-2 possibly exceeds that of the BMP-1. Users can be found on every continent of the planet except Australia.

 

The BMP-2 – The Initial Version

     The basic BMP-2 hull is very similar to the BMP-1 – in fact, many Russian BMP-2s are upgraded BMP-1s.  The biggest difference in the BMP-2 is, of course, the turret.  The 73mm gun and the AT-3 Sagger ATGM are replaced by a 30mm dual-feed autocannon and an external ATGM launcher mounted over the commander’s station that can use both 9M111 Fagot (NATO reporting name: AT-4 Spigot) and 9M113 and 9M-113M Konkurs (NATO reporting name: AT-5 Spandrel) missiles.  (An astute observer can tell which type of missile is loaded – the AT-5 tube is only a little longer, but if an AT-5 is loaded, it will be angled up from the turret quite a bit further than if an AT-4 missile is loaded. The end of the launch tube on the AT-5 also has a small thickened section, which the AT-4 does not have.) The turret itself is larger than that of the BMP-1, allowing the commander’s station to be moved into the turret; this eliminated the problematic placement of the commander’s station and his searchlight in relation to the turret armament. (The larger turret had a price – a smaller troop compartment.)  The turret is situated a little further back on the hull, more towards the center of the vehicle.  The commander and gunner both have hatches, with the commander to the right and gunner to the left; the gunner’s hatch is smaller than that of the commander.  The commander has three wide-angle vision blocks which allow forward vision and vision somewhat to the sides (about a 130-degree arc).  He also has an independent day sight for use with the turret armament’s auxiliary controls, and this has magnification channels of 1x, 2x, and 4x.  Unlike the gunner’s day sight, which is geared primarily towards the engagement of ground targets, the commander’s sight is designed primarily for the engagement of helicopters and other slow-flying aircraft. He also has a rotatable periscopic sight with a day magnification of 1-4.75x and a night (IR) magnification of 4x. The commander also has a rotatable IR searchlight mounted on the turret roof. The commander also normally fires the ATGM launcher, using sights on the ATGM mount, though these are downlinked to sighting equipment inside the turret.  The AT-4 and AT-5 ATGMs are a substantial improvement over the AT-3, as are the sights and controls on the launcher.  The commander cannot reload the launcher due to its positioning (unless he leaves his position in the vehicle), and it must be reloaded by the gunner or one of the troops in the rear through one of the roof hatches over the passenger compartment.  The BMP-2 also carries a ground mount for the ATGMs as standard equipment; it necessary, they can be used away from the vehicle.

     The turret armament has a small degree of stabilization (better than that of the BMP-1, but the difference is not quantifiable in Twilight 2000 v2.2 terms) but the sights are similar in concept to those of the BMP-1 (though specifically designed for use with the BMP-2’s armament). The gunner’s position has only one vision block, and it faces rearward.  The gunner’s sight was replaced with an improved sight in the mid-1980s, though the difference in the sights is also not quantifiable in Twilight 2000 v2.2 terms. The gunner’s day sight is similar to the commander’s day weapons sight, with the same magnification ranges. He also has a similar IR night vision channel, as well as an image intensifier, and he can steer the IR searchlight from his position.  The main gun and coaxial machinegun can be elevated to 74 degrees, but depression is still only 5 degrees – not much of an improvement over the BMP-1.  Turret traverse, however, is much faster, about 36 degrees per second; this is almost double that of the BMP-1.  The autocannon is fed by belts that lead through chutes from two trays in the turret floor; the design of the these ammunition trays is quite poor and a sore point among BMP-2 crews, as getting the belted ammunition into the trays and fitting it to feed the autocannon properly can take as much as two hours; even a good crew can find themselves futzing with the ammunition feed for an unduly-long period.  Ventilation of the autocannon’s gasses is also a problem; the 2A42 autocannon can be fired at either 300 rounds per minute or 550 rounds per minute, but informally the higher cyclic rate is not recommended except in emergencies as exhaust gas will quickly build up to dangerous levels. The gunner is also able to use the ATGM launcher, using the same sort of downlinked sight equipment as the commander. The turret has an IR searchlight mounted coaxially to the main gun opposite the coaxial machinegun, and it can be activated by both the commander and gunner. On each side of the turret is a bank of three smoke grenade launchers.

     The rear of the BMP-2 is largely the same as that of the BMP-1, but it is smaller due to the larger turret.  As a result, it holds only six troops, with a seventh sitting back-to-back behind the driver in a rather tight space.  The six troops in the rear sit back-to-back facing outwards behind a firing port and a vision block that has an improved field of vision over those of the BMP-1.  The familiar pair of rear doors are present on the BMP-2; the left one has a firing port with a vision block, while the right one has only a vision block.  The rear deck has two larger hatches over the troop compartment instead of the four small ones of the BMP-1. Like the BMP-1, the interior of the BMP-2 is very cramped, and most crew and troop equipment must be carried strapped to the exterior of the vehicle, with a long ride being rather miserable. (in the 1990s, an air conditioner was added to improve crew comfort, but it only helps so much.)  The crew is protected by an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup (though use of ATGM launcher of course makes the overpressure system useless), and the BMP-2 also has an automatic fire detection and suppression system.

     The driver of the BMP-2 is in the front left hull with the engine to his right. He has three vision blocks to his front, and the center block can be removed and replaced with a night vision block. The engine has the same power has the BMP-1 – 300 horsepower – but is an improved supercharged diesel engine called the UTD-20/3 that has greater reliability and acceleration than that of the BMP-1.  The transmission is semiautomatic instead of manual and easier on the driver than that of the BMP-1.  The driver (and commander) have access to a gyrocompass to help them navigate. The BMP-2 is amphibious with a little preparation, requiring the extension of a trim vane at the front and the switching on of bilge pumps, and requiring 5 minutes.  Some sources say the BMP-2 is propelled in the water by its tracks, and others say that propulsion when swimming is switched to waterjets; I have not been able to determine which is correct.  If the BMP-2 is propelled by waterjets, they must be of low power, since the swimming speed reported in BMP-2s with waterjets of is not as high as most vehicles equipped with waterjets – indeed, no higher than BMP-2s reported as being propelled by their tracks. Amphibious operations can be dangerous in the BMP-2, particularly in a strong current; and the suspension’s bearings are not airtight, and freeboard is not great.  In recognition of this fact, Russian Army regulations require that the crew and maintenance personnel ensure that the BMP-2 has a working radio whenever amphibious operations are a possibility, since if the BMP-2’s engine floods and dies, the vehicle stands a good possibility of being carried off by the current or sinking. Also in recognition of this possibility, the shallow side skirts are hollow and filled with foam to increase buoyancy. The suspension is improved, though the ride is still quite rough and bouncy.

     Protection is still an issue with the BMP-2.  Armor was improved, but only just barely.  The low profile is retained, though the turret is a bit higher, and the ATGM launcher does project well above the turret.  The suspension is still unprotected by side skirts, and the BMP-2 is still very vulnerable to mines due to thin belly armor, though the floor armor is slightly improved, especially in part of the front half of the vehicle.  The troops in the rear of the BMP-2 are still sitting on top of the main fuel tank, separated by only a thin metal plate, and the rear doors still contain fuel tanks that hold 66.5 liters of fuel in each door. The driver can selectively feed from the rear door fuel tanks first, and if the fuel tanks catch fire, the flow from them can be cut off by any member of the crew or by the troops in the rear nearest to the doors.  The fuel supply in the door tanks can also be flushed and dumped from the vehicle, and they are filled independently from the main fuel tank. (Current Russian doctrine calls for the rear door tanks to be used only to extend the range of the BMP-2, and for them to be emptied before entering combat.)

     A slight upgrade in 1984 (the BMP-2 M-1984) has kovriki appliqué armor on the turret, similar in concept to that fitted to the BMP-1PM2, though requiring more appliqué to cover the larger turret. (The kovriki upgrade is quite common and almost standard among BMP-2 users these days.) In 1986, the improvements to the sights mentioned above were made, and the resulting vehicle called the BMP-2 M-1986, though as stated above, the difference in sight quality is not quantifiable in Twilight 2000 v2.2 rules.  Some Russian BMP-2s have had steel armored track skirts added; these skirts are thin, but add a little side protection. These vehicles are designated BMP-2E. Since the 1993, some Russian BMP-2s had had an externally-mounted thermal imager added; this is also a common export option selected by customers of the BMP-2. 

     The ATGM launchers on the Czech version, the BVP-2, are designed for use only with the AT-4 ATGM, and cannot fire the AT-5.

 

Later BMP-2 Modifications

     For service in Afghanistan, many BMP-2s were modified with the same appliqué armor package as the BMP-1D, resulting in the BMP-2D version (also referred to as the “Afghan” variant). For convenience, I will reiterate the particulars of that package (with differences as they apply to the BMP-2): the belly armor is further increased under the driver’s position and turret, kovriki-type appliqué armor is added to the turret, spaced appliqué armor is added to the hull sides and front, the side appliqué armor has holes cut in it to allow for use of the firing ports, the two rear deck hatches have firing ports cut into them so that they can be used as cover when the troops in the rear are fighting while standing up, most had an armored storage box added to the rear deck, and four smoke grenade launchers were added to each side of the turret. The BMP-2D modifications add considerable weight to the vehicle; in addition, the center of gravity changes so much that amphibious operations are impossible. The BMP-2D also has attachments on the front of the hull for a mine plow. A sub-type of this variant mounted an AGS-17 AGL in place of the AT-4/AT-4 ATGM launcher, as the AGS-17 was much more useful in Afghanistan than the ATGM launcher; this makes the BMP-2 into the BMP-2DG.  (This modification was much less common on the BMP-2D than the BMP-1D, as the 30mm autocannon could deal with many of the same situations.)  Like the BMP-1D, the BMP-2Ds were “downgraded” back to the BMP-2 M-1986 version after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.  Western observers at first called the BMP-2D variant the “BMP-2E” until its proper designation was known; the BMP-2E is in fact another modification (see above).  The only other country to employ the BMP-2D modification was Poland, who for a while used their own locally-produced version, the BWP-2D.  (Poland no longer uses either the BWP-2 or BWP-2D, having sold them in 1995 to Angola.)

     The BMP-2M modification (sometimes called the “Berezhok” modification) is similar to the BMP-1M modification, though even greater in scope; though the Russians began modifying some BMP-2s to the BMP-2M standard in 1994, these upgrades have proceeded very slowly due to a general lack of funding, and large-scale upgrading did not start until 1998, and it is believed that the Russians have even by 2010 been able to modify less than a quarter of their BMP-2 fleet into BMP-2Ms.  The BMP-2M involves removal of the BMP-2’s turret and replacing it with the Kliver turret, which is armed with an autocannon/machinegun/ATGM combination along with greatly-superior sights, night vision, and gun stabilization. The Kliver turret includes four launchers for AT-14 ATGMs, which are modular and can be replaced by up to four SA-18 SAMs (the missiles on each side of the turret must be replaced in pairs when doing this).  The commander can access the gunner’s sights and vision devices via a downlinked monitor.  The BMP-2M’s Kliver turret also includes a vehicular version of the AGS-17 (the AG-17) which is externally-mounted in a flexible mount and fed by an ammunition box that is also externally-mounted, in an integral magazine which is generally reloaded from one of the rear deck hatches.  The AG-17’s magazine holds 100 rounds of the total grenade ammunition supply. The Kliver turret includes a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret. The BMP-2M’s modifications also include a thin layer of appliqué armor for the hull, turret, and hull floor, as well as the installation of the UTD-230 supercharged diesel engine developing 360 horsepower.  An air conditioner is also included, as the BMP-2M’s export market is primarily aimed at the Middle East, India, and Pakistan. The BMP-2M modification is being internationally marketed, though as of yet Algeria is the only known export customer.

     The Ukrainians use small amounts of two locally-produced variants of the BMP-2.  The first is the BMP-2G; it uses a locally-produced version of the 2A42 autocannon (the KBA-2) that has computer-aided fire control, and at the left rear of the turret is an external mount for the AG-17 grenade launcher.  The installation of the AG-17 is similar in some ways to that used on the Russian BMP-2M modification, in that it uses an external 100-round magazine, but the mount is also flexible and can be elevated independently of the turret and its weapons to +70 degrees, -5 degrees, and 45 degrees to either side.  The AG-17 is controlled by the gunner; the commander has no auxiliary controls for it.  Another addition is a French-built SAGEM thermal imager, also externally mounted on the turret, which can be accessed by both the commander and gunner.  The second modification, also called the BMP-2M (though not related to the Russian BMP-2M upgrade) deletes the AG-17 and the AT-4/AT-5 ATGM launcher, but adds a mount at the rear of the turret for four locally-designed R-2 Bar’er laser-guided ATGMs.  These ATGMs can be fired by either the commander or gunner.  Both these upgrade kits use a locally-produced analogue of the UTD-230 360-horsepower supercharged diesel engine, along with a fully automatic transmission.  They too include an air conditioner, as the two upgrade kits are both being internationally marketed and these days, the inclusion of an air conditioner increases sales possibilities. Both have kovriki-type appliqué armor, as this is virtually standard on Ukrainian BMP-2s.

     The French produce an upgrade package for the BMP-2 called the SNPE kit.  This includes appliqué armor similar in protection to the BMP-2D modifications, though much lighter in weight, lugs for ERA on the front and sides of the hull, Kevlar anti-spall liners on the interior walls, an air conditioner, an externally-mounted thermal imager, and a French-made 360-horsepower supercharged diesel engine.  It is believed by defense experts that the reason this kit has sound no customers as of yet is that the mounting of ERA on IFVs potentially jeopardizes the safety of troops that may be operating on the ground near the vehicle; similar kits for other APCs and IFVs by the French and other countries have also met with little success.

     A joint French/German Flame-V modification kit replaces the AT-4/AT-5 ATGM launcher with a launcher for Milan 1, Milan 2, and Milan 3 ATGMs, and also adds a thermal imager.  It also adds a laser rangefinder/designator and ballistic computer. It is possible this upgrade has had some sales, but this is not confirmed.

     The addition of an externally-mounted thermal imager and/or an external flexible-mounted AG-17 grenade launcher is a common export upgrade option, and is offered by and bought by many countries since the mid-1990s.  The addition of an air conditioner is also a common upgrade option, again offered by and bought by many countries. When a BMP-2 has a thermal imager added, the IR searchlights are normally deleted, except on Russian vehicles.  An AG-17 addition adds 100 kg to the weight of the BMP-2 and $7123 to the cost; performance can be inferred by comparing the new weight to one of the vehicle weights listed below.  A thermal imager addition adds $30,000 to the cost of the BMP-2 and negligible weight, but the normal associated deletion of the two IR searchlights removes $16,000 from the cost of the BMP-2.  An air conditioner addition adds $1000 to the cost of the BMP-2 and also has negligible weight.

 

Command Version – The BMP-2K

     In Russian Motorized Infantry Divisions (and their Soviet predecessors), the command versions of the BMP-1 were for the most part retained instead of producing a lot of command variants of the BMP-2.  However, a single command variant of the BMP-2, the BMP-2K, was developed for use by platoon leaders and some company commanders in Motorized Infantry units equipped with the BMP-2, primarily for purposes of interoperability and common supply in lower echelons.  Externally, the BMP-2K is virtually identical, but it sports several whip antennas (on the right and left hull roof and on the deck behind the turret).  In front of the whip antenna on the left rear (which is an IFF antenna; the BMP-2K has an IFF transmitter) is a support for a long-range telescopic antenna mast.  The mast does not telescope from the vehicle; it is mounted externally and telescopes from its mount. (We employed something similar on the M-577 command vehicle in the Army when I served; driving with the antenna erected is highly discouraged and is virtually certain to cause the mast to fall and be destroyed almost immediately upon movement; in addition, guy lines are required if the mast is to deployed more than about a meter and a half high.) The rearmost firing ports are deleted from either side of the BMP-2K.  The turret antenna is deleted, as the other antennas take its place.  The interior is rearranged to provide space for the command staff and more radios, tables, map boards, and other command equipment.  The interior seating is designed for the needs of the command mission and seating for only three personnel is provided along one side.  The BMP-2K carries a total of one long-range, two medium-range, and one short-range radios, with the long-range radio being data-capable.  In 1995, the radios were updated, a ruggedized laptop computer was added, and a GLONASS GPS system was added with a gyroscopic backup.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BMP-2 was fairly common in the Russian Army in the Twilight 2000 timeline, comprising about a third of the BMP forces of that country. It was also quite common in Warsaw Pact forces, and could be encountered in virtually every corner of the world.  The Russians also used some BMP-2D modifications as well as some with side skirts (a kit for both, to be installed by forward support troops, was devised during the war). A kit to add kovriki appliqué to the turret was also widely distributed.  The BMP-2M modification is very rare, comprising less than 5% of the Russian BMP-2 force, and absent outside of the Soviet Army.  No other variants of the BMP-2 were present in the Twilight War, except for versions with added AG-17s, thermal imagers, and/or in air conditioners.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BMP-2

$117,591

D, A

1 ton

14.3 tons

3+7

6

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

BMP-2 M-1984

$118,400

D, A

1 ton

14.4 tons

3+7

6

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

BMP-2E

$119,900

D, A

1 ton

14.5 tons

3+7

6

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

BMP-2D

$119,268

D, A

1 ton

15.6 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

BMP-2DG

$120,857

D, A

1 ton

15.6 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

BMP-2M

$186,597

D, A

1 ton

14.2 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BMP-2G

$176,213

D, A

1 ton

14.5 tons

3+7

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

Ukrainian BMP-2M

$182,732

D, A

1 ton

14.4 tons

3+7

9

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BMP-2 SNPE Upgrade

$121,198

D, A

1 ton

14.9 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BMP-2 Flame-V Upgrade

$179,582

D, A

1 ton

14.3 tons

3+7

9

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

BMP-2K

$129,736

D, A

500 kg

14.3 tons

3+3

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

BMP-2K (1995)

$181,706

D, A

500 kg

14.4 tons

3+3

8

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (Gun, C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BMP-2/BMP-2K

141/99

34/21/3

462

157

Trtd

T3

TF11  TS7  TR6  HF9  HS5  HR4*

BMP-2 M-1984/BMP-2 Flame-V/BMP-2K (1995)

140/98

34/21/3

462

159

Trtd

T3

TF12  TS8  TR7  HF9  HS5  HR4*

BMP-2E

139/97

33/21/3

462

160

Trtd

T3

TF12  TS8  TR7  HF9  HS6Sp  HR4*

BMP-2D/BMP-2DG

130/91

31/19

462

171

Trtd

T3

TF12  TS8  TR7  HF11Sp  HS7Sp  HR4**

BMP-2M

152/106

37/23/4

462

172

CiH

T3

TF5  TS5  TR5  HF10  HS6  HR4**

BMP-2G

149/104

36/23/4

462

175

Trtd

T3

TF12  TS8  TR7  HF9  HS5  HR4*

Ukrainian BMP-2M

150/105

36/23/4

462

173

Trtd

T3

TF12  TS8  TR7  HF9  HS5  HR4*

BMP-2 SNPE Upgrade

146/102

35/22/4

462

178

Trtd

T3

TF12  TS8  TR7  HF11Sp  HS8Sp  HR5***

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BMP-2/BMP-2 M-1984/BMP-2 M-1986/BMP-2D/BMP-2 SNPE/BMP-2K

+1

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 5xAT-4/AT-5 ATGMs

BMP-2DG

+1

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, AGS-17 AGL

500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 290x30mm Grenades

BMP-2M

+3

Good

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, AGS-17 AGL, up to 4xAT-15 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAM Launchers

300x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 300x30mm Grenades, up to 4xAT-14 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAMs

BMP-2G

+2

Fair

30mm KBA-2 Autocannon, PKT, AG-17 AGL, AT-4/AT-5 ATGM Launcher

500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 300x30mm Grenades, 5xAT-4/AT-4 ATGMs

Ukrainian BMP-2M

+2

Fair

30mm KBA-2 Autocannon, PKT, 4xR-2 ATGM Launchers

500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xR-2 ATGMs

BMP-2 Flame-V Upgrade

+3

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, PKT, Milan ATGM Launcher

500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 6xMilan 1/2/3 ATGMs

*Hull floor armor for the BMP-2 and most of its variants is 3, except in the part of the vehicle under the driver and turret, where it is 4.

**Hull floor armor for the BMP-2D and BMP-2DG is 5, except under the driver’s position and turret, where it is 6.

***Hull floor armor for the SNPE Upgrade kit is 6 for the entire vehicle.

 

Kurganmashzavod/KBP BMP-3 Troyka

     Notes: The BMP-3 was designed in recognition of the fact that the BMP-1 and BMP-2, despite upgrades and appliqué armor modifications, were still inadequate in many ways for their roles; in particular, the cramped interior, lack or protection, and relatively difficult-to-use ATGM were sore points that were inhibiting export sales and proved to be a severe detriment in Afghanistan. The BMP-3 was originally conceived as two vehicles on a common chassis – a larger version of the BMP-2 and a light fire support vehicle.  The idea of simply enlarging the BMP-2 was dropped, and the fire support vehicle’s role was taken over by the 2S25 light tank (see Russian Tracked Light Combat Vehicles). The hull of what would become the BMP-3 remained relatively unchanged during development, but the turret changed radically, turning the BMP-3 into a vehicle unlike any other – part fire support vehicle, part light tank, and part IFV.  The turret system itself is self-contained and can be installed on most armored vehicles with little modification, and both the turret system and the entire vehicle are being heavily marketed all over the world; the BMP-3 is used by a dozen countries ranging from Venezuela to South Korea.  The largest operator of the BMP-3 is in fact not the Russians – it is the United Arab Emirates, which have about 450 in their armies. The UAE is also considering buying more BMP-3s, in the form of BMP-3Fs. The hulls and most of its components are built by Kurganmashzavod, while the turret system is made by KBP of Tula. The BMP-3 entered service with the Soviet Army in 1987.

 

The Original BMP-3

     The design of the BMP-3’s hull at first glance resembles that of the BMP-1 and BMP-2, but it is much larger.  Armor protection was improved, both due to thicker armor and the use of more advanced metal technology.  The interior of the BMP-3, including the engine compartment and the drive train under the floor, also have Kevlar anti-spalling liners.  The BMP-3 is almost certainly the most heavily-armed IFVs in service – turret armament consists of both a new 100mm main gun that also fires ATGMs, but also a coaxial machinegun on one side of the main gun and a coaxial autocannon on the other side of the main gun.  In each bow of the BMP-3, there is a PKT machinegun (though they have limited traverse and elevation).  The main gun fires both conventional ammunition (though not the same as that fired by the T-54/T-55’s main gun) as well as the 9M117 Arkan (NATO reporting name: AT-10 Stabber; the complete system is also known as the Basnya system) laser-guided ATGM.  (That said, the Russian military is said to not be happy with the gun-fired ATGMs – reportedly, the Russian Army has never been happy with their ATGM-firing tanks, preferring that Russia put the required resources into better main guns and fire control equipment instead.) The ATGM’s laser designator is separate from the BMP-3’s laser rangefinder used with the rest of the turret armament.  Being command-guided, it would require a skilled gunner indeed to guide the AT-10 guide the BMP-3 is moving – and if the target is moving, such a trick would be virtually impossible.  However, guiding an AT-10 against a fast-moving target while the BMP-3 has been demonstrated to be quite feasible – the AT-10 can even be used, with computer aid, against fast-moving, low-flying helicopters.  All three turret weapons are capable of great elevation; some sources put the elevation capability at as much as +70 degrees, though depression is still small at -6 degrees.  The main gun is fed by an autoloader, with the ammunition located under the turret floor. The BMP-3’s fire control computer can be set to automatically track a target and rotate the turret and elevate and depress the weapons as necessary, in a manner similar to that of the newest generation of main battle tanks such as the M-1 Abrams, Challenger, or T-90.  Sights and the night vision suite are modern, including a fire control computer, two-plane electric stabilization, and comprehensive day/night sights for the gunner which can also be accessed by the commander.  The commander himself also has day/night sights and auxiliary controls for the turret weapons, but he does not have a hunter/killer capability; he does have an IR searchlight available.  The commander and gunner can also control the bow machineguns via a fiberoptic link if the troops which man them are not present (those troops are considered a part of the infantry dismount squad); the sights available to the commander and gunner for these bow guns do not give the commander or gunner a very good view for these guns.

     The driver of the BMP-3 sites in the center front of the vehicle, with the engine and transmission to his front in a unified powerpack.  He has three vision blocks, and the center block can be removed and replaced with a night vision block.  His controls are a conventional steering yoke with a gas and brake pedal; the transmission is automatic.  Early production versions of the BMP-3 were equipped with a 450-horsepower UTD-29 supercharged diesel engine, but this was quickly replaced in production with the 500-horsepower UTD-29M version, and most early-production BMP-3s were retrofitted with this engine.  The longer hull uses six roadwheels and three return rollers on each side, with the return rollers being under a shallow side skirt that is there primarily to increase floatation.  The BMP-3 is amphibious with preparation (a trim vane must be extended at the front and a bilge pump turned on); once in the water, propulsion is switched to hydrojets until the tracks touch ground again on the other side of the water obstacle.  Maneuverability in the water is similar to that of the BMD-1, though due to the heavier weight the BMP-3 is not as susceptible to water currents.  The BMP-3 also normally carries a snorkel device – the BMP-3, when swimming, does not have a lot of freeboard and the snorkel is used when the water is too deep to simply drive across, but not deep enough for the BMP-3 to float. The BMP-3 has proven itself to be quite adept at operations in desert terrain, even to the point that it is mechanically quite capable of continuing to operate at full speed in a Middle East dust storm (seeing where you’re going and finding a target are of course another matter).  This was not always the case; early BMP-3s demonstrated to Middle Eastern countries were noted for the frequency of mechanical failures due to deficiencies in the air filtration system and the resulting damage from dirt to the engine and transmission. The early BMP-3s were also plagued by mechanical failures in general, as well as failures in its fire control system, and it was not until 1992 that both the Russian Army and export buyers really had confidence in the BMP-3. The BMP-3 has also been praised by several export buyers for its ability to overcome vertical obstacles and trenches that might stop another tracked IFV. Navigation is aided by an inertial navigation with both a gyroscopic and transceiver backup; these are available to both the driver and commander.  Each roadwheel on the BMP-3 has separate hydropneumatic suspension elements, giving the BMP-3 a ride that is remarkably smooth compared to previous Russian tracked vehicles.

     The rear compartment normally houses five troops, though seven can be squeezed in if necessary.  Two more troops occupy seats on either side of the driver and man the bow machineguns if they are present.  In normal Russian practice, they dismount with the rest of the infantry squad.  Headroom and side room is better than previous BMPs, though still rather cramped.  The BMP-3 has an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup, and most versions also have an air conditioner and heater.  The standard ventilation system also filters out particles like dust and smoke. On each side of the troop compartment are three firing ports; in the rear door are two more.  The crew enters and exists through the two large rear doors, and two long hatches are found on the roof of the troop compartment. 

     Protection-wise – well, the armor of the BMP-3’s hull has been further improved over that of the BMP-2, but only just so.  Most of the armor increase is actually in the form of appliqué armor added to the hull in the end stages of construction rather than as an integral part of the vehicle.  The hull, turret, and appliqué armor of the BMP-3 are all of aluminum alloy, except for the turret front, which has steel appliqué; it is rumored that over the frontal arc, that aluminum alloy includes titanium to add further strength without unduly increasing weight.  The hull floor has received additional protection as well, being thicker and composed of spaced armor instead of a simple armor plate.  The spaced armor parts of the BMP-3 use a metal sandwich with rubber in between the armor plates.  This construction also further increases buoyancy.  Perhaps one of the biggest improvements in the BMP-3 is the absence of the fuel tanks that were mounted in the rear doors of every other version of the BMP-3; all fuel tanks are inside the hull. Several countries have also devices an ERA kit for the BMP-3 (not often used, as explosion of the ERA panels poses a hazard to dismounted troops), and the Russians have of late been installing the Shtora-1 soft-kill APS on the BMP-1, and on some vehicles, the Arena hard-kill APS.

     The Shtora-1 consists of sensors and equipment mounted atop the turret and control systems mounted inside the turret and hull; the primary controls for the Shtora-1 on the BMP-3 are at the commander’s station.  The Shtora-1 system includes an electro-optical jamming system to jam wire-guided ATGMs (on a roll of 12+ on a d20, the difficulty to the ATGM gunner is increased by one level; outstanding success indicates that the incoming missile pre-detonates before it can hit the BMP-3).  A laser warning system is also included with the Shtora-1; when the BMP-3 is being lased by a laser designator, an alarm sounds inside the BMP-3, and a pair of smoke grenades are automatically launched to help obscure the BMP-3 to the laser beam.  The laser warning system can also be triggered manually by the commander. The smoke grenades can also be triggered by the gunner manually if he feels it is necessary; the BMP-3 has six smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.   The Shtora-1 also includes a pair of IRCM lights (one on the turret on each side of and above the main gun) that emit coded, pulsed IR beams to decoy IR-guided munitions; their effectiveness is the same as listed for the electro-optical jammer above, and both have a 360-degree range of protection, as well as 180-degrees upwards.  They can also temporarily blind IR sights and image intensifiers; this is successful on a roll of 8 on a d20 for IR sights and 5 for image intensifiers.  A computer is provided to tie all of this information from the Shtora-1 and other sensors together. The Arena is an update of the Drozd system sometimes found on the T-62, T-64, T-72, and T-80.  It works basically in the same way as the Drozd – the system uses a small, short-range radar system on the turret roof to detect incoming missiles and rockets (it doesn’t work fast enough to stop tank and autocannon rounds), and launches special rounds in the path of the missile that quickly break up into a cloud of tungsten pellets, destroying the missile before it can hit the tank.  The Arena has 16 of these rounds available, and they are 75% likely to destroy the incoming missile about 10 meters from the BMP.  The Arena system protects the BMP-3 in a 180-degree dome around the tank.  Again, a computer ties the entire Arena system together. The BMP-3 can mount either the Shtora-1 or Arena systems – there isn’t enough room to mount both of them at once.  Like the BMP-3 itself and its turret, the Russians will also sell the Shtora-1 and Arena systems – but only to carefully-selected customers.  In current Russian use, about 1 in 5 BMP3s have the Shtora-1 system, and 1 in 10 the Arena system.

     The initial BMP-3 was followed by three upgrade variants – The BMP-3A, BMP-3B, and BMP-3C.  The BMP-3A has some parts of the main gun and autocannon redesigned, as well as the feed chutes for the autocannon and parts of the 100mm gun’s autoloader; this allows the BMP-3A to use some new 100mm and 30mm rounds that were developed in the late 1980s as well as an improved version of the AT-10 ATGM (the 9KM117M1 Arkan-B).  The fire control computer was also replaced on the BMP-3A to take into account the characteristics of the new ammunition.  The BMP-3B upgrades the fire control system, adding a thermal imager for the gunner (which can also be accessed by the commander), a laser rangefinder, and an LCD display of the gunner’s sight view for the commander. Though the laser rangefinder can be slaved to these machineguns, the sights available to the commander and gunner for these bow guns still do not give the commander or gunner a very good view for sighting these guns. The BMP-3C version improves upon the displays for the commander and the commander also has a separate laser rangefinder; this is primarily used to assist in targeting supporting artillery fires, though it can be used as a backup to aim the turret weaponry. Ammunition storage is rearranged; while this makes the turret a little roomier, the primary reason for the rearrangement was to improve the reliability of feed for the main gun’s autoloader.

 

A Few Other Variants

     The BMP-3F is the Naval Infantry variant.  The primary external differences are the larger snorkel carried, and a somewhat longer length of hull.  The increase in length combines with a larger trim vane and rearrangement of the interior (for better weight distribution) to make the BMP-3F more stable in water surf conditions than a standard BMP-3.  The BMP-3F is able to operate in the open water in up to Sea Force 3 conditions (wind of up to 19 kmh, wave height of up to 1 meter); it can also come ashore in breakers of up to 1.5 meters, provided the tracks are on the ground. Like the BMP-3, there are BMP-BF and BMP-CF versions; there is no BMP-AF version (the basic BMP-3F is equivalent to a BMP-3A).  Though it has been seen on some BMP-3Fs, BMP-3Fs don’t normally mount the Shtora-1 or Arena APS systems; it is possible that the systems make the BMP-3F too top-heavy to operate properly in high surf, but more likely that the Naval Infantry has less priority for installation of these systems.  On the BMP-3F, the bilge pumps have also been strengthened and the waterjets made more powerful.  All joint seals (such as the hatches, doors, and turret) are improved to better seal out water.  Readying the BMP-3F for amphibious operations takes a little more time than on the BMP-3 (as the capabilities are greater); the trim vane is larger and takes more time and muscle to emplace, a second bilge pump is used, and anti-surge vanes are erected around the turret as well.  The standard BMP-3 takes 5 minutes to ready for amphibious operations; the BMP-3F takes 8 minutes. The BMP-3F is stable enough that any of the weapons can be safely fired while the BMP-3F is swimming, even in high surf (accuracy would probably be a problem in the latter case).  The sensors, such as the sights and for night vision, are behind waterproof windows and also given improved seals. The BMP-3F also has tow hooks on the upper rear hull to allow it to tow small boats or rafts.  Kurganmashzavod states that the BMP-3 can endure 7 hours of amphibious operations.

     The BMP-3M is a modernized version of the BMP-3C.  The turret, armament, and hull remain largely the same, but the fire control system is modernized, for the most part by incorporating French-built components into the system; this includes the computer, laser rangefinder, and thermal imager.  The designator for the AT-10 ATGMs is also French-designed.  The loading system for the autoloader is also improved in reliability; apparently there were residual issues with it.  The new loading system also allows for even more advanced 100mm rounds to be fired by the main gun, including long-rod penetrators.  The feed system for the autocannon also allows for further-improved 30mm rounds.  The BMP-3M also uses improved appliqué armor, again designed with French help.  ERA lugs are an option. The engine used on the BMP-3M is the UTD-32 660-horsepower supercharged diesel engine; this not only provides an increase in power, it helps the BMP-3M cope with the increased weight.  Though the Russians are attempting to field the BMP-3M in greater numbers, cost is a problem; the BMP-3M has actually had more export customers than sales to the Russian Army.

     Another form of the BMP-3M uses the smaller, lighter Bachkha-U turret used on the BMD-4, and is generally referred to as the BMP-4; the weapons and electronics are simplified over those of the BMP-3M, and the turret is lighter and the turret considerably more cramped. The autoloader does not allow for the use of the improved ammunition used in the BMP-3M. The turret is too small to mount either the Shtora-1 or Arena systems, and lacks the BMP-3M’s appliqué turret armor.  The Russian have been evaluating the BMP-4 since 1999, but have yet to field any substantial numbers, nor has the BMP-4 seen any export sales; however, the BMP-4 is believed to be aimed primarily at the export market, as a lower-cost alternative to the BMP-3B and BMP-3C. (Though the game price of the BMP-4 higher than the BMP-3B or BMP-3C, the real-life price is lower.)

     The BRM-3K is the reconnaissance/scout version of the BMP-3 – the BMP-3’s counterpart to the BRM-1, or perhaps the BRM-1K, as it combines the BRM-1’s and BRM-1K’s role into one vehicle.  The BRM-1K carries only a small dismount squad of three troops, as the interior is primarily given over to extra electronics, radios, and racks for extra rations and equipment for long reconnaissance missions.  The BRM-3K is equipped with the modernized form of the Tall Mike ground surveillance radar system at the rear of the turret; this system and the required electronics takes the place of the 100mm gun, which is deleted on the BRM-3K.  The Tall Mike system is capable of detecting and identifying vehicles at a range of 12 kilometers and personnel at 3 kilometers. Also deleted are the two bow machineguns, as well as the positions for the bow machinegunners; the areas vacated by the bow machinegun positions’ removal is also used for electronics and supply racks, as well as storage for extra ammunition.  Extra equipment includes an extra long-range and medium-radio; the long-range radio is data-capable.  The BRM-3K is equipped with a thermal imager, as it is based on the BMP-3B version, as well as a 2nd-generation image intensifier with a range of 1.5 kilometers in the day and 1.2 kilometers at night, and provides a 7x magnification.  The commander has a second hand-held thermal imager, and several pairs of binoculars are carried.  The BRM-3K is equipped with an inertial navigation device (later versions, modified in about 1995, make the inertial navigation system a backup to a GLONASS GPS system). The BRM-3K has an internally-mounted 4kW generator to power the equipment if the engine is off; this blocks egress from the right rear door, though the door is still there, and used to access the generator for maintenance. The BRM-3K is equipped with a ruggedized laptop computer, and the front hull has a mine detector.

     The BMP-3K is a tactical command version, to be used at company command level and below; it is based on the BMP-3B.  Externally, the BMP-3K is distinguishable primarily by the extra antennas on both sides of the rear hull, the lack of an antenna on the turret, and if one looks carefully, the lack of bow machinegun ports.  Internally, the BMP-3K of course does not have those bow machineguns, and the interior is rearranged to provide space for the command staff and more radios, tables, map boards, and other command equipment.  An extra long-range and medium-range radio is carried; the long-range radio is data-capable. The communications system is capable of communicating with UAVs, and the BMP-3K’s systems allows for the control of UAVs as well. The interior seating is designed for the needs of the command mission and seating for only three personnel is provided along one side, along with two other seats at the front and rear of the passenger compartment.  The BMP-3K is equipped with the GLONASS GPS system with an inertial navigation backup.  A ruggedized laptop computer is added.  The BMP-3K commander’s position has an inscribed circle to aid in calling for artillery and air strikes. A hand-held thermal imager, image intensifier, and laser rangefinder are carried. The BMP-3K carries an internal compact 1kW generator to power the equipment when the engine is off. The BMP-3K also has an interesting capability: it carries the Ainet round fuzing system, along with the associated special fuzes.  This system allows the BMP-3K gunner to attach the Ainet fuze to a special HEAT-MP round or a special FRAG-HE round for the 100mm gun; the gunner can then set the round using the fire control computer to detonate at any range after firing and produce a shower of fragments in a wide spray. This round is therefore very useful against troops in the open, soft-skin vehicles, and helicopters; it can also be set to produce a delayed detonation after the round has penetrated the walls of a building or fortification.  The last effect is more possible with the HEAT-MP round; the HEAT charge penetrates the walls, and then a second charge produces the fragments.

     Some other add-on modifications are also offered, both by the Russians and by other countries.  The installation of an external AG-17 grenade launcher, as mentioned for the BMP-2 above, is also offered for the BMP-3.  A separate thermal imager accessible from inside the turret is offered for the commander’s position along with associated equipment, along with a separate image intensifier (though this does not give the BMP-3 a true hunter-killer capability, it does help observation and finding targets in the first place). An added thermal imager can also be added to the BMP-3 and BMP-3A; both the Russians and some export customers of earlier versions of the BMP-3 have added a thermal imager – most notably the UAE, which has added a thermal imager to all its BMP-3s. . An AG-17 addition adds 100 kg to the weight of the BMP-3 and $7123 to the cost; performance can be inferred by comparing the new weight to one of the vehicle weights listed below. An added thermal imaging system itself adds $30,000 to the cost of the BMP-3 and negligible weight; the new night vision system for the commander mentioned above also has negligible weight, but adds $37,950 to the cost of the BMP-3.  Lugs for ERA are common, as is additional appliqué armor or replacement appliqué armor kits of several types and made by several countries; there are so many such kits being offered that I have not detailed them here, as this already-large entry would definitely become unwieldy.

 

     Important Note: The designations BMP-3A, BMP-3B, BMP-3C, BMP-3BRF, and BMP-3CF are not official designations. There are versions of the BMP-3 that are known as the A, B, and C upgrades, and the BMP-3F does include versions that have the characteristics of the BMP-3’s B and C modifications.  The designations I gave these vehicles are a simple, if not official, way to easily note and distinguish these variants.  In Russian practice, the A, B, and C versions of the BMP-3 are all called BMP-3s, while the similar variations of the BMP-F are all called the BMP-F.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The BMP-3 comprised about a fifth of all BMP-3s found in Russian service during the Twilight War, and most were used by unit commanders or scout elements.  Half of these were BMP-3s or BMP-3As, with most of the rest being BMP-3Bs.  No BMP-3Cs or BMP-3Ms were produced, nor were any BMP-3Fs or BMP-4s.  The BRM-3K was very rare, as was the BMP-3K.  In the cases of BMP-3s and BMP-3As, the addition of a thermal imager was quite common, though the separate commander’s thermal imager/image intensifier installation was not available for the Twilight War.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BMP-3/BMP-3A

$322,023

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.7 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3B

$365,023

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.7 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3C

$394,053

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.7 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3/BMP-3A w/Shtora-1

$340,078

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3B w/Shtora-1

$407,119

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3C w/Shtora-1

$466,083

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3/BMP-3A w/Arena

$364,119

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3B w/Arena

$393,144

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3C w/Arena

$417,119

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3F

$322,338

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3BF

$365,338

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3CF

$375,338

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.8 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3F w/Shtora-1

$394,368

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.9 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3BF w/Shtora-1

$437,368

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.9 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3CF w/Shtora-1

$447,368

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.9 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3F w/Arena

$364,434

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.9 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3BF w/Arena

$407,434

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.9 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3CF w/Arena

$417,434

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.9 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3M

$376,084

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

19.3 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3M w/Shtora-1

$448,114

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

19.4 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3M w/Arena

$418,180

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

19.4 tons

3+7

11

Passive IR (D, G, C, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-4

$381,794

D, G, AvG, A

1.5 tons

18.5 tons

3+7

10

Passive IR (D, G, LBG, RBG), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C)

Shielded

BMP-3K

$473,010

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

18.7 tons

3+5

12

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3K w/Shtora-1

$545,040

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

18.7 tons

3+5

12

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BMP-3K w/Arena

$447,881

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

18.7 tons

3+5

12

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BRM-3K

$535,980

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

19 tons

3+3

13

Passive IR (D, G), 2nd-Gen Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-3K w/Shtora-1

$608,010

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

19 tons

3+3

13

Passive IR (D, G), 2nd-Gen Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-3K w/Arena

$578,076

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

19 tons

3+3

13

Passive IR (D, G), 2nd-Gen Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-3K (1995)

$534,030

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

19 tons

3+3

13

Passive IR (D, G), 2nd-Gen Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-3K (1995) w/Shtora-1

$609,060

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

19 tons

3+3

13

Passive IR (D, G), 2nd-Gen Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C), GSR Radar

Shielded

BRM-3K (1995) w/Arena

$578,126

D, G, AvG, A

750 kg

19 tons

3+3

13

Passive IR (D, G), 2nd-Gen Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G), IR Searchlight (C), GSR Radar

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor**

BMP-3, BMP-3K

165/116

40/25/6

690

251

Trtd

T3

TF12Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

BMP-3 w/Arena or Shtora-1

163/115

40/25/6

690

254

Trtd

T3

TF12Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

BMP-3F

163/115

40/26/8

690

254

Trtd

T3

TF12Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

BMP-3F w/Arena or Shtora-1

161/114

39/25/8

690

257

Trtd

T3

TF12Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

BMP-3M

207/145

50/31/7

690

338

Trtd

T3

TF13Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF11Sp  HS7Sp  HR5

BMP-3M w/Arena or Shtora-1

205/144

50/31/7

690

342

Trtd

T3

TF13Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF11Sp  HS7Sp  HR5

BMP-4

167/117

40/26/6

690

248

Trtd

T3

TF11  TS4  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

BRM-3K

162/114

39/25/5

690

256

Trtd

T3

TF12Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

BRM-3K w/Arena or Shtora-1

160/113

39/25/5

690

259

Trtd

T3

TF12Sp  TS6Sp  TR4  HF10Sp  HS6Sp  HR5

 

Vehicle

Fire Control*

Stabilization*

Armament

Ammunition

BMP-3/BMP-3A/BMP-3F

+2

Good

100mm 2A70 Gun, 2A72 30mm Autocannon, PKT, 2xPKT (Bow)

40x100mm, 8xAT-10 ATGM, 500x30mm, 6000x7.62mm

BMP-3B/BMP-3C/BMP-3FB/BMP-3FC/BMP-4

+3

Good

100mm 2A70 Gun, 2A72 30mm Autocannon, PKT, 2xPKT (Bow)

40x100mm, 8xAT-10 ATGM, 500x30mm, 6000x7.62mm

BMP-3M

+4

Good

100mm 2A70 Gun, 2A72 30mm Autocannon, PKT, 2xPKT (Bow)

40x100mm, 8xAT-10 ATGM, 500x30mm, 6000x7.62mm

BMP-3K

+2

Good

100mm 2A70 Gun, 2A72 30mm Autocannon, PKT

40x100mm, 8xAT-10 ATGM, 500x30mm, 2000x7.62mm

BRM-3K

+3

Good

2A72 Autocannon, PKT

600x30mm, 2500x7.62mm

*The Fire Control and Stabilization modifications do not apply to the bow machineguns, even when fired from the turret, for the BMP-3, BMP-3A, BMP-3B, BMP-3BF, and BMP-4.  For the BMP-3C and BMP-3M, only the laser rangefinder modification applies (+1 addition), but the stabilization modifier still does not apply.

**Belly armor for the BMP-3 is 6.

 

Kurganmashzavod BTR-50

     Notes: The BTR-50 is an ancient tracked APC ---a huge, underpowered lightly-armored box that is a relic from another age of warfare.  Despite this, the BTR-50 can still be found quite often in the world, particularly in the Third World and even parts of the Second World; even the Russians still kept them around and reasonably functional until recently for their Category III and Mobilization-Only units. Over time, the BTR-50 was used by over 30 countries worldwide and could be found in virtually every corner of the world.  The BTR-50 was based on the chassis of the PT-76 light tank and has 60% parts commonality with that vehicle.  Enough countries are still using the BTR-50 that several countries are selling upgrade kits for it.  Low-rate initial production and the first small issues to Russian troops were made in 1952; mass production and issue began in 1954.  The BTR-50PK version did not appear until 1958. The Israelis are noted for their innovative use of the BTR-50; like many captured enemy vehicles, they used it to conduct rear-area raids.  The Polish/Czech OT-62 series is a development of the BTR-50; analysts thought at first that the Chinese Type 77 was also a Chinese version of the BTR-50, though it is now known that the Type 77 has a very different hull based on the Type 63 light tank. The “BTR” designation is sort of an aberration in Russian service – most tracked APCs and IFVs use a “BMP” designation. The “BTR” is a Russian acronym for “armored transporter,” while the “BMP” designation stands for “infantry fighting vehicle;” this probably reflects the rather basic APC nature of the BTR-50.

 

The Basic APC Variants

     The basic form of the BTR-50 reflects its PT-76 cousin, with a flat, wide, boat-shaped hull.  About half the BTR-50’s hull has a raised superstructure; this part houses the commander’s station and most of the troops, as well as the driver’s position.  At the rear is the engine and transmission; this again reflects the fact that the BTR-50 is derived from a light tank.  The front has a sharply-raked glacis plate. On Naval Infantry versions, this nose section is a bit longer than the standard BTR-50. The commander’s position is to the left of the driver; he has a stand to see out of the top of the vehicle, while the driver uses a small hatch on the superstructure face; this hatch is too small to enter and exit through, and is there simply to give the driver a better view when the tactical conditions permit it.  (The driver’s position is probably the best-protected in the entire vehicle.)  In the initial version, the BTR-50P, the superstructure is open-topped; on the BTR-50PK versions, the top is closed and has a commander’s hatch plus two oval hatches, one to the left of the commander just right of center and one on the left side of the superstructure.  (In this case, the “K” in the designation stands for krisha, or roof, instead of kommand, or command). The rear mounted engine does not allow for a rear door or ramp, and the troops enter and exit by climbing over the top of the hull (whether the BTR-50 in question is open-topped or has hatches.  The driver must also enter or exit through the open top or one of the roof hatches; depending on the model, the commander enters and exits over the top or though his own hatch.  Small projections and hand-holds help the crew and troops climb in, and there is a small step above the tracks on each side.  On some BTR-50PKs, a firing port is found in each side of the superstructure, but this is a simple hole cut in the side with a shutter to close it and a small vision block installed above it. Later production BTR-50PKs had two firing ports on each side of the superstructure.

     On any version of the BTR-50, the commander does not have a weapon or weapon mount.  Instead, a pintle mount is placed on the other side of the superstructure at the front, and is to be manned by one of the troops.  On the BTR-50P, the weapon mounted is an SGMB machinegun, and on another open-topped version, the BTR-50PA, the weapon mounted is a KPVT.  On the closed-top BTR-50PK, the mount for an SGMB is at the front of the right roof hatch.  (Some BTR-50Ps, BTR-50Pas, and BTR-50PKs shift the pintle mount to the commander’s position, but this is a later modification generally done at the unit maintenance level, and no BTR-50 was manufactured that way.) The commander’s position is bulged out from the front of the superstructure and has wide-angle vision blocks to the front and diagonally to the sides; on the right side of the BTR-50PK version is another such projection on the superstructure, though this projection has no hatch of its own; instead, the pintle mount for the BTR-50PK’s weapon is mounted on top of it.  The projection for the commander on the BTR-50PK has its own hatch on the superstructure roof; in addition, on the BTR-50PK, the commander on the BTR-50PK has a fourth vision block to the rear.  On all BTR-50s, the commander has an IR searchlight, primarily used with the IR vision device of the driver to show him where to go and allow him to see better when using it. On the original BTR-50P, the rear deck carried ramps to allow a 57mm ZiS-2, 76.2mm ZiS-3, or 85mm D-44 field gun to be loaded onto the deck.  This gun could be locked securely down, to the extent that the gun could be fired while the BTR-50 was swimming and the waterjets going at full speed. It could also be fired while the vehicle was moving on land.  (One could imagine that fire on the move would be inaccurate to say the least.)  This system was apparently not satisfactory, as these ramps and the lock-down points were deleted after a few years and most vehicles in service had theirs removed, the primary reason seems to be that firing the gun from the deck produced a lot of gasses from the muzzle that tended to stay in the superstructure. Finding one equipped with those features these days is rare.  The closed-top BTR-50PK carries less troops; part of this is due to the decreased headroom caused by the closed-top superstructure, but the loss of troop space is also caused by increased internal storage racks for crew and troop equipment and the addition of racks for dismount troop weapons such as RPG-7s, SA-7 missiles, extra ammunition and grenades, and suchlike, and the addition of a collective NBC system.  The troops in the BTR-50 sit on bench seats that run down both sides of the vehicle; over half of this seat space is under the superstructure, but some is under the lower-topped rear section.  While these troops do not have to worry about an open roof, even on the BTR-50P and BTR-50PA, their headroom is severely limited, and one can barely even crouch under this roof.

     The driver of the BTR-50 uses laterals to steer and brake the vehicle and a gas pedal to control speed.  In addition, as the BTR-50 has a manual transmission, he has a shift lever and a clutch pedal to contend with.  The BTR-50 is capable of pivot steering. There is a single vision block in the driver’s hatch, which can be removed and replaced with a night vision block; initially, this night vision block had a range of only 60 meters, but later substantially-improved ones were used.  I have not been able to find the designation for the engine, but it is a V-6 water-cooled diesel developing 240 horsepower.  Though the crew has no heater, the engine does have a pre-heater for use in cold climates. The BTR-50 has six large roadwheels on each side, with the first and last roadwheels on each side having shock absorbers.  (I’ve ridden in a BTR-50PK for just a short joy ride; you’d never know that it has any sort of shock absorption, as the ride is almost violently bouncy over even moderately rough terrain.)  The fuel is distributed between three fuel tanks, two on the right side of the rear of the vehicle in front of the engine and one at the rear of the engine.  At the rear of the vehicle are attachments for a drum-type auxiliary fuel tank; on each side of the vehicle at the rear are attachments for two flat-type fuel tanks.  These tanks hold 60 liters each. The BTR-50 actually swims quite well, due to the design of the hull.  The crew erects a trim vane at the front and switches on bilge pumps to enter the water; the driver also attaches an extended periscopic vision block in place of his standard vision block (takes 8 minutes).  Once in the water and the BTR-50’s tracks are no longer in contact with the ground, waterjets are switched on to propel the vehicle in the water.  If more power is need in the water, a pair of auxiliary waterjets just above the tracks under the side steps can also be switched on.  The waterjets have lids that can be rotated open or closed selectively, allowing steering while in the water.  However, the BTR-50 has very little freeboard; it is not recommended that the BTR-50 swim except in calm waters.

     The BTR-50’s hull is made of steel, and is comically-thin by modern standards – from the front, it is possible that even 7.62mm NATO AP rounds could penetrate, and the sides and rear are even less protected.  It is possible for even fragments from a close artillery explosion to penetrate the rear of the vehicle, and the floor and top armor is almost non-existent.  The BTR-50P and BTR-50PA have no sort of NBC protection, though command versions of the BTR-50PK have a collective NBC system.  The BTR-50 has no fire suppression system except for manual fire extinguishers.  There is no sort of environmental system, not even a heater, though on the BTR-50PK there are two vents with blowers at the front right.  Even with this blower system, the BTR-50 gets hot inside fast, even in cold climates; the fact that there is only a rather thin firewall between the engine and troop compartment helps make this heating possible.  (For most cold climates, a heater probably isn’t even necessary most of the time – just rev the engine!)  The BTR-50PK, with its closed roof, was often produced by simply welding a roof kit to the superstructure and rearranging the interior.

     A later version of the BTR-50PK, introduced in the 1970s, replaced the standard engine with a 300-horsepower UTD-20 diesel engine; at this time, the driver’s IR vision block was upgraded, and if radios were carried, they were replaced with newer ones.  This is the BTR-50PKM. This engine was also used on the BTR-50PUM series variants.

 

Other APC-Type Variants

     The BTR-50, and particularly the BTR-50PK, was used as the basis of a number of specialist vehicles; in fact, the BTR-50PK was more often used as the basis of several command vehicles than were produced for use as plain vanilla APCs.  The BTR-50P was also used as a conventional artillery tractor (where the gun was not carried atop the vehicle) and as a mount for AAA guns (particularly the ZPU-2, ZPU-4, ZSU-23, and ZSU-23-2, and as the basis of an NBC reconnaissance vehicle and a FAC team vehicle.

     Along with the introduction of the BTR-50PK in 1958, a small amount of intermediate command versions of the BTR-50PK were built.  These were designated BTR-50PN, and the primary external change was the three whip antennas atop the superstructure and rear deck roof.  Inside, the interior is rearranged to provide space for a command staff and the sorts of tables, chairs, drawers, map boards, and other supplies and stores for use in command functions.  At the time, most BTR-50s did not even have a radio in them, and if they did, it was a rather short-ranged one; the BTR-50PN had such a radio along with a medium-range and long-range radio.  The pintle-mounted machinegun was retained in front of the left superstructure roof hatch.  The BTR-50PN had seats for eight, four of whom were radio operators and two of which are the BTR-50PN’s crew. Only small numbers were produced, as the BTR-50PN was a stop-gap measure pending the introduction of the BTR-50PU.

     The BTR-50PU is the definitive command version of the BTR-50PK, and was introduced in 1959.  The BTR-50PU seats ten, four of whom are radio operators, two of which are crew, and other four of which are for the commander and his staff. The interior compartment has a folding table plus a second small folding table for the unit commander’s use.  The pintle mount for a weapon is deleted. Under the low rear area are attachments for two hammocks and racks for equipment storage.  The floor of the BTR-50PU has an emergency escape hatch.  The entire crew compartment has a layer of insulation that is primarily meant to keep out the cold when the engine is off, but does also keep a small amount of heat out on hot days. (It’s basically a thin fiberglass blanket, much like one might find in a thicker form in their attics.)  The BTR-50PU has an early form of a navigation system – a gyrocompass aids navigation, and also uses a simple computer that generates map coordinates that the commander can plot on a conventional map. (Later, an early form of inertial navigation system was tried, but considered unreliable; improved forms of inertial navigation were never used on the BTR-50PU in Soviet service, as the vehicle was long out of service by the time those systems were available.) On the rear deck is a 1kW generator in an armored box; most BTR-50PUs have a second 1kW generator (this is included in the stats below), as early Soviet radio equipment proved to be quite power-hungry. Radios included one short-range, one medium-range, and three long-range radios. The rear deck also has a number of armored storage boxes, with only vents for the engine air intakes being uncovered; the exact configuration of these storage boxes could vary from vehicle to vehicle, and may have been jury-rigged or provided as kits from the manufacturer and added by unit maintenance.  An 11-meter collapsible mast antenna can be mounted on the roof of the BTR-50PU in special brackets to extend the range of one of the long-range radios when the vehicle is stationary; as the mast must be secured by guy lines running to the ground, it cannot be used while the vehicle is in motion.  The BTR-50PU’s communications equipment also includes a wireless telegraph.  If the BTR-50PU is in a stationary position, the BTR-50PU can be hooked into a field telephone net (whether with other stationary positions or a moving unit that is running wire as they move); in this case, the BTR-50PU also carries a 10-line field telephone switchboard system, along with six field telephones that can be run to other positions using four reels of commo wire that each contain 600 meters of wire.

     The BTR-50PU-2 is an improved form of the BTR-50PU, differing primarily in modernized communications equipment (for the time; the BTR-50PU-2 was first issued to Soviet troops in the mid-1960s) and in the fact that the generators atop the rear deck could be dismounted and dug in to reduce their noise signature.  The BTR-50PUM is a further modernized version (primarily in the engine and drive train; as the Soviets did not employ the BTR-50 series in front-line roles, the BTR-50PUM was primarily issued to Category II and Category III reserve units and sold to export customers as an upgrade.  The BTR-50PUM-1, introduced in 1972, was also issued primarily to Soviet Category II and III units and sold as an upgrade kit to export customers.  It mounted the latest Soviet radios in service at the time, and two radio operators were removed in favor of more space for the command staff (the new radios required less oversight, and could be operated by less personnel).  The radios of the BTR-50PUM-1 were the same as used in the command variants of the BTR-60 at the time. The BTR-50PUM-1 introduced an inertial navigation system that was actually reliable, though it usually had to be reset when the vehicle was in motion every half an hour; this resetting requires the vehicle to stop for about three minutes while the procedure is taking place, while the vehicle commander cross-checks the gyrocompass and his maps; some export customers had an inertial navigation system installed in the early 1980s or later that did not require this constant resetting.  Except for the new inertial navigation system and further updated radios, the later version of the BTR-50PUM-1 is identical to the earlier BTR-50PUM-1 for game purposes.

     The Russians had several versions of their command BTR-50PKs; these primarily differed in internal equipment and what types of radios they carried.  FIST and FAC vehicles in particular carried special equipment suited for their role in calling for and coordinating artillery, mortar, and/or air strikes.

     The Bulgarian R-82 is an improved version of the BTR-50PU with more modern (for the time) communications equipment (comparable to that of the BTR-50PU-2) and an AZI frame antenna on the rear deck which could be raised, was more stable than the mast antenna of the BTR-50PU series, and allowed the R-82 to move slowly while the antenna is raised.  Otherwise, for game purposes, it is identical to the BTR-50PU-2; the potentially most important difference between the R-82 and BTR-50PU-2 for players is that the generators cannot be readily dismounted.

     Many BTR-50PUs given to the Egyptian Army by the Soviets were modified by the addition of a bubble cabin atop the superstructure made from bullet-resistant glass over a framework.  This allowed for increased observation ability by the command staff, and also made them better vehicles for FAC and FIST teams.  They are otherwise identical to the various BTR-50PU variants used by the Egyptians over the years.  This wasn’t that common a modification.

    It is common that BTR-50s in current service mount PKs, M-60s, or MAGs instead of the old SGMB machinegun.

     Though the Israelis no longer use the BTR-50PK, when they did, they shifted the pintle mount to the commander’s position, where either a single M-60 machinegun was mounted.  Other Israeli BTR-50PKs mounted three M-1919A4 machineguns, one at the commander’s position and one at the front of each roof hatch.  2000 rounds were typically carried for each gun. They are otherwise the same as standard BTR-50PKs, though the GM should add $21,443 to the price; in addition, after the 1973 war, Israeli BTR-50PKs were given an engine upgrade by Nimda (to 300 horsepower), making them equivalent to BTR-50PKMs.

 

Later Modifications

     Finland is one of the few Western countries still using any variants of the BTR-50.  They use the BTR-50YVI, which is a BTR-50PK converted into a command and staff vehicle by rearrangement of the interior, the replacement of the communications system with the Italian YVI-2 digital communications system (the BTR-50YVI has essentially four radios using a common antenna), an extendible antenna mast, appliqué armor, four smoke grenade launchers on either side of the front hull, and a weapon mount for the commander.  The BTR-50YVI began service in 1994.  The BTR-50YVIM is the same, but with a UTD-20 engine, and the BTR-50YVIM-1 is the same as the BTR-50YVIM, but uses up-to-date Western communications gear (made by Sweden).  These vehicles also typically have a ruggedized laptop computer, a hand-held thermal imager, image intensifier, and laser rangefinder, and one of the radios is data-capable.  The driver’s night vision block is also brought up to modern standards. The IR Searchlight is deleted.

     In 2005, the Serbians began offering an upgrade package for the BTR-50PK, aimed primarily at the export market.  Designated the BTR-50S, this package upgrades the engine to a locally-produced 300-horsepower diesel engine with an associated automatic transmission and updated suspension and drive train.  Instead of the roof hatches, the turret from the M-80AK IFV with upgraded firepower is mounted atop the superstructure, giving the BTR-50S a significant upgrade in firepower including a 30mm autocannon, coaxial machinegun, a pair of ATGM launchers, and four smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.  Night vision is improved, and the IR Searchlight is deleted.

     Morozov of Ukraine offers four upgrade packages for the BTR-50PK; both resulting vehicles are called the BTR-50M.  All replace the old engine with the UTD-20 engine, and both use automatic transmissions, with the driver’s compartment having conventional steering yokes, gas pedals, and brake pedals.  The first two models mount turrets atop the superstructure with 2A72 30mm autocannons; at the customer’s option, the coaxial machineguns can be PKTs or Ukrainian-made KT-7.62 machineguns, which are very similar to PKTs.  The third variant replaces the 30mm autocannon with a KPV heavy machinegun. The second BTR-50M variant carries more ammunition for its autocannon and less for its grenade launcher, has better stabilization for the autocannon and coax, and has better night vision equipment; the third BTR-50M variant also has two-axis stabilization like the autocannon of the first version of the BTR-50M.  Both the first and second versions of the BTRM have ballistic computers and laser rangefinders for the autocannon and coax. On each side of the turret of the first three versions of the BTR-50M are launchers for AT-5 or Ukrainian-designed R-2 ATGMs; these are reloaded by the small hatch on the superstructure deck to the right and rear of the turret.  The fourth version of the BTR-50M is the economy upgrade; it includes a KPV with a smaller coaxial machinegun; like all of the BTR-50M variants, there are three smoke grenade launchers on the front of the turret on each side of the main gun.  Unlike the rest of the BTR-50Ms, the turret of the fourth BTR-50M upgrade uses an OHWS-type turret instead of a manned turret, with sights linked by downlinked monitors to the gunner inside the vehicle (though the gunner is still in the turret basket, and rotates with the turret). On the fourth version, there is only a small hatch in the turret roof for the gunner; the commander has the usual BTR-50PK-type commander’s station and hatch (though no pintle weapons mount).  The IR Searchlight is deleted from these upgrades, as the night vision suite is improved.

     The first three variants also have external flexible mounts for an AG-17 grenade launcher; the AG-17 in this mount can be elevated and to an extent traversed separately from the turret armament, up +70 degrees, -5 degrees, and 45 degrees to either side.  The AG-17 in this installation is fed by a 100-round magazine at the rear of the mount, and is reloaded by a soldier that uses the small hatch behind the turret to the left (the turret on all versions of the BTR-50M is offset somewhat to the right). The AG-17 is controlled by the gunner; the commander has no auxiliary controls for it, though he does for the rest of the turret weapons. Optional equipment for the BTR-50M (any of them) includes a Kevlar anti-spalling liner (add $1240 to the price and 1 to the side armor; the weight is negligible), a GPS system (add $20,000 to the price; the weight is negligible), and an air conditioner (add $1000 to the cost; the weight again is negligible).  The Ukrainians can also add soft-kill-type APS systems to their BTR-50Ms, similar to the Shtora-1 system (see the notes about this system in the BMP-3 entry above).  This adds 100 kg to the weight of the vehicle and $18,055 to the price.

     It is obvious from the large number of upgrades available for the BTR-50 that the vehicle is still in active service in many places in the world.  The BTR-50 does have a very small advantage over most modern armored vehicle designs – it’s swimming speed is very quick.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: One unusual user in the Twilight War of the BTR-50 was the United States; they had a fair number of captured examples in OPFOR units stationed in Fort Irwin, California and Fort Polk, Louisiana, and these were pressed into use in the later stages of the Mexican invasion.  (They were stock versions, mostly of BTR-50PKs, except for their US-made, up-to-date SINCGARS radios and perhaps an overhaul.) Many countries still had BTR-50s in active use during the Twilight War, including Soviet Category III and Mobilization-Only units and some Warsaw Pact reserve units; one could expect to encounter the BTR-50 at almost any time.  Most BTR-50s in use during the Twilight War were BTR-50PKs or their derivatives. The versions listed under “Later Modifications,” however, were not available for the Twilight War, except for the BTR-50S, which was produced in small numbers by Yugoslavia as an upgrade kit for use by her army.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BTR-50P

$43,599

D, A

1 ton

14.2 tons

2+20

10

Active IR (D) (Later Passive IR (D)), IR Searchlight (C)

Open

BTR-50PA

$47,800

D, A

1 ton

14.2 tons

2+20

10

Active IR (D) (Later Passive IR (D)), IR Searchlight (C)

Open

BTR-50PK

$48,796

D, A

1.3 tons

14.5 tons

2+12

10

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-PKM

$50,946

D, A

1.3 tons

14.6 tons

2+12

10

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50PN

$52,851

D, A

650 kg

14.5 tons

2+6

11

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50PU

$61,831

D, A

650 kg

14.4 tons

2+8

12

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50PU-2

$81,811

D, A

650 kg

14.4 tons

2+8

12

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50PUM

$81,239

D, A

650 kg

14.5 tons

2+8

12

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50PUM-1

$91,745

D, A

650 kg

14.4 tons

2+6

12

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50YVI

$137,908

D, A

650 kg

14.3 tons

2+6

11

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50YVIM

$140,058

D, A

650 kg

14.4 tons

2+6

11

Passive IR (D), IR Searchlight

Enclosed

BTR-50S

 

D, A

800 kg

16.6 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

BTR-50M (Version 1)

$150,567

D, A

800 kg

16.6 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

BTR-50M (Version 2)

$190,754

D, A

800 kg

16.8 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Enclosed

BTR-50M (Version 3)

$152,768

D, A

800 kg

16.6 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

BTR-50M (Version 4)

$141,017

D, A

800 kg

16.5 tons

2+10

10

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

BTR-50P/PA

131/92

32/20/8

400+180

100

Stnd

T3

HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50PK/PN

129/90

31/20/8

400+180

102

Stnd

T3

HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50PKM

152/106

37/23/9

400+180

127

Stnd

T3

HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50PU

128/89

31/20/8

400+180

103

Stnd

T3

HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50PUM

154/107

37/23/9

400+180

126

Stnd

T3

HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50PUM-1

156/108

37/23/9

400+180

125

Stnd

T3

HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50YVI

130/91

31/20/8

400+180

103

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS3  HR2

BTR-50YVIM

156/108

37/23/9

400+180

125

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS3  HR2

BTR-50S

134/93

33/20/8

400+180

145

Trtd

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50M (Version 1/Version 3)

134/93

33/20/8

400+180

145

Trtd

T3

TF5  TS4  TR3  HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50M (Version 2)

133/92

33/20/8

400+180

147

Trtd

T3

TF5  TS4  TR3  HF3  HS2  HR2

BTR-50M (Version 4)

135/94

33/20/8

400+180

144

Trtd

T3

TF3  TS3  TR3  HF3  HS2  HR2

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BTR-50 (All Except Listed Below and the BTR-50PU Variants)

None

None

SGMB

1250x7.62mm

BTR-50PA

None

None

KPVT

650x14.5mm

BTR-50YVI/YVIM

None

None

PK (C)

1250x7.62mm

BTR-50S

+2

Fair

30mm Mauser MK-30 Autocannon, PKT, 2xAT-4 ATGM Launchers

1100x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT-4 ATGMs

BTR-50M (Version 1)

+3

Fair

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, KT-7.62 or PKT, 2xAT-5 or R-2 ATGM Launchers, AG-17 GL

150x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT-5 or R-2 ATGMs, 180x30mm Grenades

BTR-50M (Version 2)

+3

Good

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, KT-7.62 or PKT, 2xAT-5 or R-2 ATGM Launchers, AG-17 GL

350x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT-5 or R-2 ATGMs, 116x30mm Grenades

BTR-50M (Version 3)

+2

Good

KPVT, KT-7.62 or PKT, 2xAT-5 or R-2 ATGM, AG-17 AGL

1000x14.5mm, 2000x7.62mm, 4xAT-5 or R-2 ATGMs, 180x30mm Grenades

BTR-50M (Version 4)

+2

Fair

KPVT, KT-7.62 or PKT

3000x14.5mm, 2000x7.62mm

*Belly armor for the most of the BTR-50 series is 2.  The floor armor of the BTR-50YVI is 3.

 

BTR-D

     Notes:  The BTR-D is the BMD-1, with the turret removed, stretched by 60mm, and essentially turned into a conventional “basic Box” APC. It was first seen by the West during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and was therefore first had the NATO designation of BMD-1979.  The BTR-D actually first entered Soviet service in 1974. The BTR-D was first used as an APC to allow Airborne troops to carry more troops in an armored vehicle, but has since become the basis of several specialized vehicles, including logistics vehicles, ambulances, AAA vehicles, mortar carriers, ARVs, and ATGM vehicles.  The BTR-D, however, is showing its age, and may be slated for replacement soon by a version of the BMD-4 (variously referred to as the BTR-MD, BTR-D3, and Rakushka).

     The BTR-D retains the firing ports of the BMD-1, as well as the ports for the bow-mounted machineguns.  The bow machineguns, however, are replaced by PKD machineguns (instead of the PKTs of the BMD-1) and may be removed from the BMP-1 and used as ground weapons if desired; tripods are also carried on the BTR-D for this purpose.  The commander’s position also has a pintle mount for a weapon, usually a PK machinegun or an AGS-17 or AGS-30 grenade launcher; a pintle mount for a weapon (usually a PKT) is installed on each side of the vehicle near the front of the rectangular hatches.  The BTR-D is, as stated above, slightly longer than the BMD-1’s hull, and has six roadwheels on each side instead of five. Like the BMD-1, traverse for the bow machineguns is limited, allowing 15 degrees up and down and only about 25 degrees from side to side. Lengthening the hull, along with removal of the turret, removal of the ammunition for the turret weapons, and rearrangement of the interior allows the BTR-D to carry six troops, two bow machinegunners, and two crewmembers.  The hull is raised and is higher than that of the BMD-1, and the armor is of aluminum instead of the magnesium alloy of the BMD-1. The top of the hull is closed, with a pair of rectangular hatches over the troop compartment opening inwards, a hatch on the center deck near the front, and hatches on the front deck for the driver and left bow machinegunners.  The driver has three vision blocks to the front; the left bow machinegunner has vision blocks to his front and left side, and the right bow machinegunner, though he has no hatch, has vision blocks to his front and right side. All three can remove their front vision blocks and replace them with night vision blocks. The three firing ports on each side of the vehicle are retained. There is no rear door, with all troops entering and exiting through the various roof hatches.  The commander’s position has no night vision, though he does have all-around vision blocks and an IR/white light searchlight, and a traversable periscope. The crew is protected by a collective NBC system.

     Propulsion of the BTR-D is identical to that of the BMD-1, using a 270-horsepower 5D-20 diesel engine, the same and transmission as the BMD-1, and the same suspension except for the extra roadwheel.  Though the BTR-D uses armor that is heavier in weight than that of the BMD-1, the BTR-D is lighter than the BMD-1 due to the absence of the turret and its ammunition.  The BTR-D also has the same amphibious capabilities as the BMD-1, including the very versatile waterjets.

 

Other BTR-D APC-Type Variants

     The BTR-D San is an armored ambulance version of the BTR-D.  The BTR-D San can carry two stretcher-borne patients and four seated casualties, and carries a dedicated medic along with a commander and driver who are usually also medics.  Armament is deleted, as are the positions for the bow machinegunners and the firing ports.  The BTR-D carries a portable defibrillator, one set of oxygen administration gear, and the equivalent of a doctor’s medical bag and the equivalent of 15 personal medical kits.  Utility of the BTR-D San is limited by the fact that casualties must be loaded into the vehicle by lifting them or assisting them over the top of the vehicle into the roof hatches.

     The BTR-DG is a logistics variant; it has a largely open compartment at the rear, and the pair of rear deck roof hatches are enlarged.  The BTR-DG has a crane with a capacity of 2 tons to help handle cargo, and troop seats are eliminated.  The crane can be folded atop the vehicle and when in use can be traversed through 180 degrees. The vehicle retains the pintle mounts for weapons on each side and for the commander, but the bow machineguns and the side firing ports are deleted.

     The NPDU Sterkh is an interesting variant of the BTR-D – it is a base vehicle for the launch and control of a Yak-061 Pchela-1T UAV (a UAV that has the primary role of reconnaissance, but can be used as a radio or radar jammer).  In this role, the BTR-D has a launch rail on the left hull deck that extends over the front of the hull, and is raised into position at about a 45-degree angle before the UAV is launched. On the front right hull is a large three-piece cylindrical container which carries “catching” equipment for the UAV when it returns from its mission.  Instead of troops, the interior of the NPDU carries equipment for the launch and control of the UAV and for receiving and recording the reconnaissance information from the UAV, and transmitting it to command units or units equipped to receive it.  The NPDU can control the Pchela-1T at a range of 60 kilometers. The NPDU Malakite is a version of the NPDU Sterkh with improved interior electronics and equipment that allow it to better interface with the UAV, and control it at double the range.  On these vehicles, the bow machineguns, firing ports, and side weapons mounts are all deleted. The NPDU is not amphibious; the large container for the catcher unbalances the NPDU too much to allow for it.  (The swimming equipment is still there and could be used if one ditches the catcher and its container.) Sorry, the UAV is not included in the price below, but the Load figure does include the weight of the UAV. If not carrying the UAV, triple the Load capability.

     The BMD-1KSh Soroka is, despite its designation, actually based on the BTR-D hull. (It is also known variously by the designations BMD-KSh and KShM-D.)  The BMD-1KSh does not have bow mounted machineguns and firing ports, and the openings are plated over, but the commander’s position has a pintle-mounted weapon and the side pintle mounts are retained. The BMD-1KSh is equipped with a long-range, medium-range, and short-range radio, as well as a folding Clothes Horse antenna which runs around the top of the hull in a rectangular shape, and as two whip antennas.  The long-range radio is data-capable, and a ruggedized laptop computer is carried. A hand-held thermal imager, image intensifier, and laser rangefinder are provided for the use of the command crew. The vehicle has an inertial navigation system with a gyrocompass backup, and an AB1 portable 1kW generator is carried to power the electronics when the vehicle is turned off.  This generator can be readily dismounted if necessary; this is often done to dig in the generator (i.e., put in an open hole) to dampen noise.  The generator is normally carried on the rear roof deck.  On the BMD-1KSh, the commander’s hatch is offset to the left of its normal position.

     The BMD-1R Sinitsa is a communications and signals vehicle used at Division level and higher. It is not normally used as a communications vehicle per se; instead, its communications equipment is designed to relay and amplify communications signals generated by the Division’s command vehicles and other radios and communications equipment.  As such, it is equipped with a single R-161A2M radio and radio amplification set and a heavy telescopic mast that is stowed on the left side of the vehicle roof.  This mast is used when the vehicle is at a halt only, as it is a very tall mast (up to 20 meters) and must be emplaced with guy wires and a baseplate spiked into the ground.  The BMD-1R also has a smaller, telescoping antenna that can be extended from the vehicle and used while the vehicle is on the move of during a short halt. These vehicles are rather rare, as they are employed only at high command levels. The bow machineguns, firing ports, and side pintle mounts are all deleted.

     The R-440-ODB Kristall-BDS is a BTR-D converted into a SATCOM communications system vehicle.  The Kristall-BDS has special SATCOM radios and has a roof-mounted AK-12 radio dish that can give its radios a range of up to 15,000 kilometers.  The dish antenna is covered with a cage-like structure with a tight mesh during movement. The bow machineguns, firing ports, and side pintle mounts are all deleted.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BTR-D

$89,073

D, A

1.1 tons

8.5 tons

2+11

6

Passive IR (D, LBG, RBG), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

BTR-D San

$95,989

D, A

900 kg

8.2 tons

*

8

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

BTR-DG

$53,615

D, A

1.5 tons

8.2 tons

2

5

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

NPDU Sterkh

$100,384

D, A

300 kg

9 tons

3

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

NPDU Malakite

$112,000

D, A

300 kg

9 tons

3

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

BMD-1KSh

$285,715

D, A

550 kg

8.5 tons

2+4

8

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight

Shielded

BMD-1R

$143,614

D, A

550 kg

8.5 tons

2+4

9

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

R-440-ODB

$298,109

D, A

400 kg

8.5 tons

2+4

10

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BTR-D/BMD-1KSh/BMD-1R/R-440-ODB

197/138

48/30/12

300

113

Stnd

T3

HF8  HS4  HR4

BTR-D San/BTR-DG

204/143

50/31/12

300

110

Stnd

T3

HF8  HS4  HR4

NPDU

185/130

45/28

300

120

Trtd

T3

TF1  TS1  TR1  HF8  HS4  HR4**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BTR-D

None

None

2xPKB (Bow), PKT or AGS-17 (C), 2xPKT or 2xAGS-17 or Combination of the Two

6000x7.62mm or 3000x7.62mm and 500x30mm or Combination of the Two

BTR-D DG/BMD-1KSh

None

None

PKT or AGS-17 (C), 2xPKT or 2xAGS-17 or Combination of the Two

4000x7.62mm or 2000x7.62mm and 300x30mm or Combination of the Two

NPDU/BMD-1R/R-440-ODB

None

None

PKT or AGS-17 (C)

2000x7.62mm or 300x30mm

*See text above for crew capacity.

**The “turret” in this case is the cylinder containing the UAV catcher.

 

Omsk BTR-T

     Notes:  The BTR-T grew out of a need for a heavily armored engineer assault vehicle, and to use a number of obsolete T-55s that the Russians had in storage. Originally, the BTR-T was meant to deliver combat engineer squads to their targets, but it now used in general as an HIFV.  The BTR-T is sometimes called the BMP-4, but this is an incorrect appellation, as there is already a variant of the BMP-3 called the BMP-4. The T-55s hull is converted to a heavy IFV used primarily for urban warfare.  The number of BTR-Ts will necessarily be limited, as the Russians have exported most of their T-55s or converted them to other uses, and scrapped many of them.  The remaining T-55s are later versions of the tank, and have somewhat heavier base armor and more powerful engines.  From time to time, designs for similar HIFVs based on other obsolete tanks are spoken of (particularly the T-80), but none have come to fruition yet. The Russians say that they can produce such a vehicle from any tank platform, and reportedly India is interested in producing such a vehicle from their Vijayanta tanks. The BTR-T was designed after Russian experience in Chechnya, in the Battle of Grozny, where the Russians experienced horrendous armored vehicle losses. A recent buyer of the BTR-T is Bangladesh.

     The BTR-T is a T-55-series hull with a 30mm autocannon elevated over a low-profile one-man turret.  The standard T-55 turret is removed, and its ring largely replaced with armor plate and hatches. There is a pintle mount located on the right side of the turret, and is manned by one of the troops carried.  This gun can be aimed and fired from within the vehicle.  The removal of the original turret allows the crew and dismounts to be located forward of the engine.  The major drawback of the design is that infantrymen can only exit through hatches on the roof.  The BTR-T is usually equipped with ERA on the glacis and on the sides.  In addition, the armor has been upgraded with appliqué armor. It is a heavy vehicle, which is underpowered and cannot keep up with maneuver forces, so the BTR-T is limited to its specialized roles. The engine installed is the same V-55U engine of the T-62, developing 620 horsepower, and coupled with a semiautomatic transmission that is able to operate in either manual or automatic transmission modes.

     On Each side of the hull are clusters of six smoke grenade launchers.  In addition, diesel fuel may be injected into the exhaust to produce a thick, oily smokescreen.  The main cannon has a laser rangefinder which can double as a laser designator, and the cannon has a modicum of stabilization.

The crew is protected by a fire detection and suppression system, as well as an NBC Overpressure system.  The crew also has air conditioning and a heater.  The driver is on the front left, and the commander’s OHWS/hatch is on the front center. The commander has a remote-controlled weapon to his left, and the missile launchers to his right.  A third crewmember (part of the infantry or engineer squad) has a hatch to the right of the missile launcher and is armed with a pintle-mounted medium machinegun.  The other crewmembers are in the hull.  The BTR-D is equipped with a Russian version of a BMS, as well as GPS.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$796,277

D, A

400 kg

38.5 tons

2+5

26

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), Thermal Imaging (C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

121/84

33/23

500 + 400 in rear drums

230

CiH

T6

TF13  TS8  TR6  HF74Sp  HS18Sp  HR6

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, Twin AT-5 ATGM, PKT or NSVT or AGS-17 (C), PKMT

200x30mm, 4xAT-5, 2000x7.62mm or 500x12.7mm or 300x30mm grenades, 2000x7.62mm

*Roof AV is 12; Floor AV is 8Sp.

 

Kharkov MT-LB

     Notes:  This vehicle was not originally meant to be an armored personnel carrier; instead, it was designed to be a versatile chassis that could be easily modified for a variety of roles, from artillery tractor to command vehicle, as well as APC in some roles.  The MT-LB is an armored variant of the MT-L tracked carrier, and as such was meant to replace the AT-P armored tractor (above) as well as to be the basis of a large number of other specialized vehicles. There are over 40 variants of the MT-LB in service worldwide today, including many APC variants; they are valued in that role due to their size and surefootedness on uneven terrain.  They also have a very good heating system, as one of the roles the MT-LB was designed for was to replace several over-the-snow vehicles used in Arctic and Siberian conditions.  The MT-LB is used or has been used by some two dozen countries, including the US (who uses a good number of them in its OPFOR units in California and Arkansas).  It is also used by a number of civilian relief agencies operating in dangerous areas or rough terrain; numbers have also been bought by news organizations for the same purpose.  They are a common sight in war movies set in modern settings. (Civilian versions will be, of course, unarmed, or at best armed with mock or deactivated weapons.) The MT-LB shares a common heritage in the PT-76, though the MT-LB is internally very different and very few parts aside from the engine and transmission will interchange between the three. MT-LB’s, therefore, can be found virtually anywhere in the world.  The MT-LB first appeared in Soviet units in the late 1960s.

     The MT-LB takes for form of a long-low box, with a hatch in the front left for the driver with the commander on the right side of the front; his hatch usually replaced by a small turret mounting a machinegun, but sometimes only a hatch with a pintle mount is present.  If there is a turret, the turret uses 360-degree manual traverse, and the machinegun has manual elevation from +30 to -5 degrees. This turret is sometimes replaced with a slightly larger one mounting an NSVT machinegun, at which point the vehicle is called the MT-LBM. If the turret is present, the commander will have a hatch between his position and the driver’s; the turret has no hatch. The driver can replace his front vision block with a night vision block, and the commander has a small, short-range WL/IR searchlight with a range of about 40 meters; this is primarily to aid the driver when driving at night. The engine is in the front of the vehicle. A small aisle between the commander and driver gives access to the troop compartment.  On the roof of the troop compartment are two large hatches – depending upon which country built the MT-LB in question, the hatches may be round, square, or rectangular. The troop compartment has two large doors in the rear face, and four firing ports, one of which are in each side and one of which is in each rear door.

     The engine of the MT-LB is a 240-horsepower YaMZ-238 diesel engine.  This engine, while only modest in power for an armored vehicle, generates considerable torque and the MT-LB is capable of towing 6.5 tons.  This makes the MT-LB an ideal artillery tractor as well as a good chassis for recovery vehicles or towing other specialist equipment and trailers. The treads can be replaced with tracks almost twice as wide as normal (585mm) for even better performance in snow and swamps; in this guise, the vehicle is referred to as the MT-LBV. Like most Soviet-designed vehicles of the period, the MT-LB’s suspension is of conventional torsion bars and has shock absorbers on the first and last set of roadwheels.  Construction of the MT-LB is largely of steel and armor is rather thin, especially on the sides and rear.

 

MT-LB APC Upgrades and APC-Type Versions

     As the MT-LB is still being used as an APC by many countries around the world, a number of upgrade packages have been offered and fielded for the MT-LB around the world.  These focus on the central deficits of the MT-LB: power, protection, and firepower, providing improvements in some or all of those areas.

     An engine upgrade in the early 1990s gave the MT-LB a 290-horsepower engine and an automatic transmission, along with improved driver’s controls.  Most versions of the MT-LB variants fielded after this point include these improvements, and some older versions were also re-engined.

     The MT-LB-6MA, MB, M1B3, and M1B5 are variants of the MT-LB designed after Russian experiences in Chechnya.  The Russians needed a sure-footed, stable vehicle with decent firepower for the rubble-choked streets of urban battlegrounds; they also needed an APC which could provide more fire support.  To this end, they topped an MT-LB chassis with turret giving the vehicle better firepower; this turret is based on that of the BTR-80A, enlarged as necessary for the M1B3 and M1B5 versions. In addition, appliqué armor was added to the vehicle hull in virtually all places, to varying degrees. The commander’s position stays in the same place, but he has a simple hatchway instead of a small turret. Radios and night vision devices are updated.  In the case of the M1B3 and M1B5 versions, the AG-17 grenade launchers are on a flexible mount on the turret like those on the BTR-50M versions, and loaded in the same way. These versions are not amphibious. These versions are primarily used by the Russians, though they are offered for export.

     The RKhM Kashalot is an NBC reconnaissance version of the MT-LB which does not carry troops, but instead carries a small crew of NBC-trained personnel and equipment to detect and analyze chemical agent contamination and radiological hazards.  At the rear of the vehicle is a dispenser that contains 50 small flags to mark contaminated areas.  Alarms alert the crew to such hazards, and then they can analyze the contamination.  The RKhM does not have the firing ports of the MT-LB, but retains the machinegun turret; it also retains the vision blocks that normally come with the firing ports.  The rear of the vehicle has one door at the rear instead of two, and has reinforced seals to ensure that the vehicle is NBC sealed.  It also has an NBC overpressure system and extensive radiation shielding.  The RKhM has an additional radio (medium-range) which is data-capable. The RKhM-K is a command version of this vehicle; it does not have the chemical analysis equipment, but still has the detectors and contains extra radio equipment, including one long-range, one medium-range, and one short-range radio, with the long range radio being data-capable.  The RKhM-K does not have the marker-emplacement system of the RKhM. The RPM is a specialized version of the RKhM, designed only to detect radiological hazards.  Its radiological analysis equipment is designed to measure the exact amount of each major type of radiological contamination (gamma rays, neutrons, beta particles, and alpha particles). 

     The MT-LB San is an armored ambulance version of the MT-LB.  In this role, the MT-LB is unarmed and the firing ports are plated over; in place of the turret is a simple commander’s hatch. The MT-LB San carries extensive medical equipment, including a refrigerator for medicines and blood products, oxygen gear, a transfusion machine, a defibrillator, and a heating blanket. The equivalent of two doctor’s medical bags and 20 personal medical kits are carried.  The MT-LB San can carry four stretcher cases and three seated patients, or two stretcher cases and five seated patients.

     Russia is marketing an upgrade kit that adds the Kliver turret along with an engine and transmission upgrade and a small amount of appliqué armor.  The suspension is also upgraded, as is driver’s station. The vehicle has an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup. This gives the MT-LB a substantial performance and firepower upgrade as well as making it a bit more survivable. The turret also has a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers on either side.

     Ukraine is also offering a new turret, engine, and armor upgrade package for the MT-LB, though it does not offer the ATGMs that the Russian Kliver upgrade offers. Like the Russian Kliver upgrade, there are four smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret. Ukraine also calls this upgrade the MT-LBM, though it is not the same as the Soviet/Russian MT-LBM.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The MT-LB was in service throughout the Warsaw Pact (and indeed, virtually the entire world) during the Twilight War; some ex-East German models were also sold to Sweden before and during the war, and some were also pressed into service by Germany.  The US also officially had about three dozen of these vehicles in working order during the Twilight War, in the OPFOR units stationed at Fort Irwin in California and Fort Polk, Louisiana.  The engine upgrade program started earlier in the Twilight 2000 timeline than in real life, beginning in the late 1980s, and over half the Soviet and Warsaw Pact MT-LBs had this engine upgrade; some 20 other countries had also performed a similar upgrade starting in the 1990s, with some such engine upgrades actually taking place at third-echelon-level maintenance shops during the war.  The Russians did not have the Chechen problems in the Twilight 2000 timeline that they had in real life, but some small numbers MT-LB-6MAs and MT-LB-6MBs did make into service for the Twilight War, and some Polish MT-LBs also carried these modifications.  The MT-LB with the Kliver turret was not available for the Twilight War, but the Ukrainian MT-LBM variant was available in very small numbers, though it was designated the MT-LBM2 in Soviet service.  The “MT-LBM2” arrived late on the scene (around 1997), and was used largely for protection of vehicle convoys and rear-echelon units when it was available.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

MT-LB

$52,763

D, A

2 tons

11.9 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LBM

$55,894

D, A

2 tons

11.9 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LB (Engine Upgrade)

$52,886

D, A

2 tons

11.9 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LBM (Engine Upgrade)

$56,018

D, A

2 tons

11.9 tons

2+11

8

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LB-6MA

$44,848

D, A

1 ton

13.8 tons

3+7

7

Passive IR (D, G, C)

Shielded

MT-LB-6MB

$57,387

D, A

1 ton

13.8 tons

3+7

7

Passive IR (D, G, C)

Shielded

MT-LB-6M1B3

$74,825

D, A

900 kg

14 tons

3+6

8

Passive IR (D, G, C)

Shielded

MT-LB-6M1B5

$83,337

D, A

900 kg

14 tons

3+6

8

Passive IR (D, G, C)

Shielded

RKhM

$195,013

D, A

700 kg

13 tons

5

11

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

RKhM-K

$75,213

D, A

700 kg

13 tons

5

10

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

RPM

$115,013

D, A

700 kg

13 tons

5

10

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LB San

$56,985

D, A

1.6 tons

11.4 tons

**

10

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LB San (Engine Upgrade

$57,108

D, A

1.6 tons

11.4 tons

**

10

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MT-LB/Kliver

$310,382

D, A

1.3 tons

13.3 tons

3+7

9

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

MT-LBM (Ukrainian)

$222,482

D, A

1.7 tons

12.5 tons

3+7

9

Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

MT-LB/MT-LBM

148/104

36/23/4

450

100

CiH

T3

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF5  HS2  HR2

MT-LB/MT-LBM (Engine Upgrade)

171/120

42/27/4

450

122

MT-LB-6MA/MB

147/103

36/23

450

142

CiH

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR4*

MT-LB-6M1B3/M1B5

145/102

36/23

450

144

CiH

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF8  HS4  HR4*

RKhM/RKhM-K/RPM

136/96

33/21/3

450

109

CiH

T3

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF5  HS2  HR2

MT-LB San

154/108

37/24/4

450

96

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

MT-LB San (Engine Upgrade)

179/126

43/28/4

450

117

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

MT-LB/Kliver

152/108

37/24/4

450

141

Trtd

T3

TF5  TS5  TR5  HF6  HS3  HR3***

MT-LBM (Ukrainian)

162/114

40/26/4

450

128

Trtd

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF6  HS3  HR3***

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

MT-LB/RKhM/RKhM-K/RPM

None

None

PKT

2500x7.62mm

MT-LBM

None

None

NSVT

1500x12.7mm

MT-LB-6MA

+1

None

KPV, PKT

750x14.5mm, 2000x7.62mm

MT-LB-6MB

+1

None

30mm 2A42 Autocannon, NSVT

350x30mm, 1200x12.7mm

MT-LB-6M1B3

+1

None

2x23mm Gsh-23 Autocannons, NSVT, AG-17 GL

600x23mm, 1200x12.7mm, 200x30mm Grenades

MT-LB-6M1B5

+1

None

2x30mm Gsh-30K Autocannons, NSVT, AG-17 GL

450x30mm, 1200x12.7mm, 200x30mm Grenades

MT-LB/Kliver

+3

Good

30mm 2A72 Autocannon, PKT, up to 4xAT-15 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAM Launchers

300x30mm, 2000x7.62mm, up to 4xAT-14 ATGM and/or 4xSA-18 SAMs

MT-LBM (Ukrainian)

+3

Good

30mm ZTM-1 or 2A72 Autocannon, KT-7.62 or PKT

300x30mm, 2000x7.62mm

*These versions have a belly armor value of 4, and a deck armor of 3 (except for the turret, which has a deck armor of 2).

**See text above for crew and passenger capacity.

***These versions have a belly armor rating of 3.

 

Kharkov MT-LBu

     Notes: The MT-LBu (also called the ACRV) is a further developed version of the MT-LB; the vehicle is longer with 7 roadwheels per side instead of six, a hull 40 centimeters taller, and a more powerful engine.  Many sightings of an “MT-LB” are in fact of an MT-LBu, as other than size, they look the same externally (with the exception of any specialized equipment). Even more so than the MT-LB, the MT-LBu is primarily a platform for specialized vehicles; the MT-LBu is rarely found being used as a simple APC.  Let me emphasize that – the MT-LBu is almost never used as a conventional, plain APC, but since it does happen from time to time, I have included stats for such a version below. The first MT-LBu variants appeared in Soviet service in the early 1970s, and is has been used as the basis for almost 70 variants. Steps were taken to make the MT-LBu’s basic chassis and hull easier and quicker to manufacture; this not only makes the basic MT-LBu less expensive to make, it also facilitates the production of the myriad of variants by simplifying the basic manufacturing process (the real work in manufacturing is to outfit the variants with their specialized gear).  Only “APC-type” variants will be covered in this entry; more specialized versions, such as artillery and artillery support vehicles, fire support vehicles, engineer vehicles, etc., will be covered in other sections of this site.

     On the rare occasions that the MT-LBu is used as an APC, the MT-LBu essentially conforms to the form of the MT-LB, except that it is bigger and can carry more cargo and troops.  The MT-LBu is also not seen with the small turret found on the MT-LB; instead, there is a dedicated gunner’s position behind and slightly to the right of the driver’s position with a pintle mount.  The driver is in the front left of the MT-LBu, with the commander to the right, and a small aisle between their positions that links to the rear of the vehicle. The driver and commander have hatches on the front face of the vehicle; these are not normally used for ingress and egress from the vehicle, as they open only part way (so that they are standing just slightly above straight out from the front face), and both the commander and driver have normal hatches above their positions.  The front hatches are square, while those above their positions are oval; the hatch sometimes used by a gunner is large and circular. The MT-LBu has only two firing ports, one in the front right side of the troop compartment, and the other in the rear door.  The rear compartment has a large square hatch on the rear deck which opens to the rear, and the aforementioned hatch sometimes used by a gunner, which is circular. (This hatchway is generally filled by a blanking plate on most versions of the MT-LBu, as most MT-LBu variants are unarmed.)  The armor of the MT-LBu is of aluminum instead of the steel of the MT-LB, and provides no better protection than that of the MT-LB. The engine is a YaMZ-238N 300-horsepower diesel which is actually an adapted heavy truck engine.  The engine gives the MT-LBu the same 6.5-ton towing capacity as the MT-LB. The MT-LBu has an automatic transmission, and the driver has conventional driving controls – a steering yoke, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal. Like the MT-LB, the MT-LBu is amphibious with a minimal amount of preparation (a trim vane must be erected and bilge pumps turned on), though on the MT-LBu a crewmember must leave the vehicle to erect the trim vane instead of simply climbing out onto the front of the vehicle, so 7 minutes are required for preparation instead of five. The MT-LBu variants are generally equipped with a collective NBC system, though many variants have an NBC overpressure system.

 

MT-LBu Command Posts

     A large number of MT-LBu variants are command-and-control-type vehicles.  The 9V514 Beta-3 is used at division level and higher, and has a rear compartment that is for the most part taken up by the PASUV Manyevr command-and-control computer system.  This includes an Argon-40 computer (sort of a small, ruggedized mainframe computer) and a smaller T-244 data processing unit.  This vehicle gives the division commander very precise knowledge of the locations of friendly units, vehicles, and supply elements, as well as allowing him to keep and update battlefield information and transmit it to both lower and higher-echelon commanders and reconnaissance units, and vice versa.  The 9V514 also includes two long-range radios, both of which are data-capable, to assist in the collection and dissemination of such information.  A short-range radio for inter-vehicle communication is also carried. The 9V514 usually has several tall whip antennas (at least three), as well as having two mast antennas (one 11 meters tall, one 20 meters) which can be erected on the ground next to the vehicle to extend the range of the radios; the mast for the 11-meter antenna is sectional and can be made taller or shorter in 2-meter increments.  The mast for the 20-meter antenna is telescoping and can be raised from a height of 6-20 meters.  The 9V514 is equipped with external hookups to allow field telephones to be connected to the division command post. The 9V514 is equipped with an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup. The initial 9V514s were produced from 1980-1990, but the equipment was updated in the late 1990s, with the computers and radios becoming far more capable – it is rumored that some types of hacking attacks can be carried out from an updated 9V514, making it a minor sort of an computer warfare vehicle in addition to its normal functions.  This upgraded version is called the MP-95 Beta-4. As the 9V514 does not normally carry its own generator, and energy requirements for the computers and radios is high, the 9V514 is normally found towing a trailer with one or more high-power (5kW or more) generators.

     The MP-21 series of MT-LBu-based vehicles are also part of the PASUV Manyevr command-and-control system. The MP-21, also called the 9S743, is a command and staff vehicle found at division command level; it consists of three variants that are essentially the same except for some details in internal equipment.  The primary version, the MP-21M, is the version for the division commander and his staff, the MP-21M-2 is the NBC defense commander and his staff, and the MP-21M-3 is for the division intelligence chief and his staff.  Other versions include the MP-22 for the air defense liaison, the MP-23 for the air force liaison, the MP-24 for the field artillery and rocket forces liaisons, and the MP-25, which is used to process incoming air defense, counterbattery, and ground surveillance reports. The MP-21M will be detailed here; the others are, as stated above, basically the same in most details.  The MP-21M is well-appointed with radios, having two long-range radios (both of which are data-capable), two medium radios, and one VHF very-long-range radio.  To use with these radios, the MP-21M has no less than three whip antennas, a tall antenna that telescopes from the MP-21M’s roof, a “Clothes Rail” antenna that extends in an oval shape above the roof of the vehicle, and an 11-meter mast antenna that can be emplaced beside the vehicle at a halt.  The commander also has at his disposal a set of two ruggedized computers that give him a complete battlefield management system.  The MP-21M has an inertial navigation system with a gyrocompass backup, and includes a computerized mapping system that interfaces with the battlefield management system.  Also present are a variety of command post equipment like office supplies, plotting symbols, a map board, and a folding table and folding chairs.  A tent can be extended from the rear of the vehicle to double the working space available, and the MP-21M comes with lights that can be strung to light this tent space.  External hookups allow for field telephones from various sources to be fed into the vehicle. A 5kW generator is carried on the rear deck to power the radios and electronics when the engine is off. In the late 1990s, the MP-21Ms equipment was updated, to include the addition of a GPS system and the upgrading of the generator to 8kW. The MP-21 series is equipped with an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup.

     Another MT-LBu variant normally present in a division command center is the PPRI-5.  This is essentially an MT-LBu crammed full of communications gear, including at least three long-range radios (with at least one having data capability), at least one very-long-range VHF radio, one medium-range radio for general communications, and one short range radio for general inter-vehicle communications.  The VHF radios have a range of 2000 kilometers. Also present are a switchboard with hookups for 20 field telephones, at least 10 field telephones to use and pass out to other elements of the command center, and equipment to patch radio communications through field telephones and computers in other command units.  Some spare parts for communications gear is also carried on the PPRI-5, but most such equipment is carried in a towed trailer. Liberal amounts of commo wire are carried, with more on the trailer. As might be imagined, the PPRI-5 is literally festooned with antennas, some of which are mounted on the roof of the vehicle and some of which are mast antennas which are to be erected outside the vehicle when it is in a fixed position; these include a 10-meter antenna which is telescoped from the roof of the vehicle, and 11-meter and 20-meter mast antennas as described above. A computer ties the communications equipment together and helps the operators make best use of it.  As with its counterparts, the PPRI-5 was updated in the late 1990s.  The R-161B is similar, but focuses more on the HF and VHF long-range and very-long-range radios, with four long-range and three very-long-range VHF radios; the VHF radios have a 2000-kilometer range as above, while the HF radios have a range of 50 kilometers. More range can be achieved with the radios through the use of the antenna masts in the case of both vehicles.  The R-161B also has a standard short-range vehicular radio for general communications. The R-161B was also updated in the late-1990s, producing the R-161BM.

     The R-412B (and its updated form, the R-412BM) works in concert with the PPRI-5; its functions are normally tied to the division command center by the PPRI-5.  The R-412B is tropospheric relay station, with antennas and equipment used to amplify the signal strength of the PPRI-5s and R-161Bs radios, and to extend the range of those signals four-fold by bouncing the radio signals off of the ionosphere.  A computer helps automate these functions, and a 5kW generator helps power these functions when the vehicle’s engine is switched off.  The R-412B also has standard basic vehicle radios. Finally, the R-439BG is a mobile SATCOM station with a large satellite dish on the roof of the vehicle and providing multiple avenues of communications and data relay; the range of the SATCOM radios in the R-439BG is generally 15,000 kilometers or more, depending upon positioning of communications satellites – potentially, the R-439BG could be used to communicate with any point on the planet.  Again, a computer normally automates most functions of the SATCOM system. As with the R-412B, the R-439BG normally routes its communications through a PPRI-5 vehicle, though both it and the R-412B can route communications directly.

     Except for the MP-21 series, these vehicles are generally accompanied by trucks, trailers, or MT-LBus that are essentially unremarkable except that they carry generators to run the specialist MT-LBus’ equipment when their engines are switched off.  These generators can vary in size from 1 kW to 15 kW.  All these vehicles’ communications equipment have the highest security measures available to the country using them (which are for the most part the Soviets and Warsaw Pact countries, or later the Russians and Eastern European nations).  Other than what is noted above, the primary improvements introduced in the late 1990s are in the areas are in the area of potential range (generally increased by about 20%), communications security (the use of frequency-hopping radios and new encryption modules with the radios, as well as increasing the number of types of radios with which the radios can inter-operate in many cases), power consumption (lowered overall), computing power, and reduced electromagnetic signature (very important; high-level command elements can often be found and identified due to their large electromagnetic signature).

     Just an informational note: US, NATO, and most 1st-World Western-based armies have equivalent vehicles, but they are generally modular-type units mounted on heavy and medium trucks instead of dedicated armored vehicles, with equipment tailored for specific functions.

 

MT-LBu EW Vehicles

    A number of electronic warfare and ground-surveillance radar versions of the MT-LBu exist.  The R-330B is a mobile jamming system designed primarily to jam ground surveillance radars and radars of low-flying aircraft.  Jamming range of the EW equipment on the R-330B is 15 kilometers, but only 5 kilometers vertically.  The jamming system is completely automated, so only a small crew is required, and the vehicle could be literally parked, the jamming equipment turned on, and the vehicle left there unattended.  The jamming frequencies are of a relatively wide spectrum, they can be adjusted so as to not interfere with friendly radars.  The R-330P is similar, but is a radio jammer, designed to jam in a frequency range of 20-100 MHz. This vehicle’s jammers have a range of 25 kilometers, but it is not designed to operate on the frequencies that most aircraft communications use.   The R-378B is another similar radio jammer, but designed to jam HF frequencies in a wide spectrum and having a range of 50 kilometers.  The R-934B is another radio jammer, tuned to jam aircraft radios in a wide spectrum operating in the VHF and UHF bands, and having a range of 25 kilometers.  The R-330-series, R-378B, and R-934B do not carry any special communications equipment, only basic vehicle radios.

     The R-381T Taran series are vehicles with SIGINT (signals intelligence) equipment. They normally operate in concert with each other in military intelligence units at brigade level and above. The R-381T1 Taran-1 is designed to listen in on enemy radio broadcasts; it has two radio signal interception units, each of which can analyze a mid-sized band of frequencies and use an integrated computer to home in on and attempt to decrypt their broadcasts. They also automatically record the broadcasts they intercept, with enough recording space to record up to 5 hours of broadcasts, and with the system automatically erasing the oldest set of intercepted signals in order to record newer broadcasts.  The R-381T1 operates closely with the R-381T2 Taran-2, which is a radio direction finder designed to locate enemy radio broadcasts, even if they are broadcasting in a tight directional beam.  The R-381T2 has four radio direction finder units, and when they detect the radio broadcasts they attempt to determine the location range, signal strength, and radio frequency.  R-381T2 can detect such broadcasts within a range of 30 kilometers. The R-381T3 Taran-3 is a control vehicle for the R-381T1 and R-381T2; it primarily carries computers designed to recognize certain patterns (such as repeated words and call signs) in order to facilitate CEOI analysis and decoding of code words, attempt to determine the language used in the broadcasts, analyze intercepted frequencies discovered by the R-381T2, and in general tie together the capabilities of the R-381T1 and R-381T2 and convert their findings into more useful intelligence.  As such, the R-381T3 primarily carries computers used in signals intelligence work and various aids to the signals intelligence process, along with radios to relay the gathered signals intelligence to other units.  The R-381T1 and R-381T2 carry only basic radio equipment for communicating with other friendly vehicles; the R-381T3 carries such radios in addition to two long-range radios which are data capable, for use in transmitting their findings to other units.

     As with most other MT-LBu-based vehicles, these EW vehicles were updated in the late-1990s, giving them up-to-date electronics and computers.  All of these EW vehicles have NBC overpressure systems with a collective NBC backup.  All are normally found towing trailers with generators that have a capacity of 5-8kW, or by trucks that are carrying those generators.

 

Chemical Detection/Analysis Vehicle

     The KDKhR-1N Dal is a vehicle with long-range chemical detection and analysis equipment.  The system is quite advanced, using an optical chemical “sniffer” that lasers fired into an area suspected of chemical contamination combined with sophisticated computers to determine levels of contamination and the type of chemical that is contaminating the area.  This system has a range of 7 kilometers and is not only able to detect and analyze chemical warfare agents, but other possible hazardous buildups of chemical agents such as the composition of smoke clouds from debris, oil wells that have been set on fire, and noxious gasses which are not normally chemical warfare agents. The KDKhR-1N also carries equipment for more direct, more detailed collection of samples and analysis, including valves to suck in air samples and manipulator arms used to pick up and test possible contaminated objects and small animals. Vision blocks and TV cameras are provided to aid in this process, and the TV system can be used at longer ranges for observation as well. This TV system is equipped with a separate image intensifier to allow observation at extended ranges as well as giving it low-light capability. The KDKhR-1N is also equipped with more conventional alarms to tell the crew that they are entering an area contaminated by chemical agents, noxious chemicals, or radiation.  The KDKhR-1N, however, does not have the ability to detect radiological hazards until the vehicle is already in the radiologically-contaminated area, nor can it measure radiation types or levels except for the basic radiation level measurement provided by a Geiger counter.  As the vehicle is a chemical warfare reconnaissance vehicle, it is equipped with an inertial navigation system which has a gyrocompass backup and a small computer to generate mapping information for the commander to mark on his maps.  The KDKhR-1N is generally equipped with one short-range and one long-range radio; the long-range radio is data-capable.  The KDKhR-1N was updated to the KDKhR-1NM standard in the late 1990s; these updates concentrated on the computers and added a GPS system with a computer that provides a computerized mapping system that displays maps on an LCD screen in the commander’s cupola and allows the commander to note contaminated areas, friendly units, and transmit and receive such information from other units equipped with battlefield management systems. As the KDKhR-1N is a reconnaissance vehicle that is expected to operate in forward battlefield areas, it is armed, unlike most MT-LBu variants.  Needless to say, the KDKhR-1N has an NBC overpressure system with a collective NBC backup.

 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The updates done in the late-1990s are not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

MT-LBu

$37,171

D, A

2.3 tons

15.5 tons

3+13

12

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

9V514

$622,901

D, A

450 kg

15.9 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MP-95

$916,451

D, A

450 kg

15.9 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MP-21

$168,200

D, A

950 kg

15.7 tons

2+5

13

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

MP-21 (Updated)

$249,398

D, A

950 kg

15.7 tons

2+5

13

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

PPRI-5

$72,661

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

PPRI-5M

$87,972

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-161B

$74,130

D, A

450 kg

15.8 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-161BM

$89,441

D, A

450 kg

15.8 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-412B

$167,092

D, A

450 kg

15.8 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-412BM

$132,497

D, A

450 kg

15.8 tons

5

15

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-439BG

$565,237

D, A

450 kg

16 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-439BGM

$332,642

D, A

450 kg

16 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-330B

$287,982

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-330BM

$200,752

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-330P

$68,438

D, A

450 kg

15.6 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-330PM

$83,343

D, A

450 kg

15.6 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-378B

$68,989

D, A

450 kg

15.6 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-378BM

$83,894

D, A

450 kg

15.6 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-934B

$68,485

D, A

450 kg

15.6 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-934BM

$83,390

D, A

450 kg

15.6 tons

4

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-381T1

$112,642

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-381T1M

$149,547

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-381T2

$70,292

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-381T2M

$85,197

D, A

450 kg

15.7 tons

5

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-381T3

$245,302

D, A

450 kg

15.8 tons

6

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

R-381T3M

$348,207

D, A

450 kg

15.8 tons

6

16

Passive IR (D), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

KDKhR-1N

$345,864

D, A

600 kg

15.9 tons

2+4

16

Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (C, TV), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

KDKhR-1NM

$405,319

D, A

600 kg

15.9 tons

2+4

16

Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (C, TV), WL/IR Searchlight (C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

MT-LBu

133/93

32/21/3

540

127

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

9V514/MP-95/KDKhR-1N

129/90

31/20/3

540

131

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

MP-21/PPRI-5/R-330B/R-330P/R-378B/R-934B/R-381T1/R-381T2

132/92

32/21/3

540

128

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

R-161B/R-412B/R-382T3

130/91

31/21/3

540

130

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

R-439BG

129/90

31/20/3

540

131

Stnd

T3

HF5  HS2  HR2

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

MT-LBu/KDKhR-1N

None

None

NSVT

1500x12.7mm