In mid-2013, information about a promising remotely controlled combat module (DUBM) / fighting compartment (BO) with the Epoch code appeared for the first time in the public domain. Subsequently, the industry published new data and showed the finished sample. To date, two versions of the DUBM / BO have been created, patents have been obtained for both projects.
First option
In October of the same 2013, shortly after the publication of the first data, the authors of Epoch applied for a patent. Document RU 2542681 C1 "Fighting compartment of an armored vehicle" was published on February 20, 2015. The authors of the invention are N. I. Khokhlov, L. M. Shvets, S. V. Timofeev, K. V. Artyushkin, Yu. K. Zernov and A. G. Artyukh. Patentee - KBP im. academician Shipunov ".
The patent describes the design of a BO made on the basis of a low-profile tower with the most dense arrangement of units. All the main components and devices, including ammunition boxes, are located inside the hood and do not require the allocation of space inside the body of the carrier armored vehicle. At the same time, all the necessary systems and weapons were used.
BO from the patent is equipped with a mobile unit with an automatic cannon and a coaxial machine gun. On the sides of the hood are two paired ATGM launchers. In the frontal part of the tower and on its roof are the optoelectronic units of the gunner's and commander's sights. It is also envisaged to install means for setting up smoke screens, laser radiation sensors, a system for measuring meteorological parameters, etc.
A new type of DBM / BO control is carried out from the operator-gunner's workplace, located inside the body of the armored vehicle. The fire control system should provide observation and search for targets, their automatic tracking and calculation of data for firing.
The patent notes that the proposed design of the fighting compartment has significant advantages over existing ones, incl. serial. The special architecture and equipment composition provide enhanced combat and operational characteristics, as well as increase the level of crew protection. The installation of such a BO does not require large volumes inside the carrier, and its small dimensions help to reduce external projections and reduce vulnerability in battle.
The real combat module "Epoch", built in accordance with the patented project, is equipped with an automatic cannon 2A42, a PKT machine gun and an anti-tank complex "Kornet". A similar weapon, repeatedly tested in other projects, is supplemented with modern electronic means.
Second version
At the Army-2017 forum, the Tula KBP showed several models of promising equipment, incl. new version of BO "Epoch". It differed from the already known composition of equipment and weapons. Measures were taken to increase the combat and operational characteristics.
An application for this version of the "Fighting compartment of an armored vehicle" was received by the Patent Office in November 2018. Patent RU 2703695 C1 was published on October 21, 2019. This time, the patent holder is Russia represented by the Ministry of Defense. The authors of the invention are N. I. Khokhlov, L. M. Shvets, O. A. Borovykh, S. V. Timofeev, Yu. K. Zernov, B. V. Burlakov, K. V. Artyushkin, S. V. Tokarev and A. V. Evsin.
Some of the main features of the BO architecture remained unchanged. The compact cap is preserved; all units are outside the host machine. There are also machine-gun and rocket armament, as well as various means for controlling it. At the same time, the design of the tower has been improved, incl. to supplement the complex of weapons with new means.
In the central part of the hood, a swinging installation for an automatic cannon is preserved. The machine gun is taken out of the turret and placed at its left side in a separate casing. ATGM launchers are kept on the sides of the BO. The roof of the product is still given for the installation of sighting and other devices.
The main innovation is an additional missile system. In the aft niche of the tower, at the left side, a shaft with a double-leaf hatch is provided. It houses a retractable launcher for smaller-caliber guided missiles. In the stowed position, it is located inside the protected volume; before starting - extends outward.
The new BO is able to improve the running characteristics of vehicles. An air intake window is provided on the right of the tower roof. Through the internal volumes of the fighting compartment and the shoulder strap space, atmospheric air must be supplied to the power plant. This increases the depth of the ford, overcome without the risk of flooding the air intake.
Like the previous version, the new version of the BO from the KBP should provide an increase in the combat and operational characteristics of existing and future light armored vehicles. It retains some of the advantages of the first modification, and also gains new opportunities.
The second version of the "Epoch" was demonstrated at exhibitions in the form of a model; also revealed its main features. It is proposed to use the LSHO-57 57-mm low-ballistic automatic cannon as the "main caliber". The machine gun and the main anti-tank system remain the same. The aft retractable launcher is designed for the promising Bulat complex with a small-sized guided missile.
From patent to product
The first materials on the "Epoch" were published in 2013. Subsequently, new messages appeared, and in 2017 the first information about future production and deliveries was received. The first contract for the supply of new combat modules / combat compartments was signed at the Army-2017 forum.
In accordance with the new contract, the KBP is to modernize the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles with the installation of the Epoch BO. The quantity, cost and delivery time of new products were not specified. Also, the complete set of modules was not disclosed. The first batch of modernized BMP-3 was intended for experimental military operation.
At the beginning of 2019, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense announced that an experimental batch of BMP-3 with "Epoch" will enter the army by the end of the year. It was also planned to conclude a new contract for the supply of over 150-160 BMP-3. It was not specified whether they will receive a promising fighting compartment.
At the very end of last year, the Ministry of Defense held an exhibition of promising samples. At this event, for the first time, a new version of the Epoch was shown openly with a 57-mm cannon and two missile systems. Its ammunition was displayed next to the module itself.
Interesting news came in early January 2020. The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported that this year the ground forces will receive a number of new types of equipment. Among them there is a batch of modernized BMP-3 with a combat module "Epoch". It is reported that a modification with a 57-mm cannon and a machine gun was used. Probably, it was about a batch of equipment that was expected last year, but was delayed for one reason or another.
Thus, after several years of waiting, the army still receives the required modernized armored vehicles with the desired combat and operational capabilities. A batch of updated BMP-3 will allow testing and drawing conclusions. With a favorable development of events, all this will lead to the adoption of the "Epoch" into service.
Modernization results
A lot of time has passed since the first information about the Epoch project appeared. For a number of reasons, the new development has not yet reached full-fledged operation in the troops, and it only has to enter military trials. However, the available evidence suggests that time was not wasted and the industry used it to produce the most interesting results.
The first version of the BO / DUBM "Epoch", materials on which have appeared since 2013, proposed new solutions of a layout and a different nature, but the increase in combat qualities could be insufficient. As a result, a second project appeared with a more powerful cannon and two ATGMs. This time, it was possible to combine the benefits of the layout nature and significantly increase the firing characteristics.
According to the latest news, in the current modernization of the BMP-3 for experimental military operation, it is the second version of the Epoch with a modern 57-mm cannon, as well as Kornet and Bulat missiles, is used. Apparently, it is this version of the fighting compartment that is being considered by the military as a promising model for rearmament. It has serious advantages over the previous version of "Epoch" and is of much greater interest. And this fully justifies the existing time delay.
