Ukraine deploys precision artillery to target Russian tanks
The Ukrainian armed forces are deploying advanced M712 Copperhead laser-guided ammunition for precise strikes against Russian armoured vehicles. Although they have been using it for several weeks, this has only recently been confirmed. The Pentagon supplied this weapon as part of a support package for Ukraine, intended to enhance the effectiveness of artillery fire on the battlefield.
According to Defence Romania, reports from a Ukrainian special unit suggest that the use of Copperheads during operations on Russian territory, specifically in the Kursk region, has demonstrated the high effectiveness of these shells. Documents describing their use, dated from August to September 2024, have leaked to Russian social media, indicating that Ukrainian forces had been employing this technology earlier. Ukrainian soldiers have lauded the Copperheads' precision in destroying Russian tanks and other combat vehicles, facilitating the elimination of high-priority targets at the front lines.
M712 Copperhead in Ukrainian hands
The M712 Copperhead is a 155 mm laser-guided anti-tank artillery shell developed in the USA in the 1970s by Martin Marietta. The integration of laser-guided technology in Copperheads has significantly enhanced artillery precision, marking a breakthrough akin to advancements during the Cold War era.
These shells are noteworthy for their capacity to strike targets designated by a laser beam emitted by ground operators, drones, or helicopters. This ensures highly accurate destruction of selected targets with minimal collateral damage.
Copperheads have a range of 2 to 10 miles and can be deployed using conventional 155 mm howitzers. The operating mechanism relies on an active guidance system — the shell scans the designated laser target and adjusts its course to accurately strike the marked object. Although production of these shells ceased years ago, the United States has kept stockpiles in reserve for potential future conflicts.
