Basic Information

Name

BRM-3K Rys Russian Amphibious Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)

Designation

BRM-3K Rys

Alternate Designation

BRM-3K Rys; Rys, Lynx, Model 501

Equipment Type

Amphibious Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)

Manufacturer

Uralvagonzavod

Date of Introduction

1995

Description

The BRM-3K Rys Russian Amphibious Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) is based on the BMP-3. It is equipped to provide forward detection and identification of opposition forces and is fitted with sufficient firepower to ensure that the vehicle can extract itself from contact. It is believed to have entered service with the Russian Ground Troops in 1995, and little news about the vehicle appeared until a concept was displayed in 2016, featuring a new weapon station. Possible applications for the BRM-3K include reconnaissance and target selection for the Hermes long-range missile system, which has yet to enter service. The hull shape is identical to the BMP-3. There is space for three personnel at the front of the vehicle, including the driver. A turret is located in the middle of the hull, with a utility compartment at the rear. The turret is manned by a commander and a gunner and is armed with a single cannon and an MG that is fixed in the middle of the structure. The turret itself has a sloped front and two boxes on either side that house the sensors required to fulfill the vehicleʼs role. The utility compartment is designed to house three personnel responsible for monitoring the information gathered by the turret-mounted sensors. In line with Russian doctrine, they may perform some of their roles dismounted from the vehicle, utilizing various mission systems.

Ground Specifications

Crew 6

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 2A72 30 mm dual-feed cannon

Engine Diesel (500 hp)

Max Speed 70.0 km/h

Range 600.0 km

Variants

BRM-3K / Kredo-1 BRM-3K CRV with 2-3m mast with a Kredo-1 radar system. Catherine 2nd generation thermal sight night range to 5-7 km. 1D22 LTD ranges to 7 km.

System

Alternative Designation BRM-3K Rys; Rys, Lynx, Model 501

Type Amphibious Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV)

Description BMP-1 modified for reconnaissance with space for 3 passengers

Manufacturer Russian UralVagonZavod company

Crew 6 (commander, gunner, driver, navigator/computer operator, wireless operator and reconnaissance group commander)

Note The vehicle is also equipped with a thermal sight and advanced navigation system. A digital communications suite reportedly enables the vehicle to send data transmissions to a range of 100 km whilst mobile or 300 km while stationary. There may also be an array of systems that are deployed outside of the vehicle for target designation or recognition.

Dimesions

Length 7.0 m

Width 3.15 m

Height 2.37 m

Weight 18.7 tons

Automotive

Engine Name UTD-29 Diesel

Engine Type Diesel

Engine Power 500 hp

Cruising Range 600 km

Maximum Road Speed 70 km/h

Maximum Swim Speed 10 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Step 0.8 m

Trench 2.5 m

Fording Amphibious

Note On water the BRM-3K is propelled by two waterjets

Communications

Radio UHF R-163-50U UHF

Radio HF R-163-50K HF; R-163-10U (dismounts)

Note Communication aids ensure data and radio links at a maximum range of 350 km

Main Weapon System

Note The main armament of the BRM-3K Rys is 2A72 30 mm dual-feed cannon. The 2A72 is connected to the 2A70 by a muzzle sleeve, which increases the weapon's accuracy by reducing barrel oscillations. It can fire at a maximum rate of 330 rounds per minute and can be used in single-shot, 10-round burst, or automatic mode. The weapon is fed by two ammunition compartments, each filled with different rounds. The correct container is located under the commander's seat and typically used to house 195 AP rounds,, while the left container, situated under the gunner's seat, is used to store 305 HE-type rounds. The maximum effective range of the 2A72 against area targets is 2,000 m and 1,500 m against light armor when using the 3UOF8 HE-I round and 3UBR8 APDS round, respectively. The 3UOF8 generates a guaranteed lethal radius of 5.95 m2 against soft targets from the blast and fragmentation effects. It is filled with A-IX-2, which has an incendiary impact once ignited and increases the chance of secondary damage. The 3UBR8 fires a tungsten alloy sub-calibre penetrator fitted with a plastic sabot. The penetrator can defeat 28 mm of RHA set at a 60° angle from a range of 1,000 m or 22 mm of similarly arranged RHA at a range of 2,000 m. Defined within Russian test standards, this means that 80% of the projectiles fired would be required to penetrate the armor plate for the statistics to be approved. The 2A72 is primarily used to engage low-priority infantry formations, a high-priority unit – an ATGM team for instance – would likely be engaged with the 2A70 gun. There are other rounds available for the 2A72, as it is essentially capable of firing any 30×165 mm round; the above are provided as an indication of the weapon's capabilities about the role of the BRM-3K Rys.

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 1 x PK Machine Gun, "Kalashnikov's Machine Gun")

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62 mm

Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant

In Service 1961-Present

Length 1,203 mm

Barrel Length 605 mm

Weight, Gun and Integral Bipod 9 kg

Weight, Tripod 7.7 kg

Action Gas-operated, open bolt

Rate of Fire 650 rounds/min

Effective Firing Range 100-1,500 m

Maximum Firing Range 3,800 m

Feed System Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes

Sights Tangent iron sights (default); Optical, Night-vision, Thermal and Radar sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×54mmR

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Basic Load 2,000 Rounds

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

Note Provision is made for an ATGW launcher and four missiles. The ATGW system can be dismounted and fired remotely from the vehicle.

Radar System

Note The BRM-3K is thought to be fitted with the same basic mission systems that are detailed under the BMP-3M, and this appears to include the SOZh combat sight. In addition, it carries a 1RL-133-3 doppler ground reconnaissance radar, which is reportedly capable of detecting personnel at a range of 3,000 m and vehicles from 12 km.

Protection

Hull Armor The hull of the BRM-3K Rys is built from aluminium (possibly the ABT-102 alloy from Nii Stali), which is then covered with bolt-on hardened steel armour. Without the steel, the aluminium protects against small-arms fire and shell splinters and the additional steel – which is concentrated on the front of the vehicle – is sufficient to stop 30 mm rounds fired at a range of 200 m. The glacis is sloped at 30° to increase the effective protection of the armour, and the trim vane at the front of the vehicle adds to the total armour. The belly plate is sloped at 43° and equipped with a dozor blade, which is thought to increase protection. There is a self-sealing fuel tank within the nose of the vehicle, which helps to defeat 25 mm APFSDS rounds. The turret walls are built from two pieces of aluminium that are curved and welded together before a roof is added. The aluminium is the same grade as the hull and spaced steel plates are welded to the turret so that it is protected against larger-calibre weapon systems such as the Mk 44 cannon. The sides of the hull provide protection from 12.7 mm AP rounds fired at a range of 300 m and the belly is corrugated, double-lined, and supported with additional ribs beneath the driver and passengers. However, the rear troop compartment is protected only against anti-personnel grenades and small mines. The vehicles can be fitted with bar armour to provide statistical protection against cumulative projectiles or RPG-7 type weapons. There is an additional armour kit available that appears to add spaced modules to the sides of the hull. It is thought to extend protection to 25 mm rounds fired at the sides of the hull and include air pockets to retain the amphibious capabilities of the platform. The vehicle can be obscured from view using the grenade launchers mounted on the turret front or by injecting diesel into the exhaust manifold; the latter option produces a smoke screen that is the same temperature as the engine, which helps to confuse IR-guided missiles.

Applique Armor Available

NBC Protection Crew protection is provided by an NBC system that includes the GO-27 radiation detector and a borated polyethylene lining; the latter absorbs neutrons and gamma radiation and the former seals the vehicle the moment harmful contaminants are detected. Some of the vehicleʼs openings must be manually sealed such as the bow-mounted MG ports, but the majority are closed automatically. The air is filtered and pressurised to further prevent harmful substances from entering the hull.

Fire Equipment Fire protection is provided in the engine compartment and manned areas, four TD-1 temperature sensors monitor the engine, and there are eight IR sensors in the troop compartment. In the event of a fire, 114B-2 halocarbon extinguishers are activated in the engine compartment. In the troop compartment, the extinguishers are set to respond to any flame larger than 0.45 m². There are two handheld fire extinguishers in the front-left of the vehicle and a further two at the rear-right of the troop compartment.

Smoke Equipment INA

Image Sources

Notes https://en.topwar.ru/54944-boevaya-razvedyvatelnaya-mashina-brm-3k-rys.html; https://elevate.in/; https://militaryleak.com/2017/08/21/brm-3k-reconnaissance-vehicle/;