"Snake Gorynych" - weapons of mine

Minefield is the most effective way to protect your positions from enemy attacks. Of course, this is not an absolute deterrent, but in many cases it is expedient and effective. But in order to bypass such fields, it is first necessary to neutralize them, and special systems such as "Snake Gorynych" (weapons) help in this. What is it - a reliable means, in which it is worth investing, or an unnecessary adaptation?

A bit of history

Note that the first modern demining systems were created by the British in 1912. And initially this weapon was not fought with mines, but with barbed wire. For their explosion, a pipe 5 m long was used, which was charged with 27 kg of pyroxylin. The ammunition was put under the barrage and was undermined. Because of the long form, the munition was called a torpedo.

In the USSR, the first means of demining appeared during the war, and it was an elongated charge of U3: it was a tube 2 m long and 7 cm in diameter, which could accommodate slightly more than 5 kg of TNT. The essence of his action was that the tank with the trawl pulled out charges for demining, after which they were undermined. Despite the effectiveness of such a system, it was full of flaws. First of all, mine clearance was rapid, and preparation required a lot of time.

UR-67

"Snake Gorynych" is a weapon based on UR-67. This demining system was used to combat anti-tank mines. True, the first version was not the most perfect, and the UR-67 was replaced by the UR-77 "Meteorite", which is still considered the main machine of this type in the Russian army. While maintaining the main design features of the system and its operation principle, it began to be equipped with a new ammunition. At the heart of the elongated charge 77 lie detonating cables longer than 10 m, which are connected to a single cord by nakidnymi nuts.

Why "Snake Gorynych"?

The weapon, whose photo speaks of its menacing nature, received this name for good reason. This is due to a powerful and scary spectacle: first a deafening roar of a rocket engine is heard , after which a short rocket is swept into the sky, and something white stretches beyond it. After disengagement, the rocket flies forward, and a long sausage falls on the ground, after which the earth is shaken by a heavy explosion.

How the design was changing ...

It is noteworthy, but when creating the model designers proposed to abandon the basic caterpillar. This version of the mine-clearing system received the designation UR-83P, it was transported by truck, then it was collected directly on the battlefield, in the tank trenches.

The tank unit had a light frame, but the system did not spread, because the speed was much weaker. In wartime, "Snake Gorynych" (a weapon that is still considered one of the most reliable in the world) was an excellent assistant in overcoming minefields. At least, there was an opportunity to save the lives of sappers and miners.

What are the features?

"Snake Gorynych" - a weapon that has been constantly improved. So, the chassis of the model is based on the MT-LB tractor construction. The features of the new model include:

1. The special hood-tower protects the exhaust rocket starting guide and the drawers for the cord. This is an important innovation, since armored boxes for ammunition contain more than 1500 tons of explosives. Before starting, the armored hulk rises to the desired angle, then only three buttons are triggered: starting a solid fuel engine, which detonates the charge that drops the braking line.
2. Recharging the installation takes about 40 minutes.
3. The explosive cord can be laid by crane or manually.
4. "Snake Gorynych" - a weapon that can be launched even from the water.

For the first time this installation was used in combat in 1973 - at this time the weapons were delivered to Egypt. Subsequently, the models participated in virtually all combat operations of the USSR and Russia.

How does it work?

The UR-77 is a self-propelled demining unit for light armored vehicles, which can make 6-meter wide passages on minefields that are "stuffed" with anti-tank anti-target mines and mines with a pin-shaped target sensor. Specialists note that the system easily and reliably manages the demolition of high-explosive antipersonnel mines (similar to the American M14) in a strip up to 14 m wide.

One of the most reliable means of mine clearance today is the "Snake Gorynych" (weapons) system. How to use it? Mines explode due to the fact that their own fuses triggered by the shock wave. It, in turn, is formed by the explosion of an elongated demining charge. The installation itself includes two elements - a basic machine in the form of a modified chassis and a tower installation consisting of starting guides for two missiles and two compartments under the sections of the detonating cable.

The basis is the howitzer "Carnation"

"Snake Gorynych" - weapons of mine, which due to its unique characteristics has been popular for more than a decade. As the equipment used self-propelled howitzer 2S1 "Carnation", which has a classic tower design. Its body is created on the basis of steel sheets, it is characterized by tightness and the ability to overcome water obstacles. The corps has three branches: power, control and combat.

On the roof there is a welded tower, the combat compartment of which is equipped with a rotating basket. The tower is equipped with a gun and a place for the crew. On the right side there is a charging seat, laying under the sleeves, and on the left side there is a gunner's seat and sighting devices. The main weapon is a howitzer, which works on the basis of ammunition 122 mm. Work howitzer is conducted on the basis of high-explosive fragmentation projectiles of various types, which are often supplemented by contact fuses. The maximum range of fire is 15.2 km.

Ammunition system "Snake Gorynych"

Arms the principle of action has the following: it is supposed to use a certain ammunition. It includes two elongated demining charges that have solid-propellant rocket missiles. One charge is designed for one pass, that is, the installation with one ammunition can do just two passes with a length of 93 m and a width of 6 m. The installation itself during the conduct of hostilities can be located both in shelter and in open terrain. The charges start with a short stop. Charges can also be launched from the water, when it is necessary to clear minefields along the shoreline.

The main thing is to configure

Powerful and modern "Snake Gorynych" weapon. The principle of operation of the entire demining system is as follows:

1. UR-77 makes a pass and extends to the minefield, while it can stand at a range of 200-500 m.
2. The distance to the boundary of the minefield is determined by the commander, who raises the tower installation to a certain elevation angle, and then gives the command to start the charge.
3. The rocket leaves the guide and flies along a certain trajectory, while pulling a flexible cable connected with the explosive.
4. The rocket with the charge is retarded by the length, which is determined by the length of the braking rope - it is attached to the bow of the machine.
5. The charge falls on the minefield, and the rocket propellant engine is cut off.
6. The machine is fed by the driver-mechanic back to level the charge in a straight line.
7. The brake rope is shot.
8. The time for the complete passage of the passage takes a maximum of 5 minutes
9. After the first cycle is completed, the second charge is started.
10. Recharging the machine takes about 40 minutes.

To carry out this procedure, the machine should go to a predetermined location. The time of recharging by calculation forces with a given sapper compartment is 30-40 minutes.

What prospects?

"Snake Gorynych" (weapons UR-77), which was also called the war "Meteorite", in 2014 was again transferred to the arsenal of the Russian Federation, albeit in a new form. The updated installation was developed by the Balashikha Research Institute and the designers of the Rubtsovsk Machine-Building Plant. As a chassis for this model, the base of the BMP-3 combat vehicle was used. The launcher is additionally equipped with elongated demining charges.

"Snake Gorynych" is a weapon in Russia, which is popular due to the thoughtfulness of the design and technical characteristics. With their help, you can make passages in a minefield a few tens of meters wide at any distance. Updated charges can destroy any types of mines. The charge of this installation is a rocket to which a long cable is attached: there is an explosive on it. When the cable falls to the ground, the explosive detonates and destroys mines within a radius of several meters. Thus, a safe passage is created, along which infantry can pass, military vehicles can pass through.

As noted by experts who conducted tests of this system, demining charges detonate part of the mines. And devices that are protected from undermining are thrown out of the cleared passage. In any case, in combat conditions this installation will be more effective.

Features of the updated system

It is planned that the model UR-07M, which will replace the "Snake Gorynych" installation, will easily cope with the de-mining of the coastal strip. With its help it will be possible to make passages of sufficient width in the coastal sea line at a depth of up to five meters. Passages will be done gradually - launching groups of ammunition from the carrier, which moves along the shore, after which they will be undermined in the alignment of the passage. It is noted that the rocking of the ship will not affect the accuracy of the supply of ammunition, since this will be compensated for by automatic control of firing on the basis of a computer. Designers emphasize the fact that "Snake Gorynych" as a weapon of demining all the same requires a revision and design, and technical parameters to meet modern requirements. That is why it was decided to improve the old system by introducing modern technologies into it.

As a supplement to the system there is a trailer "Garter" URP-01, which allows you to make passages in anti-tank minefields. Charges are launched both from towing equipment, without requiring the crew to leave the car, and autonomously - on the ground or from the trench.