BMR-3MA "Vepr" demining combat vehicle in Special Operations
BMR-3MA near the Mariupol airport. Frame from the report "RG"
Having liberated another district or settlement from Ukrainian formations, the Russian army proceeds to demining it. Search and neutralization of mines and other dangerous objects is carried out, for which various means are used. So, recently it became known that BMR-3MA "Vepr" combat demining vehicles are being involved in the work in the liberated territories.
Latest news
The use of the BMR-3MA machine became known in early September. Several Russian news agencies immediately spoke about the appearance of such equipment in the liberated territory, and also showed its work. In addition, they managed to talk with the commander of the vehicle with the call sign Pakh, who revealed some of the features of his work.
According to the commander, his crew and Vepr had previously worked in the area of the settlement. Volnovakha. During an unspecified time, the demining vehicle discovered and destroyed by detonation more than 500 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. In this case, the car did not receive serious damage. For all the time, the mines could only damage the wings, three road wheels and a caterpillar. Broken parts were quickly replaced, and the BMR-3MA returned to work.
Later, the crew with the car went to Mariupol. At the time of filming for the media, they were engaged in demining the airport. The enemy left a lot of mines and other explosive objects there, and now Pahom's crew is dealing with them. The process of working with such threats is shown from different angles. In particular, another mine under the trawl hit the lens.
Apparently, in the near future, the BMR-3MA, which has become the hero of reports, will continue to work in Mariupol. After demining is completed in this city, the car will be sent to a new location. The retreating Ukrainian formations leave a lot of mines, and our sappers have to continue their work.
RTK "Prokhod-1" in the fields of Donbass, July 2022. Photo by Telegram / ChDambiev
It is quite possible that not only Pakhom's crew is working in the liberated territories. Other crews and their Vepri can also be involved in humanitarian demining. In addition, foot sappers, who have all the necessary means to search for and neutralize explosive devices, play a significant role in the current processes.
It should be noted that not only the BMR-3MA, but also other heavy engineering equipment is used in the zone of the Special Operation. So, in mid-July, it became known that the Prohod-1 robotic complex was being used in the liberated areas of Donbass. This machine is made on the basis of the Vepr and has similar capabilities, but differs in the presence of a remote control.
Contemporary pattern
The modern BMR-3MA "Vepr" demining machine is another version of the development of a design created several decades ago. In the past, similar machines BMR-3 and BMR-3M were developed and produced, and in the tenth years, the Vepr product was developed to replace them. At the same time, the development of the direction did not stop, and the BMR-3MA has already become the basis for the engineering robotic complex.
The prototype BMR-3MA was first shown in 2015 at the Army forum. In the future, this machine was repeatedly demonstrated at other exhibitions. During this period, all the necessary tests were carried out, according to the results of which the Vepr was adopted by the engineering troops. Deliveries of serial equipment to combat units began in 2017.
Since entering service, the BMR-3MA has repeatedly participated in various exercises of the ground forces and demonstrated their capabilities. Now this technique is used in a real military operation and fights against real mines laid by the enemy. Vepr reportedly copes with such work and helps to return the liberated areas to peaceful life.
On the current base
Previous modifications of the BMR-3 were built on the chassis of the main tank T-72 of various modifications. The modern BMR-3MA is made on the basis of the T-90A, which provides well-known production and operational advantages. In addition, the Vepr differs from its predecessors in the composition of on-board equipment and the trawls used.
The first demonstration of the Vepr at the Army-2015 forum. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
When developing the BMR-3MA, the tank chassis retained the main part of the original hull, as well as the power plant and chassis. Instead of a turret sheet, an armored cabin with crew seats was installed on the hull. Most of the frontal projection of the hull and superstructure are equipped with dynamic protection units. They also partially cover the board.
The crew of the BMR-3MA consists of two people, a driver and a commander. When demining, three sappers are in the car. If necessary, they go outside and perform certain work with explosive devices. In the latest projects of the BMR-3 series, measures have been taken to increase comfort. So, in the habitable compartment there is a place to store a supply of water and food and a stove for heating. A dry closet is also provided. Thanks to these tools, the crew and sappers can stay inside the car for several days.
For self-defense, the Vepr is equipped with a turret with a Kord heavy machine gun. There is also a set of smoke grenade launchers for firing into the front hemisphere.
Fastenings for installation of a trawl are provided on the forehead of the hull. "Vepr" can use all major domestic tank trawls. At the same time, the BMR-3MA was demonstrated at exhibitions with a modern TMT-S type trawl. The same product is used during real demining in the Donbass.
The TMT-S tank minesweeper is compatible with all modern domestic MBTs and engineering vehicles. On the trawl frame there are two rows of metal rollers for impact on mines with a push fuse. There is also an electromagnetic prefix for initiating the detonation of mines with a magnetic target sensor and a device for combating anti-aircraft mines.
BMR-3MA on exercises. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The total mass of TMT-S reaches 13 tons. It can be transported at speeds up to 45 km/h; speed during trawling - no more than 15 km / h. With the help of rollers, the product clears a continuous strip 3,9 m wide. The electromagnetic prefix has a range of up to 4 m, the anti-aircraft minesweeping device - up to 100 m. The TMT-S is capable of destroying anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. The rollers withstand up to 10 explosions of TM-62 type mines.
Clear benefits
The BMR-3MA demining combat vehicle is built on the basis of well-known and proven ideas with the use of modern units and products. Due to this, the Vepr has improved characteristics and can effectively solve all the intended tasks.
BMR-3MA is built on the chassis of the modern T-90A tank, which is mass-produced and available to the troops. This choice of base to a certain extent simplifies the production of an engineering vehicle, and also facilitates its operation and maintenance in the troops. In addition, the unified chassis gives MBT and BMR the closest mobility and cross-country characteristics, which is important when they work together on the front line.
"Vepr" can use different trawls, but in practice the newest domestic sample of this class is used. It provides a continuous clearing of a wide strip, along which equipment or people can then pass. It cannot be ruled out that our industry is already working on the next trawl, which in the future will replace the current TMT-S and further improve the performance of the entire complex.
The demining machine also has its own potential for modernization. So, a few years ago, an engineering RTC "Prohod-1" was created on its basis. It retains all the features of the basic BMR-3MA, but is characterized by increased security. During demining, the crew is at a safe distance, and any risks for it are completely excluded.
Work continues
In the liberated areas of Donbass and in neighboring territories, there are still a lot of dangerous objects, and Russian sappers will have to deal with this threat. To solve such problems and save the local population, they have a wide range of various wearable and self-propelled vehicles, incl. full-size engineering vehicles.
Mine clearance of open areas and large areas is carried out using combat vehicles, such as the BMR-3MA "Vepr" or "Prokhod-1". This equipment and its crews have already managed to clear large areas in the liberated territories, and they will have to continue this work until they manage to get rid of all Ukrainian mines.
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