Russia's KBP Instrument Design Bureau has developed a new remote controlled turret (RCT) system called Epoch Almaty.
The turret will be installed on some versions of the three new-generation armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) platforms - which include the Armata main battle tank (MBT), Kurganets tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), and the Boomerang 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier - being developed to meet Russian Army requirements.
Prototypes of all of the AFVs began trials in 2013, but have yet to appear in public. They could potentially start to enter service in 2016.
Epoch Almaty is armed with a fully stabilised 30 mm 2A42 dual-feed cannon, which is provided with 160 rounds of ready-use armour piercing (AP) ammunition and 340 rounds of high-explosive (HE) ammunition.
Mounted to the left of the 30 mm 2A42 cannon is a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun (MG) with 2,000 rounds of ready-use ammunition. By mounting the weapons externally no fumes will enter the turret.
A pod of two Kornet/Kornet-EM laser-guided missiles is fitted to either side of the turret, offering precision engagement out to a range of 8,000-10,000 m, depending on the version.
Epoch Almaty is also provided with laser detectors - which are probably connected to a defensive aids system - and banks of grenade launchers that cover a full 360°.
Turret traverse is all electric.
The computerised fire-control system includes a number of sensors such as a roof-mounted meteorological device. It also has a suite of day/thermal sights incorporating a laser rangefinder.
The armament is laid onto the target by the commander - who has a panoramic sight - or gunner from under armour using flat-panel displays.
The use of a common remote turret across three of the latest Russian AFV platforms will offer significant through-life cost savings including maintenance and training.
The new Epoch Almaty turret is likely to be expensive and Russia may go for a mix of turret solutions for the IFV versions.
It is expected that the Kurganets IFV family will include a turret armed with a 57 mm rapid-fire cannon and 7.62 mm coaxial MG and another fitted with an externally mounted 125 mm smoothbore gun fed by an automatic loader.
A scale model of Kurganets has been shown fitted with the complete turret of the currently deployed BMP-3 IFV armed with a 100 mm 2A70 gun, 30 mm 2A72 coaxial cannon, and 7.62 mm PKTM MG.
KBP Instrument Design Bureau's BMP-3 turret has also been marketed for installation on Russian and overseas hulls.
The United Arab Emirates, which operates a large fleet of BMP-3 IFV, has installed the complete BMP-3 turret on a batch of five Patria Modular Armour Vehicles, which when fitted with this turret are fully amphibious.
It has also been shown installed on the Turkish FMSS Armoured Combat Vehicle 19 (ACV-19), which was previously called the Armoured Combat Vehicle - Stretched.Christopher F Foss, London - IHS Jane's International Defence Review
No comments:
Post a Comment