Franken-AFVs

Originally Posted by Raellus

Russian 25mm 2M-3M naval gun emplaced on a Russian ATS-59G artillery tractor.

Oh Tovarisch! We have cannibalized too much of the Army for this war!

Well 'Tovarisch'.. have we cannibalized the Navy yet?

#RuzzianLife

[Raellus]

Another Rapira mounted atop an MTLB, this one with a wrap-around gun shield. The whole thing is somewhat reminiscent of a German Nashorn self-propelled AT gun from WW2.

[Homer]

And still no overhead cover…

[Raellus]

Rear view of the "assault APC" based on the T-64 chassis. I sure hope it keeps its "front toward enemy".

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[Raellus]

In Ukraine, UAF T-62 chassis are being converted to heavy IFVs by fitting them with BMP-2 turrets. At left is an image of a workshop where this FrankenAFV is being produced. On the right is a Algeria's version of a T-62 heavy IFC, these fitted with B05Ya01 Berezhok turrets.

[Ursus Maior]

Reportedly, Ukraine also converts some T-62s into ARVs to support its upcoming offensives.

[mpipes]

I don't see the point? Isn't a T-62 MBT more useful for offensive operations than a IFV?

[Tegyrius]

Originally Posted by mpipes

I don't see the point? Isn't a T-62 MBT more useful for offensive operations than a IFV?

Maybe they see 115mm as the .41 AE hipster caliber of tank guns.

- C.

[micromachine]

Might be a case of ammunition...the 115mm gun is not really as widespread as the 100mm or 125mm. Most of the users are not very pro West, or haver their own troubles to expend ammo on.

[Vespers War]

T-62 also has no autoloader, so they'd have to train another crew member for each tank crew. And only 42 are known to have been captured, which puts a pretty sharp limit on how many Ukraine could field (their last pre-war T-62 left service in 2000). I'm actually a little surprised they didn't all become ARVs or bridge layers (the other conversion Kharkiv had offered), since even as a HAPC they can only equip a small number of units with the vehicle.

[Raellus]

Apparently, the Ukrainians plan to use the T-62+BMP-2 Franken-AFVs as infantry support vehicles- not as heavy APCs, as first reported. That makes more sense, conceptually. It would appear that the BMPT-62's raison d'etre is similar to that of the Russians' BMPT Terminator- to provide assault infantry with direct fire support, especially during MOUT. It looks like the WW2 era assault gun concept is making a bit of a comeback.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=4f5b799684a3

Aside from the 30mm autocannon and 7.62x54mmR coax, we don't yet know if the UAF's BMPT-62s will pack any additional armament. I would reckon that they will add some sort of tube-launched ATGM, like the Algerians do with their own BMPT-62s (see post #65 for a pic), to give it the ability to take on enemy MBTs, if necessary.

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[Raellus]

This latest article calls the Ukrainian [BMPT-62] Terminator "a Frankenstein's Monster of captured Russian components." As you can see from the photo in the article, the Ukrainians have added reactive armor. I don't see an ATGM launcher yet, but that would probably be added on in one of the last stages of fitting out.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=6c30c9f15357

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[Vespers War]

Isn't the canvas bag covering the mount for the ATGM launcher? That sure looks like the area where the launcher usually is on a BMP-2 turret.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Vespers War

Isn't the canvas bag covering the mount for the ATGM launcher? That sure looks like the area where the launcher usually is on a BMP-2 turret.

On top of the turret roof? Yes, that's where BMP-2's traditionally mount an AT-5 Spandrel ATGM launcher. I'm not sure that's a canvas bag, though. It looks like an open turret roof hatch to me.

But you're right, it could be an ATGM mount. I was thinking that the Ukrainians might want to mount ATGM's on the turret sides, like the Algerian BMPT-62 in the photo upthread. AFAIK, the old roof mount required the operator to expose himself in order to launch/guide the missile. Newer systems allow the operator to remain "safely" inside the vehicle while operating the missile system. I thought that was what the Ukrainians would be going for.

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[Raellus]

This BMPT-62 looks ready to roll towards the front line. Surprisingly, I still don't see any evidence of an ATGM mount. I hope these things don't run into any Russian MBTs.

[Raellus]

This one doesn't make any sense. Raise the profile (making it a bigger target) to accommodate a few passengers? I don't think this one is going to catch on.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=7735d366318e

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[Raellus]

Here, we see a BTR-80 with UB-32 S-8 rocket pods, a MT-LB with a naval 140mm A-22 rocket launcher taken from a Zubr LCAC, and an MT-LB with improvised track side armor and twin DShK. I'd never considered it before the current conflict (does it have a name yet?), but it's interesting how many obsolete naval weapon systems the Russians have mounted to MTLBs. I reckon this is something one would see in the T2kU, as naval forces run out of fuel.

[kato13]

Yet another MTLB mod



Would not want to be on the mortar when the rocket launcher is fired.

[Homer]

Originally Posted by Raellus

Here, we see a BTR-80 with UB-32 S-8 rocket pods, a MT-LB with a naval 140mm A-22 rocket launcher taken from a Zubr LCAC, and an MT-LB with improvised track side armor and twin DShK. I'd never considered it before the current conflict (does it have a name yet?), but it's interesting how many obsolete naval weapon systems the Russians have mounted to MTLBs. I reckon this is something one would see in the T2kU, as naval forces run out of fuel.

Great thought! The tech is there to do an early version of C-RAM (essentially a ground mount 20mm phalanx that shoots HE instead of APDS) in the T2KU. If you could ensure power and ammo supply, you could even do expedient versions.

[Raellus]

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[Raellus]

The Russians are bolting RBU-60 anti-submarine rocket launchers to the backs of MTLBs.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=64178cc13917

I could easily see this happening in the Twilight War, as naval forces are whittled down by attrition and lack of fuel.