BMP-3 production showcase development

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TV Zvezda has released new footage covering the production of BMP-3 IFVs. Showcasing various footage of hull and turret production along with how factories refurbish/repair old or battle-damaged hulls and turrets to make new vehicles. The footage presented does not reveal any major changes in the production scale of BMP-3 IFVs. 

This post expands on the topic of up-armouring vital components of the BMP-3 carried out by Kurganmashzavod. The previous article can be found here. 
This article will not cover the armour packages presented in the analysed footage! 

A double-shutter mechanism is used in the housing, which has two functions. The small shutter protects the optics from direct hits and can be opened/closed during combat or marches. The small openings have special cutouts, which minimize the chance that the optics (laser channel, day channel and thermal imaging channel) are hit by shrapnel or bullets. 
The large shutter, which holds the small shutter is used to service the sight from the outside and has its own hinge on the right side. 



Close-up view of the housing with the small shutter open

The creator of the sight, Andrey Popatov, claims the housing is made entirely out of steel, but does not specify further composition details. 


Close-up view of the mounted housing

It is also shown how the small shutter opens using a spring-loaded hinge, which actuates when no negative force is created by the pull string. The pull string is operated by the gunner from inside the tank. Interestingly enough, this new housing also has 2 pneumatic cleaning nozles, which clean the optics using high-pressure water.


 References: TV Zvezda YT channel

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