The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to test the newest UBIM (Universalnaya Bronirovannaya Inzhenernaya Mashina) multipurpose armoured engineering vehicle (AEV) in 2019, an industry source told Jane’s .
“State trials of the UBIM are scheduled for this year. The vehicle, developed by Uralvagonzavod, will be capable of functioning under fire and in contaminated areas,” said the source, adding that the system is based on the chassis of the T-90M main battle tank. “It will augment the IMR series of engineering platforms in service.”
The UBIM AEV, pictured with an excavator bucket. (Dmitry Fediushko)
The baseline UBIM weighs about 52 tonnes, has a crew of two (driver and commander-operator), and can transport three servicemen, said the source. The UBIM’s engineering suite comprises a V-dozer blade, a 7.5-tonne jib-type crane that carries a hydraulic hammer or an excavator bucket, and a towing winch. “The platform’s engineering subsystems are controlled via the SUGO-M management system and day/night TV cameras,” the source said. The UBIM sweeps mines at a speed of up to 12 km/h and can clear 350–450 m of obstacles per hour depending on the material.
The vehicle is powered by a 1,130-hp V-92S2F diesel engine, producing a top road speed of 60 km/h and a cruising range of 500 km. In the baseline configuration, the UBIM is armed with a Burevestnik 6S21 remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) that carries a 6P49 Kord 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, a TV camera, laser rangefinder, and optional thermal imager. “The RCWS allows the crew to detect targets at a range of 5,000 m,” said the source. The vehicle’s organic protection has been reinforced by front-mounted appliqué armour plates, nine 902B Tucha smoke dischargers, and a thermal smoke screen layer.
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