| BMD-3 | |
| Origin: | Soviet Union |
| Type: | Airborne infantry fighting vehicle |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Service: | 1990 – present |
| Manufacturer: | Volgograd Tractor Factory |
| Number: | 137 |
| Variants: | BMD-4, 2S25 Sprut-SD |
| Weight: | 12.9 tonnes |
| Suspension: | Hydroneumatic with variable height control, |
| Speed: | off-road: water: |
| Primary Armament: | 2A42 30mm autocannon with coaxial 7.62mm PK machine gun, 9K11 or 9M111 ATGMs from turret mounted launcher |
| Secondary Armament: | Bow-mounted AGS-17 Plamya 30 mm automatic grenade launcher and 5.45-mm RPK machine-gun |
| Armour: | Turret: Steel Hull: Aluminium alloy |
| Engine: | 2V-06-2 water-cooled diesel |
| Crew: | 3 (+4 passengers) |
| Engine Power: | 450 hp |
| Pw Ratio: | 34 hp/ton |
The BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta , Russian "Боевая Машина Десанта", literally "Combat Vehicle of the Airborne") is a light infantry fighting vehicle originating in the Soviet Union that is fully amphibious and air-droppable with crew inside. It is intended to be used by airborne and air assault units. It is not an upgraded BMD-1 but a completely redesigned vehicle with a hydropneumatic suspension, new hull, a more powerful 2V-06-2 diesel engine and fitted with the complete turret of the BMP-2.[1]
Even before the start of the BMD-2's production, a new model of airborne infantry fighting vehicle was already envisaged by the Soviet military planners. This new type would first replace the BMD-1, and later the BMD-2. Two configurations were considered: one using the same armament as the future BMP-3, and another equipped with the BMP-2's turret. The latter option was chosen, because it would allow for a lighter vehicle (12.5 tonnes, compared to 18 tonnes for the other one). Six Object 950 prototypes were built in 1985 and 1986. The vehicle was manufactured at the Volgograd Tractor Factory in Volgograd, starting in 1990, the last year before the fall of the Soviet Union. While orders for several hundreds of BMD-3s were originally planned, the poor financial situation of the 1990s resulted in severe reductions of these orders. Only 137 BMD-3s were manufactured, with production stopping in 1997. The BMD-3 may not be in service anymore, or only with a very limited amount of vehicles.[1]
While still intended to be transported and airdropped by transport aircraft, the BMD-3 is bigger and heavier than its predecessors.
The BMD-3 is operated by three crew members. The driver is situated in the hull, while the gunner and the commander are in the turret. Thanks to its bigger size, the BMD-3 can carry up to seven dismounts, compared to five for the BMD-2. They are located around the turret basket. If the vehicle is intended to be airdropped, its capacity falls to four dismounts.
The BMD-3 has the same turret as the BMP-2.
The BMD-3 is armed with one stabilised 30 mm 2A42 autocannon with 500 rounds, with elevation angles up to 75°, and one coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. It also has a 9P135M missile launcher for 9K111 Fagot and 9M113 Konkurs ATGMs. An RPK-74 5.45 mm machine gun is placed on the right-hand side of the hull, while an AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher is placed on the left-hand side.
The BMD-3 is powered by a 450 hp 2V-06-2 engine. Its maximum speed is 70 km/h on roads, and 45 km/h cross-country. The BMD-3 is amphibious, with a maximum speed of 10 km/h on water. A new parachute system was specifically designed for the BMD-3, in order to cope with its higher weight.