In the interests of the engineering troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, new models of equipment are being developed. Instead of the obsolete tank bridge-layers, work is underway to create an MTU-2020 tank bridge-layer. The capacity of the new bridge is increased to 60 tons. Instead of the IMR-3M demolition engineering vehicle and the BAT-2 track layer, a universal armored engineering vehicle UBIM was developed and undergoes state tests on the components and assemblies of the T-72BZ tank. The machine is equipped with a combat module to defeat manpower and lightly armored enemy vehicles. Moreover, the vehicle is equipped with an electric witch of 25 tf pulling force with a rope of 100 m length and a hydraulic jackhammer that is used for ripping rocky grounds and destruction of stone, reinforced concrete and concrete constructions. The development of new models will increase the mobility of units and reduce timelines to overcome damage and obstacles, as well as improve the mechanization of excavation.
The UBIM fulfills the following missions:
- breaking ways in rock roadblocks and tree entanglements over median terrains and in forested and mountainous areas;
- filling up ditches, craters, gullies and other obstacles;
- arranging approaches on river and ravine banks with a height of up to 6 m;
- digging up soil and loading construction materials into containers and vehicles;
- tree felling, stump extraction during passage clearing operations in the bush and undergrowth;
paving operations on rough terrains; - autonomous negotiating of reactive obstacles with non-contact magnetic fuzes;
- delivering fire against surface and air targets;
- removing damaged and stuck vehicles and materiel.