M718, M741 (RAAM) Projectiles
Contents
M718, M718A1, M741 RAAM — anti-tank remote-mining projectiles
These projectiles are used for remote laying of anti-tank mines, directly in front of enemy armored vehicles, to deny or delay access to a given area for a certain period of time.
The mines self-destruct 4, 24 or 48 hours after laying. The L (Long) marking means self-destruction after 48 hours (nominal); the S (Short) marking means self-destruction after 4 hours (nominal).
The anti-tank mine is a shaped-charge type. It is designed to disable the crews of tanks and other vehicles. The fuze responds to the vehicle's magnetic field and initiates the explosion once a set magnetic-field threshold is reached. The damage is inflicted by molten splashes of armor produced when the shaped-charge jet penetrates the hull floor, and by fragments of projectiles detonating from the tank's ammunition load (according to US Army Field Manual FM 20-32).
By classification of damaging properties, the mine belongs to the K-Kill type (destruction of the tank and crew).
Technical specifications
- Number of mines: 9;
- Self-destruct delay:
- M718 - 48 h;
- M741 - 4 h;
- Arming time: from 45 s to 2 min;
- Safe distance to friendly troops: 235 meters;
- Overall length: 861 mm;
- Weight: 47 kg without fuze;
- Fuzes: time fuzes, for example M577;
- Maximum range: 17.6 km;
- Minimum range: 4 km.
Usage notes
The projectiles are described in Kropyva.
Safe distance to friendly troops: 235 meters.
Planned density per 1,000 m² (a 32×32 m area).
Number of mines (not projectiles):
- low - 1 mine
- medium - 2 mines
- maximum - 4 mines.
With a correctly chosen dispersion height, the mines will be laid 200 m apart from each other (optional).
Scattered mines are very effective even when exposed on the surface of the ground, because they are relatively small and naturally colored. From 5 to 15 percent of the scattered mines will come to rest at the edge of the dispersion zone.
Using anti-armor mines in snow may be less effective, because it hinders the deployment of the sensing wires.
The projectile was designed for use with the M577. They can also be used with other electronic time fuzes, and mechanical time fuzes with impact action.
The mines self-destruct 4 to 48 hours after laying. The L (Long) marking means self-destruction after 48 hours (nominal); the S (Short) marking means self-destruction after 4 hours (nominal).
Mine-Laying Formulas and Standards
RAAM and ADAM artillery mine-laying systems. M718, M741, M692 and M731 projectiles
Oleh Syrota (Georgich©) for the Armed Forces of Ukraine /
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