BMD-2


NATO: BMD M1981/1


Overview

BMD-2

Russian BMD-2 airborne combat vehicle in the field.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner.

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Mechanized infantry combat vehicle
Entered service
1985
Status
In service
Development
1981 - 1985
Developer
Soviet Union
Production
1985 - 1991
Producer
Soviet Union - VTZ / Volgograd Tractor Factory
Number produced
1.687
Designations
BMD M1981/1 (NATO reporting name)
BMD-2 / Boevaya Mashina Desantnaya 2
Russian for "airborne combat vehicle 2"
Obyekt 916 (GABTU index)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Russia
Ukraine

Factsheet

Facts BMD-2
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Airborne combat vehicle
Crew
2 + 5 (driver, gunner, 5 troops including commander)
Dimensions
Weight
8.2 t combat load
Length
5.91 m gun forward
5.40 m hull
Width
2.63 m
Height
1.97 m with suspension raised
1.62 m with suspension lowered
Main armament
Type
30mm 2A42 autocannon
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
300 rounds
Elevation
-6° to +60°, powered or manual
Elevation rate
Up to 6°/s
Traverse
360°, powered or manual
Traverse rate
Up to 20°/s
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.000 rounds in total, 250 ready to fire
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Anti-tank armament
Type
9K113 Konkurs or 9K111 Fagot anti-tank guided missile
Mount
9P135M launcher on roof
Ammunition
9M113 or 9M113M anti-tank missile
9M111, 9M111-2 or 9M111M missile
3 missiles in total, 1 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Missile control
9S451M system for SACLOS guidance
Bow armament
Type
7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
Left corner of the bow
Ammunition
2.000 rounds in total, 250 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front, drive sprocket rear
Ground pressure
0.53 kg/cm²
Suspension
Hydropneumatic, variable height
Tread
2.38 m
Automotive
Engine model
5D20-240
Engine type
15.9 L four stoke V6 liquid-cooled diesel
Power output
240 hp at 2.400 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 4 forward
Fuel
280 L
Mobility
Speed
60 km/h on road
35 km/h off road
9 - 10 km/h afloat
Range
450 - 500 km on road
320 - 350 km in the field
Power to weight ratio
29.3 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
Variable, 0.10 to 0.45 m
Wall
0.7 m
Trench
2.5 m
Gradient
32°
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Aluminum
Armor thickness
15 mm at 78° upper hull front
15 mm at 50° lower hull front
10 mm hull sides and rear
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, for driver and gunner
Fire control
VPK-1-42 or BPK-2-42-01 gun sight
PZU-5 or PZU-8 anti-aircraft sight
Radio
1x R-173

Subcomponents

30mm Shipunov 2A42

The main armament of the BMD-2 is the 30mm 2A42 autocannon.

Read more about 30mm Shipunov 2A42

7.62mm PKT

A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted as coaxial machine gun in the turret.

Read more about PKT

9M113 Konkurs

The 9P135M pedestal mounted anti-tank guided missile launcher is able to fire the long range 9M113 Konkurs (NATO: AT-5 Spandrel) and shorter range 9M111 Fagot (NATO: AT-4 Spigot) anti-tank missiles.

Read more about 9K113 Konkurs

Related articles

BMD-1

The BMD-2 uses a similar hull to the BMD-1, but uses a new and different turret. Whereas the BMD-1 reused the turret of the BMP-1, the turret of the BMD-2 is a custom design.

Read more about BMD-1

BMD-3

The BMD-3 was developed as a larger and more capable vehicle than the earlier BMD-1 and BMD-2. The more spacious design came at the cost of a higher weight and larger dimensions.

Read more about BMD-3