Currently, the Russian armed forces have several types of infantry fighting vehicles, as well as equipment of other classes, built on their basis. In the future, the situation should change. In recent years, several defense enterprises have been working on a project for a unified tracked platform, on the basis of which it is planned to build infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, command-staff vehicles and other equipment. All this will make it possible to solve several problems at once, from modernizing the fleet of equipment of the armed forces to reducing the cost of operating it.
A promising BMP, which will have to replace the existing vehicles, is built on the basis of the Kurganets-25 platform. The development of this project started in the middle of the decade, and by now the project has reached the stage of building pre-production armored vehicles. The first samples of promising combat vehicles were shown at the Victory Parade in May. According to available data, the Kurganets-25 family is currently undergoing various tests and may be put into service in the foreseeable future.
For objective reasons, the authors of the project and future operators cannot yet disclose most of the information about promising technology. Therefore, the general public has to be content with small mentions of certain features of the project, as well as published fragmentary data or expert assessments. Due to the secrecy inherent in all new projects, detailed and accurate data on "Kurganets-25" will appear only in the future. Nevertheless, the information available at the moment allows us to draw up an approximate picture. Let's try to collect the information available at the moment about the unified platform and machines based on it.
BMP "Kurganets-25". Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
A few years ago it became known that Kurganmashzavod OJSC was appointed the developer of the promising platform, which, among other things, affected the name of the project. Design work continued over the next several years, with occasional reports of the planned "premiere" of new technology. So, initially, a prototype BMP based on the Kurganets-25 platform was supposed to be built in 2012. Nevertheless, in the end, the first private demonstration of the prototype took place only in the fall of next year at the Russia Arms Expo 2013 exhibition. Around the same time, information appeared about the planned demonstration of new equipment at the May 9 parade.
The goal of the project was to create a tracked vehicle suitable for use as a base for armored vehicles of various types. First of all, it was required to create an infantry fighting vehicle and a tracked armored personnel carrier. In addition, it was planned to develop a repair and recovery vehicle, anti-aircraft and anti-tank missile systems, etc. The possibility of developing a self-propelled artillery installation was also mentioned.
In early 2013, a shot from the Kurganmashzavod workshop appeared in the media, where the body of one of the prototypes of a promising armored vehicle was being assembled. In addition, various drawings and diagrams appeared on specialized resources with enviable regularity, the authors of which tried to predict the appearance of the new technology. At the same time, the actual appearance of the BMP and other vehicles based on the Kurganets-25 platform remained a secret until the spring of 2015. Only after the first rehearsals of the Victory Parade, experts and the general public were able to see promising combat vehicles for the first time, and not drawings that are not directly related to this technique.
BTR "Kurganets-25". Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
It is noteworthy that the new technique that participated in the rehearsal did not immediately receive the entire set of additional equipment, so everyone could see some of its curious features. For example, during the first rehearsals, BMPs and armored personnel carriers of the Kurganets-25 family were left without additional on-board units, which made it possible to examine their chassis. Nevertheless, it was not without a "fly in the ointment": the combat modules of the vehicles were covered with tarpaulin covers.
By now, some of the main design features of the platform and equipment based on it have become known. To meet the new requirements of the customer, represented by the Ministry of Defense, as well as to ensure maximum unification of various types of equipment in the design of the Kurganets-25 platform, some new ideas and solutions are used. In addition, it was decided to abandon a number of previous developments used in old armored vehicles projects.
The general layout of the Kurganets-25 platform is made taking into account the latest world trends in the development of armored vehicles. So, the engine compartment is located in the front of the armored hull, with transmission units located directly behind the frontal parts of the machine, and the engine is located behind them at the starboard side. To the left of the engine, a relatively narrow control compartment with a driver's workplace is provided. Directly behind the engine are the workplaces of other crew members. For example, in the version of an infantry fighting vehicle, the commander and gunner-operator are located there. The aft part of the hull is given for the installation of the necessary equipment or the deployment of the landing force.
The first known image of the Kurganets-25 vehicle. Frame from the reportage of the TV channel "Zvezda" / Gurkhan.blogspot.ru
According to the Zvezda TV channel, which recently showed the release of the Military Acceptance program about the Kurganets-25 BMP, the platform can be equipped with engines of two types, made in Chelyabinsk and Yaroslavl. At the time of filming the TV program, the customer had not yet made the final choice of the power plant. However, it was noted that both engines fully meet the requirements and provide the required performance.
An automatic transmission is connected to the engine, regardless of its type. This unit has six forward gears and three reverse gears. It is claimed that in third reverse gear, the BMP is capable of speeds up to 20 km / h. Engine torque is transmitted to the front pinion drive wheels.
Quite a long time ago, all those interested were able to consider all the main features of the Kurganets-25 undercarriage. The platform has seven road wheels on each side. Applied, according to some sources, an adjustable hydropneumatic suspension. If necessary, the driver can change the vehicle's ground clearance within the range from 100 mm to 500 mm. This feature of the undercarriage allows you to reduce the dimensions of the machine both during transportation and when hiding in a trench.
Gearbox of the Kurganets-2 platform. Shot from t / p "Military acceptance", TV channel "Zvezda"
The Kurganets-25 platform project involves the use of a hull with bulletproof armor. The body has a characteristic frontal design with a strong slope of the top sheet and an almost vertical bottom. The sides and stern of the hull are located strictly vertically. In the upper frontal part, hatches are provided for access to the engine compartment. The armor parameters have not yet been announced. It is only known that the chassis body provides protection against 7, 62 and 12, 7 mm bullets. The type of bullets and cartridges was not named. The Kurganets-25 project initially provides for the installation of various additional protection systems, including hinged armor, reactive armor, etc. All this allows you to significantly increase the level of protection in accordance with the intended role of the machine.
According to various estimates, armored vehicles of the Kurganets-25 family, having a relatively powerful engine, will be able to reach speeds of up to 70-80 km / h on the highway. High mobility on rough terrain must also be ensured. At the request of the customer, the platform received water jet propellers for crossing water obstacles by swimming. Using these units, BMP or other equipment of the family will be able to move at speeds up to 10 km / h.
"Declassified" gear lever. Shot from t / p "Military acceptance", TV channel "Zvezda"
A promising machine is controlled by several basic devices. The driver has at his disposal a steering wheel, a gear lever, a pair of pedals and a set of control devices. Unfortunately, the interior of the department is still a secret and the corresponding photos or videos have not yet been published. At the moment, only the appearance of the gear lever is known - this detail was allowed to be removed by the journalists of the Zvezda channel.
The crew has a set of periscopic observation devices. In addition, the project provides for additional equipment that improves visibility. Several sets of television cameras are located along the perimeter of the hull of a combat vehicle, the signal from which is transmitted to monitors, driver, commander, etc. An additional monitor with the ability to monitor the situation is installed even in the troop compartment of the BMP.
At the moment, we can confidently talk about the start of production of only an infantry fighting vehicle and an armored personnel carrier based on a common chassis. Other equipment of the family is being developed, but there is still no exact data on the progress of work and plans for its construction. For example, in one of the already mentioned issues of the Military Acceptance program, the Zvezda TV channel showed the process of assembling an armored hull for a repair and recovery vehicle. In addition, another car of this type, which is in the later stages of assembly, was supposedly captured in the frame. However, there is no exact information about the Kurganets-25 ARV family project yet. Apparently, the assembly of an experimental batch has already begun, but this is only an assumption.
One of the blocks of television cameras on the body. Shot from t / p "Military acceptance", TV channel "Zvezda"
The Kurganets-25 armored personnel carrier and infantry fighting vehicle receive much more attention than other equipment of the family. In addition, the developer and the customer, when talking about the new platform, first of all remember this particular technique. Therefore, the available volume of open data on BMPs and armored personnel carriers is much greater than in the case of other equipment.
Large onboard armor modules became a characteristic feature of the infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers that participated in the parade on Red Square. According to the latest data, these units perform a number of important functions aimed at improving the characteristics of protection and mobility. It is known that on-board modules are equipped with dynamic protection units and some other armor, which allows you to supplement your own body armor. In addition, the modules function as floats when moving on water. Due to their own buoyancy, the modules improve the characteristics of the entire machine. At the same time, however, Kurganets-25 can sail without installing additional equipment.
In the case of a promising infantry fighting vehicle, additional protection is provided by an active protection complex, individual elements of which are installed on the roof of the hull and on the combat module. An electronic system is also provided for neutralizing anti-tank mines with a magnetic fuse.
The result of shelling the armor. Bullets of 7, 62 mm and 12, 7 mm caliber remained inside the slab. Shot from t / p "Military acceptance", TV channel "Zvezda"
The infantry fighting vehicle based on the new platform has a crew of three and is capable of carrying up to eight paratroopers. The crew is located in the front of the hull's habitable volume, and the troop compartment is located in the stern. It is known that fighters with weapons should have their backs to the sides. The appearance of the seats and their layout are still classified. So, on a sample of a combat vehicle filmed by the Zvezda TV channel, all the equipment of the troop compartment was covered with a tarpaulin and shields with unambiguous inscriptions "secret".
The crew of a combat vehicle has two hatches in the roof of the hull: the driver has his own hatch, and the commander and gunner-operator must use a common one. A large ramp is provided in the rear hull for embarkation and disembarkation of troops. When opened, it is lowered down by means of its own drives and facilitates dismounting. In addition, the ramp has a door that can be used in the event of a breakdown of the drives. For self-defense, an embrasure is provided in the door for the landing party's personal weapons.
It is known that the customer, represented by the Ministry of Defense, introduced the requirement for maximum autonomy, as well as the protection of the crew and the landing force from external influences, into the requirements for a promising infantry fighting vehicle. For this, the car receives an air conditioning system with air purification means. There are pipelines for supplying purified air to the crew and landing areas. Additional comfort and the possibility of long-term action at a distance from the bases is provided by the sanitary equipment mounted on the aft door.
Active module "Epoch". Photo Nevskii-bastion.ru
Promising infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers are distinguished by a combat module. In the case of an infantry fighting vehicle, it is proposed to use the Epoch product, also known as the Boomerang-BM. This combat module is a turret with cannon and missile armament mounted on the roof of the base vehicle. An important feature of the "Epoch" module is the placement of all units outside the habitable volume of the hull.
The BMP with the Epoch module is armed with a 2A42 automatic cannon of 30 mm caliber with selective feeding, a PKTM machine gun paired with it and a Kornet-EM missile system. The gun ammunition is 500 rounds of two types, the machine gun ammunition boxes can hold 2,000 rounds, and the onboard launchers accommodate four containers with guided missiles. The module contains blocks of optoelectronic equipment for observing and searching for targets, as well as fire control.
Having other tasks, the Kurganets-25 armored personnel carrier is equipped with a different combat module. In the case of armored personnel carriers, a module with machine-gun armament and some additional equipment is used. Such differences in weapons are primarily associated with the difference in the intended tasks of the two classes of equipment.
Machine-gun combat module of an armored personnel carrier. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
Both combat modules of advanced technology are equipped with remote control systems. Control bodies for all weapons systems are located at the workplaces of commanders and gunner-operators. Thus, the use of unmanned combat modules made it possible not only to provide the required firepower, but also to optimize the layout of the habitable volume without the need to place crew members directly under the combat module.
Unfortunately, even the most general characteristics of promising technology are still unknown. The military has not yet announced the real indicators of the maximum speed or power reserve, not to mention the parameters of various weapons. This approach is quite understandable, since the project has not yet been brought to its logical conclusion and most of its details are still not worth publishing in order to avoid various negative consequences.
Several promising vehicles based on the Kurganets-25 platform took part in the Victory Parade. Nine armored personnel carriers and the same number of new types of infantry fighting vehicles passed through Red Square. According to some reports, the construction of the first batch of equipment involved in the parade was completed in the first months of 2015. In the future, the assembly of equipment for testing continued and, apparently, is still going on.
During the recent exhibition Russia Arms Expo 2015, the management of Kurganmashzavod spoke about their plans for the future, touching upon the topic of a promising unified tracked platform. The executive director of the enterprise, Alexander Klyuzhev, said that the next delivery of Kurganets-25 vehicles to the military will take place at the beginning of next year. Both infantry fighting vehicles and new types of armored personnel carriers will be handed over to the Defense Ministry. The number of vehicles in this batch was not specified.
In the shop of the Kurganmashzavod. in the background - an armored personnel carrier "Kurganets-25", in front, presumably, a promising BREM. Shot from t / p "Military acceptance", TV channel "Zvezda"
A. Klyuzhev also recalled that several types of military equipment will be developed on the basis of a universal chassis. In the near future - the creation of an armored recovery vehicle. It is noteworthy that the "Military Acceptance" program demonstrated the assembly of the hull of such a vehicle. This means that the company is already implementing the next project of the family.
During this year, representatives of industry and the military department talked about the approximate timing of putting new equipment into service. During 2015-16, it is planned to complete all the necessary tests of new infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, after which they can be put into service and put into series. Thus, the serial production of promising armored vehicles will start approximately in 2017-18. For obvious reasons, these are still only preliminary plans, and the actual date of the start of mass production and operation may noticeably shift.
Until a certain time, the industry and the military were in no hurry to reveal the secrets of the promising Kurganets-25 project, because of which the public had to rely only on fragmentary information and assessments of varying degrees of plausibility. In the past few months, the situation has changed dramatically, thanks to which all those interested have the opportunity to learn some details of the latest projects. Hopefully, the existing tradition will continue, and the military and industry will continue to delight us with new reports on the progress of the project and various interesting technical details.
