In the late 60s, Soviet airborne troops were equipped with towed artillery systems and self-propelled artillery mounts. The airborne self-propelled guns were also entrusted with the tasks of transporting over the armor of the landing force and they were used as tanks in the offensive. However, the light ASU-57, which weighed 3.5 tons, had very weak armor and could not transport more than 4 paratroopers, and the larger ASU-85 with frontal armor that protected against small-caliber shells and a fairly powerful 85-mm gun turned out to be quite heavy. In the military transport aircraft An-12, which was the main air transport of the Airborne Forces in the 60-70s, one self-propelled gun weighing 15, 5 tons was placed.
This was partially offset by the use of wheeled armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicles BRDM-1 in the Airborne Forces, which were used both for reconnaissance and for transporting troops and ATGMs.
Unlike the self-propelled guns ASU-57 and ASU-85, the wheeled BRDM-1 was floating. With a mass of 5.6 tons, two vehicles were placed in the An-12. The BRDM-1 was protected by 7-11 mm armor at the front and 7 mm along the sides and rear. Machine with 85-90 hp engine. on the highway it could accelerate to 80 km / h. Travel speed over rough terrain did not exceed 20 km / h. Thanks to the full wheel drive, the tire pressure control system and the presence of additional lowered wheels of a small diameter in the middle of the hull (two on each side), the BRDM-1's cross-country ability was comparable to tracked vehicles. However, with a landing capacity inside the combat corps of 3 people and relatively weak armament, which consisted of a 7.62-mm SGMT machine gun on a turret, the wheeled BRDM-1 was used in the Airborne Forces very limitedly.
A vehicle equipped with the Shmel anti-tank missile system had a much greater combat value for the airborne units. The ammunition load was 6 ATGMs, three of them were ready for use and placed on the launcher retractable inside the hull.
The launch range of the wire-guided 3M6 anti-tank missiles ranged from 500 to 2300 meters. With a rocket mass of 24 kg, it carried 5.4 kg of a cumulative warhead capable of penetrating 300 mm of armor. A common disadvantage of the first generation ATGM was the direct dependence of the effectiveness of their use on the training of the guidance operator, since the rocket was manually controlled with a joystick. After the launch, the operator, guided by the tracer, aimed the missile at the target.
In the 60s, on the initiative of the Commander of the Airborne Forces V. F. Margelova, the development of an airborne tracked vehicle began, conceptually similar to the BMP-1 projected for the Ground Forces. The new airborne combat vehicle was supposed to combine the transportation of paratroopers inside a sealed hull with the ability to combat enemy armored vehicles and their tank-carrying means.
The BMP-1 with a mass of 13 tons did not meet these requirements, since the An-12 aircraft could carry only one machine. In order for the military transport aircraft to lift two vehicles, it was decided to make the armored body of the airborne combat vehicle from a special aluminum alloy ABT-101. In the manufacture of the hull, the armor plates were joined by welding. The vehicle received differentiated protection against bullets and shrapnel from rolled armor plates with a thickness of 10-32 mm. The frontal armor can withstand hits from 12.7 mm bullets, the side protected from light shrapnel and rifle caliber bullets.
The body of the vehicle, which was later designated BMD-1, had a very unusual shape. The frontal part of the body is made of two bent gable sheets: the upper one, 15 mm thick, located at an inclination of 75 ° to the vertical, and the lower one, 32 mm thick, located at an inclination of 47 °. The vertical sides are 23 mm thick. The hull roof is 12 mm thick above the middle compartment and 10 mm above the engine compartment. The bottom of the case is 10-12 mm.
Compared to the BMP-1, the vehicle is very compact. In front there is a combined fighting compartment, in which, in addition to the driver and the commander, there are places for four paratroopers closer to the stern. Gunner-operator's workplace in the turret. The engine compartment is located in the rear of the machine. Above the engine compartment, the fenders form a tunnel leading to the aft landing hatch.
Thanks to the use of light-alloy armor, the combat weight of the BMD-1, which was put into service in 1969, was only 7.2 tons. BMD-1 with a 6-cylinder diesel engine 5D20-240 with a capacity of 240 hp. can accelerate on the highway to 60 km / h. Travel speed on a country road is 30-35 km / h. The speed afloat is 10 km / h. Due to the high specific power of the engine, low specific pressure on the ground and the successful design of the undercarriage, the BMD-1 has a high cross-country ability on rough terrain. The undercarriage with air suspension makes it possible to change the ground clearance from 100 to 450 mm. The car is floating, movement afloat is carried out by two water cannons. A tank with a capacity of 290 liters provides a cruising range on the highway of 500 km.
The main armament of the BMD-1 was the same as on the infantry fighting vehicle - a 73-mm smooth-bore semi-automatic cannon 2A28 "Thunder", mounted in a rotating turret and paired with a 7.62-mm PKT machine gun. The loading of 73-mm active-rocket projectiles, placed in a mechanized ammunition rack, was carried out by the weapons operator. Combat rate of fire of the gun is 6-7 rds / min. Thanks to the air suspension, the BMD-1's firing accuracy was higher than that of the BMP-1. A combined, non-illuminated sight TPN-22 "Shield" is used for aiming the gun. The daytime optical channel of the sight has a magnification of 6 × and a field of view of 15 °, the night channel operates through a passive type NVG with a magnification of 6, 7 × and a field of view of 6 °, with a range of vision of 400-500 m. In addition to the main armament deployed in the rotating turret, in the frontal part of the hull, there are two course PKT machine guns, from which the paratroopers and the vehicle commander are firing in the direction of travel.
The armament of the BMD-1, like the BMP-1, had a bright anti-tank orientation. This is demonstrated not only by the composition of the armament, but also by the fact that at first there were no high-explosive fragmentation shells in the ammunition load of the 73-mm gun. The cumulative PG-9 grenades shot PG-15V are capable of penetrating homogeneous armor up to 400 mm thick. The maximum firing range is 1300 m, effective against moving targets is up to 800 m. In the mid-70s, an OG-15V high-explosive fragmentation round with an OG-9 grenade was introduced into the ammunition load. High-explosive fragmentation grenade weighing 3, 7 kg, contains 735 g of explosive. The maximum flight range of the OG-9 is 4400 m. In practice, due to the large dispersion and low efficiency of a relatively light fragmentation grenade, the firing range usually does not exceed 800 m.
To defeat enemy armored vehicles and firing points, there was also a 9K11 Malyutka ATGM with three missiles ammunition. The launch bracket for the 9M14M Malyutka ATGM is mounted on the turret. After launch, the rocket is controlled from the gunner-operator's workplace without leaving the vehicle. ATGM 9M14 with the help of a manual single-channel guidance system by wire are manually controlled throughout the flight. The maximum launch range of the ATGM reaches 3000 m, the minimum - 500 m. A cumulative warhead weighing 2, 6 kg normally penetrated 400 mm of armor, on missiles of later versions the armor penetration value was increased to 520 mm. Provided that the gunner-operator was well trained during the day, at a distance of 2000 m, on average, out of 10 missiles, 7 hit the target.
For external communications, a short-wave radio station R-123 or R-123M with a range of up to 30 km was installed on the BMD-1. On the BMD-1K command vehicle, a second station of the same type was additionally mounted, as well as an external VHF radio station R-105 with a communication range of up to 25 km. The commander's version was also distinguished by the presence of an AB-0, 5-P / 30 gas-electric unit, which was stored inside the vehicle in the stowed position in the place of the gunner's seat. The gasoline unit in the parking lot was installed on the roof of the MTO to provide power to the radio stations when the engine was turned off. In addition, the BMD-1K had folding tables for working with maps and processing radiograms. In connection with the placement of additional radio communications in the command vehicle, the ammunition of the machine guns was reduced.
In 1979, the combat units of the Airborne Forces began to receive modernized modifications of the BMD-1P and BMD-1PK. The main difference from the earlier versions was the introduction of the new 9K111 ATGM with a semi-automatic guidance system into the armament. Now the BMD-1P ammunition includes two types of ATGMs: one 9M111-2 or 9M111M "Fagot" and two 9M113 "Konkurs". Anti-tank missiles in sealed transport and launch containers in the stowed position were transported inside the vehicle, and before being prepared for use, the TPK is installed on the right side of the tower roof along the axis of the gun. If necessary, the ATGM can be removed and used in a separate position.
Thanks to the use of a semi-automatic wire guidance line, the accuracy of shooting and the likelihood of hitting a target have significantly increased. Now the gunner-operator did not need to constantly control the flight of the rocket using the joystick, but only enough to hold the aiming mark on the target until the missile hit it. The new ATGM made it possible to fight not only against enemy armored vehicles and destroy firing points, but also to counteract anti-tank helicopters. Although the probability of hitting an air target was not very high, launching an ATGM at a helicopter in most cases made it possible to disrupt the attack. As you know, in the mid-70s, early 80s, anti-tank helicopters of NATO countries were equipped with ATGMs with a wire guidance system, slightly exceeding the range of destruction of the ATGM installed on the BMD-1P.
The launch range of the 9M111-2 anti-tank missile was 70-2000 m, the thickness of the penetrated armor along the normal was 400 mm. On the improved modification, the range is increased to 2500 m, and the armor penetration is increased to 450 mm. ATGM 9M113 has a range of 75 - 4000 m and armor penetration 600 mm. In 1986, the 9M113M missile with a tandem cumulative warhead, capable of overcoming dynamic protection and penetrating homogeneous armor up to 800 mm thick, entered service.
The upgraded BMD-1P and BMD-1PK received new R-173 VHF radio stations with a communication range of up to 20 km in motion. The BMD-1P was equipped with a gyroscopic semi-compass GPK-59, which facilitated navigation on the ground.
Serial construction of the BMD-1 lasted from 1968 to 1987. During this time, about 3800 cars were produced. In the Soviet Army, in addition to the Airborne Forces, they were in smaller numbers in the airborne assault brigades subordinate to the commander of the military districts. BMD-1 were exported to countries friendly to the USSR: Iraq, Libya, Cuba. In turn, Cuban units in the late 80s handed over several vehicles to the Angolan army.
Already in the second half of the 70s, eight airborne divisions and storage bases had more than 1000 BMD-1s, which brought the capabilities of the Soviet airborne troops to a qualitatively new level. After the adoption of the BMD-1 into service for parachuting, the landing platform with air depreciation PP-128-5000 was most often used. The disadvantage of this platform was the duration of its preparation for use.
The airborne combat vehicles could be delivered by military transport aircraft both by landing method and parachuted with the help of parachute systems. The carriers of the BMD-1 in the 70-80s were military transport An-12 (2 vehicles), Il-76 (3 vehicles) and An-22 (4 vehicles).
Later, parachute platforms of the P-7 family and the MKS-5-128M or MKS-5-128R multi-dome parachute systems were used to drop the BMD-1, providing a drop of cargo weighing up to 9.5 tons at a speed of 260-400 km. In this case, the speed of the platform descent is no more than 8 m / s. Depending on the weight of the payload, in preparation for the landing, a different number of parachute system blocks can be installed.
At first, during the development of new parachute systems, failures occurred, after which the equipment turned into scrap metal. So, in 1978, during the exercises of the 105th Guards Airborne Division, during the landing of the BMD-1, the parachute multi-dome system did not work, and the BMD-1 tower fell into the hull.
However, subsequently, the landing facilities were brought to the required level of reliability. In the early 1980s, there were on average 2 failures for every 100 airborne heavy equipment. However, the separate method of landing, when the heavy equipment was first dropped, and the paratroopers jumped after their armored vehicles, led to a large dispersion in the terrain, and it often took about an hour for the crew to take their places in their military equipment. In this regard, the Commander of the Airborne Forces, General V. F. Margelov proposed to drop personnel directly in combat vehicles. The development of a special parachute-platform complex "Centaur" began in 1971, and already on January 5, 1973, the first landing of the BMD-1 with a crew of two - Senior Lieutenant A. V. Margelov (son of General of the Army V. F. Margelov) and Lieutenant Colonel L. G. Zuev. The practical application of this method of landing allows the crews of combat vehicles from the first minutes after landing to quickly bring the BMD-1 in readiness for battle, without wasting precious time, as before, to search for it, which reduces several times the time for the entry of airborne assault forces into battle in the rear enemy. Subsequently, for the landing of the BMD-1 with a full crew, the Rektavr (Jet Centaur) system was created. A feature of this original system is the use of a braking solid-propellant jet engine, which brakes an armored vehicle shortly before landing. The brake motor is triggered when contact closures, located on two probes, lowered vertically down, come into contact with the ground.
BMD-1 was actively used in numerous armed conflicts. At the initial stage of the Afghan campaign, there were "aluminum tanks" in the units of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division. Due to the high power density, the BMD-1 easily overcame steep climbs on mountain roads, but the security of the vehicles and the resistance to mine explosions in the specific conditions of the Afghan war left much to be desired. Very soon, a very unpleasant feature came to light - often when an anti-tank mine was blown up, the entire crew died due to detonation of the ammunition load. This happened even when there was no through penetration of the armored hull. Due to the powerful concussion during the detonation, the detonator of the OG-9 fragmentation grenade was combat cocked, with the self-liquidator triggering after 9-10 s. The crew, shell-shocked by the mine explosion, as a rule, did not have time to leave the car.
When fired from the large-caliber DShK machine guns, which were very common among the rebels, the side armor was often pierced. When hit in the stern area, the leaked fuel often ignited. In case of fire, the body made of aluminum alloy would melt. The fire extinguishing system, even if it was in good working order, usually could not cope with the fire, which led to irrecoverable losses of equipment. In this regard, from 1982 to 1986, in all airborne units stationed in Afghanistan, standard airborne armored vehicles were replaced by BMP-2, BTR-70 and BTR-80.
The BMD-1 was widely used in armed conflicts in the former USSR. The vehicle was popular among the personnel for its high mobility and good maneuverability. But the features of the most lightweight amphibious equipment also fully affected: weak armor, very high vulnerability to mines and a low resource of the main units. In addition, the main armament in the form of a 73-mm smoothbore gun does not correspond to modern realities. The accuracy of firing from the cannon is low, the effective range of fire is small, and the destructive effect of fragmentation shells leaves much to be desired. In addition, conducting more or less aimed fire from two coursework is very difficult. Plus one of the machine guns is at the vehicle commander, which in itself distracts him from performing his main duties.
To expand the capabilities of the standard armament on the BMD-1, additional weapons were often mounted in the form of heavy machine guns NSV-12, 7 and DShKM or automatic grenade launchers AGS-17.
In the early 2000s, an experimental multiple launch rocket system based on the BMD-1 was tested. A 12-barrel BKP-B812 launcher was installed on the turret with a dismantled 73-mm gun to launch 80-mm unguided aviation rockets. The armored MLRS, being in the combat formations of the airborne combat vehicles, was supposed to deliver surprise attacks on enemy manpower accumulations, destroy field fortifications and provide fire support in the offensive.
The effective launch range of the NAR S-8 is 2000 m. At this range, the missiles fit into a circle with a diameter of 60 meters. To defeat manpower and destroy fortifications, it was supposed to use S-8M fragmentation missiles with a warhead weighing 3, 8 kg and S-8DM volume-detonating missiles. The explosion of the S-8DM warhead containing 2.15 kg of liquid explosive components, which mix with air and form an aerosol cloud, is equivalent to 5.5–6 kg of TNT. Although the tests were generally successful, the military was not satisfied with the semi-handicraft MLRS, which has an insufficient range, a small number of missiles on the launch and a relatively weak damaging effect.
For use on the battlefield against an enemy equipped with field artillery, anti-tank systems, anti-tank grenade launchers and small-caliber artillery mounts, the armor of the landing vehicles was too weak. In this regard, the BMD-1 was most often used to strengthen checkpoints and as part of mobile rapid response teams.
Most of the vehicles in the armed forces of Iraq and Libya were destroyed during the fighting. But a number of BMD-1s became trophies of the American army in Iraq. Several of the captured vehicles went to training grounds in the states of Nevada and Florida, where they were subjected to extensive testing.
American experts criticized the very cramped conditions for accommodating the crew and troops, primitive, in their opinion, sights and night vision devices, as well as outdated weapons. At the same time, they noted the very good acceleration and maneuverability of the vehicle, as well as a high level of maintainability. In terms of security, the Soviet tracked airborne combat vehicle roughly corresponds to the M113 armored personnel carrier, which also uses light alloy armor. It was also noted that, despite some shortcomings, the BMD-1 fully meets the requirements for light airborne armored vehicles. In the United States, armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles have not yet been created that could be parachuted.
After the adoption of the BMD-1 into service and the start of its operation, the question arose of creating an armored vehicle capable of transporting a larger number of paratroopers and transporting mortars, mounted grenade launchers, ATGMs and small-caliber anti-aircraft guns inside, on top of the hull or on a trailer.
In 1974, the serial production of the BTR-D airborne armored personnel carrier began. This vehicle was created on the basis of the BMD-1 and is distinguished by a hull lengthened by 483 mm, the presence of an additional sixth pair of rollers, and the absence of a turret with weapons. By lengthening the hull and saving free space due to the failure of the turret with the gun, 10 paratroopers and three crew members could be accommodated inside the armored personnel carrier. The height of the hull sides of the troop compartment was increased, which made it possible to improve the living conditions. Viewing windows appeared in the frontal part of the hull, which in combat conditions are covered with armor plates. The thickness of the frontal armor is reduced compared to the BMD-1 and does not exceed 15 mm, the side armor is 10 mm. The commander of the vehicle is located in a small turret, in which two TNPO-170A observation devices and a combined (day-night) TKN-ZB device with an OU-ZGA2 illuminator are mounted. External communication is provided by the R-123M radio station.
The armament of the BTR-D is made up of two course 7, 62-mm PKT machine guns, the ammunition of which includes 2000 rounds. Often one machine gun was mounted on a rotating bracket at the top of the hull. In the 80s, the armored personnel carrier's armament was enhanced by the NSV-12, 7 heavy machine gun and the AGS-17 30-mm automatic grenade launcher.
Also, the BTR-D was sometimes equipped with an SPG-9 anti-tank grenade launcher. In the hull and the aft hatch, there are embrasures with armored flaps, through which the paratroopers can fire from personal weapons. In addition, in the course of the modernization carried out in 1979, mortars of the 902V Tucha smoke grenade launch system were installed on the BTR-D. In addition to armored personnel carriers, intended for the transport of troops, ambulances and ammunition transporters were built on the basis of the BTR-D.
Although the armored personnel carrier has become 800 kg heavier than the BMD-1 and has slightly increased in length, it has good speed characteristics and high maneuverability on rough terrain, including on soft soils. The BTR-D is capable of taking an ascent with a steepness of up to 32 °, a vertical wall with a height of 0.7 m and a ditch with a width of 2.5 m. The maximum speed is 60 km / h. The armored personnel carrier overcomes water obstacles by swimming at a speed of 10 km / h. In store down the highway - 500 km.
Apparently, the serial production of the BTR-D continued until the early 90s. Unfortunately, it was not possible to find reliable data on the number of vehicles of this type produced. But amphibious armored personnel carriers of this model are still very common in the Airborne Forces. In Soviet times, each airborne division in the state relied on about 70 BTR-D. They were originally part of the airborne units introduced to Afghanistan. Used by Russian peacekeepers in Bosnia and Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These vehicles were spotted during the operation to force Georgia to peace in 2008.
The BTR-D amphibious armored personnel carrier, created on the basis of the BMD-1, in turn served as the base for a number of special-purpose vehicles. In the mid-70s, the question arose about strengthening the anti-aircraft potential of the Airborne Forces. On the basis of an armored personnel carrier, a vehicle was designed for transporting MANPADS calculations. The differences from the conventional BTR-D in the air defense vehicle were minimal. The number of airborne troops was reduced to 8 people, and inside the hull were placed two multi-tiered stowages for 20 MANPADS of the Strela-2M, Strela-3 or Igla-1 (9K310) type.
At the same time, it was envisaged to transport one anti-aircraft complex in a ready-to-use form. In the firing position, the launch of MANPADS at an air target can be carried out by a shooter half leaning out of the hatch on the roof of the middle compartment of the armored personnel carrier.
During the hostilities in Afghanistan and on the territory of the former USSR, 23-mm ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns began to be installed on armored personnel carriers. Prior to the adoption of the BTR-D, the standard vehicle for transporting 23-mm anti-aircraft guns was the GAZ-66 all-wheel drive truck. But the troops began to use the BTR-D to transport the ZU-23. At first, it was assumed that the BTR-D would become a tractor-transporter for the towed wheeled ZU-23. However, it soon became clear that in the case of installing an anti-aircraft gun on the roof of an armored personnel carrier, mobility is significantly increased and the preparation time for use is reduced. Initially, the ZU-23 was handicraftly mounted on the roof of an armored personnel carrier on wooden supports and fixed with cable ties. At the same time, there were several different installation options.
Historically, anti-aircraft guns on the BTR-D were used in combat conditions exclusively against ground targets. An exception may be the initial stage of the conflict with Georgia in 2008, when Georgian Su-25 attack aircraft were present in the air.
In Afghanistan, the BTR-D with the ZU-23 installed on them was used to escort the convoys. The large elevation angles of the anti-aircraft guns and the high aiming speed made it possible to fire on the mountain slopes, and the high rate of fire, combined with fragmentation shells, quickly suppressed enemy firing points.
Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns were also noted in the North Caucasus. During both "anti-terrorist" campaigns, 23-mm anti-aircraft installations strengthened the defenses of the checkpoints, accompanied the columns and supported the landing force with fire during the battles in Grozny. Armor-piercing 23-mm shells easily pierced the walls of residential buildings, destroying the Chechen fighters who had taken refuge there. Also ZU-23 proved to be very effective when combing greenery. Enemy snipers very soon realized that it was deadly to fire at checkpoints or convoys that included vehicles with anti-aircraft guns. A significant drawback was the high vulnerability of the openly located crew of the paired anti-aircraft gun. In this regard, during the hostilities in the Chechen Republic, self-made armored shields were sometimes mounted on anti-aircraft installations.
The successful experience of the combat use of the BTR-D with the ZU-23 installed on it became the reason for the creation of a factory version of the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, which received the designation BMD-ZD "Grinding". On the latest modernized modification of the ZSU, the two-man crew is now protected by light anti-splinter armor.
To increase the effectiveness of fire by means of air attack, optical-electronic equipment with a laser rangefinder and a television channel, a digital ballistic computer, a target tracking machine, a new collimator sight, and electromechanical guidance drives were introduced into the aiming equipment. This allows you to increase the likelihood of defeat and ensure all-day and all-weather use against low-flying targets.
By the beginning of the 70s, it became clear that in the next decade, NATO countries would adopt main battle tanks with multi-layer combined armor, which would be too tough for the 85-mm self-propelled guns ASU-85. In this regard, the BTR-D was based on the BTR-RD “Robot” self-propelled tank destroyer armed with the 9M111 “Fagot” ATGM. Up to 2 ATGMs 9М111 "Fagot" or 9М113 "Konkurs" can be placed in the vehicle's ammunition rack. The 7.62 mm machine guns are kept in the frontal part of the hull. Protection and mobility remained at the level of the base machine.
In the roof of the BTR-RD hull, a cutout was made for a rechargeable, two-plane-guided launcher with a cradle for one transport and launch container. In the stowed position, the launcher with the TPK is retracted by means of an electric drive inside the hull, where the ammunition stowage is located. When firing, the launcher captures the TPK with the missile and automatically delivers it to the guidance line.
After the ATGM is launched, the used TPK is thrown aside, and the new one is captured from the ammunition rack and brought to the firing line. An armored container is installed on the roof of the vehicle hull on the left side in front of the vehicle commander's hatch, in which a 9SH119 sighting device and a 1PN65 thermal imaging device are located with the possibility of automatic and manual guidance. In the stowed position, the sights are closed by an armored flap.
In 2006, at the international exhibition of military equipment of the ground forces in Moscow, a modernized version of the armored personnel carrier BTR-RD "Robot" with ATGM "Kornet", which was put into service in 1998, was presented.
Unlike ATGMs of the previous generation "Fagot" and "Konkurs" anti-tank missile guidance to the target is carried out not by wires, but by a laser beam. The caliber of the rocket is 152 mm. The mass of the TPK with the rocket is 29 kg. Armor penetration ATGM 9M133 with a tandem cumulative warhead weighing 7 kg is 1200 mm after overcoming dynamic protection. The 9M133F missile is equipped with a thermobaric warhead and is designed to destroy fortifications, engineering structures and defeat manpower. The maximum launch range during the day is up to 5500 m. The Kornet ATGM is capable of hitting low-speed, low-flying targets.
The airborne troops held on for a long time to the seemingly hopelessly outdated ASU-57 and ASU-85. This was due to the fact that the accuracy and range of fire of 73-mm shells of the "Thunder" cannon installed on the BMD-1 was small, and the ATGM, due to its high cost and low high-explosive fragmentation action, could not solve the entire range of destruction tasks firing points and the destruction of enemy field fortifications. In 1981, the 120-mm self-propelled gun 2S9 "Nona-S" was adopted, designed to equip artillery batteries of the regimental and divisional level. The self-propelled chassis retained the layout and geometry of the BTR-D armored personnel carrier, but unlike the base chassis, the body of the airborne self-propelled gun does not have mounts for installing course machine guns. With a mass of 8 tons, the cross-country ability and mobility of the "Nona-S" practically does not differ from the BTR-D.
The "highlight" of the ACS 2S9 "Nona-S" was its armament - a 120-mm rifled universal gun-howitzer-mortar 2A51 with a barrel length of 24, 2 caliber. Capable of firing both shells and mines with a rate of fire of 6-8 rounds / min. The gun is installed in an armored turret. Elevation angles: −4 … + 80 °. The gunner has a panoramic artillery sight 1P8 for firing from closed firing positions and a 1P30 direct-fire sight for firing at visually observed targets.
The main ammunition load is considered to be a 120-mm high-explosive fragmentation projectile 3OF49 weighing 19.8 kg, equipped with 4.9 kg of powerful explosive grade A-IX-2. This explosive, made on the basis of RDX and aluminum powder, significantly exceeds TNT in power, which makes it possible to bring the damaging effect of a 120-mm projectile closer to a 152-mm one. When the fuse is set to high-explosive action after the burst of the 3OF49 projectile, a funnel with a diameter of up to 5 m and a depth of up to 2 m is formed in medium-density soil. When the fuse is set for fragmentation, high-speed fragments can penetrate steel armor up to 12 mm thick in a radius of 7 m. Projectile 3OF49, leaving the barrel at a speed of 367 m / s, it can hit targets at a range of up to 8550 m 13.1 kg, capable of penetrating homogeneous armor with a thickness of 600 mm. The initial velocity of the cumulative projectile is 560 m / s, the range of the aimed shot is up to 1000 m. Also, for firing from the 120-mm gun, the Kitolov-2 adjustable laser-guided projectiles designed to hit point targets with a probability of 0.8-0 can be used, nine."Nona-S" has the ability to fire all types of 120-mm mines, including foreign production.
After the adoption of the "Nona-S", changes were made to the organizational structure of the airborne artillery. In 1982, the formation of self-propelled artillery divisions began in the parachute regiments, in which 2S9s replaced 120-mm mortars. Division 2S9 included three batteries, each battery had 6 guns (18 guns in the battalion). In addition, the "Nona-S" entered service with self-propelled artillery divisions of artillery regiments to replace the ASU-85 and 122-mm D-30 howitzers.
The baptism of fire of the self-propelled guns "Nona-S" took place in the early 80s in Afghanistan. Self-propelled guns have shown very high efficiency in the defeat of manpower and fortifications of the rebels and good mobility on mountain roads. Most often, the fire was conducted with 120-mm high-explosive fragmentation mines, since it required firing at high elevation angles and a short firing range. In the course of military tests in combat conditions, one of the shortcomings was called the small transportable ammunition load of the gun - 25 shells. In this regard, on the improved modification 2S9-1, the ammunition load has been increased to 40 rounds. Serial derivation of the 2S9 model was carried out from 1980 to 1987. In 1988, the improved 2C9-1 went into the series, its release lasted only a year. It was assumed that ACS "Nona-S" will be replaced in production by the installation 2S31 "Vienna" on the chassis of the BMD-3. But due to economic difficulties, this did not happen. In 2006, information appeared that some of the late-production vehicles had been upgraded to the 2S9-1M level. At the same time, due to the introduction of new types of shells and more advanced sighting equipment into the ammunition, the accuracy and effectiveness of shooting are significantly increased.
For 9 years of serial production of "Nona-S" 1432 self-propelled guns were produced. According to The Military Balance 2016, the Russian armed forces had approximately 750 vehicles two years ago, of which 500 were in storage. Approximately three dozen self-propelled guns are used by the Russian marines. About two hundred amphibious self-propelled guns are in the armed forces of the countries of the former USSR. From non-CIS countries "Nona-S" was officially supplied only to Vietnam.
To control artillery fire almost simultaneously with the 2S9 "Nona-S" self-propelled guns, a mobile artillery reconnaissance and command post 1B119 "Rheostat" entered service. The body of the 1V119 machine differs from the basic BTR-D. In its middle part there is a welded wheelhouse with a turret of circular rotation with special equipment, covered with folding armored dampers.
For reconnaissance of targets on the battlefield, the vehicle has a 1RL133-1 radar with a range of up to 14 km. The equipment also includes: a DAK-2 quantum artillery rangefinder with a range of up to 8 km, a PAB-2AM artillery compass, a PV-1 observation device, an NNP-21 night vision device, 1T121-1 topographic reference equipment, a PUO-9M fire control device, an onboard computer, two VHF radio stations R-123M and one radio station R-107M or R-159 for later series.
In addition to the ZSU, ATGM, self-propelled guns and artillery control vehicles on the basis of the BTR-D, communication vehicles, troop control and armored vehicles were created. The armored repair and recovery vehicle BREM-D is designed for the evacuation and repair of airborne combat vehicles and armored personnel carriers. The weight, dimensions and mobility of the BREM-D are similar to those of the BTR-D. Serial production of BREM-D began in 1989, and therefore not many machines of this type were built.
The machine is equipped with: spare parts for repairs, welding equipment, a traction winch, a set of blocks and pulleys, a rotary crane and a shovel-opener for digging caponiers and fixing the machine when lifting a load. The crew of the car is 4 people. For self-defense against manpower and destruction of low-altitude air targets, a 7.62-mm PKT machine gun mounted on the turret of the vehicle commander's hatch is intended. Also on BREM-D there are grenade launchers of the 902V "Tucha" smoke screen system.
The BMD-1KSH "Soroka" (KSHM-D) is intended to control the combat operations of the airborne battalion. The vehicle is equipped with two R-111 VHF radios, one R-123 VHF and one R-130 KV. Each radio station can work independently of each other. VHF stations R-123M and R-111 have the ability to automatically tune any four pre-prepared frequencies.
To provide communication on the go, two arched zenith antennas are designed. The vehicle visually differs from the BTR-D by the windows in the frontal sheet, which are closed with armored covers in the combat position.
The R-130 radio station with an extended four-meter antenna provides communication at a distance of up to 50 km. To increase the communication range, it is possible to use a mast antenna. The power supply of the KShM equipment is provided by the AB-0, 5-P / 30 gasoline unit. There are no course machine guns on the vehicle.
The airborne lightly armored vehicle BMD-1R "Sinitsa" is intended for the organization of long-distance communications in the operational-tactical level of control of the regiment-division. For this, the vehicle has a medium-power wide-range radio station R-161A2M, which provides simplex and duplex telephone and telegraph communication at a distance of up to 2000 km. The equipment also includes equipment for cryptographic protection of information T-236-B, which provides data exchange via encrypted telecode communication channels.
The R-149BMRD operational-tactical command vehicle was created on the BTR-D chassis. The machine is designed to organize control and communication via wire and radio communication channels, and provides the ability to work with data transmission equipment, compression equipment, satellite communication station. The product provides round-the-clock work in the parking lot and on the move, both autonomously and as part of a communication center.
The equipment of the machine includes radio stations R-168-100UE and R-168-100KB, security equipment T-236-V and T-231-1N, as well as automated means of displaying and processing information based on a PC.
The R-440 machine of the ODB "Crystal-BD" is designed to organize communication via satellite channels. Experts note the very dense layout of the station, built on the basis of the BTR-D. A foldable parabolic antenna is installed on the roof of the BTR-D.
Provided that relay satellites in geostationary and highly elliptical orbits functioned in orbit, the equipment mounted on the R-440 machine of the Kristall-BD ODB made it possible to organize a stable multichannel telephone and telegraph communication with any point on the earth's surface. This station entered service in 1989 and was used in the unified satellite communication system of the USSR Ministry of Defense.
On the basis of the BTR-D, a number of experimental and small-scale vehicles have been created. In 1997, the Stroy-P complex with the Pchela-1T RPV entered service. The UAV is launched using solid-propellant boosters with a short guide placed on the chassis of a tracked amphibious assault vehicle.
RPV "Pchela-1T" were used in hostilities on the territory of Chechnya. 5 vehicles took part in combat tests, which performed 10 flights, including 8 combat ones. At the same time, two vehicles were lost from enemy fire.
As of 2016, the Russian armed forces had more than 600 BTR-D, about 100 BTR-RD tank destroyers and 150 BTR-3D ZSU. These machines, subject to timely repair and modernization, are capable of serving at least another 20 years.
