Russian company Uralvagonzavod (subsidiary of state corporation Rostec) has published video of its AU-220M 57 mm remotely controlled weapon station (RWS) mounted on the weapon station of BMP-3. The AU-220M developed by OAO Central Research Institute Burevestnik and proposed by Uralvagonzavod. The Burevestnik 57 mm main gun engages almost all types of targets on the battlefield, except for heavy ones. To hit main battle tanks and heavy field installations, the station can now optionally carry a protected bank of two ready-to-use Ataka or Khrizantema anti-tank guided missiles.
The Burevestnik AU-220M remotely controlled weapon station(RWS) not only has increased accuracy of shooting and armor penetration, but it can be controlled remotely. Such a function makes it possible to use BMP us a highly effective firing point, capable of destroying both ground and air targets. The crew in this case can completely leave the vehicle. The video demonstrates the ability of the new vehicle to hit targets with high accuracy.
The 57 mm gun, which has a range of up to 14.5 km and a firing rate of 80 rounds per minute, is coupled to an ammunition load comprising up to 80 ready-to-use air-burst, high-explosive, armour-piercing, and guided projectiles. The RWS station can fire both on-the-move, when swimming, as well as during the day and at night. The FCS controls the operations of target detection and identification, gun laying and firing of the 57mm automatic gun and 7.62mm machine-gun when firing from a halt, on the move and on the float in any combat enviroment.
The Burevestnik AU-220M is intended for both existing and advanced armoured platforms, including the Armata heavy infantry fighting vehicle (HIFV). The AU-220M combat module has already been integrated onto the Armata HIFV. Burevestnik AU-220M remotely controlled weapon station (RWS) showcased at the Defexpo 2020 defence exhibition in Lucknow, northern India, taking place on 5–9 February, 2020. It can be mounted on light and medium armored vehicles, such as BMP-3. The weapon station can be remotely controlled from a position outside the vehicle.
