BMP-97: construction, armor, armor

In the postwar years, the Russian Army particularly appreciated the maneuverable and light armored infantry vehicles - BTR-40 and BTR-152, which were equipped with power units of cargo vehicles. A little later the government of the USSR decided to bet on well-protected and heavy machines. But showed practice, the demand for mobile means of transportation of personnel has not disappeared.

Deciding to turn to the experience of the post-war years, the Bauman Moscow State Technical University together with the Kamsk Automobile Plant started the construction of the BMP-97. Due to disruptions in financing, the new armored personnel carrier was accepted for service in the Russian army only in 2009, 12 years after its development.

Historical reference

The development of a new armored personnel carrier began in 1997 at the Research and Production Center of the University of Special Engineering. The team of developers included not only the designers of MSTU, but also the employees of KamAZ. The first result of the painstaking work of scientists was the order of Andrei Nikolayev, head of the Federal Border Service, who planned to replace the entire fleet of vehicles.

But as a result of the default of 1998, funding ceased, and the order was canceled. The development was delayed, the first model of BMP-97 was introduced to the public only in 1999. In an effort to minimize costs, the armored personnel carrier began to supply private companies.

A little later, the models were sent to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. But in the process of their operation, a lot of significant shortcomings were revealed, and the whole lot remained on the balance of our country. The modified version of the technology was provided for public viewing in 2008. Then it was adopted for service.

Design

The basis of the BMP-97 design is a welded case from Kurganmashzavod. The car is classified as an all-wheel-drive armored car with a separation into two compartments - the engine compartment and for the crew. In the hull there are several hatches - for landing, driver-mechanic and commander of the car, as well as side and stern doors.

When designing armored personnel carriers, a significant number of executive units and aggregates of the KamAZ-4326 truck were used. This increased the degree of unification of serial machine parts, which allowed:

1. Significantly reduce the cost of BMP-97.
2. Making production processes easier.
3. Improve maintainability.
4. Make technical inspection and maintenance easy and simple.

Thanks to the unification of parts, the service life of the equipment has also increased - the mileage before the overhaul of the armored car is more than 270,000 km.

Reservation

The main difference between the armored car from the BTR-80 (the main army armored personnel carrier) is the front engine layout. This arrangement of the power plant creates additional protection for the crew from the cumulative projectiles. When a BMP-97 engine hits the forehead (the "Shot" is another name for this model), it takes on the energy of the fire jet and, during combustion, creates smoke that covers the evacuation of the crew.
The next innovation was the V-shaped bottom - it better dissipates the energy of the explosion and better copes with the protection of the landing force when undermining the mine. The front armored sheet and the upper part of the sides are made of 16 mm thick steel, which even the "Cliff" machine gun is unable to pierce 12.7 mm. The windshields are made of glass with a thickness of 46 mm, which is equal to the strength of the armor.

Armament

The main purpose of the BMP-97 "Shot" is the transfer of personnel of the Russian border troops in carrying out various tasks. The machine can be used as a headquarters for reconnaissance and patrolling, as well as for transportation of wounded soldiers (sanitary execution).

As the main means of fire are large-caliber machine guns KPVT, "Cord" and grenade launcher "Flame". All weapons are installed in a rotating turret to repel opponents of BPM-97. The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a mobile anti-tank complex and is equipped with a combat module MB2 with a 30-mm cannon and auxiliary weapons.

From the armored car it is possible to assemble an anti-aircraft missile system based on the Strela-10M SAM. The main purpose of the complex is the detection and destruction of enemy aerial equipment at low altitudes. The converted wheeled armored personnel carrier BPM-97 can be part of the air defense of the ground forces.