Tank support combat vehicle. Difficult story

Ground-to-air guided missiles, which will be equipped with the latest Russian infantry support combat vehicle (BMPT) "Terminator-3", will make the armored vehicle a threat to "one of the deadliest" weapons of the US Army - unmanned aerial vehicles aircraft. The National Interest writes about it. The material of the American publication states that the BMPT Terminator-3 weapon system will allow destroying any type of targets, including air and ground, as well as hit enemy manpower.

Russian "Terminator-3" became a threat to shock drones USA

In addition, this machine will be armed, the newspaper writes, with ground-to-air missiles with a variable flight path and the possibility of undermining at any point in the flight path. It is this type of ammunition that will threaten American combat and reconnaissance drones, the article says.

Of course, some kind of response from the United States will be worked out over time. However, on this moment the American command does not even have an approximate idea of \u200b\u200bways to stop new threat. Thus, the American ground forces for the next decade will lose the ability to effectively confront in a ground battle.

Why are Americans so scared? Let's try to figure it out.

American land military strategy

As stated earlier CEO OJSC "Uralvagonzavod" Oleg Sienko, we are talking about a system that completely discredits the entire American land military strategy. Modern organizational structure ground forces The United States, the requirements for their weapons and the methodology for using them are based on the principles that developed following the results of the Second World War. They were secured by the American army in subsequent conflicts.

This concerns the concept of maximum preemptive fire impact. The positions and heavy weapons of the enemy must be destroyed by rocket and bomb strikes, artillery fire, mortars and tank guns. Infantry is used at the final stage to clear the territory and collect trophies. This strategy was finally formulated in the Shock and Awe doctrine (Shock and Awe, 1996) and implemented in Operation Iraqi Freedom (the 2003 invasion of Iraq).

Relying on absolute superiority in the air and the absence of a continuous front line, the American troops, as part of brigade columns, carried out a series of dissecting flanking maneuvers. The goal was to localize the defense centers of the Iraqi army, depriving it of mobility, cutting off supply lines and disorganizing the control system.

With tank battalions at the forefront, American units sought to destroy Iraqi heavy weapons at once from extreme distances. Usually - 1600-2200 meters.

Success was also ensured by the superiority of the Americans in reconnaissance and detection means (thermal imagers). This was especially evident at night and bad climatic conditions in smoke and dust storms.

If the defense center was not captured after the first strike, the Americans left patrols along its perimeter, and the ground units bypassed it and moved on. The liquidation of the encircled groupings was part of the task of the infantry of the second echelon, moving with a separation of 12-20 hours from the combat formations of the first line. As a result, already on the 19th day of the operation - April 9 - the troops of the anti-Iraqi coalition occupied Baghdad. By May 1, 2003, any organized resistance of the Iraqi army, whose generals were simply bought up by the Americans (very, by the way, effective military strategy) has been eliminated.

Despite the efforts of the Western media to praise the superiority of the American land strategy, even in Iraq it was noted in principle. vulnerabilities. First of all, a critically high dependence on fire support from aviation and a sharp drop in the effectiveness of units in close contact combat. Especially where the support of the infantry by artillery and tanks turned out to be impossible.

From the experience of fighting in Iraq and the operation in Afghanistan, the command of the American army drew the following conclusions.

Artillery, as well as attack aircraft and helicopters, are the main strike means of land combat. But even in their absence, the distance of the brigade's fire impact on the enemy of 2 km provides guaranteed superiority.

The tanks of the Soviet / Russian production T-55, T-64 and early modifications of the T-72 encountered in battle are confidently hit by M1 Abrams MBT fire, while he himself has never been hit at such a distance.

The threat of a tank strike from the enemy is stopped by the organization of ambushes of mobile anti-tank systems (heavy, such as TOU-2, and universal, such as FGM-148 Javelin). Thus, enemy infantry is deprived of tank cover at a distance from which it itself is not yet capable of inflicting damage, and is further destroyed by fire from large-caliber weapons of infantry fighting vehicle modules. In particular, the automatic 25mm gun M242 Bushmaster BMP M2 Bradley and 12.7 mm machine guns M2 Browning BMP M1126 Stryker.

The new structure of the US Armed Forces is based on the field manual FM 3-96 “Combat Brigade” adopted in October 2015.

It is planned to transfer ground forces to it by 2030. By this time, the army will have to have 58 combat brigades, including: 10 armored, 8 Stryker brigades, 14 light infantry.

Each of them has a combat autonomy of up to 3 days, in the event of a large-scale conflict, and up to 7 days when performing “peacekeeping missions” and in low-intensity conflicts. The US Army command believes that the brigade is able to turn around in 8-9 hours and take full control of the situation within a radius of up to 50 km.

The appearance of information about Russian work in the field of creating BMPT tank support combat vehicles (project Frame-99) did not at first cause concern among the American command. The first sample of the Object 199, which later received the unofficial name "Terminator", was the chassis of the T-72A tank with the turret replaced by an automated weapons module, consisting of two 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons, a 7.62mm PKTM machine gun, and four launchers of the Ataka-T ATGM , as well as two automatic grenade launchers AGS-17 "Flame".

Despite the wide range of weapons and the presence of anti-tank missiles with a range of up to 6 km, in general, this vehicle is considered the Russian analogue of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle of the M2A2 modification. The re-equipment of the BMPT Object 199 with more advanced means of reconnaissance, guidance and target designation, the introduction of some design improvements and the installation of the Relikt dynamic protection complex, which resulted in the BMPT-72 Terminator-2 project, were also not appreciated by the American command. First of all, because both projects are put into service Russian army were not accepted.

Such a position of the Russian Defense Ministry was perceived by the military-political leadership of NATO as a lack of understanding in the Russian army of the fundamental purpose of such a machine, its role in the concept of combined arms combat as a whole.

Basic performance characteristics (TTX)

According to currently available information, the Terminator 3 is a BMPT based on the self-propelled part of the Armata platform, similar to newest tank T-14, with the installation of an automatic weapon station AU-220M, developed by JSC Central Research Institute Burevestnik. His main hallmark is a 57 mm cannon designed for light combat ships and adapted to land conditions.

With a rate of fire of 300 rounds per minute, a firing range of up to 16 km and an altitude reach of more than 4 km, it ensures the destruction of all types of air and ground targets on the modern battlefield. The module was developed as part of the Russian-French project of the ATOM heavy infantry fighting vehicle, after the closure of which they were used in a new modification of the BMP-3 Derivation, which is currently undergoing a cycle of field tests.

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The transition to the 57mm caliber is due to the need for guaranteed fire damage to fortified and armored targets at distances exceeding the effective fire range of Western anti-tank weapons, reaching an average of 3.5 thousand meters.

The gun of the AU-220M module is guaranteed to penetrate more than 100 mm of armor at a distance of more than 4 km. A standard panel high-rise building breaks through from 4.5 km. In combination with a machine gun and an automatic grenade launcher, as well as detection and aiming equipment, the module is able to provide reliable fire cover for tanks and infantry at ranges 1.6-2.4 times the effective fire distance of both the M2 Bradley and the BMP. Stryker" of all modifications, including the M1128, armed with a 105-mm M68 cannon, as well as anti-tank missile systems, which are in service with NATO armies.

The appearance of such a machine in the combat formations of tank and mechanized battalions and brigades, as well as equipping them airborne troops, means depriving the American ground forces of the tactical basis of their dominance on the battlefield - hitting targets beyond the range of return fire. including direct support from army aviation, without which american army land combat is not capable.

2018-12-17T08:59:50+05:00 lesovoz_69Defense of the Fatherlandanalysis, army, Russia, watch video, USAWhy did the Terminator-3 BMPT scare the Americans so much? The ground-to-air guided missiles that will power Russia's latest Terminator-3 infantry support combat vehicle (BMPT) will make the armored vehicle a threat to "one of the US Army's deadliest" weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles. The National Interest writes about it. The material of the American edition says about ...lesovoz_69 lesovoz_69 lesovoz [email protected] Author In the middle of Russia

Corporation "Uralvagonzavod" creates a combat tank support vehicle (BMPT) "Terminator-3". This was announced by the industrial director of the cluster "Armament" of the corporation "Rostec" Sergey Abramov. The improved model will be equipped with robotic weapons, new control systems and chassis. Experts believe that the need for the Russian army in the "Terminators" is extremely high. How new vehicles will increase the capabilities of tank units, RT figured out

BMPT "Terminator" at the exercises "West-2017", the Luzhsky training ground in Leningrad region

Sergey Abramov, industrial director of the Armament cluster of the Rostec corporation, said that the Uralvagonzavod corporation (UVZ) is working on the Terminator-3 tank support combat vehicle (BMPT) project.

"Based on experience combat use"Terminator" now we are thinking about the appearance of a new modification of this machine. Improvement of tactical and technical characteristics and modernization of the chassis are discussed. New car will be able to work on all types of targets: air, ground, living and non-living forces of the enemy, ”RIA Novosti quotes Abramov.

The top manager believes that the current model (Terminator 2) is a very successful machine. The new BMPT will be more efficient "due to the greater robotization of the vehicle itself and its weapons." Also in the "Terminator-3" will reduce the number of crew (from five people to three).

Currently, Uralvagonzavod is producing the Terminator-2 on the chassis of the T-72 tanks. This sample is considered a second generation machine. Earlier, the media reported that the "Terminator-3" will be created on the platform of the T-14 "Armata".

"Terminator" is a representative of a new type of armored vehicles designed to cover tanks on the battlefield. The vehicle is armed with two 30mm 2A42 cannons, two AGS-17 grenade launchers, four Ataka-type anti-tank guided missiles, and a Kord machine gun.

In 2017, the Terminator took part in the Syrian operation and in the Russian-Belarusian strategic exercises Zapad-2017 (Luga training ground).

From "Viper" to "Terminator"

The development of a tank support combat vehicle started in the second half of the 1980s at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The first prototype received the name "object 781" (index of the Main Armored Directorate of the Ministry of Defense).

The Chelyabinsk machine was almost completely unified with the T-72B tank in terms of components and assemblies. The main differences from the prototype were in armament and a new automated system fire control (FCS). The mass of the experimental BMPT was 46.4 tons, the crew size was 5-7 people.

In 1996, based on the experience of the first Chechen campaign, Chelyabinsk designers on their own initiative developed a more advanced machine (“object 787”), called the “Viper” because unusual shape towers.

In 1999, by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering OJSC (UKBTM) prepared a technical design of the BMPT on the T-90 chassis (“object 199”). In 2000, the Ural specialists presented the first experimental sample.

The mass of the vehicle was 48 tons, the crew - five people (driver, operators of automatic grenade launchers, commander and gunner). The BMPT received a reinforced armored hull and an SLA developed by the Belarusian enterprise Peleng.

At state tests in 2005-2006, the BMPT confirmed all the declared performance characteristics. The machine received the nickname "Terminator" because of the ability to conduct a high rate of fire simultaneously from all weapons.

However, the adoption of the BMPT into service was delayed due to the need to revise the staff structure ground forces. In addition, the Ministry of Defense set a condition - to reduce the crew to three people.

In order to receive an order for production for the Russian army, OAO UKBTM, on its own initiative, developed the Terminator-2 based on the T-72 tank (BMPT-72). The vehicle was first presented in 2013 at the Russian Arms Expo international exhibition in Nizhny Tagil.

"Highly sought after car"

Today, the Terminator is in service with two states - Russia and Kazakhstan. According to a number of media reports, in 2016 UVZ signed a contract with Algeria for the supply of over 300 infantry fighting vehicles on the chassis of the T-90CA tank. However, these reports have not been officially confirmed.

In August 2017 during international forum"Army" "Uralvagonzavod" and the Ministry of Defense entered into an agreement for the supply of a batch of "Terminators" (the number of units ordered was not disclosed). Experts believe that the contract was preceded by the successful combat use of the vehicle in Syria.

In an interview with RT, reserve colonel, candidate of military sciences Sergei Suvorov called the Terminator "a highly demanded machine." According to the expert, in the modern theater of operations (theater of war), tanks need cover primarily because of the widespread use of man-portable missile systems and anti-tank grenade launchers.

“The main feature of the tank support vehicle is the ability to simultaneously hit multiple targets (multi-channel) and provide continuous all-round surveillance on the battlefield. "Terminator" can work on tanks, enemy armored vehicles, manpower and low-flying targets," Suvorov explained.

The expert believes that the "Terminators" significantly increase the likelihood of detecting targets that pose a threat to tanks. According to Suvorov, in the course of the ongoing state tests, a scheme for the interaction of the BMPT with tanks and armored infantry vehicles was worked out.

“If on the field one BMPT moves between tanks, then the number of targets hit increases to 30%. However, the massive entry of "Terminators" into the troops will require a revision of the states and structure tank units", - said Suvorov.

The interlocutor of RT suggests that with a high probability the BMPT will replenish the tank units. In his opinion, the Terminator should enter the troops as the fourth vehicle in a tank platoon, or the BMPT will be equipped with one company in a tank battalion.

Suvorov is sure that the brainchild of UVZ has a great modernization potential. "Terminator-3", the expert notes, will become a more efficient machine due to robotic systems and an updated chassis.

“However, in the new Terminator, I would not reduce the number of crew. Russian tankers have a very large load associated with the maintenance of equipment. In addition, five people is the optimal number in combat conditions, ”summed up Suvorov.

At the recent exhibition Russian Arms Expo-2013, several new developments of the domestic defense industry were shown. Among other things, for the first time demonstrated new model tank support combat vehicle BMPT-72 "Terminator-2". In this project, the designers of the Uralvagonzavod enterprise took into account the experience gained in testing the previous machine of this class, which made it possible to correctly update the design, composition of weapons and equipment. At the same time, some measures were taken that could lead to a great commercial success of the new combat vehicle.

The main difference between the BMPT-72 and its predecessor is the base chassis. BMPT's previous vehicle early stages The project was supposed to be built on the basis of the chassis of the T-72 tanks, but later the modified chassis of the T-90 tank was taken as the basis for it. New option the tank support combat vehicle is based on the hull and running gear of the T-72 tank. As expected, this feature of the project will help promote new machines in the international market. T-72 tanks are operated in dozens of states, and each of them may show interest in the new Russian BMPT-72.

According to official data, built or converted from the tank "Terminator-2" has a combat weight of 44 tons. When using a 840 or 1000 engine Horse power(depending on the modification of the base tank) BMPT-72 is capable of accelerating on the highway up to 60 km / h and overcome the off-road route at speeds up to 35-45 km / h. The fuel range is 700 kilometers. Mobility characteristics allow the new BMPT to move and fight in the same formation with all modern Russian-made main tanks. In addition, the use of the chassis of the T-72 tank greatly facilitates and simplifies maintenance and the supply of spare parts.

The BMPT-72 is heavier than the base tank due to the installation of the original turret with weapons and additional protection modules. The frontal and side parts of the hull are additionally covered by modules of the dynamic protection system. The engine compartment is proposed to be additionally protected with cumulative grilles. In addition, to counter anti-tank weapons using optoelectronic systems, the BMPT-72 has smoke grenade launchers.

In order to simplify the production or re-equipment of finished vehicles, the new Terminator-2 has several noticeable differences from the BMPT of the previous model. Thus, the crew was reduced to three people: only the driver, commander and gunner-operator of weapons remained in its composition. Two grenade launchers, as well as their , have been removed. Obviously, this change in the composition of the crew and the armament complex made it possible to simplify the work on re-equipping the finished tank chassis due to the absence of the need for a serious change in the front of the hull. In addition, the withdrawal of grenade launchers from the crew made it possible to reduce the number of people in the car to the "tank" level. In other words, the crew of the T-72 tank and the BMPT based on it consists of three people. In the future, this may help to facilitate the retraining of crews.

All armament of the updated tank support combat vehicle is mounted on the turret. The unit itself, in turn, is mounted on a standard shoulder strap of the T-72 tank without any modifications to the hull. The complex of turret weapons and equipment of the BMPT-72 machine is similar to the corresponding equipment of the Terminator machine. At the same time, some technical solutions were applied that increase the combat capability and survivability of both the machine as a whole and individual systems. First of all, noticeably developed bulletproof armor for almost all units located on the tower. Two 30-mm automatic guns 2A42 are partially covered by an armored casing. The BMPT-72's ammunition stacks hold up to 850 rounds for both guns. All available projectiles of 30 mm caliber of the domestic standard are suitable for firing from 2A42 cannons. Shooting is carried out in two modes: with a high rate of 550 rounds per minute and with a low rate, no more than 250-300 rounds per minute. Above the guns in its own casing is a PKTM machine gun with an ammunition load of 2100 rounds.

The authors of the BMPT-72 project solved the problem of protecting guided weapons, which caused a lot of complaints about the tank support vehicle of the first model. On the sides of the Terminator-2 tower, two armored casings are installed, inside which transport and launch containers with 9M120-1 or 9M120-1F / 4 guided missiles are mounted. The missiles are capable of hitting armored targets at ranges up to 6 kilometers. The B07S1 complex is used to control the missiles.

The updated fire control system of the BMPT-72 includes gunner's and commander's sights, laser rangefinders, a ballistic computer and a weapon stabilizer. The vehicle commander has a combined panoramic sight with television and thermal imaging channels. The field of view of the sight is stabilized in two planes. The commander's sight is also equipped with a laser rangefinder. The machine gunner uses a sight with optical and thermal imaging channels. This sighting device has a field of view stabilized in two planes, and is also equipped with a laser rangefinder and a laser control system for anti-tank missiles.

The sighting equipment used, when using a television channel, allows the commander of a combat vehicle to recognize enemy tanks at a distance of about 5 kilometers. At night, when using a thermal imaging system, the recognition range is reduced to 3.5 km. The sighting and thermal imaging channels of the gunner's sight provide detection and recognition of the target at approximately the same distances - 5 and 3.5 km, respectively.

Shortly after the first display of the BMPT-72 Terminator 2, several defense industry officials made statements about its prospects. They all believe that the updated tank support combat vehicle should be of interest to potential customers. One of the main advantages that can attract interest from the Russian or any foreign army is the base vehicle. T-72 tanks are operated in many countries, which is why the conversion of outdated equipment of this type into new BMPT-72s can have a beneficial effect on the capabilities of the customer's ground forces.

An interesting feature of the BMPT-72 project is the fact that it was originally created taking into account not only the construction of new vehicles, but also the re-equipment of existing equipment. According to official information, the Russian enterprise Uralvagonzavod can supply the customer with ready-made tank support vehicles or transfer equipment kits for re-equipping existing tanks by the customer.

Level of protection and firepower new infantry fighting vehicle in comparison with the original "Terminator" remained at about the same level. It is possible that the rejection of automatic grenade launchers may adversely affect the fighting qualities. However, this decision was made in connection with the simplification of design and production. Probably, the absence of two grenade launchers will not be able to repel potential customers. It is worth recalling that in numerous discussions of the BMPT vehicle, doubts were often expressed about the advisability of installing two automatic grenade launchers, which should be controlled by individual crew members. Claims from specialists and people interested in military equipment, concerned both the quantitative aspects of the crew and the combat effectiveness of grenade launchers with limited aiming angles.

The firing capabilities of the barreled and guided weapons of the BMPT-72 roughly correspond to these parameters of the first Terminator. This can be explained by the fact that when creating a new tank support vehicle, the authors of the project sought to unify it with the T-72 tank, as well as remove the main shortcomings of the previous design. As a result, it became possible to relatively easily convert a tank into a tank support vehicle with fairly high performance.

So far, potential customers have not spoken about their intentions to buy new BMPT-72 vehicles or make them from existing tanks. The first demonstration of the new combat vehicle took place a few weeks ago and therefore it is too early to talk about possible purchases. Potential operators of this equipment only recently got the opportunity to get acquainted with the new proposal of the Russian defense industry. Reports of contract negotiations could begin within the next few months.

According to the websites:
http://otvaga2004.ru/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.ru/
http://vpk.name/
http://arms-expo.ru/

In the early 2000s, perhaps one of the most controversial examples of Russian military equipment, the tank support combat vehicle, was introduced to the world. Nothing like a tank chassis, equipped instead of the usual cannon with a whole arsenal of various means of destruction, the population had not seen before.

The spectacular name “Terminator” assigned to the BMPT added fuel to the fire of popularity (by the way, they managed to “christen” the experienced Su-37 fighter in the same way). No one even thought that famous movie"Terminators" were called exclusively humanoid combat robots and neither aircraft nor armored vehicles have anything to do with them.

History of creation

During the Second World War, a new, at that time, type of military equipment was often involved in the performance of fire support tasks - self-propelled anti-aircraft installations. In the USSR, for example, they willingly used the American M17 anti-aircraft guns - a quad installation of 12.7mm machine guns on an armored personnel carrier chassis. Then, however, no conclusions were drawn from the effectiveness of their use.

In the 1980s, the Soviet Union got involved in the war in Afghanistan. The specifics of counter-partisan actions in a high-mountainous country were such that most of the Soviet military equipment was not suitable for them. The angle of elevation of the tank guns did not allow effective fire on enemy ambushes at heights.

The 30mm caliber and anti-aircraft self-propelled gun "Shilka" with quadruple 23mm guns "felt" best in such conditions. However, these vehicles were protected by light bulletproof armor, making them very vulnerable.

Then the idea came up to create a combat vehicle, which, on the one hand, would have a level of protection comparable to a tank, and on the other hand, could detect tank-dangerous infantry more quickly and more effectively suppress it. By 1989, three prototypes were built in Chelyabinsk on the chassis of the T-72 tank.

The prototypes of the "tank support fighting vehicle" were distinguished by a set of weapons - one of the prototypes of the BMPT was equipped with a 100mm gun-launcher, and a pair of 30mm automatic guns was installed on the other.

However, the project was closed after the collapse of the USSR and the closure of the design bureau at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant.

In the mid-1990s, Russian troops suffered huge losses during the storming of Grozny. In this operation, they tried to use the Tunguska ZSU to cover the tanks, but this did not bring any effect. As a result, they again remembered the concept of a heavily armored BMPT. In 1998, work began at Uralvagonzavod under the code "Frame".

In 2000, the first prototypes of the "object 199" were presented. And in 2006 combat vehicles tank support passed state tests. At the same time, the name "Terminator" appeared, which subsequently replaced the official BMPT code - "Frame".

Design

BMPT "Terminator" was built on 0. Accordingly, the welded hull of rolled steel armor remained unchanged. Upper front sheet - from combined armor, additionally protected by dynamic protection "Contact-5". Due to this, the equivalent thickness of the frontal armor of the BMPT is about 800 mm when hit by armor-piercing shells and about 1100 mm when hit by cumulative ones.

The sides (as well as the feed) of the Terminator are covered with protective screens and anti-cumulative grilles.

The Terminator engine is a 12-cylinder V-92 diesel engine with a power of 1001 hp, transversely mounted in the stern of the BMPT.

The main difference between the BMPT and the base tank is the absence of a turret and an automatic loader carousel. In its place, a light module with weapons placed outside was installed. All ammunition is also located outside the armored volume of the Terminator.

The commander of the BMPT and the gunner sit in the reserved space. At the same time, the BMPT commander not only has the ability to display the "picture" from the gunner's sight on his display or independently deploy the tower in the chosen direction - he is able to completely replace the gunner and use the "Terminator" weapon at his discretion.

In addition, two additional “jobs” appeared in the BMPT hull - on both sides of the driver sit gunners of course 30 mm grenade launchers. To monitor the situation and aim grenade launchers at the target, they use stabilized Agat sights with day and night channels. They also have an electronic ballistic computer built into them.

The improved modification of the BMPT-72 (aka Terminator 2), which appeared in 2015, is somewhat different from the original model.

Security has increased due to the replacement of dynamic protection "Contact-5" with the next generation system - "Relic". Has undergone a change in the placement of weapons in the combat module. And course grenade launchers, along with gunners and their sights, were abolished.

Armament

Two 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons designed by Gryazev and Shipunov are installed in the BMPT Terminator combat module. The guns, first used on the BMP-2, have a variable rate of fire (low - 300 rounds per minute, high - 550). In the "standard version" they have selective power, which allows you to instantly change the type of projectiles used. On the BMPT, the power supply has become single-ribbon, each of the guns is equipped with different shells (the left one is armor-piercing, the right one is fragmentation).

The common armor-piercing projectile 3UBR6 at a distance of 700 m is capable of penetrating a sheet of armor 40 mm thick. The 3UBR8 sub-caliber projectile has higher penetration - at a kilometer range it can penetrate 50mm of armor. The most modern, but not widely used sub-caliber projectiles with an increased core length can penetrate over 100 mm of armor.

Thus, with the help of guns, the Terminator can even penetrate the side and rear armor of tanks. To perform "core" tasks - suppressing infantry positions - 3UOF8 fragmentation shells are used, containing a bursting charge - about 50 g of hexal. Cannon ammunition - 900 shots.

On the first prototypes of the BMPT, well-known anti-tank missiles"Competition".

The final version of the Terminator received the Ataka ATGM, originally designed for attack helicopters. Four launch containers for these 130mm caliber missiles are mounted on the BMPT combat module.

With the help of rockets with a cumulative warhead, the Terminator can hit tanks (armor penetration is estimated at 950mm), and a modification with a thermobaric charge can be used to destroy fortifications and group targets. The BMPT uses a modernized version of the "Attack" with laser beam guidance. In addition, a 7.62mm PKT machine gun is installed in the module, its ammunition load is 2000 rounds.

Course grenade launchers "Terminator" AG-17D are a modification mounted grenade launchers"Flame". Although the sights of grenade launchers are stabilized, grenade launchers themselves are not stabilized. Their ammo includes 600 fragmentation grenades caliber 30 mm. The rate of fire of each grenade launcher can reach 400 rounds per minute, while the radius of destruction by shrapnel from each grenade is about 4 m.

Since the fuse fires instantly when it encounters an obstacle, and other types of grenades, except for fragmentation grenades, have not been developed for the AGS-17, it cannot be used to combat protected targets. The BMPT-72 weapon system differs from the first Terminator mainly in the rejection of grenade launchers. Besides, launchers Ataka missiles were transferred to armored containers.

Exploitation

Despite the regular demonstrations of the Terminator at exhibitions and the corresponding reports about representatives of which countries showed interest in the BMPT, only Kazakhstan purchased them in the first decade of the 21st century. And a very small batch - only ten pieces. Subsequently, negotiations were held to continue deliveries and to organize a joint assembly, but their actual results are still unknown to this day.

The only far-abroad country that the BMPT was really interested in was Algeria, a longtime buyer of domestic defense products, one of the first customers of the T-90 tanks.

In the homeland of the "Terminator" things did not work out at first. Initially, it was planned to adopt the BMPT into service by 2010, deploy serial production and equip at least a company with tank support combat vehicles. None of this happened on time. It was proposed not to build new chassis for the BMPT, but to remake the outdated T-72s into Terminators - nothing came of this either.

In 2017, however, there were rumors about the use of BMPT Russian troops in Syria (with no details reported), and in 2018 they announced that 10 Terminators would finally go to military trials.

Project evaluation

Most of the publications covering the appearance of the "Terminator" were frankly enthusiastic. At demonstration firing, targets disappeared in impressive clouds of shell and grenade explosions. However, the BMPT also had opponents. At the same time, the general concept and the need to support tanks were not criticized, the question was posed as follows: how will the Terminator cover the tanks with the existing weapon system?

And indeed: in the conditions of urban combat, more or less trained grenade launchers will attack from ambushes, trying to be in a non-shootable zone. For example, from the upper floors and roofs.

At the same time, the angle of elevation of the barrels of 30 mm guns for the BMPT is 45⁰ - versus 70⁰ for the BMP-2 and 60⁰ for the BMP-3.

It turns out that when attacked from above, the Terminator will be even more helpless than the machines it is supposed to support. And a five-degree declination plus a high line of fire creates a large dead zone in the "lower hemisphere". However, no settings like turret machine guns tanks, BPMT does not have.

At the same time, the density of fire is also not increased, since two cannons are used to fire different projectiles. Doubts were also expressed about the combat value of course grenade launchers. In urban combat, they could become a good means of self-defense - if they had the possibility of circular fire.

The Terminator, on the other hand, can only hit targets that are directly in front of it with grenade launchers. And taking into account the fact that the AGS-17 was created to conduct barrage fire on areas, it turns out that the BMPT can most effectively destroy open targets ahead in the direction of travel.

In combat in open areas, an infantry support combat vehicle would be a little easier. Tank-dangerous infantry, from which the Terminator must protect tanks, can be armed with guided missiles with a firing range of about 3 km. The firing range of the notorious AGS-17 does not exceed 2 km.

The BMPT can theoretically “get” the ATGM calculation with cannon fire even at a distance of 4 km, but it should be a clearly visible accumulation of infantrymen standing to their full height, and not a sheltered and disguised calculation.

It turns out that the only way the Terminator can protect allied tanks from enemy rocket launchers is its own guided missiles.

Even if we do not touch on the fact that ATGMs are expensive weapons, it should be mentioned that BMPTs have only four of them, the containers are installed openly and can even be hit by bullets and shrapnel. How can one not recall the BMP-3 vehicle, capable of not only launching guided missiles from the gun barrel, but also “covering” targets with conventional high-explosive fragmentation shells. But one of the early versions of the BMPT provided for just such weapons.

It was reported that the "Terminator" can simultaneously fire at four targets. Obviously, a situation was implied in which the gunner fires from a cannon at one target, the commander launches a rocket at another (but located in the same direction), and both grenade launchers fire at one target at the BMPT course.

How fair the criticism of the BMPT was, we can conclude by returning again to the differences between the BMPT-72 and the earlier version. The Terminator missiles were removed into protected containers, and grenade launchers were abolished. Is it because they really recognized their uselessness? At the same time, the manufacturer's website does not provide information about the pointing angles of the module of the second "Terminator", so it is not known whether they have changed.

Tactical and technical characteristics

For clarity, we present the main parameters of the BMPT "Terminator" - a machine that to this day has no analogues.

So, in fact, the BMPT is a vehicle that, in terms of mass-dimensional parameters, mobility and security, corresponds to tanks, but at the same time armed, at best, like an infantry fighting vehicle (automatic gun, guided missiles). And for interacting with tanks (unlike motorized riflemen), it is not very suitable.

It is worth noting that some infantry fighting vehicles are armed even more powerfully - some modifications of the Swedish CV-90, for example, are equipped with a 40mm Bofors gun. Indeed, a 40-50mm caliber gun could give, on the one hand, a good rate of fire, on the other hand, it would provide a better range and damaging effect of shells. But in the USSR there were simply no such guns, except for outdated anti-aircraft guns of 57mm caliber.

However, now such weapons have already been created, and if the new generation of BMPTs are equipped with them, then the Terminator will finally show what it is capable of.

BMPT "Terminator", as well as its upgraded version of the BMPT-72, are involved in the online computer game "Armored Warfare". However, due to the peculiarities of the game mechanics, one cannot count on any plausible reflection of the characteristics of the Terminator. Suffice it to say that tank support combat vehicles play the role of anti-tank vehicles in the game.

"Terminator" is perhaps the most controversial development of the domestic defense industry.

Although the BMPT was created to solve specific problems, it is still impossible to say with certainty whether it can effectively solve these problems.

At the same time, advertising materials diligently ignore the original “specialization” of the Terminator, presenting it as a kind of “universal” machine that can replace almost motorized rifle company along with the BMP. I would like to believe that in the future the concept of a tank support vehicle will still take on a clear and final shape.

Video

The industrial director of the Armaments cluster of the Rostec corporation, Sergey Abramov, said that the Uralvagonzavod corporation (UVZ) is working on a tank support combat vehicle (BMPT) project.

“Taking into account the experience of the combat use of the Terminator, we are now thinking about the appearance of a new modification of this machine. Improvement of tactical and technical characteristics and modernization of the chassis are discussed. The new machine will be able to work on all types of targets: air, ground, living and non-living forces of the enemy, ”RIA Novosti quotes Abramov.

- a representative of a new type of armored vehicles designed to cover tanks on the battlefield. The vehicle is armed with two 30mm 2A42 cannons, two AGS-17 grenade launchers, four Ataka-type anti-tank guided missiles, and a Kord machine gun.

In 2017, the Terminator took part in the Syrian operation and in the Russian-Belarusian strategic exercises (Luga training ground).

From "Viper" to "Terminator"

The development of a tank support combat vehicle started in the second half of the 1980s at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The first prototype was named "object 781" (index of the Main Armored Directorate of the Ministry of Defense).

The Chelyabinsk machine was almost completely unified with the T-72B tank in terms of components and assemblies. The main differences from the prototype were in armament and a new automated fire control system (FCS). The mass of the experimental BMPT was 46.4 tons, the crew size was 5-7 people.

Tank support combat vehicle (BMPT) "Terminator" at the military parade of Victory
RIA News
Evgeny Biyatov

However, the adoption of the BMPT into service was delayed due to the need to revise the regular structure of the Ground Forces. In addition, the Ministry of Defense set a condition - to reduce the crew to three people.

"Highly sought after car"

In August 2017, during the international forum "Army", Uralvagonzavod and the Ministry of Defense entered into an agreement for the supply of a batch of "Terminators" (the number of units ordered was not disclosed). Experts believe that the contract was preceded by successful machine in Syria.

“The main feature of the tank support vehicle is the ability to simultaneously hit multiple targets (multi-channel) and provide continuous all-round surveillance on the battlefield. "Terminator" can work on tanks, enemy armored vehicles, manpower and low-flying targets," Suvorov explained.

BMPT "Terminator" on exercises
RIA News
Mikhail Voskresensky

“If on the field one BMPT moves between tanks, then the number of targets hit increases to 30%. However, the massive entry of Terminators into the troops will require a revision of the states and structure of tank units, ”Suvorov noted.

Suvorov is sure that the brainchild of UVZ has a great modernization potential. "Terminator-3", the expert notes, will become a more efficient machine due to robotic systems and an updated chassis.