The intensity of modern combat operations, the high level of workload and the experience of using the BMP-3 in the Gulf countries necessitated the refinement of the vehicle in terms of improving ergonomic characteristics.
Taking into account the experience of operating infantry fighting vehicles in countries with hot climates, as well as the modern requirements for them in terms of combat capabilities, Russian specialists have developed a comprehensive program for the modernization of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. First of all, it is aimed at increasing combat effectiveness, increasing comfort and improving the interaction of the crew with the vehicle itself, including its integration into the C4I control system.
The long-term practice of using the BMP-3 has shown that, in general, the failure of its components and assemblies is caused not by manufacturing defects or design flaws, but, as a rule, due to violation of the rules of maintenance and operation of the machine.
To solve this problem, as well as to integrate the BMP-3 into the C4I control system, an electronic driver and operator assistant is installed on the car, which allows the crew to inform the crew about the functioning of the vehicle systems in the audiovisual mode. In particular, it signals the state of the BMP-3 chassis systems, problems with the charging system or the rangefinder unit, the state of the power supply circuits of the systems, unsafe weapon modes, etc. (more than 100 messages in total). Only one function - automatic control of the readiness of the fire control system for launching a guided missile - prevents the losses of expensive ATGMs that were inevitable in the past.
With the help of the integrated driver display installed on the upgraded vehicle, the crew can receive instructions for carrying out maintenance, military repairs and other operational documentation. The driver's monitor displays an image of overview cameras, as well as map information systems. The system is equipped with a non-volatile memory of the events of the "black box" type for the analysis of detected system malfunctions or incorrect actions of the crew.
The set of digital on-board equipment EPVO of the modernized BMP-3 allows collecting and transmitting in digital form for the C4I control system in real time information about consumable resources (ammunition, fuel, etc.) and the technical condition of the vehicle.
The intensity of modern combat operations, the high level of workload and the experience of using the BMP-3 in the Gulf countries necessitated the refinement of the vehicle in terms of improving ergonomic characteristics. To ensure comfortable living conditions for the crew, the upgraded BMP-3 is equipped with an electrically driven tower air conditioner and an air conditioner-power unit with a small-sized diesel engine for separating the landing force and the driver.
The air conditioner-power unit works independently of the standard systems of the vehicle and creates comfortable conditions for the operation of a combat crew at an ambient temperature of over + 50 ° C. In addition, the electric power generated by the generator of the power unit with the main engine turned off ensures the operation of weapons systems, surveillance and communication equipment, and also automatically charges storage batteries. Air conditioning and power supply is carried out both on the move and in the parking lot. When afloat, in the event of a main engine failure, the power unit ensures the operation of the bilge pumps, which allows the vehicle to remain buoyant for a long time, maintain the functioning of life support systems until assistance arrives, and, if necessary, conduct surveillance and fire on the enemy. On long-term parking and in defense, the power unit reduces the vehicle's visibility for enemy detection equipment, saves the life of the main engine and minimizes fuel consumption.
For the purpose of economical and low-noise power supply of signaling, communication and monitoring equipment on the machine, a portable diesel autonomous power unit with a capacity of 2 kW can be used, which is installed outside the machine at a distance of up to 15 m.
In addition to people in extreme conditions of hot climates, technology also suffers. Thus, a significant number of diesel engine breakdowns are associated with its overheating due to the driver's incorrect selection of the mode (transmission) for movement. When driving on sandy terrain at a temperature of + 50 ° C, it is required to maintain high engine speeds and carefully monitor its temperature, the excess of which will disable the engine. And although all driver mechanics are well aware of this, overheating is far from always possible to avoid in conditions of a difficult track. To solve this problem, as well as to improve the dynamic performance, an automatic gear shifter APP-688 is installed on the BMP-3. It is designed to automatically change gears depending on road conditions and engine load. This allows the engine to operate in the zone of maximum efficiency with the optimum coolant temperature at average fuel consumption. If overheating occurs, then the APP-688 algorithm optimizes the movement of the BMP-3 at higher engine speeds, thereby improving engine cooling.
Application of APP-688 significantly increases the dynamics of the vehicle. The acceleration time to 60 km / h is reduced by an average of 16%, due to which the car passes the 400-meter section of the track 8% faster than in manual mode. In addition, in terms of the power reserve, the car in automatic mode per kilometer traveled over rough terrain consumes 7.5% less fuel than with manual gear shifting.
It should be noted that the design of the transmission, APP-688 and BMP-3 controls allow the driver to manually change gears at any time using a lever located in front of the steering column.
With regard to firepower, it can be increased by upgrading the fire control system. For example, the BMP-3 is equipped with a VBTs-88 digital ballistic computer designed to work with both existing and any new types of Russian or foreign-made ammunition. Powerful processor provides calculation of aiming angles and lateral lead under various shooting conditions. When the calculator is connected to a digital weather station, aiming corrections are determined automatically, taking into account the weather conditions (air and charge temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction).
The above design changes can be carried out both on newly ordered machines and on those already in operation directly in the conditions of the customer's repair shops.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the use of new systems on the BMP-3, as well as a more powerful UTD-32 engine, a new panoramic sight of the commander, an automatic target tracking, protective equipment and other new products allows the Russian infantry fighting vehicle to have superiority over all foreign counterparts.
