Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) are testing a remote-controlled mine-clearance vehicle designed to let Yars mobile ballistic missile launchers travel safely through minefields, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
“The vehicle will allow the components of the missile system to breach minefields as well as reduce the threat of individually-placed explosive devices,” the ministry quoted RVSN engineering service head, Col. Dmitry Yevmenenko as saying.
The new vehicle will use advanced microwave emitters as well as traditional mine-clearing devices to detect and eliminate mines along the patrol routes used by Yars launchers.
The new system can clear a path up to 70 meters wide, the ministry said.
Russian military experts believe the new vehicle will deal with threats such as minefields set by “commando” teams or artillery submunition rounds and cluster bombs.
The Yars missile system uses the multiple-warhead RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile.
