Boomerang 8×8 armoured combat vehicle is being manufactured by Military Industrial Company (VPK). Image courtesy of Military Industrial Company LLC.

Boomerang K-16 APC is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun. Image courtesy of Military Industrial Company LLC.

The vehicle was displayed at the ARMY-2020 forum in August 2020. Image courtesy of Military Industrial Company LLC.

Boomerang K-17 is a new 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) being developed by a Russian armoured vehicle manufacturer Military Industrial Company (VPK).

The amphibious vehicle is intended to replace the ageingBTR family of armoured vehicles in service with the Russian Armed Forces.

The Boomerang armoured vehicle will be offered in K-16 armoured personnel carrier (APC) and K-17 IFV variants. The IFV is designed to engage mobile and stationary ground targets, low-flying aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Boomerang armoured vehicles will be delivered to the Russian Army, upon the completion of state tests in 2021/2022.

Boomerang armoured vehicle development

The armoured vehicle was first displayed at the international exhibition of arms and military equipment RAE 2013 held at Nizhny Tagil. The vehicle was first unveiled to the public during the rehearsals of the 2015 Moscow Victory Day Parade held in May 2015.

Rosoboronexport, a part of the Rostec State Corporation, commenced promotion of Boomerang universal combat platform in April 2020.

Boomerang was presented at the ARMY-2020 forum in August 2020. VPK received the approval to export the vehicle.

Design and features of Boomerang K-17 IFV

Boomerang IFV has a length of 8.8m, width of 3.18m and a combat weight of 28.6t. Height at the top of the sight of the combat module is 3.18m, while the ledge height is 0.6m.

Theinfantry fighting vehicle is manned by three crew members including a commander, a gunner and a driver. It has the capacity to carry up to eight infantrymen in the troop compartment.

The gunner’s sight and commander’s sight of the vehicle will be combined with independent stabilisation of the field of view in two planes.

Troops can embark and disembark through a hinged ramp in the rear of the hull. The vehicle features blast-resistant seats with a delivery link and five-point seat belts.

Boomerang K-17 armament

The Boomerang K-16 variant is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun on a remotely operated turret mounting a sensor array.

The Boomerang K-17 IFV is fitted with a remotely controlled weapon station armed with a 2A42 30mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and four anti-tank missiles.

The K-17 BMP guided missile armament complex comprises two twin ATGM launchers of the Kornet-D anti-tank missile. The maximum firing range of the Kornet-D missiles is approximately 10,000m.

Control systems aboard Boomerang IFV

The on-board information andcontrol system will transform the unified platform into a universal base vehicle to connect and control various systems such as weapon systems, control systems, and technological equipment.

The modern digital fire control system will have the capacity to control weapons and conduct aimed fire. The system will incorporate a two-plane weapon stabiliser, and a multi-channel electro-optical sighting system with a built-in laser rangefinder.

All-day automated control system will be able to perform automatic search for targets simultaneously in different spectral ranges in passive and active modes. It can also search and detect masked targets with an optical locator and simultaneously engage two targets.

The vehicle will also be installed with modern systems including a circular video review system and digital communications.

Engine and mobility

The armoured vehicle is powered by YaMZ-780 four-stroke turbocharged diesel engine with a maximum power output of 551hp. The engine can generate a maximum torque of 2,550Nm at 1,600rpm.

The power-plant will allow the vehicle to attain a maximum speed of 100km/h and a maximum range of 800km. It can travel at 10km/h speed when afloat while the average speed of the vehicle on a dry dirty road will be 60km/h.

The Boomerang K-17 IFV offers a ground clearance of 450mm and can cross deep ditches with a maximum width of 2.2m. The angle of approach/departure of the vehicle is 30o.