BMD-2 (airborne combat vehicle): specifications and photos

BMD - the abbreviation of the phrase "airborne combat vehicle." Based on the name, BMD is a vehicle for moving units of the airborne assault forces. Its main purpose is to combat enemy armored vehicles and enemy infantry. In professional military circles, this machine was called the "Booth".

To fulfill its combat mission, the BMD can be transported by military aircraft to the landing site. Landing can be carried out from aircraft and Mi-26 helicopters using external suspension.

How did the BMD-2 landing vehicle appear?

Designers developed the first generation of BMDs back in 1969, and after testing it was put into service with the Soviet Airborne Forces . Serial assembly of the combat vehicle was carried out at the Volgograd Tractor Plant. The first years it was released in a limited edition. To start mass production, the forces of the All-Russian Research Institute of Steel, the Institute of Welding named after E. Paton.

In 1980, Soviet designers, having studied the experience of using BMD in real battles, switched to improving the existing model. The need to modernize the military landing vehicle became apparent after Afghanistan, where the armored vehicle was actively used. Having proved itself well in battle on lowland areas, the first-generation airborne combat vehicle was losing in the highlands.

The BMD-2 airborne combat vehicle entered service with the air forces of the Soviet Union in 1985. The second-generation machine did not differ much in appearance from the BMD-1. The comparative photo of the BMD-2 and BMD-1 shows that the changes affected the turret and weapons. The body and engine remained unchanged. Baptism of fire an armored car took place in the fighting in the Republic of Afghanistan.

In subsequent years, the BMD-2 was used in armed conflicts in Russia and abroad. Today, the "booth" is in service with the armies of Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

Structural Features of BMD-2

The design of the combat landing vehicle is considered unique. In the front part in the center is a driver-mechanic, behind him is the commander on the right, and the shooter on the left. At the rear is an airborne compartment. It can accommodate 5 paratroopers.

BMD-2 building is conditionally divided into 4 sections:

• management department;
• warhead;
• airborne squad;
• engine-transmission compartment.

The warhead and control compartment are combined and are located in the front and middle parts of the armored car. The rear half is divided into airborne and engine compartment.

The armored hull is welded from aluminum sheets that cover the BMD-2 crew. The characteristics of this metal make it possible to achieve effective protection with low weight. Armor is able to protect the crew from bullets, small fragments of mines and shells. The thickness of the body lining in the front is 15 mm, on the sides - 10 mm. The tower has armor 7 mm thick. The bottom of the BMD is reinforced with stiffeners, which allows for successful airborne landing. The minimum landing height is 500 meters, the maximum height is 1,500 meters. In this case, multi-dome parachutes with the PRSM 916 (925) jet system are used.

After modernization, PM-2 received a new circular tower. It has a smaller size. In addition, she got the opportunity to shoot at helicopters and low-flying aircraft. Vertical guidance angle increased to 75 degrees.

BMD-2 case is tight. This turned the "booth" into a floating armored car. To move through a water barrier, a water jet installation is used, the basis of which is the principle of jet propulsion. Before moving through a water obstacle, it is necessary to raise the wave shield in front. Due to the properties of the amphibious machine, landing can be carried out from transport ships.

Engine and chassis

When creating the BMD-2, engineers did not carry out a complete modernization of the engine and chassis. The 5D20 motor is installed in the combat landing vehicle. This is a 6-cylinder diesel engine. He is able to develop a capacity of 240 horses.

BMD-2 uses a crawler track. There are 5 road wheels and 4 rollers on each side. The driving axle is rear, with steering wheels in front. The chassis has a design that allows you to adjust the clearance. The minimum ground clearance is 10 cm and the maximum is 45 cm. The suspension is independent.

BMD 2. Characteristics of weapons

The modernization of the airborne combat vehicle in the 80s mainly affected the turret and weapons. Revise the arsenal of fire forced military experience in Afghanistan.

As the main firepower used automatic gun 2A42 30 mm caliber. She is capable of firing in motion. The barrel is stabilized in two planes using a 2E36-1 weapon stabilizer on electrohydraulics. In the roof of the tower is the main sight VPK-1-42, suggestive guns. The Booth is capable of firing at a range of up to 4 kilometers.

Paired with a cannon in the turret is a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun . The second-generation PMD combat kit is 300 rounds for a gun and 2,000 rounds for a machine gun.

To enhance firepower, additional weapons for the BMD-2 can be used. The instruction manual defines the composition of the additional weapons:

• one 9M113 “Competition”;
• two ATGM 9M111 "Bassoon";
• launcher 9P135M.

Missile launchers are capable of aiming within 54 degrees horizontally and from -5 to +10 vertically.

To conduct a successful battle with air targets, the Igla and Strela-2 missile systems were introduced into the armament.

The equipment of a combat landing vehicle

BMD-2 is equipped with a trouser device for negotiations R-174, radio station R-123 (later it was replaced by R-123M).

In addition, on board the armored vehicle is:

• automatic fire fighting system;
• system for filtering and extracting air;
• system of protection against weapons of mass destruction and atomic weapons;
• chemical weapons protection system;
• night-vision devices;
• air vent system inside the body of a combat vehicle.

Technical Specifications of the Booth

During the battle, the "booth" is able to overcome various obstacles. Without difficulty, the BMD-2 airborne assault vehicle can travel to a wall 80 centimeters high and overcome a 1.6 meter wide trench.

Modifications BMD-2

The airborne troops use two modifications of the combat landing vehicle:

• BMD-2K - the commander’s version of the machine, is additionally equipped with a R-173 radio station, AB-0.5-3-P / 30 gasoline-driven electric power generator and GPK-59 gyroscopic semi-compass;
• BMD-2M - in addition to the standard armament, it has a dual Kornet ATGM system, in addition, a weapon control system with the ability to aim at a target using a thermal imager is installed.