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.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

Advertisements

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

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

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

Service Year

1978

Origin

Soviet Union

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

2
CREWMEN

Production

550
UNITS

Kharkiv Tractor Plant - Soviet Union

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

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

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ 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 Arrangement

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

Cross-Country Capability

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

Angled Armor

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

Shallow Glacis

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.

NBC Protection

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

Nightvision

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

In-Direct Fire Capable

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.

Length

23.8 ft
7.26 m

Width

9.4 ft
2.85 m

Height

8.9 ft
2.7 m

Weight

34,172 lb
15,500 kg

Tonnage

17.1 tons
LIGHT

(Showcased structural values pertain to the UR-77 production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

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

Speed

37.3 mph
(60.0 kph)

Range

310.7 mi
(500.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the UR-77 production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

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

Supported Types

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

1 x Mine-clearing line charge.

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