Some countries are armed with heavy infantry fighting vehicles, built on the basis of serial tanks of various models. Typically, such projects involve a major overhaul of the base machine with a complete change in functionality. A different approach was proposed in the Ukrainian BMT-72 project. Such a heavy armored vehicle retained the capabilities of the base tank, but at the same time it could carry paratroopers.
The BMT-72 project was developed by the Kharkov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau named after I. A. A. Morozov at the very beginning of the two thousandth years. The original project proposed rebuilding the existing tank with the use of available components, according to the results of which it was possible to increase the length of the hull and organize an additional compartment to accommodate the paratroopers. At the same time, all the main components of the tank, including the fighting compartment with weapons, remained in place. As a result, the finished armored vehicle combined the basic qualities of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
General view of the BMT-72: the characteristic features of the T-72 and T-80UD tanks are visible
As the base for the BMT-72, as its name suggests, the T-72 serial main battle tank was used. Thus, the future production of serial heavy infantry fighting vehicles could be carried out using the available stock of equipment. Maximum unification with the existing model could simplify and reduce the cost of both production and operation as much as possible.
In accordance with the project of Kharkov designers, the basis of the BMT-72 was the rebuilt T-72 staff building. He had to keep the combined frontal booking, as well as the sides, roof and bottom, made of armor plates. Behind the crew compartment, directly in front of the engine compartment, the hull was divided into two parts. A box-shaped insert was placed between them, increasing the overall length of the body while maintaining the existing cross-section.
The appearance of such an insert affected the layout of the car. The front of the hull, like on a base tank, housed the control compartment and some units. Behind it was a manned fighting compartment with a turret. The new insert was the body of the troop compartment. In the aft compartment, the engine and transmission should still be installed.
The existing armor was supplemented with a set of additional attachments and screens. So, an additional armor plate was laid on the upper frontal part. On the sides there were now rubber-metal screens of increased length. The frontal projection of the tower carried hanging rubber screens, but these devices were introduced into the project along with a new fighting compartment.
In the advertising materials for the project, it was noted that the appearance of the troop compartment was also facilitated by a radical redesign of the power plant. Instead of the standard engine from the T-72 in the stern of the BMT-72, it was proposed to install the 6TD-2 product of the Kharkov plant named after I. V. A. Malysheva. 6-cylinder engine with 12 pistons, 1200 hp. distinguished by its small dimensions, which made it possible to free up some of the volumes inside the case. A planetary automatic transmission was connected to the engine. The torque was delivered to the rear drive wheels.
Side view, noticeably increased body length
The chassis of the heavy infantry fighting vehicle was based on the units of the T-72 tank, but was modified to compensate for the increased hull length. On each side of the hull were placed seven large-diameter road wheels with individual torsion bar suspension. The idler wheels with a tensioning mechanism, as before, were in the front of the hull, the driving wheels were in the stern. The track used the existing tracks, but the number was increased in line with the increase in the length of the machine.
Unlike other samples of its class, rebuilt from tanks, BMT-72 retained a full-fledged fighting compartment with the original armament and equipment. At the same time, instead of the standard tower from the T-72, for some reason, they decided to use the unit from the serial T-80UD. Probably, such a replacement of the fighting compartment was associated with production issues or other factors of this kind.
The applied tower had a dome with combined protection, equipped with a gun mount. The architecture of the fighting compartment from the T-80UD in the Ukrainian project did not change, the weapon remained the same. At the same time, at the request of the customer, it was possible to replace certain devices with their counterparts.
The main weapon of the rebuilt tank remained the 125-mm smooth-bore gun-launcher 2A46M. The loading mechanism was retained for storing and feeding separate loading shots. According to the developer, BMT-72 still had the ability to use armor-piercing and high-explosive fragmentation shells, as well as guided missiles. It was planned to install a PKT or KT-7, 62 machine gun on one installation with a cannon. On the roof of the tower, the installation for the NSV anti-aircraft machine gun or its copies of Ukrainian production was preserved.
Feed machine
On the sides of the tower, with a shift to the stern, two blocks of smoke grenade launchers were placed, four devices in each. A separate stowage was supposed to contain an assault rifle with ammunition, grenades and a signal pistol for self-defense and signaling.
The restructuring of the internal volumes of the hull led to a reduction in ammunition. The automatic loader still held 22 rounds, but the rest of the stowage now only contained 8 ammunition. For a coaxial machine gun, it was possible to carry 2000 rounds, for an anti-aircraft gun - 450.
The BMT-72's own crew corresponded to the basic model. A driver-mechanic was supposed to work in the front of the hull, and a commander and gunner in the turret. They all had their own hatches, observation devices, etc.
The hull of the base tank was lengthened in order to organize a new compartment designed to accommodate paratroopers. Inside the box-shaped armor insert, as well as using part of the released volumes of the engine compartment, it was possible to place several new seats. Access to the troop compartment was provided by three roof hatches located directly behind the turret ring. Two hatches were located near the sides of the hull and opened to the sides. The cover of the central one was lifted forward in the direction of travel, towards the tower. Two viewing devices were installed on the hatch covers. The periscopes of the side hatches allowed the landing party to look sideways, forward and backward, and the central devices, for some unknown reason, were directed towards the tower.
The troop compartment accommodated five soldiers with weapons. A pair of relatively simple seats were mounted directly on the rear wall of the fighting compartment, near the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Three more seats were located on the opposite wall, opposite the other two. The troop compartment was not particularly comfortable, but was associated with general ventilation systems and protection against weapons of mass destruction.
It was proposed to enter the troop compartment on the roof of the engine compartment.
It was proposed to get into the troop compartment through the roof. For greater convenience of embarking and disembarking on the rear wings of the tracks, folding footpegs have been provided. With their help, it was possible to climb to the roof of the engine compartment and from there get into the troop compartment.
Due to the use of an additional hull insert, the finished BMT-72 heavy infantry fighting vehicle turned out to be quite large. The total length of the sample with the cannon in front reached 10, 76 m - more than a meter more than that of the T-72 tank. The width along the side screens was 3.8 m. The height along the roof was less than 2.3 m. The combat weight increased to 50 tons.
The more powerful engine compensated for the weight gain. The heavier armored vehicle had a power-to-weight ratio of 24 hp. per ton, thanks to which it retained the mobility of the tank. The maximum speed on the highway was set at 60 km / h, the cruising range was 750 km.
The BMT-72 project was developed at the beginning of the last decade, and soon Kharkov specialists produced the first prototype of a new combat vehicle. The basis for this prototype was the serial T-72 tank, which was not only rebuilt, but also repaired. The first official display of a promising heavy infantry fighting vehicle took place in September 2002. This car, first of all, was offered to the armed forces of Ukraine.
The curious car attracted the attention of a potential customer, but this interest did not lead to real results. At that time, the Ukrainian army did not have the desired funding and could not purchase the necessary or desired armored vehicles. It was obvious that the new project had no prospects in the domestic market and should be promoted at international exhibitions. Soon, the only BMT-72 built was an exhibit at the Pakistani military-technical exhibition IDEAS-2002. However, this time the demonstration of an unusual sample did not give any results.
Airborne compartment hatches
As far as we know, subsequently the Kharkov Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering named after V. I. Morozov has repeatedly tried to offer its heavy BMP to various customers. Various developing countries were interested in such technology, but none of them signed a firm contract. Every year, the real prospects of an interesting project aroused more and more doubts.
BMT-72 is still present in the catalog of products of the design bureau for mechanical engineering, but now it is quite obvious that this project will never leave the category of interesting proposals without a future. Foreign customers showed a lack of real interest in this machine, and their own army, like many years ago, has no desire and ability to acquire such equipment.
It is curious that almost simultaneously with the BMT-72 design bureau named after. Morozov developed a similar vehicle based on the T-84 tank - BTMP-84. This project used similar ideas and solutions. However, the result was similar. For testing and demonstration to potential buyers, one such machine was built, and after that new samples were not produced. Not a single army wanted to purchase such equipment, and the project was left without a future.
At the beginning of April this year, the Kharkiv Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering announced the start of serial production of the BREM-84 "Athlete" repair and recovery vehicle. The message was accompanied by a video demonstrating the capabilities of this sample. During "demonstration performances" BREM pulled out and towed an interesting armored combat vehicle.
As it turned out, the latter was built on the basis of the only existing BMT-72 model. As an experiment, this chassis was equipped with a turret from an experienced T-72-120 tank. The project with the letters "120" provided for a major overhaul of the fighting compartment of the T-72 tank with the replacement of weapons and the installation of new equipment. Instead of the standard 2A46 gun, it was proposed to install a Ukrainian-designed 120-mm KBM2 cannon in such a turret. In the new aft recess of the turret, the automatic loader was placed for 22 unitary rounds. Another 20 shells were placed in stowages.
BMT-72 with a turret from the T-72-120 tank
Like some other samples of Ukrainian development, the T-72-120 tank was offered to foreign customers, but did not find its buyer. Subsequently, the prototype was idle for several years. The latest data show that at some point, Kharkiv engineers decided to combine an extended tank chassis with a redesigned turret. The details of such a project, however, remain unknown.
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At the time of the appearance of the BMT-72 project, the idea of rebuilding a tank into a heavy infantry fighting vehicle was not new. However, this time, interesting solutions were implemented, which made it possible to seriously expand the range of tasks to be solved and improve the main characteristics. Unlike foreign heavy infantry fighting vehicles on a tank chassis, the Ukrainian vehicle retained its original powerful armament.
In theory, BMT-72 and BMP-84 could perform two functions at once. Depending on the current situation, they could work together with tanks and solve their combat missions, or transport paratroopers and support them with fire. In the latter case, an outstanding level of protection for an infantry fighting vehicle could be provided with an equally remarkable firepower. In fact, one could talk about the creation of unique machines without direct analogs from foreign countries.
However, the potential of the new versatile machines was limited by certain design flaws and possible production problems. First of all, the new troop compartment, made in the form of an additional insert, should have led to problems. The presence of a new compartment led to an increase in size and weight and could not but affect the characteristics of cross-country ability and maneuverability. In certain circumstances, the BMT-72 could be inferior to the basic T-72 in terms of mobility.
Heavy BMP with a new turret in tow at the BREM-84
Despite its size, the new hull insert did not allow organizing a large troop compartment. In this volume, it was possible to accommodate only five seats. Thus, the BMT-72 in terms of its capacity was seriously inferior to any other BMP of old and new types, including those in service with Ukraine.
Combining the functions of a tank and an infantry fighting vehicle in one vehicle could backfire in the context of survivability. Combined armor and additional tank screens are not guaranteed protection against any threats. As a result, one or another anti-tank weapon can hit an armored vehicle. In this case, the troops lose both the tank and the vehicle for the infantry immediately. How this will affect the combat capability of the unit and the course of the operation depends on a number of factors. However, such a loss will necessarily have very serious consequences.
One of the most serious problems with the BMT-72 was associated with production restrictions. It was proposed to rebuild such armored vehicles from T-72 serial tanks, which had never been produced in Ukraine. The country had a fairly large number of such equipment in storage, but its repair, modernization and return to operation could be associated with serious production problems, as well as with unnecessary spending. Finally, the developer country simply did not find the money for the production of new armored vehicles for their own needs.
In the project of the BMT-72 heavy infantry fighting vehicle, interesting solutions were implemented in the field of transportation and fire support of the landing force. The car could find its place in the troops, but the main customer did not have the opportunity to purchase it. Other countries also refrained from signing contracts, and the project, which once seemed promising, was left without a future. However, against the background of other failures of Ukrainian tank building, this does not look unusual or surprising.
