Tests of the new amphibious armored personnel carrier BT-3F are at the final stage.
This was reported in the state corporation "Rostec".
“Currently, preliminary tests of the BT-3F armored personnel carrier, which lasted more than a year, are being completed.
The navigability of the vehicle was tested in marine conditions, firing tests were carried out, the product proved resistance to external factors, including from conventional weapons, ”TASS quotes a statement from the press service of the state corporation.
Rostec also noted that Kurganmashzavod had prepared production for the launch of the BT-3F in a series.
"High rate of advance"
BT-3F was developed by the Special Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering.
It is a floating tracked armored personnel carrier based on the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle.
BT-3F is designed to transport marine units of the coastal troops of the Navy and units of the ground forces, as well as to provide fire support for the landing.
Chassis, propulsion system, water jet propulsion system, protection system against weapons of mass destruction, smoke grenade launching system and other systems are borrowed from the BMP-3.
The total combat weight of the armored personnel carrier is 18.9 tons. The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a four-stroke UTD-29T engine with a capacity of 450 liters.
With.
and can reach a maximum speed of up to 70 km / h on the highway.
The developers note that the BT-3F is able to move afloat at a speed of up to 10 km/h with waves up to 3 points.
The machine can be transported by Il-76 and An-124 aircraft or by Mi-26 helicopter.
BT-3F can carry up to 14 paratroopers.
To provide a view to the driver and troops, the armored personnel carrier is equipped with a video surveillance system with six TV cameras for all-round visibility and a camera with a thermal imager “directed in the direction of travel”.
In addition, the floating armored personnel carrier is equipped with special energy-absorbing seats, which provide a significant reduction in shock loads on the passenger's spine when driving over rough terrain or when a mine is blown up.
The main weapon of the BT-3F is a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun with a thermal imaging sight, a laser rangefinder and a target tracking function.
The weapon is placed on the roof of an armored personnel carrier in a remotely controlled module.
At the same time, the combat module, if necessary, can be replaced with compatible models with 14.5 mm machine guns or 40 mm automatic grenade launchers.
The armored body of the armored personnel carrier protects the landing force from bullets from heavy machine guns and fragments of shells and mines.
In a RT commentary, a military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin, noted that such vehicles are primarily intended for use on large landing ships.
BT-3F amphibious armored personnel carrier
© JSC SKBM
“Not all landing ships can come close to the shore, because the draft does not allow, so they open the ramp and release floating armored personnel carriers.
They can deliver personnel to the shore and support them with fire during the landing.
Such armored personnel carriers can overcome water obstacles not along the bottom, but afloat, which maintains a high rate of advance.
This is their main advantage,” Viktor Litovkin said.
At the same time, depending on the installed combat module, the BT-3F is able to vary its combat power for each specific combat mission, the expert added.
But, most likely, the BT-3F will be used specifically for amphibious assault, since other types of troops have their own armored personnel carriers, Litovkin explained.
“Different vehicles of this class have different purposes: some can attack together with tank units, some work better in defense as a mobile firing point.
In turn, the BT-3F also has unique features: not all armored personnel carriers can swim.
However, the BT-3F cannot meet all the requirements for armored personnel carriers.
It will undoubtedly expand the operational and tactical capabilities of the Marine Corps, ”the expert emphasized.
"Demanded in the troops"
For the first time, the BT-3F floating armored personnel carrier was demonstrated in 2016 at the Army forum.
In 2019, it became known about the beginning of sea trials of the machine.
At the same time, the Arctic version of the BT-3F was developed, which was presented at the Army-2021 forum.
This modification received a number of improvements that make it possible to use the armored personnel carrier in extreme climatic conditions.
BT-3F amphibious armored personnel carrier
© JSC SKBM
Among them are wider caterpillar tracks to increase snow flotation and an independent heater that allows the crew and troops to feel comfortable even at temperatures below 50 degrees below zero.
In addition, an unmanned aerial vehicle is used in conjunction with the Arctic BT-3F to perform reconnaissance missions.
Military expert Alexei Leonkov, in a conversation with RT, noted the voluminous hull and the ability to swim in the sea as the main advantages of the BT-3F armored personnel carrier.
“It is also interesting that the principle of landing was borrowed from the BMD series vehicles - through the rear compartment.
At the same time, the commander and driver have their own hatches in order to leave the car, ”the expert explained.
Alexey Leonkov recalled that Indonesia had shown interest in this car earlier.
“This is an island country where regular operations are carried out against pirates hiding on various islands.
A floating armored personnel carrier would be very interesting for them.
BT-3F has an increased level of protection - it is equipped with anti-fragmentation armor and it has an easily replaceable combat module
.
Such a universal combat unit will be in great demand, ”the expert emphasized.
BT-3F meets all the requirements that a modern machine of this class must meet, Alexey Leonkov added.
“It can be used by both marines and airborne troops.
In addition, it will find application in special operations due to its cross-country ability and high-speed qualities.
In all respects, this vehicle will be in demand among the troops - it will replace the old armored personnel carriers,
inferior to it in a number of characteristics.
This is a modern armored personnel carrier that can operate in latitudes with temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees, ”concluded the interlocutor of RT.