PTKM-1R

PTKM-1R
An unused PTKM-1R mine with legs retracted
TypeTop-attack anti-tank mine
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2020-present
WarsRussian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Designed2018
Produced2020-present
Specifications
Mass19.9 kg
Height510 mm
Diameter220 mm

Effective firing range5-50m
Filling weight2.8 kg

PTKM-1R is an autonomous top-attack anti-tank mine developed in Russia.

History

In 2018, the Ministry of Defence announced that development of the PTKM-1R was nearly complete, with prototypes already being evaluated.[1] Serial production began in 2020, with deliveries to the military beginning the same year.[2]

Design

The base of the PTKM-1R is equipped with 2 seismic and 4 acoustic sensors to detect approaching vehicles from up to 100 meters away. The system has an independent internal payload equipped with additional sensors which is launched above the target, and then fires an explosively formed penetrator downward into the roof of the enemy vehicle.[3]

The mine is very similar in concept to the M93 Hornet developed by Textron in the late 1980s.

Operation

The system compares the collected sensor data against an internal database to determine the identity and position of vehicles in its vicinity. Once a suitable target is detected, the upper portion of the housing rotates and tilts towards the enemy vehicle. When the target is within engagement distance, the top cover detaches, and an autonomous submunition equipped with infrared and radar sensors is launched approximately 30 meters in the air over the target. Using these sensors, the submunition aims directly at the top of the enemy vehicle before firing its penetrator slug, in order to take advantage of the relatively vulnerable roof typical of most armored vehicles.[4][3]

The mine can only be deployed manually. The 8 legs are released simultaneously by pulling the pin (seen in the photo), which also deploys the 4 cardioid microphones (as well as the two seismic sensors on the legs) and reveals a small panel near the bottom which is used to arm the mine. Once deployed, the mine can remain active for up to 10 days before it self-destructs to minimize the risk to civilians and friendly forces.[3]

Operational history

The PTKM-1R mine has been used in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5] In 2022, the SSO posted photos on social media of a captured PTKM-1R mine in Kharkiv, still in its wooden transportation case.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "«Противотанковый часовой» ударит сверху". Известия (in Russian). 2018-01-15. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  2. ^ "В РФ организовали серийное производство "противокрышевых" мин - источник -". www.militarynews.ru. 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  3. ^ a b c "Russian PTKM-1R Top-attack Anti-vehicle Mine Documented in Ukraine (2022) - Armament Research Services (ARES)". Armament Research Services (ARES) - Armament Research Services is a specialist technical intelligence consultancy offering arms & munitions research/analysis services. 2022-04-27. Archived from the original on 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  4. ^ "Противотанковая противокрышевая мина ПТКМ-1Р | Каталог Рособоронэкспорт". roe.ru. Archived from the original on 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  5. ^ "Tank-killing mines that launch mini-missiles deployed by Russia for the first time". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  6. ^ "Які російські трофеї захопили ЗСУ: танкова рота, "Зоопарк" і ключ до "Орланів" - BBC News Україна". BBC News Україна (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2025-10-19.