Zmey Gorynych demining. The terrible “Snake Gorynych”: how the Russian machine burns out militants in Syria
UR-77 “METEORITE” MINE DECLAMING Rocket Launcher
REACTIVE INSTALLATION CLEARANCE UR-77 “METEORITE”
15.04.2016
The Syrian army continues to successfully use the well-proven UR-77 “Meteorite” installations to destroy Islamist fortifications, reports Vestnik Mordovia.
“The UR-77 (also known as the Serpent Gorynych) was originally created as a mine clearance unit. But the experience of military operations in the North Caucasus has demonstrated that they can also be used to eliminate terrorists holed up in fortified buildings. True, “Serpent Gorynych” is such a radical means that, as a rule, the building is destroyed along with the terrorists. Very often entirely. Therefore, its use has various restrictions,” writes the author of the article, Lev Romanov.
According to the report, “the destructive power of this machine, weighing 15 tons, is achieved using special rocket engines, with which it is possible to throw up to 700 kg of explosives over a distance of 500 m.”
“The first combat use of the UR-77 took place in October 2014. Then “Gorynychi snakes” were used during fierce battles in the area of the eastern outskirts of Damascus Jobar,” the author reports.
A minefield is the most effective way to protect your positions from enemy attacks. Of course, this is not an absolute deterrent, but in many cases it is appropriate and effective. But in order to bypass such fields, you must first neutralize them, and special systems help with this, for example, “Serpent Gorynych” (weapon). Is this a reliable tool worth investing in, or an unnecessary device?
A little history
Note that the first modern mine clearance systems were created by the British in 1912. Moreover, initially these weapons fought not against mines, but against barbed wire. To explode them, a 5 m long pipe was used, which was charged with 27 kg of pyroxylin. The ammunition was slipped under the barrier and exploded. Due to its long shape, the ammunition was called a torpedo.
In the USSR, the first means of mine clearance appeared during the war, and it was an extended U3 charge: it was a pipe 2 m long and 7 cm in diameter, into which a little more than 5 kg of TNT could be placed. The essence of its action was that a tank with a trawl pulled out charges to clear mines, after which they were detonated. Despite the effectiveness of such a system, it had many shortcomings. First of all, mine clearance took place quickly, and its preparation required a lot of time.
UR-67
“Snake Gorynych” is a weapon based on the UR-67. This mine clearance system was used to combat the truth, the first version was not the most advanced, and the UR-67 was replaced by the UR-77 “Meteor”, which is still considered the main vehicle of this type in the Russian army. While maintaining the main design features of the system and its operating principle, it began to be equipped with new ammunition. The extended charge 77 is based on detonating cables more than 10 m long, which are connected into a single cord with cap nuts.
Why “Snake Gorynych”?
The weapon, the photo of which speaks of its menacing nature, received this name for a reason. This is connected with a powerful and scary spectacle: first there is a deafening roar, after which a short rocket soars into the sky, and something white is trailing behind it. After uncoupling, the rocket flies forward, and a long “sausage” falls to the ground, after which a heavy explosion shakes the ground.
How the design changed...
It is noteworthy that when creating the model, the designers proposed abandoning the basic tracked vehicle. This type of mine clearance system was designated UR-83P; it was transported on a truck, after which it was assembled directly on the battlefield, in a tank trench.
The tank installation had a lightweight frame, but the system was not widespread because it was much weaker in terms of efficiency. In wartime, the “Serpent Gorynych” (a weapon that is still considered one of the most reliable in the world) was an excellent assistant in overcoming minefields. At least there was an opportunity to save the lives of sappers and miners.
What are the features?
“Snake Gorynych” is a weapon that was constantly improved. Thus, the model’s chassis is based on the design of the MT-LB tractor. Features of the new model include:
- A special tower cap protects the launch guide of the exhaust rockets and the cord boxes. This is an important innovation, because armored ammunition boxes consist of more than 1,500 tons of explosives. Before starting, the armored cap is raised to the desired angle, then only three buttons are activated: starting the solid propellant engine, detonating the charge, and releasing the brake rope.
- Recharging the unit takes about 40 minutes.
- The explosive cord can be laid by a crane or manually.
- “Serpent Gorynych” is a weapon that can be launched even from water.
This installation was first used in combat in 1973 - at that time the weapons were supplied to Egypt. Subsequently, the models participated in almost all military operations of the USSR and Russia.
How does it work?
The UR-77 is a lightly armored self-propelled mine clearing unit that can make 6 m wide passages in minefields that are crammed with anti-tank anti-track mines and mines with pin target sensors. Experts note that the system easily and reliably copes with detonating high-explosive anti-personnel mines (similar to the American M14) in a strip up to 14 m wide.
One of the most reliable means of mine clearance today is the “Serpent Gorynych” system (weapon). How to use it? Mines explode due to the fact that their own fuses are triggered by the shock wave. It, in turn, is formed during the explosion of an extended mine clearance charge. The installation itself includes two elements - the base vehicle in the form of a modified chassis and the turret installation, consisting of launch guides for two missiles and two compartments for sections of the detonating cable.
Based on the Gvozdika howitzer
“Snake Gorynych” is a mine clearance weapon that, thanks to its unique characteristics, has remained popular for decades. The equipment used is the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, which has a classic turret design. Its body is created on the basis of steel sheets, is characterized by tightness and the ability to overcome water obstacles. The building has three sections: power, control and combat.
On the roof there is a welded turret, the fighting compartment of which is equipped with a rotating basket. The turret is equipped with a gun and space for the crew. On the starboard side there is a loader's seat, stowage for cartridges, and on the left side there is a gunner's seat and sighting devices. The main weapon is a howitzer, which uses 122 mm ammunition. The howitzer operates on the basis of different types, which are often supplemented with contact fuses. The maximum firing range is 15.2 km.
Ammunition system "Zmey Gorynych"
The principle of operation of the weapon is as follows: it is assumed that a certain amount of ammunition is used. It includes two extended mine clearance charges that have solid propellant tug missiles. One charge is designed for one pass, that is, the installation with one ammunition can make two passes at once, 93 m long and 6 m wide. During combat operations, the installation itself can be located both in a shelter and in open areas. The charges are launched with a short pause. Charges can also be launched from the water when it is necessary to clear minefields along the coastline.
The main thing is setting
Powerful and modern “Serpent Gorynych” weapon. The operating principle of the entire mine clearance system is as follows:
- The UR-77 makes a passage and moves towards the minefield, while it can stand at a distance of 200-500 m.
- The distance to the border of the minefield is determined by the commander, who raises the turret installation to a certain elevation angle, after which he gives the command to launch the charge.
- The rocket comes out from the guide and flies along a certain trajectory, while pulling behind it a flexible cable connected to
- The rocket with the charge moves away to a length determined by the length of the brake rope - it is attached to the bow of the vehicle.
- The charge falls on the minefield, and the rocket propellant motor is cut off.
- The driver moves the car backwards to level the charge into a straight line.
- The brake rope comes off.
- The time for a full cycle of making a passage takes a maximum of 5 minutes
- After the first cycle is completed, the second charge is started.
- Recharging the car takes about 40 minutes.
To carry out this procedure, the machine moves to a predetermined location. Reloading time by a crew with an attached sapper squad is 30-40 minutes.
What are the prospects?
“Serpent Gorynych” (UR-77 weapon), which was also called “Meteor” in the war, was again transferred to the Russian Federation in 2014, albeit in a new form. The updated installation was developed by the Balashikha Research Institute and designers. The base was used as the chassis for this model. The launcher is additionally equipped with extended mine clearance charges.
“Snake Gorynych” is a weapon in Russia that is popular due to its thoughtful design and technical characteristics. With their help, you can make passages in a minefield several tens of meters wide at any distance. The updated charges are capable of destroying any types of mines. The charge of this installation is a rocket to which a long cable is attached: explosives are located on it. When the cable falls to the ground, the explosive detonates and detonates mines within a radius of several meters. This creates a safe passage through which infantry can pass and military equipment can pass.
As noted by the experts who tested this system, the mine clearance charges detonate some of the mines. And devices that are protected from explosion are thrown outside the cleared passage. In any case, in combat conditions this installation will be more effective.
Features of the updated system
It is planned that the UR-07M model, which will replace the Zmey Gorynych installation, will easily cope with mine clearance of the coastal strip. With its help, it will be possible to make passages of sufficient width in the coastal line of the sea at a depth of up to five meters. The passages will be made gradually - by launching groups of ammunition from a carrier moving along the shore, after which they will be detonated at the target of the passage. It is noted that the ship's pitching will not affect the accuracy of the supply of ammunition, since this will be compensated by automatic fire control based on a computer. The designers emphasize that the "Snake Gorynych" as a mine clearance weapon still requires a re-evaluation of both design and technical parameters in order to meet modern requirements. That is why it was decided to improve the old system by introducing modern technologies into it.
As an addition to the system, there is a URP-01 Garter trailer, which allows you to make passages in anti-tank minefields. The charges are launched both from towing equipment, without requiring the crew to exit the vehicle, and autonomously - on the ground or from a trench.
Mines appeared at the dawn of the gunpowder era of mankind. Originally designed to destroy fortified structures, they later became one of the main elements of defense in the wars of the last hundred years.
Minefields, traps, remote charges - all this is an almost insurmountable obstacle for the advancing troops. However, our designers managed to solve even this problem by creating the newest type of weapon - demining installations. The most successful model of such equipment is the Soviet UR-77 installation.
History of origin
During the first two world wars, the main means of mine clearance were specially trained people - sappers.
Despite the greatest prevalence, this approach has a number of fatal drawbacks:
- Training and preparation of a fighter in this specialty is a slow and complex process, since this profession has a huge number of subtleties.
- The vast majority of combat missions of these fighters take place on enemy territory, which several times increases the likelihood of their destruction or capture.
- The design features of some mine models do not allow mine detectors to detect themselves (cases made of wood or plastic, to which the mine detector will not respond).
- Clearing mines manually is time-consuming and labor-intensive, which can be frustrating if you need to attack quickly.
But during the First World War, a British sapper engineer developed a simple and at the same time effective solution. It received the simple name “Bangalore Torpedo” - a long pipe filled with explosives, which, when deepened into the soil in a mined area, allows you to detonate (and accordingly clear) several mines at once.
Due to the explosion in the soil, a safe passage is created in a dangerous area.
This fairly fast method of mine clearance was also used during WWII in various variations. However, there is an obvious drawback. It was possible to increase the length of such a structure as much as desired, but, nevertheless, it was problematic to assemble a hundred-meter pipe in combat conditions and deliver it to a minefield. The designers made an elegant decision - to make such a charge self-propelled.
Unsuccessful experience with the UR-3R showed that such equipment should be self-propelled, and in 1967 the UR-67 (Demining Installation of the 67th year) entered the Soviet Forces. The vehicle was built on the basis of the BTR-50PK with an installed launcher for the UZ-67 device, which was an 83-meter hose filled with TNT. It was fired at a distance of 200-350 meters and exploded, opening the way for the advancing troops. Because of the spectacle of the launch of the charge itself, the installation was awarded the nickname “Snake Gorynych.”
In 1978, the UR-67 (by that time outdated and having insufficient range) was replaced by the UR-77 “Meteorite” mine clearing vehicle. The installation, unlike its predecessor, is based on . “Meteor” or in other words “Serpent Gorynych” (as it became common to call all UR) had a number of advantages, due to which it completely replaced the UR-67 in the army, which has now been withdrawn from service.
Design
The general view of the missile launcher is a one-piece floating welded body with two launchers placed on top of it and the equipment necessary for launching. The crew consists of two people - a driver and a commander-operator.
The vehicle is made on the basis of the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled gun and, accordingly, is equipped with a completely identical hull.
The power plant is YaMZ-238N, which is an eight-cylinder V-shaped 300-horsepower diesel engine, fuel consumption is 140 liters per 100 km. Chassis: torsion bar suspension. The machine moves on water by rotating the tracks. Dimensions of the UR-77 combat vehicle:
The only means of mine clearance that the installation has are UR-77 “Meteorite” rocket charges of different brands – UZ-67, UZP-77 and ZRSh.
This ammunition consists of a jet engine, behind which runs a long hose filled with an explosive substance (TNT, PVV-7 or TGAF-25). The length of the hose varies depending on the model used. The installation accommodates two such ammunition, and reloading is completed in 30-40 minutes.
Demining method
Making a passage using the UR-77 installation occurs as follows: the crew takes the vehicle to a position in front of the obstacle, then raises the launcher to the desired angle (the elevation angle depends on the distance to which the charge needs to be delivered) and launches.
The charge leaves the demining installation's launcher with the help of a propulsion jet engine and pulls the brake cable, which is an electrical cable.
After passing the required distance, the cable ends, and a signal to detonate is sent along it. The charge is detonated from the “head” to the “tail”. The explosion creates a rectangular (90x6 m) passage in the minefield.
Performance characteristics and analogues
Only two countries in the world have truly competitive cars.
The only comparable model of such equipment in terms of characteristics is the American M58 “MICLIC” missile launcher, however, a significant drawback compared to the Russian model is that the installation is located on a towed trailer and is not capable of moving independently.
As we can see from the comparison table, the UR-77 is inferior to its Western competitor only in terms of aisle width. However, this parameter depends solely on the type of charge, the improvement of which is only a matter of time for designers.
Combat use
The UR-77 mine clearing installation has a rich (for this class of equipment) history of combat use in three military conflicts of the past decades. The first episode of the participation of “Snake Gorynych” in a hot spot was the second Chechen war. The installation was used by the Russian army during operations in Chechnya.
The second episode was the armed conflict on the territory of Donbass during the attack on the airport. Recently, the UR-77 installation has been actively used by Russian troops in Syria. As we know, many Syrian cities were mined by militants, and even at the present moment only part of the minefields around them have been cleared.
Original nickname
Nicknames of heroes of folk epics are extremely rare even in our troops, which are generous with nicknames and sobriquets.
According to military personnel associated with this demining installation, the name seems justified, and it was received long before the mine itself appeared.
During the first experiments with self-propelled mine clearance systems, the UZ-3R vehicle entered service with the Soviet army, which was the same “Bangalore torpedo”, only built by us and equipped with 45 jet engines. However, due to errors in the electronics, the engines started with a difference that was minimal but curious enough.
Such malfunctions caused an amusing spectacle - the charge was thrown in the air, and flames burst out of the thruster nozzles. Such a flight seemed similar to the fire-breathing flying villain from Russian folklore - “The Serpent Gorynych”, which gave this nickname to all subsequent mine clearance installations that were built on the main idea of this device.
Video
Mine fields. A very simple and very effective means of protecting your positions from enemy attacks. Of course, they are not an absolute means of deterrence, but fighting them takes a lot of effort and time. The very first method of creating passages in minefields appeared shortly after mines and involved manually detecting and neutralizing enemy “surprises”. Effective, but long and risky. In addition, training a good sapper specialist is slow and difficult.
An alternative to live sappers - metal mine trawls. But this type of mine-anti-mine equipment will become widespread only in times of widespread use of tanks. There were attempts to use artillery to clear mines, but this turned out to be even more difficult, even longer and more impractical: it was necessary to place the shells with great precision. And even then, despite the high consumption of ammunition, there were still a couple of operational mines left in the passage.
The British took the first step towards modern mine clearance systems in 1912. Then a certain Captain McClintock from the Bangalore garrison proposed a revolutionary (as it would later turn out) means of combating... no, not mines - barbed wire. In those days, this barrage spoiled armies no less than machine guns or other weapons.
The essence of McClintock's proposal was to destroy the wire barriers by explosion. To do this, a five-meter pipe was “charged” with 27 kilograms of pyroxylin. It was proposed to slip this ammunition under the barrier and detonate it. Two or three explosions and the infantry can pass through the resulting “gate.” Due to its elongated shape, the ammunition was nicknamed the “Bangalore torpedo”.
During the First World War, it was noticed that “Torpedoes” could be used not only one at a time, but also in combination - several pipes could be connected in several pieces, and for ease of movement across the battlefield, the front sections were mounted on skis or wheels.
Between the world wars, an idea emerged that involved the simultaneous use of both tank trawls and Bangalore torpedoes. The tank made a passage for itself with trawls and towed a bunch of pipes with explosives. Then this “tail” was undermined, and infantry could follow the tank. The first production machine adapted for such work was the Churchill Snake, which dragged 16 five-meter pipes in succession.
Following the tank
In the Soviet Union, they knew about land-based “Torpedoes” and carried out the corresponding work. But before the war, the country had higher priority issues, so the engineering troops received the first such mine clearance equipment only after the war. The first Soviet extended UZ charge was a two-meter tube with a diameter of 7 cm, which contained 5.2 kilograms of TNT.
A little later, it became possible to assemble ultrasound into triangular sections of UZ-3 (three charges each), which, in turn, could be connected into a structure up to one hundred meters in length. The method of using the UZ-3 sequence remained the same - a tank with a trawl pulled out the mine clearance charges, after which they were detonated. Thanks to the triangular shape of the UZ-3 section, a passage up to six meters wide was formed in the minefield.
The UZ and UZ-3 proved to be an effective means of mine clearance, but they were not without their drawbacks. The actual demining took place literally in the blink of an eye. But the preparation could not compare with him in speed. In addition, the tank was a good target for the enemy, not to mention the fact that the armored vehicle could be used for more “combat” purposes.
Then a proposal was made to make the demining charge self-propelled - a hundred-meter structure from the UZ-3 should be equipped with 45 solid fuel jet engines. As planned, the engines lifted the entire structure and dragged it into the minefield. There, having selected the brake cable, the charge exploded. The estimated flight altitude was one meter. This version of the extended charge was called UZ-3R.
The idea was good, but there were significant problems in implementation. All 45 engines needed to be started simultaneously. They also had to reach maximum operating mode at the same time. The electrical circuit used could not cope with simultaneous starting. The spread in engine start time, it should be noted, was small - fractions of a second. But they were enough for the unstable movement of the entire structure.
The UR-3R began to wriggle and jump from side to side, but after a few seconds it still went into horizontal flight. Flying wasn't easy either. Obstacles higher than 50-70 cm and a surface slope of even 4° were impassable for the charge. When encountering an obstacle that was too high, the demining charge literally took off into the sky and showed an aerobatics program there. As a result, for such bad temper and pyrotechnic shows UZ-3R received the nickname “Snake Gorynych”. Later, newer mine clearance systems will also be called this way.
On your own
In 1968, the UR-67 armored vehicle was adopted by the Soviet engineering troops. It was a chassis of an armored personnel carrier BTR-50PK with a launcher for extended charges installed on it. A crew of three people moved the vehicle to the desired position, took aim and launched the UZ-67 charge.
Unlike previous mine clearance devices, the UZ-67 charge did not have a rigid structure, but a soft one and consisted of two 83-meter-long hoses filled with explosives. One UZ-67 contained 665 kg of TNT. A solid propellant rocket (however, officially called the “DM-70 engine”), attached to the front end of the charge, is capable of delivering an explosive cord up to 300-350 meters from the vehicle.
After the launch was carried out, the crew was supposed to back up to align the cord and detonate it using an electric igniter (the corresponding cable is located in the brake cable). 665 kilograms of TNT made a passage six meters wide and up to 80 meters long. The neutralization of an enemy mine during an explosion occurs due to the detonation of its fuse.
The main purpose of the UR-67 is anti-tank mines. Light anti-personnel mines either detonate or are thrown out of the passage by a blast wave, and mines with a double-tap fuse can remain operational after exposure to the UZ-67. The situation is similar with magnetic mines, although their fuse can be seriously damaged by the blast wave.
As you can see, the UR-67 had enough problems, but the speed of creating a passage (2-3 minutes) and the transportable ammunition load of two charges did not leave the military indifferent. In 1972, Zmey Gorynych received a new mine clearance charge - UZP-72. It became longer (93 meters) and heavier, because it already contained 725 kilograms of PVV-7 explosive.
The firing range of the UZP-72 reached 500 meters, and the maximum dimensions of the passage made increased to 90x6 meters. As before, the UZP-72 was placed by crane or manually into the appropriate compartment of the vehicle (laid in a “snake”), from where, upon launch, it was pulled out using a solid-fuel rocket coming off a guide.
In 1978, the UR-67 was replaced by the UR-77 “Meteorite” installation, which is now the main vehicle of this class in the Russian army. The operating principle of the new installation remained the same, although it received new ammunition. UZP-77 is similar in characteristics to UZP-72 and differs only in some technological aspects. The basis of the extended charge “77” is the DKPR-4 detonating cables, each 10.3 meters long, connected into a single cord with cap nuts. The UR-77 is based on a lightly armored 2S1 chassis taken from the Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.
The roots of this chassis go to tractor MT-LB. The launch guide for the UR-77 exhaust rockets and the cord boxes, unlike the UR-67, received protection in the form of a turret cap. A very useful innovation, because the armored ammunition boxes contain almost one and a half tons of explosives.
Before launching, the armored cap, together with the launch guide, is raised to the desired elevation angle. Further, all combat work is carried out literally by a couple of buttons: one is responsible for starting the solid fuel engine, the second is for detonating the charge, and the third is for releasing the brake rope. After pressing the third button, the “Meteorite” is ready to make a new passage.
It takes 30-40 minutes to recharge the unit. Laying an explosive cord can be done either as a ready-made block using a crane, or manually. The 2S1 chassis is floating (speed up to 4 km/h). It is stated that the UR-77 can launch an extended charge even from water. The tactical side of this matter looks dubious, but there is film footage of such a launch.
...and other “Snakes of Gorynychi”
A little later than UR-77, in the early 80s, engineering units received a new portable installation UR-83P. Unlike the previous Gorynychs, it did not have any chassis. The relatively compact and mobile launcher, after disassembly, can be carried by crew forces or transported on any vehicle or armored vehicle.
The principle of operation of the machine installation is the same as that of its predecessors, but its smaller dimensions required the use of an extended charge consisting of only one cord. Apart from assembling the launch guide and other “related” issues, the procedure for firing a shot from the UR-83P is similar to using self-propelled guns.
The first combat use of Soviet remote mine clearance systems took place during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. These were UR-67 installations delivered to Egypt. The next mine clearing vehicle, the UR-77, managed to take part in almost all the wars in which the USSR and Russia participated, starting with Afghanistan.
There is information that in some conflicts “Meteorite” was used not only for its intended purpose: several times in small settlements they played the role of artillery, laying charges on streets belonging to the enemy. You can imagine what happened at the site of the houses after the cord was blown up.
As for the UR-77 “Meteorite”, there are no plans for a replacement for it yet. The fact is that the concept of the installation turned out to be well developed already at the UR-67 stage. The Egyptian experience in using this installation only helped to finally “polish” the design and methods of application. Thus, over the thirty-odd years of its existence, the UR-77 is still not outdated and continues to be used by the domestic engineering forces.
"Meteor" UR-77 in action
UR-77 "Meteorite" - Soviet mine clearance system. Created on the basis of the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer. Serially produced since 1978 to replace the UR-67.
The UR-77 is capable of making moves through anti-tank minefields during combat. The width of the passage is about 6 meters and the length is from 80 to 90 meters. Although the UR-77 is not designed to clear antipersonnel mines, the unit can clear antipersonnel minefields of American M14 pressure mines, creating passages up to 14 meters wide.
Mine clearance is carried out by the generation of a shock wave from the explosion of the charge, which affects the mine fuse. However, complete demining is not guaranteed. For example, mines with double-pressure fuses (TM-62 mine with MVD-62 fuse or Mk7 with fuse No. 5 Mk4), and tension-action anti-personnel mines may remain intact. Magnetic, seismic and infrared fuses do not react to the blast wave.
The destruction of tension-action anti-personnel fragmentation mines is only partially ensured when fragments of the charge, soil, and stones scattered during the explosion pull the target sensor. The destruction of anti-personnel fragmentation mines with broken target sensors is guaranteed if the charge explosion occurs in the area where the target sensor is located.
Description of design
The installation consists of a base vehicle (product 2S1) with launching equipment and an ammunition load of two mine clearance charges. Demining charges are placed on the vehicle in a cassette and delivered to the minefield by air using jet engines. The launching equipment with ammunition charges is located in the armored body of the vehicle. A charge is launched onto a minefield and detonated without the crew leaving the vehicle
The UZP-77 mine clearance charge consists of two parallel plastic charges, each 93 meters long, containing 725 kg of explosives. Each of these charges is assembled from nine DKPR-4 sections, which are connected using threaded couplings and union nuts.
Section DKPR-4 is a charge 10.3 meters long and 7 cm in diameter. Inside is PVV-7 (40.25 kg).
The UZP-77 charge is placed in a special compartment of the vehicle and, using special adapter devices, is connected to the DM-70 rocket powder engine, which is placed in the turret guide.
The 70 kg DM-70 engine has a powder charge of one block weighing 27 kg. Engine operating time 6–8 seconds. When supplying a charge at 200 m, one DM-70 engine is used, at 500 m - two engines. By changing the length of the brake rope, the charge delivery range is adjusted.
One UR-77 vehicle can accommodate two UZP-77 mine clearance charges.
One installation is capable of making two passes 100 meters long and about 6 meters wide. Or one pass 200 meters long (with two alternate launches).
To make a passage, the UR-77 moves towards the minefield and stops at a range from 200 to 500m. (up to 350m for UZP-67). The commander-operator, having determined the distance to the border of the minefield, raises the turret installation with guides to the desired elevation angle and issues a command to launch the charge from the control panel. The missile leaves the guide and flies along a ballistic trajectory, pulling behind it a flexible cable containing an explosive.
After the rocket with the charge moves away from the installation to a length determined by the length of the brake rope attached to the nose of the vehicle, the charge falls onto the minefield and the rocket powder engine is cut off. The driver drives the car back in order to align the charge into a straight line. After this, the commander-operator issues a command from the control panel to detonate the charge and shoot the brake rope. The time for a full cycle of making a passage is 3-5 minutes.
After the end of this cycle, the second charge can be launched.
To recharge, the machine goes to a predetermined location. Reloading time by a crew with an attached sapper squad is 30-40 minutes.
Performance characteristics of UR-77
Combat weight - 15.5 tons;
- body length – 7260 mm;
- body width – 2850 mm;
- height of the tower roof – 2100 mm;
- engine – diesel YaMZ-238M;
- engine power – 300 hp;
- maximum speed – 60 km/h;
- maximum speed afloat – 4.5-5 km/h;
Type of charge used – UZ-67, UZP-77;
- clearance charge length – 93 m;
- the amount of explosives in one UZ-67 charge is 1023 kg;
- the number of explosives in one UZP-77 charge is 1069 kg;
- delivery range of the UZ-67 mine clearance charge is 200-350 m;
- delivery range of the mine clearance charge UZP-77 – 200-500 m;
- the length of the resulting passage UZ-67 is 75-80 m;
- the length of the resulting passage UZP-77 is 80-90 m;
- width of the resulting passage (guaranteed) – up to 6 m;
- time for a full cycle of making a passage – 3-5 minutes;
- reloading time of the installation with two charges (crew + sapper compartment) – 30-40 minutes;