Ukraine unleashes copperhead precision against Russian armor
The Ukrainian armed forces are employing advanced M712 Copperhead laser-guided ammunition for precise attacks on Russian armored vehicles. Although they have been using it for several weeks, this information has only recently been confirmed. The Pentagon provided this weapon as part of a support package for Ukraine aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of artillery fire on the battlefield.
4:23 PM EST, November 13, 2024
According to Defence Romania, reports from a Ukrainian special unit indicate that the use of Copperheads during operations in the Kursk region of Russia demonstrated high effectiveness. Documents describing their use, dated from early August to September 2024, leaked to Russian social media, revealing that Ukrainian forces had already deployed this technology earlier. Ukrainian soldiers praised the Copperheads for their precision in destroying Russian tanks and other combat vehicles, which enabled the elimination of priority targets on the front lines.
M712 Copperhead in Ukrainian hands
The M712 Copperhead is an anti-tank, laser-guided, 155 mm artillery shell developed in the USA in the 1970s by Martin Marietta. The incorporation of laser guidance technology in Copperheads significantly improved artillery precision, marking a milestone during the Cold War era.
These missiles can hit a target marked by a laser beam emitted by ground operators, drones, or helicopters. This allows for very accurate destruction of selected targets with minimal risk of collateral damage.
Copperheads have a range of 2 to 10 miles and can be used in conventional 155 mm howitzers. The operational mechanism is based on an active guidance system—the shell scans the designated laser target and adjusts its course to precisely hit the marked object. Production of these shells ended years ago, but the United States maintained stockpiles in case of future conflicts.
