BTR-90

The development of the BTR-90 was carried out at the Arzamas Machine Building Plant (AMZ), a subsidiary of the Military Industrial Company. Development commenced in the early 1990s, with the first prototype completed and displayed to the public in 1994. The vehicle was intended to be used by mechanized units of the Russian Ground Forces, as well as marine units of the Russian Navy, as a vehicle for providing fire support, transportation of personnel, surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrolling tasks. A wide range of vehicles suiting various requirements can be developed on the BTR-90 chassis. The vehicle is designed to be highly mobile and maneuverable in all terrains, while providing a high level of protection for its crew and passengers. The BTR-90 is fitted with a gun turret identical to the one used on the BMP-2. ==Description==

The BTR-90 has a pointed nose, somewhat similar to that of the LAV-25. The hull is made of welded steel armour plate, and is slightly larger and higher than the BTR-80, from which it is developed. A turbocharged, liquid-cooled, multi-fuel diesel engine is used, which can develop 510 bhp. The vehicle has eight-wheel drive and has an automatic, reversible hydro-mechanical transmission, which is capable of providing different speeds to each side of the vehicle. It has duplicated electrical and compressed air engine start systems. The wheels use an independent torsion-bar suspension, and the traverse arms have high-capacity telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers. Optionally, a BPK-M thermal imaging sight can be fitted in this compartment as the gunner's sight. The driver is located somewhat in the middle of the hull, just in front of the turret. The troop compartment is located behind the driver's position and the turret. The engine compartment is at the rear of the hull. Hatches are provided on the top of the turret and hull, and side doors are available in the middle of the vehicle. These are designed to allow quick dismounting and boarding of troops even while the vehicle is on the move. The eight wheels are located in two sets, with two pairs at the front of the hull and two pairs at the rear. Split-side doors are located between these two sets of wheels. The two forward pairs of wheels use power steering. Capabilities and features The BTR-90 is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 100 km/h and has cross-country driving ability comparable to that of tracked vehicles, with an average speed of 50 km/h. The vehicle is fully amphibious and can negotiate water obstacles without any preparation. Two water jet propellers power the vehicle in water. In water, it can achieve a maximum speed of 9 km/h. It can enter and be deployed from amphibious assault ships from the water. The BTR-90 can be deployed by truck, rail, water, and air transportation means. Its hydro-mechanical transmission helps to increase its maneuverability by providing different speeds to each side of the vehicle. This allows the BTR-90 to have a low turning radius of 6 m. When turning with only the front four wheels, it has a turning radius of 14 m. It can cross up to 2.1 m wide trenches and can negotiate 60% gradients, 30% side slopes, and 0.8 m vertical steps. All the weapons are mounted on the turret and are assisted by a fire control system. The fire control system allows the weapons to be used while the vehicle is moving, and in all weather conditions. The turret can be traversed 360 degrees with an elevation range of −5 to +75 degrees. The vehicle's weaponry allows it to engage targets at ranges up to 4 km. Helicopters and fortifications can be engaged at ranges up to 2.5 km. In addition to the vehicle's weapons, its occupants have the ability to fire their weapons through available firing ports and hatches, increasing its firepower. ==Variants==

A prototype designated BTR-90M was built with a larger turret derived from the BMP-3, mounting a coaxial low-velocity 2A70 100mm rifled gun/missile launcher system (which can fire conventional shells or laser beam-riding 9M117 anti-tank missiles (ATGM), such as AT-10 Stabber), a 30mm Shipunov 2A72 cannon, and a 7.62mm PKT machine gun. The BTR-90M was first displayed publicly in 2001 and is not currently in service. Another variant of the BTR-90 was produced with the low-pressure 120 mm 2S9 Nona weapon, as with the BTR-80 Nona-SVK. ==Service history==

Limited numbers have been produced and are in service with the National Guard of Russia. In October 2011, the Ministry of Defence refused to buy the BTR-90 and did not include it in the list of the state program of armament until 2020, and waived exports for the BTR-90. Subsequently, the Russian army chose to assemble a large number of BTR-82A. The combat effectiveness has already increased significantly, and it is derived from the BTR-80. The development cost for BTR-82A is omitted, and the production cost is cheaper, making the less advanced BTR-90 even less likely to change its fate. The 2015 Moscow Victory Parade exposed the next-generation VPK-7829 Bumerang wheeled armoured vehicle, and officially announced that the BTR-90 program could no longer be resurrected. On October 13, 2023, a video was posted on X (formerly Twitter) showing a BTR-90 operating in what is believed to be near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast area in Ukraine. On December 11, 2023, a video was posted on X showing the first visually confirmed Russian loss of a BTR-90, abandoned by the Russians in the Avdiivka sector. ==Gallery==

File:TB2015ExhibitionP1-20.jpg|BTR-90 front File:BTR-90 (1).jpg|BTR-90 right front File:BTR-90 (9).jpg|BTR-90 top forward from turret File:TB2015ExhibitionP1-24.jpg|BTR-90 right rear ==See also==