A Russian anti-tank mine was reportedly discovered in Ukraine, which had not previously been seen on the battlefield.
When triggered, the PTKM-1R Top Assault Mine shoots itself up over its target before striking from above in a potentially fatal blow.
Sensors in the mine detect the sound of approaching vehicles and compare the recorded audio to a predefined target list. This means, according to the manufacturers, that it will not be triggered when civilian vehicles drive by.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Russia’s armies began deploying the 45-pound PTKM-1R in 2020. Analysts said it was similar to the US-made M93 Hornet wide-area ammunition, which is also a top assassination mine.
A picture was shared on Twitter from Ukraine showing one of the mines being placed in a field. The photo was reportedly taken on April 26.
Sensors in the mine detect the sound of approaching vehicles and compare the recorded audio to a predefined target list. Once triggered, the Mini tilts at a 30-degree angle and fires its explosive warhead into the air, scanning the ground for its target
Image: The mine’s four acoustic sensors are shown in this demonstration video
According to the Armament Research Services blog, the mine is placed on the ground with the eight legs folded out so it’s pointing up.
Its four directional acoustic sensors and seismic sensors are triggered when a target vehicle approaches within 100 meters (328 feet), after which the projectile’s trajectory is calculated.
Once the onboard systems lock onto the target, the mine will tilt at a 30-degree angle to the vehicle.
When the target is deemed close enough, the 6.2-pound warhead — or submunition — is launched into the air to a height of about 100 feet, and the mine’s infrared sensors scan the ground below for the tank.
An explosive metal projectile is then fired from the submunition at high speed. It moves with such speed that it can even pierce through the typical 2.75 inch thick steel armor of conventional tanks. The entire startup process takes just a few seconds.
Countries are scrambling to develop increasingly powerful top-attack weapons like this high-tech mine to counter the improvement in tank armor technology.
Tanks are more vulnerable from above, as evidenced by the Ukrainian army’s effectiveness in destroying hundreds of Russian tanks with airstrikes.
Pictured: The mine hovers in the air above a tank for a split second before firing its explosive bullet at its target
Image: The Russian-made PTKM-1R top attack mine is shown in a demonstration video. The mine first rises into the air over its target before attacking a tank’s less-protected turret
However, tank armor – once made of steel plates – has improved rapidly in recent years and is now often made from lighter ceramic alternatives.
This means tanks are more maneuverable and have fewer problems with their suspension – all with a similar level of protection.
Weapons researchers and manufacturers have been looking for ways to create weapons that attack from above and target the weaker turrets.
PTKM-1R could easily breach a tank’s turret, killing the crew or detonating the ammunition on board the tank.
A Russian military video posted to YouTube on November 8, 2021 showed the mine being unveiled.
The large object will be on display before being shown in action against an unmanned tank in a demonstration.
The slow-motion footage shows the submunition being fired over the tank before hanging in the air for a split second and then swooping down on its target.
It is not known if any were already used to destroy Kiev’s tanks.
Since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of the country, Ukrainian armed forces have deployed cutting-edge attack technologies to great effect.
Several videos by Ukrainian forces showed hand-held rocket launches and artillery fire raining down on Russian tanks, many of which were destroyed.