Russian engineering units receive robotized UMZ-K and UMZ-T minelayers.

These mine-laying ehicles are now being delivered to Russian engineering troops, the Izvestia daily writes.

UMZ-K displayed on a 6x6 Asteys 7022-3333310 vehicle at Army 2019 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

These minelayers are mounted on modern all-wheel-drive chassis. The UMZ-K weighing 15 tons is carried by an 8x8 KamAZ-43501 Patrol truck. However, at Army 2019 defense exhibition, the UMZ-K was displayed on a 6x6 Asteys 7022-3333310 vehicle. The mine laying system itself has been produced since early last decade. The UMZ-K minelayer is armored against bullets and fragmentation.

The ammunition is carried is semi-closed vehicle body separated by an armored plate from the driver’s cabin. The design increases crew survivability. The containers with mines are protected by an armored board. The mines are kept in six containers of 30 clusters. The vehicle can carry 180 clusters with munitions. Six units are carried on rotating support with vertical aiming. On the move, they are kept barrel up. They are deployed in the necessary direction and mines are laid. The whole round of munitions is engaged in 15 minutes.

The more compact UMZ-T weighs 11 tons and is carried by a Typhoon-VDV KamAZ-K4386 4x4. The munitions comprise 60 clusters in two containers of 30 pieces. In one run, the UMZ-T can lay one-two rows of mines in three minutes.

The crew of either of both vehicles comprises two men. The vehicles can drive at 40 km/h during mine-laying. The minefields can be eliminated automatically, if necessary. The self-destruction time ranges from 12 hours to 16 days.

The cabin of both minelayers is equipped with a global satellite navigation system to exactly fix minefield coordinates. It is planned to register the place of each mine in the future. As large-scale combat does not guarantee uninterrupted communications, the minelayer has equipment for minefield topographic survey without satellite data. Both vehicles can be equipped with run-flat tires with anti-mine protection and regulated air pressure.

The new vehicles will replace Soviet-era UMZ remotely-controlled minelayers on ZIL-131 chassis.

The more compact UMZ-T weighs 11 tons and is carried by a Typhoon-VDV KamAZ-K4386 4x4 (Picture source: Army Recognition)