Russian shipbuilding offers the navy a range of small and light boats and boats capable of transporting personnel, landing troops ashore and providing fire support. One of the most interesting examples of this kind is the high-speed assault boat of project 02450 or BK-10. For all its simplicity, it turns out to be a very effective tool for solving a wide range of problems.
High-speed transport
The development of a new assault boat for the Navy and other structures was carried out at the beginning of the tenth years by the Rybinsk Shipyard enterprise, which is now part of the Kalashnikov concern. The goal of the project was to create a light high-speed floating craft capable of carrying up to 10 people or similar cargo, carrying weapons, etc.
The creation of project 02450 / BK-10 did not take long. Already in 2012-13. a promising sample was tested and demonstrated at exhibitions. In 2015, it was possible to complete the entire set of tests, including state ones. Soon there was a contract for serial production, and in 2016 the supply of boats to the Ministry of Defense began.
To date, the Russian Navy has a number of serial BK-10s; the technique is used in the interests of the marines and various special forces. In addition, the boat was successfully brought to the international market and received the first foreign orders.
Design features
BK-10 is a rigid hull inflatable boat of traditional design and layout. The body is made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy; a rubber inflatable balloon is installed along the perimeter of the side. The helm station, crew and passenger / cargo space are located on the open deck. A power plant in the form of outboard motors is attached to the stern.
The length of the boat is 10, 5 m with a width of 3, 7 m and the maximum height of the raised mast with the equipment is 4 m. The normal draft is 600 mm. Unladen weight of the structure - 3, 7 tons, full displacement - 6, 1 tons. Limited dimensions and weight allow the boat to be transported by land. For this, a car trailer is included in the scope of delivery.
BK-10 can be equipped with two outboard motors, the type is chosen by the customer. Serial boats for the Russian Navy receive gasoline engines Mercury Verado 300 with a capacity of 300 hp each. It is possible to use other units with a capacity of up to 350 hp. The standard 300-horsepower engines provide a cruising speed of 28 knots and a maximum of 40 knots. Cruising range in economy mode - 400 nautical miles.
In the bow of the deck there is a control post and two crew seats. Above the post with the help of a U-shaped mast frame, the antenna of the navigation radar is raised. The crew can operate all onboard systems, keep in touch, etc.
Behind the crew's seats on the deck in three longitudinal rows there are 12 landing seats. The design and arrangement of the seats provide sufficient comfort for boarding, traveling and disembarking. Landing from a boat to the coast can be carried out both through the board and along the bow ramp separating the two inflatable balloons. If necessary, a fabric awning can be installed above the deck. The installation of side armor elements covering the crew and the landing is provided.
The boat of project 02450 is capable of carrying weapons. On the bow, in front of the control post, one or two pedestal units are mounted. The boat is armed with two PKM machine guns or one automatic grenade launcher. In addition, the landing party can use personal weapons - the absence of a high side does not interfere with shooting in all directions.
In fact, BK-10 is a universal tool for solving a wide range of tasks. With its help, it is possible to deliver and land amphibious groups, incl. providing support with machine gun and grenade launcher fire, carry out evacuation, deliver small loads, etc. BK-10 can be used in both combat and humanitarian operations.
Special modifications
Together with the base boat BK-10, Rybinskaya Verf offers several modifications with different features and capabilities, as well as with certain advantages.
The high-speed assault boat BK-10M has a hull extended to 11.2 m and a total displacement of 8 tons. The aft part of the hull is made in the form of a platform with a hatch, under which there is a built-in power plant. The boat is equipped with two 370 hp engines. and has two propellers.
On the sides of the stern, it is planned to install two installations for weapons. The third is kept on the bow, in front of the helm station. The bow mount is designed for a large-caliber machine gun or grenade launcher, the stern mounts must carry a weapon of normal caliber.
The BK-10D / DE boat is 435 mm longer than the M version and has a displacement of 9.3 tons. It also receives built-in engines, but their power has been increased to 436 hp. Armament layout changed. In the bow there are two installations for PKM machine guns, in the stern - one for weapons of a larger caliber.
The main feature of the BK-10D project is the ability to land from the Il-76 military transport aircraft. A boat with a special parachute system is thrown through the aft ramp, and then lowered into the water, ready to solve the assigned tasks.
For the country and for sale
The construction of serial boats BK-10 started in 2016. By the middle of the year, the first copy was ready, which had passed acceptance tests by the fall. Shortly thereafter, the official service of equipment in the Russian Navy began.
In August 2017, at the Army forum, the first relatively large contract for Kalashnikov boats was signed. Together with other equipment, the Ministry of Defense ordered 11 high-speed boats for delivery in 2017-18. Nine units had to be built according to the original project 02450, two more - according to the "landing" version of the BK-10D. It was reported about interest from the Russian Guard, but at that time this structure was not yet going to issue an official order.
The 2017 contract has long been completed, and the Navy has several modern light multipurpose floating crafts at its disposal. They are used in the interests of the Marine Corps and Navy Special Forces.
In 2017, it was reported that some foreign countries are showing interest in Russian boats and boats. Potential buyers could be the armies of Argentina and the Philippines. However, in the future, this news was not continued.
At the 2019 International Maritime Defense Show, it was announced that the Kalashnikov Concern had signed contracts for the supply of Rybinsk-designed light floating craft to a foreign customer, and the process of transferring products has already begun. The buyer and the model of the supplied boat were not named.
In mid-April 2020, there were new export messages. It is curious that this order was called the first export order in the history of the BK-10. A number of boats were sold to an unnamed country in sub-Saharan Africa. The last time our "marine" products went to this region was over 20 years ago. Now military-technical cooperation is being restored - for the time being with the help of small high-speed boats.
Small but important
The appearance of a high-speed assault boat, project 02450 / BK-10 and other samples of this class allowed to close a not most noticeable, but important niche. Our fleet, and, accordingly, the marines or combat swimmers, has a modern, convenient multipurpose vehicle that meets their requirements - moreover, it is domestically developed and produced.
The production of BK-10 boats in different versions has been launched and has been going on for several years, which, over time, will allow covering all the needs of the fleet and other structures. In addition, our industry was able to enter the international market with a new project and receive a real order. All this shows that the BK-10 project turned out to be very successful and useful.
