UR-77 (Meterorit)

Mine Clearing Vehicle [ 1978 ]

The UR-77 Meteorite is a specialized mine-clearing variant of the Cold War-era 2S1 Gvozdika Self-Propelled Howitzer vehicle.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/12/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the Russian MoD; Public Release.

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The UR-77 "Meterorit" ("Meteorite") is a Soviet Cold War-era mine clearing / battlefield breaching vehicle. Design work was begun in 1977 and, utilizing the existing chassis of the 2A1 "Gvozdika" Self-propelled Artillery (SPA) chassis, the UR-77 was born. After its time in the Soviet Army, existing vehicles were taken over by the newly-established Russian Army forces. Beyond this, the vehicle has also been in operation service with the forces of Azerbaijan, Syria, and Ukraine and utilized in the First (1994-1996) and Second (1999-2000) Chechen wars, the Syrian Civil War (2011-Present), and the ongoing War in Donbas (the Russian Invasion of Ukraine; 2014-Present).

Built atop the proven framework of the 2S1 SPA, the UR-77 shares the same track-and-wheel arrangement, powertrain, and powerpack. The running gear includes six small rubber-tired roadwheels to a hull side with the drive sprocket featured forward and the track idler aft. The track link components run the entire length of the vehicle, are not supported by track-return rollers, and are not protected by armor skirts. The vehicle weighs 34,200lb (the 2S1 weighs around 35,300lb) and sits atop a torsion bar suspension system. A diesel engine of 300 horsepower provides drive power to the tank treads.

As the main armament of the 2S1 is removed in the UR-77, the standard operating crew is reduced from four to two (now just driver and commander) with the driver retaining his positioned at front-left in the hull. The same shallow glacis plate over the bow found on the 2S1 series enhances ballistics protection and the lack of a true traversing turret means that the reimagined vehicle has an even lower battlefield profile. The powerpack is contained to the front-right in the hull, allowing the rear of the hull to seat the line-breaching equipment.

Over the rear of the hull is seated the launcher unit which raises up on a powered hinge for arced fire. Rocket-powered mine-clearing line charges are housed within a pair of launch tubes, firing out from the muzzle with the backblast being contained rear of the vehicle. Effective range of the weapon is approximately 300 feet. Upon hitting its mark, the line charge disrupts any armed, awaiting mine (even buried dangers), causing them to detonat. This destructive value is not lost on ground commanders either for the vehicle has been used to demolish standing structures that can house enemy elements.

Despite its Cold War roots, the UR-77 continues to serve an active role in the modern Russian Army.©MilitaryFactory.com

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September 2022 - The UR-77 has been featured by Russian ground forces in its invasion of neighboring Ukraine begun in February of 2022. At least one example was captured by the Ukrainians.

Specifications

Kharkiv Tractor Plant - Soviet Union
Manufacturer(s)

Azerbaijan; Russia; Soviet Union; Syria; Ukraine (local and captured from Russia)
Operators

1978
Service Year

Soviet Union
National Origin

Active
Project Status

2
Crew

550
Units

ENGINEERING
Onboard systems provide solutions to accomplish a variety of battlefield engineering tasks.

SPECIAL PURPOSE
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.

TRACK-AND-WHEEL
Vehicle utilizes a track-and-wheel arrangement to provide enhanced cross-country travel capability.

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAVERSAL
Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.

ANGLED ARMOR FACINGS
Angled armor at key facings adds inherent ballistics protection to the vehicle.

SHALLOW GLACIS PLATE
The shallow design of the glacis plate provides the vehicle with inherent ballistics protection as well as contributes to a lower overall profile - making it more difficult to disable.

CBRN PROTECTION
Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.

NIGHT VISION
Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.

IN-DIRECT FIRE
This system's capability is such that it can engage targets / target areas without Line-of-Sight attained.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT
Ability to provide lethal, in-direct firepower at range for area saturation; can include nuclear, biological, and chemical agents.

23.8 ft
(7.26 meters)
Length

9.4 ft
(2.85 meters)
Width

8.9 ft
(2.7 meters)
Height

34,172 lb
(15,500 kg)
Weight

17.1 tons
(Light-class)
Tonnage

1 x YaMZ-238N diesel-fueled engine developing 300 horsepower driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.
Drive System

37 mph
(60 kph)
Road Speed

311 miles
(500 km)
Road Range

1 x Mine-clearing line charge in twin-tubed launcher over rear of hull.

AMMUNITION
1 x Mine-clearing line charge.

UR-77 "Meterorit" / "Meteorit" - Base Series Designation.

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Images

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Image from the Russian MoD; Public Release.

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