VPK to conduct swimming trials of Bumerang AFV (Armored Fighting Vehicles) 50407163

Defence & Security News - VPK
 
VPK to conduct swimming trials of Bumerang AFV (Armored Fighting Vehicles)
The Military Industrial Company (Russian acronym: VPK, Voyenno-Promishlennaya Kompaniya) is going to conduct the swimming trials of its newest Bumerang (VPK-7829, also designated as K-16 or BTR-K) armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), according to a source in Russian defense industry.
     
VPK to conduct swimming trials of Bumerang AFV Armored Fighting Vehicles 640 001
Russian-made Bumerang 8x8 AFV (Armoured Fighting Vehicle) at military parade in Moscow, May 9, 2015. (Photo Vitaly Kuzmin)
     
"To modify Bumerang for naval services, VPK has installed two schnorkels in the rear part of the vehicle`s combat module. The propeller and shaft assemblies of the AFV have also been upgraded. VPK is planning to launch the swimming trials of the vehicle in the shortest time possible", the source said.

According to him, the modified Bumerang AFV will replace BTR-80, BTR-80A and BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers in service with Russian Naval Infantry. "At present, the Naval Infantry is one of the most prominent operators of BTR-80/80A/82A APC as the service decided to decline the acquisition of BMP-3F (F stand for naval, Flotskaya) infantry fighting vehicles (IFV). The service is using basic APCs upgraded with schnorkels. BTR-82A has proven itself to be a well-swimming vehicle that can withstand the storms of force 4 (moderate breeze) on the Beaufort wind force scale. We suppose the Bumerang`s navigability to be even better, The new vehicle is supposed to withstand the storms of force 5 (fresh breeze) on the Beaufort scale", the source said.

He added that the Bumerang`s layout and armament have not been changed. "VPK-7829 in the IFV configuration has retained Epokha remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) developed by Instrument Design Bureau (Russian acronym: KBP, a subsidiary of the High-Precision Weapons holding), while the vehicle in the APC configuration saved 6S21 RCWS developed by TsNII Burevestnik scientific-research institute (a subsidiary of the Uralvagonzavod corporation). At the same time, VPK is trying to integrate several new armament suites with Bumerang", the source pointed out.

Bumerang AFV 8x8 wheeled armoured fighting vehicle is intended to replace BTR-80/80A/82A APCs in service with Russian Armed Forces. It was unveiled at 2015 9 May Victory Day parade in Moscow. In basic configuration, Bumerang AFV is equipped with Epokha RCWS that comprises 30 mm 2A42 automatic gun and four ready-to-launch 9M133M (NATO reporting name: AT-14 Spriggan) Kornet-M anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). The Bumerang`s engine plant is supposed to be located in the front of the vehicle. The AFV is probably protected at Level 6 (K) NATO STANAG 4569 (all-round protection against 30 mm steel/tungsten alloy armour-piercing round at 500 m distance).
     
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