BMPT Object 199 "Ramka-99" development and history from the year 2000-2006

The BMPT was created with the efforts of UKBTM, now known as UralVagonZavod, led by Boris Domnim with the participation of specialists of the NTC of the Main Armored Vehicle Directorate, the Military Academy of Armored Troops and the Military Academy named after M.V.Frunze. 

The project had several main problems, those being, overall weapon systems and general layout. To solve these problems, UKBTM created several different prototypes that featured different weapon systems and layouts. 

One of the intermediate prototypes shown during the Lower Tagil vehicle presentation in the year 2000, had a single 30mm 2A42 autocannon paired with a 7,62mm machinegun, 4 'Kornet' ATGMs and 2 remote-controlled 30mm AG-17A automatic grenade launchers, taken from an aviation arsenal. The gunner was provided with a combined day/night sight, and the commander's position was equipped with his own independent panoramic sight.  Additionally, the FCS featured a ballistics computer and several weapon sensors. The 2x 30mm AG-17As were operated by 2 additional crewmembers, using TKN-3 observation sights. 

Close up images of the weapon/sensor systems on the intermediate BMPT prototype, the year 2000
(Top left: AG-17A grenade launcher, top right: LRW, bottom left: weather sensor and communication antenna, bottom right: rear view of the 'Kornet' ATGM launcher)

Intermediate prototype. Lower Tagil, 2000

In the end, this proposed design didn't get far and was sent back for further development. In 2002 a new version appeared and was shown during the Lower Tagil vehicle presentation. The vehicle's demonstration during that show had 2 different purposes, one of which was to test the reliability of the vehicle during mobility tests and firing trials. It was a risky move to see if the vehicle was capable of performing its main tasks. Based on the results, the vehicle shown during that presentation was chosen to be the main production variant. 

BMPT pre-production prototype. Lower Tagil, 2002

The new BMPT featured a more advanced multichannel weapon system and better command interaction allowing full command override. Weapon systems on this vehicle also changed. The previously mounted 30mm 2A42 was replaced with 2-paired 2A42 30mm automatic cannons, the external PKTM was now internally mounted with the main cannons. Old AG-17A grenade launchers were replaced with AG-17D grenade launchers, while the old 'Kornets' were replaced with 4 'ATAKA-T' ATGMs. 

Both 30mm 2A42 cannons and 'ATAKA-T' ATGMs were mounted externally on the turret. The turret featured a low profile silhouette, and incorporated composite armour and Kontakt-5 ERA. The 2A42 cannons had 2 different firing modes, a low ROF, which was 300 rounds/min and a high ROF, which was around 800 rounds/min. Overall ammunition capacity was 900 rounds that consisted of AP-T, HE-T, HE-F-T. Additionally, the vehicle could load belts that used the 3UBR8 APDS round. The main weapon system used a dual belt feeding system, allowing the gunner to switch between different loaded belts, without having to manually switch the feeding system. 

The BMPT firing range varied depending on what type of ammunition was loaded. With APDS the engagement range was around 2000 meters, with HE-F-T that range increased to around 4000 meters. The dispersion when firing with 1 cannon did not exceed 1/1000th of the distance travelled. As a result, having quite small dispersion values of around 4 meters when firing at maximum range.  

AG-17Ds were additional weapon systems to increase the overall firepower of the vehicle. The grenade launchers were operated by 2 additional crewmembers who would sit on the left and right sides of the hull. Each AG-17D could traverse 6° to the internal plate of the hull and 28° to the side facing outwards. The operators would use similar control as on the T-90, that being the AGAT-MP. 

The AGAT-MP was a 2-plain stabilized sight and was controlled independently from the main weapon system.

BMPT Side

Paired 2A42 30mm gun assembly

The BMPTs FCS was also a great leap in comparison to the existing systems on Russia's MBT/IFV fleet at the time. FCS "Ramka" featured; gunners multi-channel sight including a thermal channel, laser rangefinder and ATGM guidance channel. Control of the armament complex is duplicated. When necessary, the commander can display the gunners view on his own CRT using the "DOUBLE" function and has the ability to conduct effective fire from the entire armament complex located in the turret. 

The commander had his own sight, the B07K1 panoramic sight with optical magnification, low-level television and laser rangefinder channels. 

'Sosna' multi-channel sight with CRT (left), commanders panoramic sight (right) 
(The commander also received a CRT, but its main purpose was to provide the commander with a "DOUBLE" feature allowing him to override all controls) 

Sosna FCS module package

Commander panoramic sight mounted in the right rear, communication/navigation antenna and weather sensor mounted on the rear left of the turret

One of the operator's positions inside of the BMPT 

For accurate navigation, the BMPT is equipped with the "Tropa" navigation system. This system is interlinked with satellites using NAVSTAR/GLONASS. The system comes with a multipurpose control panel, satellite antenna and a computing block. This complex pinpoints the location of the vehicle with an accuracy of 25 meters. The necessary data provided is then sent to a digital map, which is then used for navigation. Additionally, the computing block can be overwritten with course plots, for pre-determined navigation.  

BMPTs could also mount special blade mine trawl packages like the KMT-6M2 or KMT-8 and KMT-7 wheel-blade mine trawl. 

BMPT with KMT-8

The vehicle has a filtering-ventilation system, automatic fire detection and fire extinguishing system.

BMPT turret from the front 

The BMPTs turret is equipped with an array of LWR (Laser Warning Receivers). Two sensors are mounted in the front of the turret and two sensors are mounted on each side of the turret. 

LWR positioning on the turret

The aforementioned LRW system is interlinked with the smoke grenade launchers. The system worked the same way as the already existing Shtora-1 system. Launchers placed around the vehicle would be loaded with 3D17 aerosol charges and have a deployment range of around 50-80 meters. 

As mentioned earlier, the BMPT uses the T-90S hull. Weighing at 47 tons, (half a ton heavier than the T-90S) the mobility of the vehicle remained the same. The BMPT came with the V-92S2 1000hp, 12-cylinder diesel engine with liquid cooling. The V-92S2 was previously mounted on Indian T-90S tanks and recommended itself as a good and reliable engine. 

The BMPT could also be equipped with 2 different diesel APUs, either the GTU5-P27 or the 5-VM1, that would each generate 5kW of power. An APU was necessary since the vehicle also had the option to field an AC unit for when the vehicle would operate in hotter climates. 

Between 2002 and 2006, UVZ made another prototype, but this time took the already chosen design and used it to test the ability to mount ERA. In the end, this prototype variant helped UVZ develop the well-known Softbag ERA mounted on T-72B3 Obr.2016.  

BMPT with addon Softbag style ERA, 2002-2006

BMPT with addon Softbag style ERA

Taken from: "Armor Hobby" No.2/2009, BTVT (FCS Images), Russia's Arms Book 2001-2002, Optoelectronic and laser systems 'The XXI Century Encyclopedia' Russia's Arms and Technologies, Arsenal. Military-industrial review " No.5/2011, OVB