
Image source: Photo: Bulletin of Mordovia
The creation of modern infantry fighting vehicles in many countries has faced and is facing numerous problems. Let's recall how long and painfully the M2 Bradle was "born" by the same Americans. It all started with the XM701, which appeared in 1965, during the Vietnam War.
Then in 1973, the XM723 was created, which gradually transformed into the M2 Bradle, but its mass production began only in 1981. Moreover, in the initial version, this infantry fighting vehicle could overcome water obstacles and had some features, such as separate submachine guns in the fighting compartment for firing due to armor, but they were subsequently abandoned.
The Americans consider their infantry fighting vehicles obsolete and, despite the appearance of the M2A4, they have been planning to abandon it for a long time. After several attempts, it is expected that one of the XM30 variants offered by several manufacturers with a 50 mm automatic cannon will be adopted.
The German infantry fighting vehicle has been in service since 2015. It has been created since 1996, but, as it turned out, it had technical problems for a long time, which limited its use even in regular exercises. They have only recently been eliminated.
The newest British Ajax infantry fighting vehicle was also not devoid of design defects: vibrations and noise inside the hull, difficulties overcoming obstacles 20 cm high, etc.
In Russia, in turn, work continues on armored vehicles based on the Kurganets platform. They have a very high level of protection, including mine protection. According to the data that was announced at the international military-technical forum "Army", its crew is 3 people, and the landing force is 8 people. The high-power engine provides high cruising speeds: 70-80 kilometers per hour. The latest versions feature a 57mm cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, and two types of guided missile systems. There is no doubt that the experience of a special military operation will be taken into account in this infantry fighting vehicle.
Roman Katkov
Image source: Photo: Bulletin of Mordovia
Image source: Photo: Bulletin of Mordovia
Image source: Photo: Bulletin of Mordovia
Image source: Photo: Bulletin of Mordovia
Image source: Photo: Bulletin of Mordovia