During the main stage of the strategic exercises "West-2021" at the Mulino training ground in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, watched by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a B-19 infantry fighting vehicle with an Epoch combat module was shown, which turned out to be an "imperceptible revolution," writes the Polish edition of Defence24.
The publication claims that at first glance, the "Epoch" "does not make a big impression", especially compared to the standard armament of the BMP-3, which includes 100-millimeter and 30-millimeter guns. "However, the new turret is not just a 57-millimeter gun, but a completely new weapons concept based on a larger range of fire weapons that are better suited for tasks," the publication writes.
One of the advantages of the "Epoch" is the availability of an automated search system, recognition and tracking of enemy objects, as well as issuing the crew of a combat vehicle with an optimal proposal for the simultaneous or alternate use of two channels of fire damage. The publication notes that the 57-millimeter gun, known as the LSHO-57 light assault gun, is distinguished by direct and high-speed shooting at a range of up to six kilometers.
Defence24 recalls that the Epoch can also use two types of guided missiles-the Kornet (for hitting tanks) and Bulat (against lightly armored targets), as well as a 7.62 mm machine gun.
"According to the Russians, thanks to the support of a digital fire control system, this allows you to fight a wide range of targets," the publication writes.
Structurally, the B-19 is a chassis of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, on which the Epoch combat module is installed.
Ivan Potapov