At the ZAPAD-2021 exercises, Russia tested a new BMP B-19 with an EPOCH combat module. The vehicle received two types of missiles and a modern fire control system (FMS). Military expert Alexey Khlopotov called Izvestia the features of the new car that will help save the crew.
The expert noted that the ammunition of the new vehicle was taken out of the combat compartment. He stressed that such a decision would save the life of the crew in battle. Khlopotov also attributed the fire control system to the advantages of the B-19, which provides flexibility in the use of the vehicle's arsenal.
The publication notes that the crew of the B-19 is inside the amphibious compartment of the BMP-3. The machine operator has received modern equipment for the search and identification of targets. Moreover, the SLA can recommend which ammunition to use to defeat the detected target.
Another feature of the machine was the Bulat complex, which complements the launchers of the Kornet anti-tank guided missiles. The missiles of the complex make it possible to hit unprotected equipment and enemy manpower without using "Cornet" designed to destroy heavy armored vehicles. BULAT ammunition can hit ground and low-flying air targets at a distance of up to 3 kilometers.
The B-19 is based on the BMP-3 chassis, in which the standard turret was replaced by an uninhabited Epoch combat module. The main weapon of the machine was a 57 mm caliber machine gun, which complements two types of missiles. Izvestia notes that the BMP B-19 can hit targets at any time of the day and in any weather conditions.
In September, the Polish edition of Defence24 called the Russian BMP B-19 "an imperceptible revolution." The authors noted a set of B-19 weapons and a system for automated search, recognition and tracking of targets.
Daniil Irinin