“Marten” – His Companion “Leopard”

“Marten” – His companion “Leopard”

In 1955, ten years after the defeat of Nazi Germany, West Germany was admitted to membership of NATO and has received a carte blanche in the development of its armed forces and military industry. By this time the German military experts have done a great job on the synthesis and evaluation of the experience of the Second World War. Thus, E. Mideldorf in the book “The tactics of the Russian campaign (1956) has identified the following image machines for mechanized infantry:” APC must not only armored vehicles … Need a fighting machine that is as cross-tank. This can only be only tracked vehicle, with its high speed – about 70 km / h, good acceleration capability and high mobility … needs to frontal armor BTR protected from fire anti-tank guns, and board and aft – to fire anti-tank guns and shell fragments. weight reduction. .. can be achieved by giving the body the sleek … It should take into account the need to conduct surveillance and the possibility of a circular firing from behind … BTR for infantry should have a heavy machine gun, adapted for firing at the ground and air targets. In addition to two seats in the cabin, you must have a military department for 8 people … as well as airborne weapons and other heavy weapons … It goes without saying that APCs should be equipped with the latest radio equipment, night vision devices and equipment for the production of smoke screens . By carefully considered and options for action on such infantry with tanks and APCs alone. This program coincides with the views of the military leadership of Germany.

In the first period of construction of the Bundeswehr (1955 – 1958 gg.) On its armament consisted mostly obsolete foreign BTR – English “Universal” and the American M3. In 1957, the Department of Military Equipment Department of Defense has formulated requirements for the new system armored. In addition to “standard” tank, it became a family of armored fighting vehicles, including APCs with tool support. In accordance with these requirements, the Swiss firm of Hispano-Suiza has developed in 1958, APC HS-30. His weight was 14.6 tons, up to 51 km / h, range 270 km, arms – 20-mm automatic gun HSS-820 from the same company with dual power supply (high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds) in a closed tower. In addition to the driver and gunner, he could accommodate six troopers and fitted with a radio station. Body armor with a thickness of up to 30 mm could not pressurize. Tilt front hull plates – 55 °, on-board – 35 °. It claimed the protection of the frontal projection of the fire 20-mm cannon, side-by 12.7-mm machine guns. HS-30 adopted the Bundeswehr in 1959 under the symbol SPW “lange” ( “long”, as opposed to “short” Intelligence SP1A “Hotchkiss”).

This event coincided with changes in the structure and organization of ground forces of the Bundeswehr, implemented during the second phase of its construction (1959 – 1962 gg.). The traditional distinction between the type of troops has been replaced by dividing by the type of troops and kinds of weapons. Already formed and formed the division were transferred to the brigade organization, with tanks and infantry brigades were reduced together. Mechanized infantry brigade consisted of one mechanized infantry battalion (BCH) on APCs, two of the BCH on the cars and one tank battalion (TB); Armored Brigade – two TB and one of the BCH on APC. Each BCH had 54 BTR HS-30. In the offensive, or motorized infantry to counterattack with tanks, APCs should have been “armored spearhead,” with its front attack on the machines was assumed 1,5-2 times higher than in the dismounted orders.

In 1963 an important event in the development of armored fighting vehicles of Germany – has been adopted main battle tank “Leopard”. In 1964 he appeared on the motorized infantry flying American M113 APC (MTW), designed for warfare in a high tempo, with the rushing water hazards on the move. By the beginning of 1967 14 tank battalions were transferred to tanks on the M47 “Leopard”. In motorized infantry brigade was already two BCH on APC and only one on cars. Last gradually disappeared from the combat troops – in the early 70’s infantry on the car remains only in the territorial units, and after the reorganization of the latter in 1981 – 1983. virtually disappeared. But APC HS-30 could not solve the problem of interaction with tanks “Leopard” for the speed to 70 km / h, and its capacity was less than the number of mechanized offices – 10 people. Meanwhile, charter HDV 100 / 1 “Driving Forces” states that “only close interaction of tanks and infantry on the battlefield provides the greatest success.”

In parallel with the tank “Leopard” (draft Standart) was under development infantry fighting vehicle project Neu – “new” for joint action. Moreover, consistent not only fighting properties of the tank and infantry combat vehicles, but also issues of maintenance. BMP designed the same firm that created the “Leopard” – “Reynshtal-Ganomag” (during the Second World “Ganomag” produced BTR Sd.Kfz.251) and “Reynshtal-Henschel (well known for its tank” Tiger “). Develop BMP took 9 years. The first samples were shown in 1960 – 1961 gg., All the same built and tested 23 prototypes, which differ in layout and installation of armament. The final version was selected in 1966 (M1966 Neu), and in early May 1969, BMP presented at the firing range Munster military leadership, including the Inspector-General of the Army FRG Lieutenant Shnetsa and Inspector of Armored Forces, Major-General Guderian – the son of Heinz Guderian, more in the 30 years justify the need for motorized infantry support tanks. The car was named “Marder (Marten) – Germans continued the tradition of the second world examples to give the names of the armored predatory animals. On the production has allocated 1.8 billion marks. The general contractor was chosen “Reynshtal AG – Transporttehnik” in Kassel, the second company became “IAC Mashinbau” in Kiel. Production began in late 1969 and was conducted on two assembly lines with an average rate of 55 units per month. Until 1975, the company released respectively in 1159 and 977 infantry combat vehicles.

Layout “Marder” is designed to provide maximum protection for the crew and landing, the most convenient and secure speshivanie and landing in combat conditions. MTO is located on the right front, left of it – place the driver behind him – fighting compartment with a rotating double tower. It is located on the right commander of the machine (he is commander of the department with the rank of noncommissioned officer), the left – the gunner. In the tower is located troop compartment, which holds six of the seven-person shooters to the sides of three in a row, and seventh (the commander of an amphibious group, non-commissioned officer) sits on the axis of the machine back on course and operates a machine-gun fodder. For the landing and landing is a stern flap door-ramp with hydraulic drive and four round hatch in the roof of the troop compartment. Behind the mechanics of the driver has a spare seat with his upper hatch and periscopic vision device. It can accommodate a company commander or battalion (on the commander’s vehicle), the gunner on the march (for driver assistance in monitoring), or a member of the crew emerged from BMP system.

For the main armament made by the chosen scheme set – on a tower on a massive low-profile bracket reinforced closed rotating in a vertical plane armored carriage. In it an automatic 20-mm gun Mk20 DM5 Rh202 “Rheinmetall, and right above it – 7,62 mm machine gun MG3A1. The gun has automatic disqualification from the powder gases, is equipped with a flame arrester; food – tape, with the filing elektrokonveyerom shots from the tower. The gun is designed to meet the challenges of combating open and legkozaschischennoy infantry, armored vehicles and air targets, so the ammunition (1250 rounds) is composed of shots from the armor-piercing and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles. When the initial velocity of 1300 m / s Armor-piercing discarding the shell breaks at distances up to 1000 m thick armor and 20 mm at an angle of meeting 60 °. Technical maximum rate-1000 rds / min. Elevation +65 °, declination -10 °. The height of the line of fire-2715 mm. The fire at ground targets is at a distance of up to 1500 m, on the air – up to 300 m. The effective range of lightly armored targets – 600 – 800 m. The machine gun is a variant of a single MG3 (the development of MG-42 since World War II), with rate of up to 1300 rds / min. Remote control of a cannon and machine guns – electromechanical. The turning mechanism tower – electro-hydraulic and mechanical. The commander and gunner have the same means of fire control (except for backup mechanical drive vertical lay a gunner), periscopic podsvetochnye night and day sights PERI-Z11 (PERI-Z11A1) with 2 – and 6-fold increase. Prisms sights associated with gun parallelogram drive and installed in parallel, so that the commander can control the tip-off weapons and enter an adjustment. Remotely install weapons to solve the problem with the ejection of empty cartridge cases (when placing it inside the tower would require a special gilzosbornik). To the left of the tower was mounted RPG “Karl Gustav” or 44-1A1 with a range up to 1000 m, but the firing from the required stop, exit grenade launcher firers of the car and removing RPG with attachment. Above the landing force commander’s hatch on a special armored carriage turning the second set MG3 machine gun with a mechanical remote control and periscope sight. Peculiar return to the “many” pattern is associated with the desire to ensure BMP maximum possible firepower and a circular firing for battle in the depths of the enemy defenses. Remote-controlled feeding machine with a relatively large sector of fire of 160 °, the angle of elevation to +60 ° and -15 ° declination can fire on the troops – fighter tanks in the rear and sides of the sector, can be used for shooting at low-flying air targets. Overall ammunition guns BMP “Marder” – 5000 rounds. The landing can fire their weapons through ball set, allowing the fire in the sector ± 20 ° elevation angles of declination +25 ° and -20 °. Glass eye makes it possible to conduct aimed fire at a distance of 100 m from the floor and up to 50 m in motion. Limit the number of installations on board provides two riflemen shooting conditions without serious interference from the neighbor. For BMP conventional infantry branch individual weapons of the crew and landing includes five 7.62-mm assault rifle G3, five 9-mm submachine guns MP2 (Uzi Belgian), two 9-mm pistol P-1, 18 hand grenades. In another embodiment office on BMP armed with an RPG (44-mm 44-1A1 or Lyantse “, and later – 67-mm” Armbrust “), a single 7.62-mm machine gun MG3, seven rifles, G3 (one of them — with an optical sight), three pistols, machine guns, MP-2 and two pistols R-1.

Armor “Marder” welded from rolled steel armor. The effectiveness of body armor is increased at large inclination angles sheets – the slope of the upper windshield is 75 °. The frontal armor thickness of about 30 mm protects against weapons fire up to 20 mm (gun, Oerlikon or Rh202, similar to the arming itself “Marder”), on-board – from small arms, fragments of shells and mines. The sides of the machine are covered with rubber mounted protivokumulyativnymi screens reinforced light steel frame. At the tower, left of the gun carriage, set a block of six 76-mm smoke grenade launchers, firing volleys of 3 is grenades. Protection from weapons of mass destruction, provides the sealing body and FVU capacity of 3 cubic meters per minute, creating excess pressure inside the machine. Dome FVU is located on the roof of the troop compartment between the hatches. When the crew and landing can be found inside the machine up to 24 hours.

In the engine-transmission compartment installed four-cylinder V-diesel multi-MV833 Ea-500 Daimler-Benz turbocharged. Power 600 hp at 2200 rpm, the compression ratio – 19,5. In the combat and troop compartment are three fuel tanks with total capacity of 652 liters. This is enough for 520 km of movement on the highway, and on good roads in Germany – up to 600 km. Lubrication – Dry sump. Radiator cooling fan made of stern machine and installed on each side of the door, and the ventilation system constructively combined with gas-engine system. Intake system includes a bunker “Cyclone” pre-cleaning filter with an oil bath and the packing of the wire rubbish. There is an ejector for suction of dust from the exhaust system.

Hydromechanical transmission HSWL-194 “Renk” installed in front of the engine, includes the hydrodynamic and hydrostatic gearbox transformer mounted in a single block. Transmission, planetary with torque converter at the input and the mechanism of the reverse. Available torque converter reduces the load on the parts and components of the transmission, but it has low efficiency, provides additional heat dissipation and reduces the range, so it is included only for pick-up from their seats, the poor road conditions and shifting, and the rest is blocked. PPC provides 4 forward and back, switching is performed electro-hydraulic actuator. Airborne transmission includes a number of planetary and a cylindrical gear. It should be noted that the planetary gear rotation quite traditional for Germans tank. Management – the steering wheel of a car. Double disc brakes with hydro-pneumatic driven pedal or mechanically by levers. Pedal drive is made so that the initial pressing includes hydrobrake PPC, and then-board of the brake. Stepless rotation mechanism allows smooth enough to change the turning radius of the machine. Torque converter, planetary steering servo and greatly facilitate the work of the driver. Controls interlocked so as to prevent the wrong sequence of actions, and on the control panel has a light display, showing the correctness of the operations and condition of the air cleaner that could prevent an emergency stop of the engine.

The engine with the transmission form a single unit, over which the upper front of the compartment made a big hatch with a hinged lid. Combined with quick couplings of shafts and piping it allows you to replace a block in 30 minutes from an office staff of repair platoon. Most of the serviced units and units located in the upper part of the engine under the hatch. To start the winter in the cooling system given device heating the engine, gearbox and steering capacity of 12 200 kcal / h. Operation in winter time in general paid much attention – in the cooling system uses a mixture of all-weather anti-corrosion additive, fighting and troop offices are equipped with air heating system, the separation of management – elektrootopitelnoy installation.

Chassis includes six road wheels on board and three support rollers. Rollers and castors – twin shaft. Pendant individual torsion, 1 -, 2 -, 5-and 6-th wheels fitted with hydraulic double-acting telescopic shock absorbers with a compensation chamber. On the boards there are stops for the balancing wheels with buffers. Driving wheel front location. Melkozvenchataya caterpillar firm “Dil” – lantern meshing with a comb and rubber joints. Alloy steel tracks are the outer and inner rubber running tracks, and the outer rubber boots in the winter can be replaced snegozatsepami. Length of bearing surface is 3900 mm, width 450 mm tracks, track-2620 mm. Standard turning radius-3, 8 pm Specific power engine 21,3 hp / ton, the effective transmission and chassis, easy management provide “Marder” good tactical mobility.

Communication facilities include two radio stations SEM-25 firms SEL and TPU. With a power of 15 W and 2.5-m whip antenna range radio communication at sredneperesechennoy area – up to 35 km. There is also an additional radio EM-25. Each of the four users of the communication system uses headphones, Throat microphone and switching device (control panel) to an amplifier. The latter would allow and internal communications. Antenna inputs are made in the top sheet of the case behind the driver and on the roof of the troop compartment at the sides. With the help of remote telephone device and the three-kilometer cable can be negotiated and at a distance from the car, while in the defense, patrol or ambush.

In Germanic tradition, “Marder” abundantly supplied with monitoring devices. Driver-mechanic but three prismatic block has a removable podsvetochny PNV, who works at a distance of up to 50 m. At the march, he uses two folding rear-view mirror. Along the perimeter turrets captain found 8 inspection blocks. Available Gunner three prismatic block mounted on the left side of the tower at the junction with its roof. Each arrow – a prism observation unit. On the left side gun carriage on a special bar enhanced infrared lamp and white light, acting respectively at a distance of up to 800 and up to 1000 m. The two lights installed in front of a frontal sheet. At the stern strengthened reflectors and marker lights. The latter are arranged so that the degree of their distinguishability driver overtaking car was able to determine the distance to march at night or in fog.

“Marder” manned air-conditioning and fire fighting equipment with two cylinders fire twice – the first turn on a signal from temperature sensors, the second from the manual switch on the dashboard control. Power electrical machines – from the generator output of 9 kW and six batteries with total capacity of 300 Ah, the voltage on-board network – 24 V. At the lower front of the compartment and aft tow hooks are available with locks on rear door – strap-rail to facilitate the landing. Boxes ZIP attached to the stern on both sides of the door. On the sides of the shell is attached entrenching tools, tow ropes, tarpaulins, on the lid of the hatch MTO – camouflage net.

The degree of sealing the case allows no training to overcome a ford deep as 1.5 m. In order to overcome a deep fords required special equipment, which includes a removable shaft for the air intake grille, a check valve exhaust system, pumping-out pumps in the logistics and the fighting compartment. Although largely account has been placed on operational guidance crossings engineering units, the issue of overcoming the BMP deep water obstacles raised from the outset, and discussed two options – a movement like a tank, the bottom or the creation of complete plant for making car buoyancy. Studies have shown the unsuitability of the first method, and the attention focused on the set of hinged floats. It used the results of 30-ies of the movable pontoons for the tank Pz.ll. The first prototypes of BMP supplied rigid pontoons made of aluminum or plastic, but they are easily deformed during the motion and proved cumbersome. They were replaced by a set of inflatable floats – two on-board and the bow, made from the same durable material as the demining of the boat. Onboard float is divided into four compartments and is fixed seven semi-circular steel bracket, covering it from above. Sami brackets to the board for the staples that are used to sample protivokumulyativnyh screens. As the center of gravity of the machine is shifted forward, he needed a bow float-stabilizer. It is covered by a light volnootboynym shield in the form of a tubular frame covered with plastic, fastening of the tow hooks and continues to a lower front sheet. Pumping up the floats made sapper centrifugal compressor. Kit, complete with equipment to overcome the deep fords, provides entry into the water at an angle of 40 °, movement through the winding tracks at speeds of up to b km / h at the situation the waterline of 350 mm below the roofs of the case and the possibility of fire afloat. Total weight of kit – 516 lbs. In addition, “Marder” can carry on the case of ready-made large inflatable boats, 10 people (inflated boat fastened to the roof of the troop compartment or placed on the tower), or attacking the motor flat-bottomed boat on a simple folding frame. In marine landing operations “Marder” can be delivered to the bank LST 520 class boat type “Stohr” – the machine leaves the boat near the shore with equipment to overcome the fords.

“Marder was adopted for three years after the Soviet BMP-1 and was the first foreign BMP. The rest of the Western countries have adopted their designs much later. “Marder” turned out not only the most secure, but also the most difficult among serial BMP – weight 28,2 t compare with the average weight of the tank, according to the classification of the end of the Second World War.

It is easy to notice a significant difference between the concept of two actual contemporary of-West “Marder” and the Soviet BMP-1, although they were created to deal with similar problems and even had the same decision on the layout, location of the crew and landing, almost equal to the capacity, specific engine power and mobility . BMP-1 with a weight of 13t have easy booking, security increased unless a large angle of inclination of front hull plates and low (1 m lower than the “Marder”) silhouette. Thus BMP-1 is able to move, without preparation to overcome water obstacles. Its basic armament – 73-mm smoothbore gun 2A28 “Grom” and ATGM 9K111 “Baby” – is a clear “anti” in nature and is designed more for self-BMP from tanks and armored vehicles at distances up to 1000m, and not for fire support of landing. “Anti” opportunities BMP-1 have tried to raise bringing the number of loopholes for the assault weapons (including two light machine guns) to 9, the same shooting air targets was provided only from the Ammunition MANPADS “Strela-2″. In the “Marder”, in contrast, focused on the protection and the possibility of movement of the tanks in the battle in a single order of battle. Weapons designed to fire on enemy troops, light armored vehicles, and also served to defend themselves against enemy aircraft. The destruction of enemy tanks was assigned to the main tanks, self-propelled 90-mm antitank guns “Yagdpantser” and anti-tank missile systems.

High security in line with Germany’s views on the requirements for BMP, but was a noticeable reduction aerotransportabelnosti and inability to overcome swim water obstacles without any special training. This prompted to save a mechanized infantry battalions, brigades on floating APCs. In addition, “Marder” worth several times more expensive armored personnel carriers and only slightly cheaper than a tank. If the value of HS-30 in 1960 prices amounted to 300 thousand marks, the value of “Marder” in 1970 to 900 thousand was cut operating costs. One such measure was to raise the qualifications of technical training in the selection of crews and the intensification of the course. The service life of the machine in the armed forces in peacetime – 15 years. Delivery BMP “Marder” in troops began in October 70 th, and instructions and manuals on it, made the manufacturers, were released earlier in the year, in order to ensure the early preparation of crews and maintenance staff. In the system of logistics in advance of the Bundeswehr was created fund units and assemblies. Storage tanks and BMP was organized with tucked tanks and charged batteries so that the re-activation and embattled occupy no more than 3 hours.

“Marder, its layout and design have attracted wide attention and in many ways proved to be decisive in the development of foreign BMP. The ideas laid down in the “Marder”, appeared in the American development program MICV. A Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army General Dzh.Polk, worried about the delay of American works even offered to buy the German BMP. The Swiss firm Mowag, participated in developing the “Marder” at an early stage, used elements of its design in its BMP “Typhoon”. “Typhoon” – development of BTR Pirate-18 “- had a similar solution for body armor, armed with 20-mm automatic cannon and machine-gun fodder with remote control, similar to” Marder “. However, and “Typhoon”, and its modification “Tornado” with two stern guns were never experienced. An attempt to add weapons in the turret remotely controlled machine guns were also made in the Soviet pilot BMP “Object 680″ and “Object 769″.

On the chassis Marder “created a whole family of armored vehicles: a self-propelled 120-mm mortar, command post vehicle, mobile artillery observation post, a self-propelled artillery surveillance radar” Zenda “, BREM for infantry battalions. It was expected that this will reduce the costs of production and operation, but all these machines were experienced – in particular, for self-propelled mortar preferred chassis M113. French firm Thomson-CSF “developed on the chassis” Marder “30-mm paired ZSU” Dragon “. In 1976, the armament of the Bundeswehr adopted a self-propelled SAM Roland-2, equipped with radar detection, radar target tracking and missile launchers and two SAM. Roland-2 mass production from 1978. At the same time the firm of Thyssen-Henschel (Kassel) is based on the “Marder” for Argentina’s prototype 30-ton medium tank TAM (Tanque Argentine Mediano) with a crew of 4 persons, 105mm gun Rh105-30 and two 7,62 -mm machine guns. TAM was adopted for the Argentine army in 1979 and was issued by the Argentine company TAMSE. In turn, he served as the basis for a family of armored vehicles, including BMP VCTP with the crew of 2 persons and a landing 10 people, armed with a 20-mm automatic cannon, two 7.62-mm machine guns, one of which is installed in the rear part of the turret with remote control (type “Marder”). Simultaneously, Thyssen-Henschel “for sale in the third world countries has developed on the basis of” Marder “tank CN 301 (TAM-4), but with MSA firm AEG-” Telefunken “and 750-horsepower engine.

In the mid-70 was tested component Tower LWT-3 for BMP “Marder, stabilized in three planes, with the same 20-mm cannon. She maintained a horizontal position while driving on any terrain and any speed, but its design was too complicated and vulnerable. At BMP chassis designed and gunfire support with machine gun from 75 to 120 mm (with an automatic loader). In the early 80’s chassis “Marder” tested a Swedish made by the installation of 105-mm tank gun L51, the 1983 – French tower FL-15, and in 1985 – the tower FL-20 with 105-mm cannon 105G1 and 20 — mm F2. These studies also did not come from the experimental stage. In the mid-80’s “Marder” was considered as a possible landing gear for the long-range anti-tank systems with the deployment of IP on a lifting platform.

In September 1979, began upgrading BMP “Marder” ( “Marder” A1), aimed primarily at increasing firepower. The experience of the exercises showed the need for a mechanized infantry anti-tank systems in the department. Therefore, on the right side of the tower A1 installed one of the best second-generation anti-tank systems – AC Milan of Franco-Germanic development with semi-automatic guidance system with ammunition from 4 ATGM. ATGM mounted on a tower with its regular sight, remote control, equipment tracking, power supply and machine with the folded tripod. ATGM has a powder starter and boosters, a folding wing. Container PTUR after launch discarded gases by 3 m ago. ATGM diameter – 116 mm, length -755 mm, weight – 6,7 kg, the caliber of the cumulative warheads – 103 mm, armor – 550 mm, speed of flight – 200 m / s, the maximum effective range – 2000 m, minimum – 25 m flight time at maximum range of-13. Choose a light anti-tank systems with a range of up to 2000 m was associated with the terms of the Central European theater, the defensive nature of these weapons for infantry combat vehicles, as well as the possibility of its use outside the car. For firing anti-tank systems with a machine commander has to stick out of the hatch. For the gun entered the power-band with a rapid transition from one type of munition to another and upgraded tiling. Ammunition was increased to 1,284 rounds – 317 and 967 armor-piercing incendiary-explosive fragmentation (of which 117 and 417 – in the tower). Podsvetochny gunner’s sight was replaced by a passive type of amplifier is less sensitive to illumination by searchlights and flares fired. Because of the increased mass of the tower mechanism of rotation was replaced by more powerful. Weight BMP increased to 30 tons

The modernization program was calculated up to December 1982 and was estimated at 300 million marks. Upgrading and Repairing BMP produced at the plant “Keller und Knappeh” in Augsburg, overhaul since 1975, engaged in “Industriverke Saar (g.Freyzen) and Flensburger Fartsoygbau” (city of Flensburg).

“Marder” A1 differed night vision equipment: 674 BMP brought to the modification of the A1 (+), which included thermal imaging surveillance device – teplopelengator, 350 – up to A1 (-) without such a device, but with the possibility of easy installation in the Army, and the remaining 1112-up A1A, do not imply such a system. Device with teplopelengatorom PNZBG-WOF is capable of detecting a tank or armored vehicle at a distance of up to 2000 m, that in 1,5 – 2 times larger than the PNV amplifier type.

Immediately after the first upgrade was planned for the new, providing increased cannon armament and the installation of infrared night vision devices. To replace the 20-mm cannon was set up 25-mm automatic Mk-25E “Mauser” in-band power. It was supposed to increase booking additional armor a total mass of about 3 tons, to install a new system dymopuska. 25-mm gun, however, was rejected, and the main armament of the German armored vehicles ( “Marder”, “Luchs”, “Weisel”) remained 20 mm Rh202. Modernization “Marder” to modify A2, which began in 1983, included the following activities:

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      installation on A1A engines combined periscope Gunner’s EMES-15, and the commander of PERI-R17 with thermal imaging channels with a range of up to 2000 m and independent stabilization of the visual field, similar sighting tank Leopard 2 “. Thus, tank and infantry fighting vehicles were able to better early detection and identification purposes in all visibility conditions;
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      the replacement of PNV elimination searchlight on the tower;
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      removal of feeding machine gun;
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      changes in design of fuel tanks;
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      modernization of the cooling system;
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      modernization of leading wheels. The development of sight-vision devices with thermal imaging channel for tanks Leopard and BMP “Marder” led to

In 1978 the firm Carl Zeiss in cooperation with the American “Tekas tool. For ATGM Milan have also introduced thermal sight Anglo-Franco-Germanic development “Mira-2″, mounted above normal. As a result of his fighting qualities, this machine came as close to the second generation of BMP.

In 1987 he adopted a program of modernization of armored Bundeswehr. In its framework started bringing BMP “Marder” A1 and A2 to the level of A3, consisting mainly of substantial increase in body armor. Because by that time had already been decided to develop a radically new BMP “Marder” 2, modification of existing “Marder” were denoted 1A1, 1A2 and 1AZ.

Hull and turret “Marder” 1AZ reinforced with additional armor installed on the bolts. Along with basic armor they create a dispersed structure, the lower front hull plates up to half the height of a “three-layered” reservation. As a result, BMP received a round protection from the shells of the Soviet 30-mm automatic cannon 2A42 type (BMP-2 and BMP-3, Mi-24P and Mi-28), the frontal part of the hull and turret – from the shells of larger caliber, and the roof — of sub-munitions. Manhole cover seats behind the driver is made flush with the armor, surveillance device spare seats removed. Air gap between the additional armor and roof logistics, as well as bronekozhuhi above the upper stern fan shutters help reduce the temperature and concealment from observation of the enemy thermal imaging devices. Additional efforts and stern door ramp.

Coaxial machine gun moved to the left side of the tower – its armored shell reinforced at the former site spotlights. As a result, simplified system of submission of ammunition and improved the commander’s vehicle. Modernized thermal sight, vision devices commander and gunner, driver night vision devices. Instead ATGM Milan can be used “Milan-2, with heavy-caliber 116 mm warheads or” Milan-2T with tandem warheads.

Along the sides of the reinforced box-section spare parts, creating additional protection, but overlapping pistol ports – according to experts, the low efficiency of these loopholes do not compensate for weakening their body armor. In the roof of the troop compartment instead of the previous five has three large hatch with hinged lid and arched rails. Both antenna input station moved to the stern. Mass “Marder” 1AZ increased to 33.5 tons, which is considered the limit for the chassis and the engine without noticeable loss of mobility. Accordingly, the change in weight and change booking engine cooling system, final drives and double disc brake mechanism of rotation. Maximum speed was reduced to 65 km / h.

Modernization held firm Thyssen-Henschel “and” KUKA “. By 1993, planned to remake 848 cars, the other-until 1998. Operation “Marder” 1AZ assumed to adopting “Marder” 2.

Carried out almost on the verge of modernization “Marder” 1AZ, according to experts of the West, did not provide firepower and protection necessary for the action of the main tanks on the modern battlefield. If in the early 70’s for security “Marder”, as its creators, was approaching the “Leopard”, then over time the gap on this indicator has become too large. Even in 1985, the Ministry of Defense announced among the priority programs of development of the new BMP “Marder” 2, the need for which was estimated at 2,500 vehicles.