During the recent exhibition "Army-2019", the Russian industry for the first time showed several promising models of equipment, including a whole family of new universal mine layers "Kleshch-G". These machines are built on different chassis, but use a unified target equipment and must solve common problems. In the foreseeable future, such equipment will have to enter service with the engineering troops.
Cipher "Tick"
The first mentions of development work under the code "Tick" appeared several years ago. At that time, it was about carrying out the modernization of the GMZ-2 tracked mine layer. Later, the designation "Klesh-G" appeared in the domestic media, also associated with promising equipment for military engineers.
In November last year, the Omsk press reported that the Omsktransmash enterprise (part of the NPK Uralvagonzavod) intends to build a new test track for military equipment. First of all, it was planned to test samples created as part of the Kleshch-G development work. However, the details of the current and future work then remained unknown.
The official premiere of the results of the new ROC took place within the framework of the Army-2019 forum. Omsktransmash, in cooperation with other enterprises, presented at once three versions of minelayers of the Kleshch-G family. They differ in the type of base chassis, which affects their mobility and performance.
Universal elements
ROC "Kleshch-G" proposes using the ideas of the older UMP project, but implements them with the help of new components. Provides for the manufacture of a universal launcher for remote mining and a set of controls for it. All of this equipment must be mounted on a compatible chassis. At the "Army-2019" exhibition, they showed the possibility of building a minelayer both on a specially designed tracked chassis and on converted wheeled ones.
The launcher has a hexagonal box-shaped body with a removable top cover. Inside it has 30 seats for universal mine cassettes. The installation is mounted on a support device with vertical guidance. The shooting of mines is controlled remotely by means of an electrical system.
The universal cassette is a cylinder with a resettable lid. Inside it are placed an expelling charge and several mines of one type or another. Depending on the type, the cassette carries from 1 to 72 minutes. The total ammunition load of the minelayer depends on the number of launchers and the number of cassettes on them. The dimensions of the mining strip are determined by the size of the ammunition, the type of mines used and the selected mining density. The maximum range of a shot is 40 m.
Together with the installations, the minelayers of the new line receive control equipment that allows them to shoot mines in different quantities and in different modes. In addition, the use of modern satellite navigation facilities is proposed. With their help, access to specified areas and the compilation of a mining map are simplified. Data on mining in real time is transmitted to the command.
Installation media
At the moment, the Kleshch-G family includes three universal mine layers on different chassis. They are built on the basis of existing models of technology, but these platforms had to be significantly reworked to install new products.
The UMP-G minelayer became the largest and heaviest member of the family. It is built on the original tracked chassis, made with the use of components and assemblies of the MBT T-72 and T-90. The resulting sample has a relatively powerful booking and a combat weight of 43, 5 tons. The crew consists of two people. For self-defense, a turret with a Kord machine gun is offered. The maximum speed on the highway is 60 km / h; mining speed - up to 40 km / h.
The UMZ-G armored hull has a U-shaped superstructure, inside which nine universal launchers are placed. The installations are deployed for shooting into the rear hemisphere and are remotely controlled. The total ammunition load of the UMZ-G is 270 cassettes.
The middle representative of the Kleshch-G line is the UMZ-K universal minelayer, made on the basis of the Asteis-70202-0000310 armored vehicle. Such a minelayer is a protected truck, in the back of which six launchers are mounted. The car weighs 18, 7 tons and is capable of speeds up to 100 km / h. Provides high mobility on the highway and sufficient off-road maneuverability. The crew includes two people. Armament for self-defense is not provided.
At the UMP-K cargo area, six launchers are mounted in two longitudinal rows of three products each. Ammunition consists of 180 cassettes with mines and is fired into the rear hemisphere.
The third carrier of the universal launcher was the Typhoon-VDV armored chassis - this variant of the minelayer was named UMZ-T. It has a cargo area with seats for two launchers. There are two containers for transporting ammunition behind the installations. The UMP based on the Typhoon-Airborne Forces has a combat weight of 14.5 tons and performance characteristics comparable to the UMP-K. The crew also consists of two people.
UMP-T carries two launchers with 60 cassettes. Several dozen cassettes can also be transported in feed boxes. Reloading can be done at any time by the crew. It is curious that the minelayer based on the Typhoon-Airborne Forces, unlike other members of the family, is capable of carrying not only ammunition ready for use.
In addition to the three already shown minelayers "Kleshch-G", the exhibition announced the appearance of two new unified mining systems. The first one will be made as a portable kit. His calculation will include from two to four people - depending on the task at hand. A new version of the helicopter system, similar to the existing VSM-1, is also being developed.
Promising mines are being created for new minelayers. Such ammunition for various purposes will retain full compatibility with universal cassettes, but will be distinguished by improved safety for civilians and their soldiers. No technical details were provided.
New items for troops
Last fall, the Omsk mass media wrote about the plans of the Omsktransmash enterprise to build a new test track for the Kleshch-G products. Apparently, this complex is already ready and can accept equipment. During Army-2019, the project developers noted that immediately after the end of the exhibition, minelayers of new types will be tested.
Probably, it will take several years to check and work out the designs, and serial samples will be able to get into the troops only in the first half of the twenties. Later, the army will be able to get wearable and helicopter kits from the new family. For the massive re-equipment of engineering units, it will take several more years, during which the new Kleshch-G machines will serve together with the existing models.
However, the timing of the completion of the tests and the production of equipment in the series has not yet been specified. It is worth expecting that as work continues, the Department of Defense or the development organization will publish news and talk about current successes.
Obvious advantages
Universal minelayers of the Kleshch-G ROC have several main advantages over existing equipment, which determine their high value for the engineering troops. Their positive qualities are associated with both the overall architecture and the design of the individual components.
First of all, high potential is provided by the creation and use of a universal launcher for universal cassettes. This, in a known manner, simplifies the construction of equipment, as well as its operation and the supply of ammunition. Probably, with the new launcher, the same cassettes are used as on the existing samples - this is an additional logistical advantage.
The "Kleshch-G" minelayer can install various types of mines and for different purposes. The installation of mines takes minimal time and can be carried out right in front of the advancing enemy. The onboard electronics of the minelayer ensures the storage and transfer of mine maps, which increases the safety of its own troops.
The three existing launch vehicles have different characteristics that are optimal for operation in certain conditions. Reservation allows you to work at the forefront, which gives advantages over serial UMP on unarmored car chassis. In addition, the appearance of new versions of "Klesh-G" on a different basis and in a different configuration is possible.
The first demonstration of minelayers of the Kleshch-G family took place just a few days ago. In the near future, the shown samples should go to the test site, which will take some time. In the future, it is worth waiting for the appearance of news about the test results and the adoption of equipment for service. The new line of universal mine layers can be of great interest to the engineering troops and can positively affect their capabilities.
