Russia tests the Zubilo unmanned vehicle in Ukraine for specialized roles.

According to Russian media on June 5, 2024, the Zubilo unmanned armored vehicle is set to receive various modifications to adapt it for different military tasks. This information was shared by Alexander Zakharov, CEO of JSC Remdiesel, the developer company. Zakharov mentioned that while the vehicle would largely retain its original appearance as initially shown, it would undergo changes in terms of specialization based on the needs of different military branches. Some branches plan to install weapons on the Zubilo, while others view it as an evacuation platform.
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The specialization of the Zubilo unmanned vehicle could vary to meet different military requirements, including roles such as transporting ammunition, evacuating the wounded, or providing fire support, potentially with installations like the ZU-23-2 23-mm rapid-fire anti-aircraft mount. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The Zubilo was first presented at the Army-2023 forum, and recent Russian reports confirm that the Russian Armed Forces have begun testing this unmanned armored vehicle in Ukraine, aiming to gather comprehensive data for its development. The vehicle was initially scheduled for testing in April 2024, with multiple units deployed across different front lines to collect detailed performance insights. Feedback from these tests will address parameters such as autonomy, cross-country ability, and weight, which are critical for refining the Zubilo's design.

These tests are crucial for determining the necessary modifications to enhance the vehicle's effectiveness. Zakharov emphasized that although the vehicle's design would remain consistent, its specialization could vary to meet different military requirements. This includes roles such as transporting ammunition, evacuating the wounded, or providing fire support, potentially with installations like the ZU-23-2 23-mm rapid-fire anti-aircraft mount.

Different branches of the Russian military, particularly the engineering troops, have shown interest in the Zubilo during its testing phase. The primary goal is to improve the vehicle's autonomy and operational capabilities based on the feedback from these tests. Aidar Yunusov, Deputy Chief Designer at Remdiesel, indicated that future improvements might include features ensuring the vehicle stops or returns if it loses signal while in motion. Currently, the Zubilo has a range of 10 km, which could be extended with a quadcopter drone.

To date, the Zubilo, constructed on a 4x4 chassis, can accelerate to 100 km/h, handle side slopes of up to 30 degrees, and carry up to 2,700 kg of cargo. The vehicle's specifications include a length of 7,465 mm, a width of 2,550 mm, a height of 2,100 mm, and a ground clearance of 320 mm. Additionally, the vehicle can charge radio stations and quadcopters, and its armor can withstand hits from a 30-mm cannon. The Army-2023 forum highlighted these features along with potential configurations, such as the ZU-23 anti-aircraft mount or the BM-30-D combat module.

The Zubilo was first presented at the Army-2023 forum, and recent Russian reports confirm that the Russian Armed Forces have begun testing this unmanned armored vehicle in Ukraine, aiming to gather comprehensive data for its development. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)