russian Kurganmashzavod armor plant has started testing a prototype of an infantry fighting vehicle with designation B-18, which is basically a modified BMP-2 equipped with the TKB-973 "Epoha" unmanned combat module.
The information comes from russian "Center for analysis of strategies and technologies" and photos available in open sources.
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The russians from the Center assume that the Epoha module installed on this prototype has "simplified" configuration, lacks some sensors and fire control systems, and without the launchers for small "Bulat" missiles. Instead of the latter, it is equipped with "Kornet" anti-tank missile launchers and the original 57mm automatic gun.
The presentation of the russian IFV project under the "B-18" index took place during the "Army-2017" forum, but it took a while since this combat vehicle was "incarnated in metal" for the first time – it happened only in the fall of 2022. Quite likely, russian defense ministry wants to resume the production of the BMP-2 at Kurganmashzavod in this particular version B-18. The ministry revealed these plans in August 2022, as noted by the russian outlet.
In 2020, the russian army received an experimental batch of 12 BMP-3 units, also equipped with the Epoha module, designated with B-19 index. Three B-19 vehicles were displayed by the russian military during the Zapad-2021 exercises.
Bragging about the new "one-of-a-kind" technology, the russians said the Epoha module is supposedly equipped with an "automated enemy search and recognition system", which in turn is supposedly able to "give recommendations to the vehicle’s crew on the use of attack channels", i.e. 57-mm guns or small Bulat missiles.
But despite the bravado, surprisingly, the russian army has not tried using these "wunderwaffes", namely BMP-3 with Epoha module, against the Armed Forces of Ukraine in real battle yet.
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