Specialists from the Central Scientific Research Testing Institute of Engineering Troops (TsNII IV) demonstrated to the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoig the latest systems that allow detecting and destroying various explosive devices (VU) in a non-contact or safe way for humans, the press service of the military department reports. The presentation was held on February 7 at the International Mine Action Center in Nakhabino near Moscow.

“The minister was shown a device with which engineering reconnaissance equipment can find explosive objects by explosive pairs, a remote mining system and a small-sized means of initiating an explosive charge by an electric detonator, which will help to detonate the charge at a distance of one kilometer,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Shoigu also familiarized himself with a small-sized explosive incendiary mine for Special Operations Forces and a unique device for charging electronic devices from solar energy (according to the developers, one hour is enough to charge a smartphone).

In an interview with RT, the columnist for the magazine Arsenal of the Fatherland Dmitry Drozdenko noted that the most breakthrough development is a device that is capable of detecting ammunition in pairs of explosives. According to him, this weapon is “quite expensive, but effective,” especially in the combat zone.

“Such a device performs an express analysis of air and determines the presence of explosives in it. The principle of its operation is appropriate to compare with the olfactory system of dogs, which are also used to search for mines and landmines. This is almost the same, but no living creature is at risk, ”said Drozdenko.

Robots at the service of people

Experts believe that the officers of the Central Research Institute of Engineering Troops and domestic industry have achieved significant success in improving personal protective equipment, reconnaissance systems, and remote clearance systems. Most of the latest weapons were tested during the Syrian operation.

In particular, Russian engineers in the ATS actively used the Uran-6 multifunctional robotic complex (RTK), created within the walls of 766 UPTK OJSC (766th Production and Technological Equipment Department, Nakhabino). The machine is designed for the disposal of certain sections of cities, mountainous and shallow areas.

“Uranus-6” is a crewless vehicle, which can be controlled at a distance of up to 800 m. The operator receives information about the environment with the help of four cameras that provide all-round visibility. The robot is capable of neutralizing and destroying ammunition with a capacity of up to 60 kg in TNT equivalent.

  • Multifunctional robotic mine clearance system “Uran-6”
  • RIA News
  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Depending on the tasks performed and the type of soil, “Uran-6” can be equipped with five different interchangeable tools: brisk, roller and milling trawls, as well as a bulldozer blade and a mechanical gripper. According to the developer, this machine can replace a unit of 20 sappers.

The mass of the robot is 6 tons, the continuous operation time at one gas station is 5 hours, the sweeping strip width is 1.7 m, the sweeping speed is 0.5-5 km / h, the grip capacity is up to 1 ton. The Urana-6 transmission is designed in such a way that the machine is able to overcome a vertical wall up to 1 m high and a ditch 1.5 m wide. The maximum steepness of obstacles is 20 degrees.

The domestic complex was widely known after demining the historical complex of ancient Palmyra. According to experts, Uran-6 is one of the best cars in the world for making passages in anti-personnel and anti-tank minefields.

In addition to large-size crewless tools and traditional hand-held mine probes, Russian sappers use miniature inspection RTKs “Skarabey” and “Sphere”, which are produced by the Moscow company ZAO SET-1 (a developer and manufacturer of special equipment for law enforcement agencies).

These complexes allow engineering reconnaissance in the city, on flat and rocky terrain, as well as to inspect various premises without risk to human life. Russian military personnel used these RTKs in Syria, including to mine Palmyra.

"Scarab" is a platform on a wheeled or tracked track. The complex is controlled by a digital radio channel, and all the collected information is displayed on the operator’s console. The robot is equipped with a microphone, a thermal imager, high-resolution video cameras and an audio and video information transmitter.

“The distance of image acquisition and reliable robot control even in difficult conditions of radio signal propagation reaches 250 meters, while it can easily move through the rubble. The height of the robot is only 15 centimeters, which makes it almost invisible to prying eyes, and electric motors provide silent operation, ”the Defense Ministry said.

The “Sphere” has the shape of a small ball and performs more specific tasks than the “Scarab”. The robot is designed for the rapid collection of video and audio information primarily in hard-to-reach or dangerous places for humans - tunnels, mines, basements.

The Sphere has four video cameras with LED backlight. They provide the operator with a 360-degree view, without loss of image quality. The RTK can be in active operating mode for about one hour. SET-1 specialists reliably protected their brainchild from mechanical damage - the robot retains the ability to transmit information after a free fall from a height of at least three meters.

Another innovation that is in the service of Russian sappers is the non-linear locator NR-900EK Korshun. It is designed to detect a wide range of HE with electronic fuses mounted on the surface of the ground, in buildings, in snow and under road surfaces. In addition, it determines the location of ammunition with fuses of push and pull action. "Kite", like other newest mine action weapons, was used in Syria.

  • Russian sappers mark a cleared house in Syria
  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

“Non-linear locators act on microcircuits and other electronics, which are often integrated into modern explosive devices. Also, the radio pulses of such devices are hidden metal structures, magnetic and optoelectronic sensors, electromechanical timers, ”Drozdenko explained.

However, as the interlocutor of RT noted, despite the progress in the development of various technical and robotic devices, sappers continue to need effective personal protective equipment. Currently, military personnel of the engineering units of the Russian Federation are equipped with the OVR-2 combined-arms mine clearance systems.

This ammunition protects a person from being hit by shrapnel and bullets at a distance of about 5 m. The suit consists of special panels, means of protecting the collar zone and vital organs, the helmet "LSHZ-2DTM" and additional devices for conducting mine action. Thanks to the use of pressed polyethylene as the main protective material, the total weight of OVR-2 is 8.5 kg. One of the modifications of this suit (OVR-2-02) is equipped with a cooling system, without which it would be difficult for sappers to work in the southern latitudes or in the warm season.

“Saved tens of thousands of lives”

According to the RF Ministry of Defense, the leading role in the training and advanced training of sappers is played by the International Mine Action Center, where both Russian and foreign military personnel are trained. Over the past five years, 1374 specialists from Syria, Laos, Serbia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have become graduates of this institution.

Now there are two foreign branches of the mine action center. The first branch was opened in 2017 in Syrian Aleppo, the second in 2019 in Laos. In recent years, Russian sappers have been actively working in these countries.

  • In Aleppo, Russian sappers neutralized mines capable of destroying an entire quarter (2017)

“Since 2014, the Center’s military personnel have cleared about 15 thousand hectares of territory, discovered and destroyed more than 125 thousand explosive objects. Outside of Russia (in Syria and Laos. - RT ), 6637 hectares of land were cleared, 105 511 explosive objects were discovered and destroyed, ”the Defense Ministry said.

During a visit to the International Mine Action Center in Nakhabino, Sergei Shoigu instructed the Chief of the Engineering Forces of the Russian Federation, Yuri Stavitsky, to present a concept for its development. According to the Minister of Defense, the material and technical base of this unique institution should be adapted to "any tests and practical exercises."

In a conversation with RT, military expert Yuri Knutov emphasized that the level of professionalism and technical equipment of Russian sappers is constantly growing. According to him, in the process of clearing Syrian cities, the RF engineering forces have gained considerable experience in reconnaissance and neutralization of the most dangerous ammunition.

“In Syria, our troops had to deal with the most sophisticated explosive devices. They were invented not only by terrorists, but also by instructors of developed states. However, thanks to the professionalism of the personnel and modern technical devices, all the tasks of clearing the Arab Republic were successfully completed. Our sappers probably saved tens of thousands of lives. This is the main purpose of their service, ”Knutov summarized.