The international exhibition of arms and military equipment Kazakhstan Defense Expo 2014 (KADEX-2014) was held from 22 to 25 May in Astana. The capital of Kazakhstan for the third time received guests from several countries of the world. The KADEX-2014 exhibition has become a platform for demonstrating the achievements of almost 200 companies and organizations from 25 countries of the world. The largest expositions were presented by Russia and Kazakhstan, from which 68 and 64 organizations participated in the exhibition, respectively. Among other organizations from Russia, the scientific and production corporation "Uralvagonzavod" and its structural divisions took part in the exhibition. The corporation presented advertising materials and layouts at the stand, and also showed several full-scale samples of new technology.
At the open exhibition area, the Uralvagonzavod corporation presented three full-scale models and one mock-up of new models of equipment. All shown samples, despite the fact that they have already been shown at other exhibitions, are of some interest to both customers and the general public. The enterprises that are part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation brought to Astana a BMPT-72 tank support combat vehicle, a PTS-4 amphibious transporter, a 1I37E test vehicle and a model of a promising Atom infantry fighting vehicle.
The BMPT-72 “Terminator-2” tank support vehicle is a further development of the previous BMPT “Terminator” project and was first shown at last year's Russian Arms Expo 2013. In general, the BMPT-72 is similar to the base “Terminator”, but has a number of differences. The main difference is the different chassis. To attract a wide range of potential customers, the authors of the project from the Uralvagonzavod corporation used the corresponding units of the T-72 tank as the base chassis for the new combat vehicle. This feature of the new combat vehicle allows it to work effectively in the same battle formations with tanks of the T-72 family, and also simplifies the construction and maintenance of equipment.
"Terminator-2", unlike the base BMPT, is not equipped with two course automatic grenade launchers, which made it possible to reduce the crew to three people. The composition of the rest of the weapons remained the same: on the turret of the BMPT-72 machine there are two 2A42 automatic cannons of 30 mm caliber, a PKTM machine gun of 7.62 mm caliber, as well as four transport and launch containers with 9M120-1 guided missiles. In comparison with the turret of the previous vehicle, the armament of the Terminator-2 received armored casings of a new design. In addition, the machine gun was moved to a separate armored corps.
Soon after the "premiere" show, the BMPT-72 tank support combat vehicle received positive reviews from specialists. The prospects of the car are considered quite high, and a good export potential can be determined by the chassis used. The armies of many countries use T-72 tanks, thanks to which they will be able to quickly master the operation of the Terminator-2. It should be noted that no information on orders for the BMPT-72 has yet been reported. Perhaps the first customers will make a decision based on the results of the KADEX-2014 exhibition.
The second vehicle of Uralvagonzavod, first shown at an exhibition in Kazakhstan, is the PTS-4 floating transporter. This machine, developed by the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (part of the Uralvagonzavod corporation), is intended to replace the previous domestic floating transporters. In its basic features, PTS-4 is similar to the previous PTS-3, however, it has a number of important differences. The main feature of the new conveyor is the components and assemblies used. So, in the design of the PTS-3, parts and assemblies borrowed from the T-64 tank, the production of which had ceased long ago, were actively used. The new PTS-4 transporter is based on the units and assemblies of the T-72 and T-80 tanks, which greatly simplifies its construction and operation.
The tracks and torsion bars of the conveyor suspension are borrowed from the T-80 tank, the clutches and gearbox are from the T-72 tank. With a maximum weight of more than 33 tons, the PTS-4 tracked conveyor is capable of transporting goods with a total weight of up to 18 tons (on the water and on approaches to it) or up to 12 tons (on land). To accommodate the payload, the transporter has a large cargo platform measuring 8, 3x3, 3 meters. On land, PTS-4 is capable of a maximum speed of up to 60 km / h, on water - up to 15 km / h. The cockpit is protected by bulletproof armor. For self-defense, the vehicle commander can use a large-caliber machine gun mounted on a remotely controlled installation.
The tracked transporter PTS-4 was adopted to supply the Russian engineering troops in 2013. Currently, employees of the Transport Engineering Design Bureau are developing a civilian version of this machine, intended for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Natural Resources and other departments. It is known that the civilian version of the PTS-4 will retain the basic characteristics of the base vehicle, but will be adapted for non-military use.
The third piece of equipment presented by the Uralvagonzavod corporation at the KADEX-2014 exhibition was developed by the Central Research Institute Burevestnik, which is part of its structure. The control and testing machine (KPM) 1I37E is intended for performing various works on the maintenance of guns installed on tanks and self-propelled guns. The equipment of the vehicle can service 125-mm 2A46 guns of all modifications (installed on T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks) and 2A75 (used on the 2S25 Sprut-SD vehicle).
All KPM 1I37E units are mounted in a van body of a Ural-4320 truck. The equipment, which is part of the complex, allows a crew of three to carry out the whole range of work on the maintenance of tank and anti-tank guns. Using the available equipment, the calculation of the 1I37E machine can clean the barrel of the gun from carbon deposits and dirt, as well as carry out the technical preparation of the weapon for firing (align the sight and bring the gun to normal combat, including by a unique non-firing method using special high-precision equipment). In addition, ballistic preparation for firing is possible, namely, the calculation of corrections to the initial velocity of projectiles of a certain batch and the determination of barrel wear. To document the work, the 1I37E complex includes a laptop with special software.
According to the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik", the use of the 1I37E control and testing machine makes it possible to increase the combat readiness of equipment by 2-2.5 times by reducing the time for its maintenance. In addition, the calculation of the features of the operation of a particular weapon allows you to form a complex of individual corrections, due to which the accuracy of fire increases by 1, 3-1, 5 times. The firing-free method of checking the accuracy of the gun does not lead to its wear and thus allows you to save the resource of the barrel, ensuring the required accuracy.
The Atom heavy-class infantry fighting vehicle, or rather its full-size model, was first shown at last year's RAE-2013 exhibition. Several days ago it was demonstrated at an exhibition in Kazakhstan. This promising project is a joint development of the Russian Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" and the French company Renault Trucks Defense. Within the framework of the Atom project, the designers of the two countries tried to create a modern heavy-class infantry fighting vehicle intended for sale to third countries.
According to reports, the Atom BMP is a wheeled armored vehicle based on a French chassis. It is argued that the used 8x8 chassis will allow the car to move at speeds up to 100 km / h, as well as continue to move if several wheels are damaged. The troop compartment has eight places for soldiers with weapons. If necessary, the Atom car can be equipped with additional reservations. When using all available armor modules, protection level 5 according to the STANAG 4569 standard will be provided. At the same time, the combat weight of the vehicle will reach 32 tons.
Of particular interest is the combat module installed on the exhibition model. According to official information, the promising BMP "Atom" should be equipped with a turret with an automatic cannon of 57 mm caliber. It is expected that such a weapon will significantly increase the combat potential of the vehicle. Increasing the caliber from the standard 30 mm to 57 mm will increase the firing range, while the more powerful ammunition will increase the effectiveness of the fire. From the point of view of combat characteristics, the only drawback of 57-mm cannons is the smaller ammunition capacity in comparison with 30-mm caliber systems.
Earlier it was argued that on the basis of the Atom project, equipment for various purposes could be created, from an armored personnel carrier with machine-gun armament to an ambulance or command-staff vehicle. So far, nothing has been reported about the implementation of these plans. Moreover, the further development of the project may be questionable. In early April, foreign and domestic media reported that the French company Renault Truck Defense for political reasons refuses further cooperation with the Central Research Institute "Burevestnik" in the framework of the Atom project. Nevertheless, on the first day of the KADEX-2014 exhibition, Deputy General Director of Uralvagonzavod Corporation for Special Equipment V. Khalitov said that this information does not correspond to reality. According to Khalitov, the Uralvagonzavod corporation has not yet received an official notification from its French partners about the termination of joint work. Work on the Atom project continues in accordance with the established plan.
