Remote Anti-Armor Mine System

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]

Remote Anti-Armor Mine System
RAAMS cutaway
TypeArtillery shell with anti-tank mines
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Wars
Production history
DesignedAround 1980[1]
Specifications
Mass5 lb (2.3 kg) (mine)[1]
Caliber155 mm (6.1 in)
Maximum firing range17.6 km (10.9 mi)
FillingPBX 0280 (95% RDX, 5% Estane)[2]
Filling weight1.26 lb (0.57 kg)[2]

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 4 to 17.6 kilometres (2.5 to 10.9 mi) 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

References
  1. Chase, Martin B. (March–April 1980). "A Unique New Capability: Scatterable Mines" (PDF). army.mil. U.S. Army. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  2. "Army Ammunition Data Sheets for Land Mines" (PDF). US Army. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  3. Major Mark T. Kimmitt (1988-11-18). "Rethinking FASCAM" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  4. Oleg Danylov (2022-10-05). "New US aid package: plus 4 HIMARS, 16 155mm M777 howitzers and precision rounds for them". Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  5. "$725 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  6. "Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
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