The robotic complex can defuse mines and make passages in barriers.
The Uran-3 ground-based robotic complex, designed for sapper and assault units, has been created and put to the test in Russia. The vehicle is equipped with a minesweeper and a heavy machine gun. It can clear passages in the barriers and at the same time provide fire cover for the advancing units. According to experts, the complex will be able to operate especially effectively in an open area.
What is the Uran-3 NRTC?
Tests of the Uran-3 ground-based robotic system (NRTC) have begun in the troops, sources familiar with the situation told Izvestia. The machine is designed for sappers and assault units and can be used to clear passages in minefields and barriers.
The Uran is based on a tracked platform, which provides it with high maneuverability, and a powerful trawl mounted on it allows the drone to neutralize antipersonnel mines. In addition, a special module with a heavy machine gun is installed on the drone to cover the attack aircraft.
The operator controls the device remotely using a remote control. It can be located hundreds of meters away from the car, which significantly reduces the risk to humans. Management requires serious training: the operator must simultaneously drive the equipment, monitor the situation and control the fire.
Photo: TASS/Alexander River
Image source: iz.ru
The complex includes three robotic devices and a KamAZ vehicle, on which they are transported to the place of use.
After completing the tests, the developer will make changes to the design, if necessary, and then the complex will begin to enter the army.
"Uran-3" may well be used in the rear areas for mine clearance purposes, military expert Vasily Dandykin believes. In this case, the machine gun mounted on it will be used as a means of protection against UAVs.
"The ideal terrain for using such devices is the steppe," he told Izvestia. — Therefore, most likely, such a tool will be used primarily in the Zaporozhye area. Taking into account small arms, this is no longer an engineering complex, but a universal one.
The large—caliber machine gun installed at the Uranus base is not only a means of fire to support attack aircraft, but also protection for the complex itself, according to military expert Yuri Lyamin.
Photo: TASS/Alexander River
Image Source: iz.ru
"Initially, the mine—clearing complexes were unarmed," he told Izvestia. — And if they came under fire, they had no physical opportunity to shoot back. With a machine gun, they can defend themselves.
In addition, the military expert believes that the scope of this model of "Uranium" goes beyond mine clearance and fire support.
— Such a device is capable of performing reconnaissance tasks. He can pass through minefields and transmit information about the situation behind them to the operator using cameras," Lyamin explained.
Which robotic systems are used in the military
The Russian military already uses a whole range of robotic complexes of the Uran family.
Thus, the 14-ton Uran-14 is designed to extinguish fires in dangerous conditions for humans. It is capable of delivering a foam jet at a distance of at least 35 m and a water jet at a distance of up to 50 m. A fire pump with a capacity of about 2 thousand liters per minute is installed on the machine. The device is equipped with a rotary gripper, which can move loads weighing up to 2 tons.
Uran-14 robotic fire extinguishing system
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Pavel Gerasimov
The Uran-6 sapper has a curb weight of 7 tons. The device can carry one of three interchangeable trawls for working on different types of soil, as well as a bulldozer blade and a manipulator. This allows the complex to deal with both obstacle clearance and mine clearance, primarily the destruction of anti-personnel mines. One unit on flat terrain can replace 20 sappers. The operator controls the drone remotely, it can be located up to 800 m away.
In the fall of 2025, it became known about the completion of the creation of unmanned systems troops as an independent organization. The deputy head of the new branch of the armed forces, Colonel Sergei Ishtuganov, reported that its structure had been determined and military management bodies at all levels had been created.
Ground-based robotic complex "Uran-6"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
By the beginning of this year, separate regiments of unmanned systems troops had been created in all military districts. They must perform both reconnaissance and strike functions. The regiments are armed with a wide range of unmanned vehicles: multi-rotor and aircraft-type drones, reconnaissance drones, interceptors to combat enemy UAVs, ground-based robotic systems.
Izvestia reported that the country's first Higher Military School for Unmanned Systems Troops may appear in the Moscow Region. It is expected that it will accept the first cadets in 2027. Officers will be trained at the university.
Roman Kretsul
Maxim Vysochin
