The_Soviet_Army_troops_organization_and_equi

DESCRIPTION:

The PMR-3 (and the similar PMZ-4) consists of a single chute and a plow attachment. The attachment provides the option of burying the mines or depositing them on the surface of the ground. The mines c a n be spaced 4 t o 5.5 meters a p a r t , depending on the control setting. If buried, the

mines are emplaced at a depth of 6 to 12 centimeters at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour. The trailer weighs 1.8 metric tons. The towing vehicle

may carry 200 to 300 mines, depending on the type of vehicle; these may be TM.44-, TM-46-, TM-57, or TM-62-seriesantitank mines.

DESCRIPTION:

This vehicle derives from the chassis of the SA-4/GANEF SAM. Mine storage is i n the rear.

Minelaying Chutes

The minelaying device operates in a manner similar to that of the PMR-3.

DESCRIPTION:

and helicopters. They can quickly lay a minefield

on the surface. Minelaying chutes are still available, but they are seldom used.

DESCRIPTION/CAPABILITIES:

The KMT-5M mine roller-plow combination consists of two plows and two sets of three rollers attached to the front of the tank hull. It is very flexible, since it allows for either the plows or the rollers to be used, depending upon terrain features, type of soil, and fuzing encountered. The rollers function satisfactorily against mines equipped with simple pressure fuzes, but other mines will defeat this equipment. However, the roller-plow combination also allows the tank to counter more sophisticated fuzes with plows designed to uncover or push mines aside. The plows and rollers cannot work simultaneously. Thespeed of clearing varies from 6 to 12 kilometers per hour.

The KMT-5M also includes a luminous lanemarking device for night operations. Because plows and rollers do not clear the area between them, a "dogbone" or light chain with rollers is stretched between the roller sections to defeat tilt-rod mines. The crew can install the system in 30 to 45 minutes. Quick disconnects allow the operator to drop either plows or rollers or both; otherwise, the crew can remove the system in 8 to 13 minutes. All current medium t a n k s have fittings for attaching mineclearing equipment. One roller-plow combination is issued per tank company. However,

the engineer company of a TR or MRR normally holds these assets. One KrAZ-255Btruck or two

ZIL-131 trucks can carry one KMT-5M.

KMT-6 Mineclearing Plow

DESCRIPTION/CAPABILITIES:

The Soviets introduced KMT-6 and KMT-6M track width mineclearing plows along with the T.64 and T-72 tanks in the early 1970s. When its plow is lowered, the KMT-6's teeth dig into the ground

and remove mines from the path of the tank rather than simply detonating the mines (as rollers do).

The plow system is also lighter than rollers. It permits the tanks to retain their cross-country mobility. Its estimated clearing speed is 6 to 12 kilometers per hour; its depth of clearance is 10 centimeters. Installation requires 15 to 20 minutes. Removal requires 5 to 10. Three plows are issued per tank company (one per platoon of three tanks).

These assets are organic to the engineer company of a TR or MRR. One ZIL-131 truck can carry

three plows. However, the plows are normally

already mounted on tanks when they deploy onto the battlefield.

The KMT-6M is a modernized version of the KMT-6. The only noticeable difference between the two plows is that the KMT-6Mhas three tines on its hinged extendable moldboard rather than the two on the KMT-6.

REMARKS:

The Soviets developed the KMT-4 mineclearing

plow in the 1960s. I t is the predecessor of the KMT-6, and is used on the T-54, T-55, and T-62

t a n k s . Plows without moldboards have been observed on BMPs, and fixtures for mounting

mineclearing equipment have been seen on BMP-2s.

A modified T-55, with the M1986 mineclearing roller, serves as the basis for this mineclearing vehicle. Its turret is absent. In its place, on the right side of the chassis, is an angular attachment housing a 12.7-mm AA machine gun; on the left side is a n elevated driver's position. In front of these additions are four smoke grenade projectors on each side. Steel-reinforced rubber protective skirts fit on the track covers to protect the fuel

tanks. Two mine roller sets with three rollers each, similar to those of the KMT-5Mplow/roller system,

are mounted in front. However, in place of the tube-like frame of the KMT-5M,the new system

has a beam-like frame. Two extra mine roller sets ride on the rear of the vehicle.

REMARKS:

This vehicle was observed in 1986 in Afghanistan . Also pictured in the column is a n IMR armored engineer tractor whose crane may facilitate the replacement of rollers. While the ordinary employment of the KMT-5Min conventional combat is only for short periods of time to create passages in minefields, the new system appears to have been created for t h e special combat s i t u a t i o n i n Afghanistan.

DESCRIPTION:

The MTK-2mineclearer's chassis and roadwheels are similar to those of the 122-mm SP howitzer 2S1. T h e MTK-2 is amphibious. I t h a s a small, f l a t , box-like turret mounted o n a chassis. This holds the rocket-firing mechanism; when closed, it covers t h e s t o r a g e a r e a for t h e explosive line c h a r g e s . Before firing, a hydraulic mechanism raises t h e rocket-firing portion.

CAPABILITIES:

pressure fuzes; it can clear a path 8 meters wide through a field with tilt-rod fuzes. I t carries a crew

of three: t h e commander, t h e gunner, a n d t h e driver. I t h a s a maximum speed of 60 kilometers

per hour on hard surface roads, and 4.5 kilometers per hour i n the water.

The DIM is mounted on a UAZ-469/69 truck. The detection element fastens on a frame on the front of the vehicle. When the vehicle approaches a metallic mine, a signal light appears on the dash and, simultaneously, the system applies compressed air into the brake cylinders, halting the detector.

This system can detect metallic mines in roadways, airfields, and other terrain. It can detect mines buried 25 centimeters deep. It can travel at a speed of up to 10 kilometers per hour while scanning. Placing the system in or out of operation takes up to seven minutes. The DIM has a twoman crew.

This vehicle is based on a T-54/55 tank chassis. The turret is absent, replaced by a hydraulic crane which can be fitted with a number of attachments. An articulating, hydraulically-operated dozer blade mounts on the front. The crane operator sits in a n armored cupola. The IMR has filtration and overpressure systems and a n antiradiation liner, which would allow it to operate in a contaminated area.

The primary mission of the IMR is obstacle clraring. Secondary uses include road clearing,

firefighting, a n d reducing the effects of NBC

attacks. The combat engineer (sapper)company of the engineer battalion of MRDs and TDs uses the

IMR. It cannot keep up with current models of main battle tanks and other combat vehicles.

DESCRIPTION:

The IMR M1986is based on a T-72 tank chassis. I t mounts an articulating bulldozer blade on the front a n d a telescoping crane a r m which can employ a number of attachments. I t h a s NBC protection for the crew.

CAPABILITIES:

The primary purpose of the IMR M1986 is identical to that of the older IMR. The crane can lift between 5 and 11 metric tons.

REMARKS:

Although the IMR M1986 is presently in service with the Soviet armed forces, its fielding scheme i s unknown a t this time. Low ground pressure reduces the tractive force of the system.

DESCRIPTION:

The BAT has a cable-operated, two-section adjustable dozer blade mounted on an AT-T heavy artillery tractor. The BAT-M adds a hydraulic operating mechanism for the blade, and a rotary crane mounted on the bed of the vehicle. The

BAT-M can move material with its blade at a rate of 200 to 250 cubic meters per hour. Its crane

capacity is 2 metric tons. Its maximum road speed is 35 kilometers per hour, and its range is 500

kilometers. The BAT-M weighs 27.5 metric tons. Its two-man crew can place it into a n operation in five to seven minutes. It has a filtration system and can operate in contaminated areas for short periods of time. Although it is an aging piece of equipment, the BAT-M is still found in engineer units at all echelons. However, the BAT-2 is currently replacing it.