Russian combat robots help reduce soldier losses

Russia's Uran-9 military robot is a miniature, unmanned tank that can help reduce the loss of lives of soldiers during ground combat, according to Politrussia news site on October 2.

In terms of size, the Uran-9 is quite large, 2.3 m high, 5.2 m long, 2.5 m wide. Weighing 10 tons, with a 260 horsepower engine, the Uran-9 can reach a maximum speed of 35 km/h. This machine can be flexibly equipped with weapons. In addition to the 30 mm anti-tank gun (which can destroy enemy light tanks and armored vehicles) and the 7.62 mm machine gun to destroy enemy infantry (these two weapons are fixed), the Uran-9 can also be equipped with Ataka anti-tank guided missiles with many different types of warheads, depending on the mission - destroying tanks at a distance of 8 km or destroying enemy resistance nests.

The Uran-9 can be equipped with a powerful Shmel flamethrower or small anti-aircraft missiles to counter enemy helicopters. Depending on the requirements of each mission, the above weapons are installed separately or combined on the Uran-9.

The remote control signal reception distance of this type of robot is 3 km. However, since a control center can be in charge of up to 4 robots, the control distance can be up to 12 km if they move in a vertical formation. 12 km is a pretty good safe distance for reconnaissance work on the actual battlefield.

Uran-9 is equipped with 4 cameras, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the terrain and surrounding war situation.

If it encounters an anti-tank mine, the Uran-9 will be completely safe if it cooperates with the Uran-6 mine-clearing robot operating in front. The Uran-6 can detonate all types of mines without being damaged itself.

Currently, the design engineers have not yet made a final decision on the optimal protective steel shell thickness of the Uran-9. If the function of supporting infantry in combat with enemy infantry is taken into account, the Uran-9 must at least withstand bullets from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (B41, the successor of the B40 anti-tank gun, more powerful and recoilless).

According to calculations, with the current power of the engine (260 horsepower), it is possible to add 4-5 tons of steel to increase the thickness of the Uran-9's armor without significantly reducing its maneuverability. If the power of the engine is increased, the armor can be strengthened even more.

Uran-9 is in the final stages of completion and after undergoing national testing will be put into mass production for the military.

Cruise missiles, artillery fire, tanks, armored vehicles... can support but cannot replace infantry. Therefore, Russian weapons experts have focused on the program of designing and manufacturing combat robots. Of course, robots cannot replace humans, but at least they help reduce loss of life and in case of emergency, can replace human lives.

According to experts, combat robots are the vanguard and loyal and effective comrades of the infantry. With strong firepower and the ability to be difficult to destroy, Uran-9 contributes greatly to protecting the lives of the infantry in the rear.

According to TNO