Russia Develops Additional BMP-3 Variants

The Kurganmashzavod Joint Stock Company (JSC) is developing a more specialised version of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) for the Russian Army.
The unified artillery command and surveillance vehicle is based on a BMP-3 IFV hull, but has a raised roof line in the rear area to provide greater internal volume for its specific role.
To locate and identify targets for artillery and mortar units the artillery command and surveillance vehicle is fitted with a retractable mast-mounted sensor pod that includes day/night observation devices and a laser rangefinder.
This sensor package is claimed to be able to measure targets out to a maximum range of 9,000 m to an accuracy of 10 m.
Target information can be relayed to a typical artillery or mortar battery command post (CP) up to 15 km away. This then supplies target information to the weapons, which can be located up to 2.4 km from the CP.

Like the standard BMP-3 IFV, this variant is fully amphibious and is propelled through the water at a maximum speed of up to 10 km/h by two water jets located on either side at the rear of the hull.