Remote Anti-Armor Mine System Explained
| Remote Anti-Armor Mine System |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Artillery shell with anti-tank mines |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Wars: |
|
| Design Date: | Around 1980 |
| Weight: | 5lbs (mine) |
| Caliber: | 155mm |
| Filling: | PBX 0280 (95% RDX, 5% Estane) |
| Filling Weight: | 1.26lb |
The Remote Anti-Armor Mine System (RAAMS) are two types of 155 mm howitzer projectiles containing nine anti-tank mines each. They were developed for the United States Army around 1980.[1]
Each round contains either the M718 or M718A1 (RAAM-L) mines, which have a self-destruct time over 48 hours; or the M741 or M741A1 (RAAM-S) mines, with a self-destruct time of approximately 4 hours. Both projectiles are used with the M577 or M577A1 Mechanical Time and Superquick (MTSQ) fuze, which triggers the ejection mechanism of the mines above enemy territory after a preset time.[2]
These mines can be delivered at ranges from 4kmto17.6kmkm (02milesto10.9mileskm) from the artillery battery position using the M109, M198, or M777 howitzers.[3]
The United States sent about 10,200 RAAMS rounds to Ukraine between the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and January 2023.[4] [5] [6]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Chase . Martin B. . March–April 1980 . A Unique New Capability: Scatterable Mines . 13 February 2023 . army.mil . U.S. Army . 6 . 13 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213091519/https://asc.army.mil/docs/pubs/alt/archives/1980/Mar-Apr_1980.PDF . live.
- Web site: Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Land Mines . US Army . 15 October 2022 . 22 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230122031708/https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/TM%2043-0001-36,%20Land%20Mines.pdf#page=116 . live .
- Web site: Rethinking FASCAM. https://web.archive.org/web/20140813224537/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a210973.pdf . live . August 13, 2014 . 1988-11-18 . 2014-08-13 . Major Mark T. Kimmitt .
- News: Oleg Danylov. 2022-10-05. New US aid package: plus 4 HIMARS, 16 155mm M777 howitzers and precision rounds for them. 2022-10-07. 2022-10-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20221006215640/https://mezha.media/en/2022/10/05/new-us-aid-package-plus-4-himars-16-155mm-m777-howitzers-and-precision-rounds-for-them/. live.
- Web site: $725 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine . 2022-10-15 . U.S. Department of Defense . en-US.
- Web site: Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine . 2023-01-08 . U.S. Department of Defense . en-US . 2023-01-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230106210640/https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/06/2003141218/-1/-1/1/UKRAINE-FACT-SHEET-JAN-6.PDF . live .
