The BTR-90 has a fully-enclosed hull welded from steel armor plates. The hull configuration was developed with due regard for combat experience gained in various regions of the world and expert analysis.
The power plant is arranged in the rear part of the vehicle, the driving compartment is housed in the front part while fighting and troop compartments are arranged in the middle part of the hull. Similar arrangement provides for the optimum distribution of load on the tires and aimed organic fire on the move, thereby concentrating fire of all weapons into the front hemisphere.
The APC organic weapons (30mm 2A42 automatic gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun and 30mm AG-17 grenade launcher) are mounted in the rotating turret and stabilized in two planes. The state-of-the art ATGM system is arranged in the turret to engage hard-skin targets (battle tanks). The ATGMs can also be fired from a remote-control launcher deployed on the ground.
The fire control system comprises the BPK 3-42 integrated (day/night) sight and the commander’s 1P3-13 day sight. At customer request, the gunner’s BPK-M sight may be equipped with thermal imager.
The armament system allows the APC crew to provide fire support for motorized infantry, engaging soft skin targets at ranges of up to 2,500 m; helicopters and engineer installations (fortifications) at ranges of up to 2,000 – 2,500 m; enemy manpower on the open terrain, in trenches and on opposite sides of the hills at ranges of up to 4,000 m; as well as small targets, including crews of ATGM systems and antitank artillery.
The APC’s fire power is enhanced by fire power of small arms of carrier borne troops: assault rifles and a light machine gun. The carrier-borne troops are also provided with the Strela (Igla) portable air defense missile system to engage low-flying aircraft.
The powerful multi-fuel diesel engine, hydro-mechanical transmission, all (eight)-wheel drive, independent torsion- bar large-stroke suspension provided with high-capacity shock absorbers, high road clearance, as well as bullet- and splinter-proof tires with a central air pressure regulation system allow the vehicle to move at the maximum speed of 100 km/h on roads and at an average speed of 50 km/h on terrain. Its cross-country ability is similar to that of tracked vehicles.
During manoeuvring in narrow passages, the positive-displacement hydraulic transmission is used in addition to turning via four front steering wheels, thereby reducing the turning radius of up to 6 m. The vehicle easily negotiates from the move trenches and ditches of up to 2.1 m wide, gradients of up to 30 deg, vertical obstacles of 0.8 m high, and can cross water barriers from the move without preliminary preparation at a speed of 9 km/m in water.
The BTR-90 can be shipped by rail, air, motor and water transport. It can also climb landing ships from water and disembark them.
The bullet- and splinter-proof tires allow the vehicle to retain its mobility in conditions of under-wheel antipersonnel mine blasting or when penetrated by small arms bullets.
The front armor plating of the hull reliably protects the vehicle from the fire of small-caliber automatic guns, while the side armor plating protects it from the fire of heavy machine guns and splinters of artillery projectiles. The additional armor plating enhances armor protection of the vehicle.
The vehicle is provided with NBC protection facilities, automatic fire fighting equipment, and remote control smoke-screen laying system.
The engine starting system is redundant: it is provided with the compressed air and electric starting systems.
The bilge-pumping system serves to pump the leaking water from the damaged hull when the vehicle is in water.
The air-conditioning (can be installed at customer’s request) and heating systems help maintain the crew’s combat readiness. The onboard information and control system makes it possible to automate transmission and engine control, monitor and perform diagnostics of the APC vital systems.
The communication is maintained via the R-163-50U radio set, R-163UP receiver and R-174 intercom system.
Basic Characteristics
Vehicle type amphibious, wheeled, armoured
Wheel arrangement 8 x 8
Gross weight: 20,920 kg
Combat crew and troops 10
Engine liquid-cooled turbocharged multi-fuel diesel
Power: 368 kW /510 hp
Armament
30mm 2A42 automatic gun,
7.62mm PKT machine gun,
30mm AG-17 grenade launcher,
ATGM system
Laying angle, deg:
elevation from -5 to +75
azimuth 360
Ammunition load:
30mm 2A42 automatic gun 500
7.62mm PKT machine gun 2,000
AG-17 grenade launcher 400
ATGM 4
Turning radius: by front steerable wheels 14 m
differential-assisted turn 6 m
Road clearance: 510 mm
Maximum speed: on road 100 km/h, in water over 9 km/h
Cross-country speed: over 50 km/h
Range: 800 km
