Having a lot of positive features, the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle could not escape criticism. One of the main reasons for complaints is the specific layout of the hull, which complicates some processes during combat work. Unlike previous domestic infantry fighting vehicles, the Troika has an aft engine-transmission compartment. For this reason, the troopers are located in the middle of the hull, and two places for the fighters are in the control compartment. Because of this, the landing party had to leave the car through special tunnels above the engine compartment and sunroofs, which became the reason for the claims.
It is known that, in at least one case, such claims almost reached the point of creating a new project. Several years ago, the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates, with several hundred BMP-3s, considered the option of rearranging this technique in order to transfer the engine and transmission to the front of the hull. One of the German defense companies was supposed to develop a new project. Nevertheless, then the work ended at the stage of studying the prospects and working out the general appearance of a promising modification of Russian technology.
At the Russia Arms Expo 2015 currently taking place in Nizhny Tagil, the Tractor Plants concern presented a new modification of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, which differs from the basic version in the location of the power plant. Seeing the needs of some of the armies of the world, Russian designers decided to develop an updated version of the armored vehicle with a different layout. In order to increase the combat effectiveness, it was proposed to use the layout, classic for modern armored vehicles, with the front engine compartment and the troop compartment in the stern.
The new project of the revised infantry fighting vehicle was named "Dragoon". The BMP-3M, which is a further development of the base Troika, was taken as the basis for this vehicle. The Dragoon project implied a major change in the location of the units inside the hull, in addition, it was proposed to use a new combat module. Thus, the BMP-3M "Dragoon" is a deep modernization of the base vehicle. Moreover, some features of the project make it possible to consider it a new development, created using the developments of the previous BMP-3.
Unlike the base vehicle, the Dragoon has a classic layout for modern infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. The front of the hull now houses the engine compartment with the engine and other units. The basis of the power plant, according to advertising materials, is the UTD-32 multi-fuel engine with a capacity of 816 hp. The engine is coupled with a mechanical transmission that transmits torque to the front drive wheels.
Directly behind the engine compartment is the control compartment. In view of the use of new weapons and the need to create a reserve for modernization, it was decided to place the entire crew of a combat vehicle, consisting of three people, side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Behind the engine are the driver (in the center), the commander and the gunner-operator of the weapons (on the sides). Their workplaces are equipped with all the necessary equipment for monitoring the situation, controlling the vehicle and using weapons. All three crew members have their own hatches in the roof of the hull, equipped with periscopic observation devices. At the same time, in the case of a driver, periscopes are the main way of tracking the road.
At the base BMP-3, on the sides of the driver, there are places for two paratroopers, who could not fit into the main troop compartment. In the body of the Dragoon machine, this part of the habitable volume is given to the crew. Two paratroopers, in turn, are now proposed to be transported on the seats located behind the control compartment, in front of the turret ring and the fighting compartment.
The middle part of the hull of the modernized vehicle is given under the combat module. According to the advertising materials presented at the exhibition, the BMP-3M "Dragoon" can be equipped with three types of combat modules, each of which has its own composition of weapons and differs from others in the configuration of the turret units. In the case of the model shown now, the units of the fighting compartment, located inside the vehicle body, are placed in a rectangular casing. On the sides of the casing, there are small passages that can be used by the paratroopers in the front seats.
Crew workplaces. In the foreground is the control post
The entire aft part of the hull, located behind the turret shoulder strap, is given for the deployment of the landing force. The dimensions of this compartment made it possible to install six seats, three at each side. The seats are attached to the sides, the fighters must sit facing each other. Access to the troop compartment is via the aft ramp. A large door with a lowering ramp is provided in the aft hull sheet. Such a unit allows fighters to disembark both during a stop and in motion at low speed. An important feature of the new layout of the troop compartment is the fact that when dismounting, the soldiers are covered by the body of their armored vehicle. In addition, they are protected from the side by special armored boxes in which some of the machine's units are located.
The undercarriage of the modernized BMP-3M has undergone some changes directly related to the redesign of the hull layout. The vehicle still has six road wheels on each side. The rollers have individual torsion bar suspension. In addition, the two front and one aft pair of rollers are equipped with additional shock absorbers. The track rollers on the new machine are unevenly positioned to properly distribute the load to the undercarriage. So, the third, fourth and fifth pairs of rollers are shifted towards each other, because of which the gaps between the second and third, as well as the last two pairs, have increased. Due to the transfer of the engine, the drive wheels are now located in the front of the hull, the guides are in the stern. In terms of the used components and assemblies of the undercarriage, the modernized machine is apparently unified with the basic Troika.
Despite major improvements and re-assembly, the Dragoon vehicle has approximately the same dimensions as the base BMP-3M. The length of the chassis is 6715 mm, the width along the wings is 3.4 m (3.15 m along the tracks). The maximum height on the turret roof (probably referring to the largest combat module) is 2570 mm. The total combat weight of the new chassis, excluding the turret with weapons, is 15.5 tons. The vehicle's own crew is three people. In the configuration of an infantry fighting vehicle, the chassis can carry eight soldiers with weapons: two behind the crew and six in the stern.
UTD-32 engine with a capacity of 816 hp. should provide the new combat vehicle with a high power density and, as a result, good mobility, regardless of the type of combat module installed. So, the average speed when driving on the highway is declared at 60 km / h. If necessary, the car will be able to cross water obstacles by swimming, moving with the help of water jets. The maximum speed on the water does not exceed 10 km / h. The declared fuel range on the highway is 600 km. The Dragoon will be able to move on the water for 7 hours.
At the Russia Arms Expo 2015, a sample of the BMP-3M "Dragoon" with a remotely controlled cannon-machine gun combat module was presented. In promotional materials, this system is referred to as BM 100 + 30. Such a combat module is a tower of a characteristic shape with beveled frontal plates, in which a full set of weapons is installed. The module has turret devices: some of its units are located inside the body of the base machine, in a rectangular casing. The dimensions of this casing made it possible to leave small passages at the sides of the vehicle, which should be used by the paratroopers.
Combat module BM 100 + 30 is equipped with a gun-launcher 2A70 caliber 100 mm. A 30 mm 2A72 automatic cannon is paired with this gun. Finally, to defeat manpower and unprotected targets, the combat module carries a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun. Guidance of all receiver systems is carried out using common drives. The armament is equipped with a stabilizer. On the left cheekbone and on the roof of the module tower there are two sights connected to the commander's and gunner's control panels. A smoke grenade launcher is installed on the right cheekbone of the tower.
The dimensions of the turret and turret units of the module allow transporting a fairly large ammunition load. The automatic loader for the 2A70 launcher contains 22 rounds, as well as 3 guided missiles. The ammunition load of the 2A72 automatic cannon consists of 500 rounds. It is possible to use armor-piercing tracer, fragmentation tracer and high-explosive fragmentation incendiary rounds. According to the developer's advertising materials, the standard ammunition load of the 2A72 cannon consists of 305 fragmentation and 195 armor-piercing shells. Machine gun boxes hold up to 2000 rounds.
It is noteworthy that the combat module presented at the exhibition does not differ in its armament composition from the BMP-3 native turret. However, in contrast to it, the new module is uninhabited and equipped with remote control systems. Thus, in terms of combat characteristics, it almost does not differ from the base tower, but has the advantage of being smaller and reducing risks for the crew, which is now under the protection of the vehicle's armored hull.
Dragoon weapon options
BMP-3M "Dragoon" has a standard shoulder strap diameter, which makes it possible to equip this vehicle with combat modules of other types. So, on the poster with information about the project, the possibility of using the BM 57 and BM 125 modules is indicated. The BM 57 system is also known under the name AU-220M. This module with a 57-mm automatic cannon was first presented at the beginning of this year, and at the current Russia Arms Expo it is being demonstrated as part of the BMP-3 Derivation combat vehicle. The BM 125 product is proposed to be equipped with a 125-mm smooth-bore tank gun. Thus, the new chassis based on the Troika can be the basis for both infantry fighting vehicles and light tanks or specialized self-propelled guns.
According to domestic media reports, the prototype BMP-3M "Dragoon" will have to go through the entire test cycle. At the same time, there are grounds for assumptions about the imminent start of mass production of such equipment. The news agency "Lenta.ru", citing an unnamed source in the military department, writes that the Ministry of Defense has already become interested in "Dragun". The specific forms of such interest, however, have not yet been specified. Any conclusions about the prospects of new technology can only be made after the completion of the tests.
Officially, the infantry fighting vehicle, created under the Dragoon project, is considered a modernized version of the serial BMP-3M. Nevertheless, the main features of the project allow us to talk about the creation of a completely new machine, in the design of which existing components and assemblies are widely used. One way or another, the Dragoon project is of great interest from a technical point of view, due to which it can have great prospects in the international arms and military equipment market.
Currently, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles of existing modifications are in service with 11 foreign countries. The appearance of a modification with a modified layout can lead to an increase in this list. In addition, the countries that already operate the Troika may show interest in the Dragoon, which will be facilitated by the high degree of unification of the two vehicles. Thus, the project to modernize the existing BMP-3M over the next few years may become one of the most interesting and promising Russian proposals on the international arms and military equipment market.
However, first, the upgraded BMP must go through a full test cycle. The checks of the updated car will start in the foreseeable future and will take some time. Based on their results, the Russian ministry will have to draw certain conclusions. In addition, the completion of the inspection will allow the new machine to be presented to potential customers from foreign countries. Thus, the serial production of "Dragoon" - if it starts - will start only in a few years. In the meantime, it remains to study the presented materials and build their assumptions about the future fate of an interesting project.
