Currently, the main armored personnel carrier, on which Russian infantry is moving, is the BTR-80 and its modification, the BTR-82. These are quite good cars which are repeatedly checked in different conflicts, but they already became outdated. Already, the Land Forces of Russia need a new armored personnel carrier. This should be a fundamentally new machine, and not just another modernization of old Soviet models.
One of the main intrigues of the Victory Parade, which was held in 2018, was the display of the newest armored personnel carrier Boomerang, rumors about it have been circulating for several years in the pages of various media. Shortly before the event, the military slightly lifted the veil of secrecy over the new machine, but a lot of details remain unknown until now. While we practically do not know the performance characteristics of the new machine.
In fact, the Bomerang BTR should become not only a new vehicle, but a real unified platform, on the basis of which new models of armored vehicles will be created. The development of "Boomeranga" deals with LLC "Military Industrial Company", it will also produce these machines.
The road to the birth of a new car was long and difficult. In developing the "Boomerang" experience was used to create several armored personnel carriers.
History of creation
"Boomerang" is a continuation of two projects to create a new BRT, which have been conducted in Russia over the past years. Initially, the project was called the "sleeve" and it actively used the developments obtained during the creation of the BTR-90 Rostok.
The Russian military refused both vehicles, arguing that these armored personnel carriers did not meet their requirements. On the machine, which was created during the implementation of the "Sleeve" project, they planned to place the power plant in the middle part of the hull, to supply a weapon module similar to the one on the BTR-82 and to apply a dynamic protection system. However, the car turned out to be not very successful: the space inside the case turned out to be very tight, it had no opportunities for further modernization. But the experience of working on these projects came in very handy in the development of the Boomerang: all successful design solutions were transferred to a new car. However, despite this, "Boomerang" is a completely new machine, it is not a deep modernization of Soviet designs.
For the first time, official information about the development of a fundamentally new armored personnel carrier in Russia appeared in 2010. This was stated by the commander of the Land Forces, Alexander Postnikov.
One of the main problems of the BTR-80 was a rather weak level of protection, especially from mines and land mines. Therefore, fighters prefer to move from above by car, and not inside it. It was the weakness of the mine protection was one of the main reasons for starting work on a new armored personnel carrier. It was not possible to modernize the old Soviet armored personnel carriers in this direction, they have completely exhausted their modernization resource. It was necessary to create an armored personnel carrier with a new hull shape, a new layout and armor made of modern materials. When creating the Boomerang, special attention was paid to protecting the crew and paratroopers from mines and land mines.
Also a big danger in modern combat is represented by various anti-tank weapons. The developers of the machine paid special attention to protecting the BTR from cumulative ammunition.
The armored vehicle "Boomerang" was first shown at a closed presentation, which was held in 2013. The car was shown to the general public during the Victory Parade in 2018. Serial deliveries of new technology are scheduled to begin in 2019.
Machine description
Today, we do not have comprehensive information on the characteristics of the Boomerang BTR. There is only scattered information. Based on it, we will try to introduce you to a new armored personnel carrier.
It is known that the weight of the new machine is about 20 tons, while some of the modifications created on the basis of "Boomerang", will weigh up to 25 tons, due to the increased armor protection. The power compartment is located in the nose of the car, increasing the security of the armored personnel carrier from explosions and frontal fire of the enemy. The landing hatch is located in the stern - the most protected during the battle. Significantly increased the volume of the landing compartment, compared with the machines developed in the USSR. In those days, they practically did not use body armor, so the soldiers needed less space. The modern soldier has much more weapons and ammunition, therefore he needs more space. Yes, and time in order to leave a more spacious car must be smaller, so in this case, the size is not only a matter of convenience, but also security.
When creating an armored troop-carrier "Boomerang", multi-layered armor was used, which included ceramics. This type of armor is much more effective than the usual homogeneous and it has never been used to create light armored vehicles. Usually it is used to create tanks. The main feature of multi-layer armor is its high effectiveness against cumulative ammunition. According to the technical task, the front armor of the Boomerang must resist the fire of small-caliber artillery, the machine must withstand an anti-tank grenade from any side, as well as the fire of a large-caliber machine gun.
What engine is used to create the Boomerang BTR is not yet known; we do not know its power and other characteristics of the power plant. One thing is for sure: this engine is definitely more powerful than on the BTR-80. Considering the rather serious weight of the Boomerang, it should have a more powerful engine. Most likely, the power will be more than 600 horsepower.
The new armored personnel carrier retains the traditional 8x8 wheel formula. It can float; water jets provide the jet engines mounted on the back of the hull. Information about the speed that will be able to develop a new car, not yet.
That car, which could be seen at the parade in Moscow, is armed with a 30-mm automatic cannon 2A42, a PKT machine gun and an anti-tank missile system firing Kornet guided missiles. Armament assembled into a single combat module, which is controlled remotely. The ammunition of the automatic cannon is 500 rounds. It can fire, as the commander of the machine, and the operator-gunner. Ammunition is securely isolated from members of the landing party and crew.
However, so far we have seen only one weapon option, which can be installed on the Boomerang. This combat platform can be equipped with various types of weapons.
On the basis of this "Boomerang" they plan to create a mobile anti-tank complex, infantry fighting vehicles, wheeled tanks, armored personnel carriers, many types of special vehicles. All of them will differ in their weapons.
Probably, the newest surveillance and fire control systems will be installed on the armored personnel carrier. Most likely, these machines will be included in the unified tactical level control system, which will allow the commander to see the machines on the battlefield online.
While it is difficult to give a final assessment of the new car. We expect the appearance of official information about its performance characteristics and its cost.
