The latest version of the Russian military's VPK-7829 Bumerang will roll out at the MILEX
2021 International Arms Show in Belarus, according to the state-owned arms seller Rosoboronexport,
which is part of the Russian military tech conglomerate Rostec.
The Bumerang is the latest standardized wheeled armored platform for multiservice forces to
be developed by the Russian Military-Industrial Company (MIC).
The modular amphibious wheeled infantry fighter vehicle (IFV) and armored personnel carrier
(APC) has a crew of three, including the driver, gunner, and commander, and can carry upwards
of eight passengers.
In the early 90s a BTR-90 was developed in Russia.
It had a more powerful armament, improved protection greater mobility and increased
internal volume, comparing with the previous BTR-80.
However it was not accepted to service, possibly due to funding problems.
Since 2010 Russia stopped purchasing the older BTR-80 APCs.
Currently an improved BTR-82 is being obtained as a stop-gap measure until a new vehicle
is available.
In 2011 Russian MoD issued a requirement for a modular family of armored vehicles instead
of the BTR-90.
The project is known as the Bumerang (boomerang).
A baseline vehicle is a well protected armored personnel carrier.
It was developed alongside a new-generation Kurganets tracked armored vehicle family.
The whole project was kept in high secrecy.
The new APC was revealed to Russian military officials in 2013.
During the same year first Bumerang APCs were delivered to the Russian Army for trials and
evaluation.
It was first publicly revealed in 2015.
In 2015 a handful of pre-production vehicles were delivered to the Russian armed forces.
In 2017 this APC was still being tested by its manufacturer.
It was planned that official military trials will begin in 2018.
However testing revealed that amphibious capabilities of the Bumerang had to be improved.
As a result the hull was redesigned to improve its amphibious capabilities.
Series production of this armored vehicle is constantly delayed due to funding problems
and technical difficulties.
Full-scale production of this new Russian APC could begin within the next couple of
years.
Since 2020 this armored vehicle is being proposed for export customers.
Once operational the new-generation Bumerang APC should replace a whole host of ageing
Russian armored vehicles.
The estimated requirement is for at least 2,000 wheeled armored vehicles.
The Bumerang is a clean sheet design.
It is not based on any previous Russian armored vehicle.
Actually it resembles Western designs.
A number of components and subsystems of the Bumerang are interchangeable with the Kurganets
family of tracked armored vehicles.
Engine of the Bumerang is located at the front of the hull.
Troops enter and leave the new vehicle via rear power-operated ramp with integral doors.
It is worth mentioning that a rear-mounted engine of the BTR series APCs was a significant
drawback, as troops had to leave the vehicle via side doors.
Cramped side entry and exit hatches are even worse on BTR-70 APCs, which is still in service
with the Russian Army.
If such vehicles are ambushed, troops usually have to leave it under direct enemy fire.
This new armored personnel carrier has a crew of 3, including commander, gunner and driver.
The prototype could carry 9 soldiers, though improved version could carry 8 soldiers.
Crew accommodation is comfortable due to the large hull of the Bumerang.
interestingly most other Russian armored vehicles have cramped crew compartments.
Firing ports for the troops were deleted in order not to compromise armor protection.
Vehicle has a welded hull and turret.
Its armor is modular.
Protection level can be tailored to suit mission requirements.
With maximum armor the front arc withstands hits from 30 mm cannons.
It is estimated that all-round protection with maximum armor is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing
round.
Vehicle has a V-shaped hull that deflects mine blasts away.
The Bumerang withstands blasts equivalent to 8 kg of TNT.
As usually this vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression
systems.
It has been reported that the Bumerang can be fitted with active protection system.
It has been disclosed that this armored vehicle has a payload capacity of 6 300 kg and still
retains amphibious capability.
It can carry a maximum payload of 10 700 kg, though in this case it will loose its amphibious
capability.
The Bumerang uses the same unmanned turrets as Kurganets APC and IFV.
This 8x8 armored personnel carrier comes in two basic version.
One version fitted with the same turret as used on Kurganets APC.
It is armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun.
Another version is fitted with a turret of Kurganets IFV and packs a formidable punch.
It is armed with a 30 mm cannon, coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and 4 external launchers with
Kornet-M anti-tank guided missiles.
The new APC is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine.
Two various engines were originally proposed for this vehicle.
These included a 17-liter ChTZ-Uraltrac 2V06 opposite engine, developing 450-510 hp or
YaMZ-780 inline engine with two turbochargers, developing 750 hp.
As of early 2017 it is unclear which engine will be fitted on production model.
It was planned that the same engine will be also used on Kurganets family of tracked armored
vehicles.
Though in 2020 it became clear that the YaMZ-780 diesel was selected for the Bumerang.
It is a 12.4-liter engine with two turbochargers, developing 750 hp.
This engine has engine life of 2 500 hours.
Later it turned out that this engine tends to overhear.
It looks like the engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Vehicle has an 8x8 configuration with all-wheel drive.
Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre inflation system and run-flat tyres.
The Bumerang is fully-amphibious.
On water is is propelled by two waterjets.
Other armored vehicles of the Bumerang family will include armored ambulance, command post
vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, anti-tank missile carrier, air defense missile launcher,
fire support vehicle, mortar carrier, and other.
It seems that with these vehicle Russia plans to equip rapid deployment brigades, similar
in concept to US Stryker brigades.