The Kurganmashzavod machinery plant, part of russian JSC NPO High Precision Systems (Rostec subsidiary), is working on the integration of minidrones with the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, the holding's press center announced.
The integration of drones into the BMP-3 is outsourced to specialists from JSC Special Design Bureau of Transport Mechanical Engineering. As of today, the progress is on the stage of coordinating "organizational decisions and a plan-schedule of joint works."
Read more: Ukrainian Forces Capture the BMP-3 Vehicle, Uncover Surprising Features of russian IFV (Video)
Based on the results of standard procedures, a decision will be made if mini drones should be introduced into the design documentation of the armored weapons and equipment, the message reads.
The russians have not yet revealed what kind of drones they want to equip their BMP-3 with. Considering that it's about mini drones, the manufacturer probably considers reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles.
In general, this kind of upgrade is quite simply tested right on the battlefield, and it should be. Theoretically, UAVs integrated with armored units can provide crews with enhanced opportunities for conducting preliminary reconnaissance in a 1–2 km range.
At the same time, there's a reference to take lessons from. Some Western companies have already mulled over a few concepts of armor with remote eyes, for example, Rheinmetall once demonstrated the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle with a turret supporting multiple types of UAVs.
Among them was the Black Hornet nano drone, it even has a special launch platform where each unit is kept in one of four cells, easily deployed from inside the combat vehicle. This mini-heliport was designed to be compatible with a wide range of armored and mechanized vehicles.
Read more: The First Reviews of the Black Hornet Nano Drone In the Armed Forces of Ukraine: What Tasks Most Applicable For It
