| M712 Copperhead | |
|---|---|
 White Sands Missile Range M712 Copperhead | |
| Type | Cannon-launched guided projectile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | U.S., Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Taiwan, Ukraine |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 62.4 kg (137.6 lb) |
| Length | 140 cm (54 in) |
| Diameter | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Caliber | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Effective firing range | 16 km (9.9 mi) |
| Warhead | Composition B |
| Warhead weight | 6.69 kilograms (14.75 lb) |
Guidance system | laser guidance |
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TheM712 Copperhead is a155 mmcalibercannon-launched guided projectile. It is a fin-stabilized, terminallylaser guided,explosiveshell intended to engage hard point targets such astanks, self-propelledhowitzers or other high-value targets. It may be fired from differentartillery pieces, such as theM114,M109,M198,M777 andCAESAR howitzers. The projectile has a minimumrange of 3 km (1.9 mi) and a maximum range of 16 km (9.9 mi).[1]
The concept for Copperhead was originally made in 1970 by engineers at the US Army's Rodman Laboratories, with feasibility studies conducted in 1971. In 1972 development contracts were awarded toMartin Marietta andTexas Instruments. After testing Martin Marietta was chosen for continued development through the 1970s.[2]
Inventories of March 1, 1995:[3]
At 62.4 kilograms (137.6 lb) and 140 centimetres (54 in) long, Copperhead is longer and heavier than traditional 155mm ammunition.[4]
The warhead assembly consists of ashaped charge loaded with 6.69 kilograms (14.75 lb) ofComposition B.
For Copperhead to function, the target must be illuminated with alaser designator. Once the laser signal is detected, the on-boardguidance system will operate the steering vanes to maneuver the projectile to the target. The Copperhead targetinglogic is designed to ensure (1) that the optical system will always be able to detect the target, and (2) that once the target has been detected there will be sufficient time andvelocity to maneuver to hit the target. Copperhead must be below any cloud cover at critical parts of the trajectory, and there must be sufficient visibility to ensure that when the target is acquired the projectile will have sufficient time to maneuver.
Copperhead has two modes of operation:ballistic mode and glide mode. Ballistic mode is used where the cloud ceiling is high and visibility is good. When the projectile is 3,000 m (9,800 ft) from the target, the guidance vanes extend, the target is acquired, and then the on-board guidance system adjusts the guidance vanes to maneuver onto the target.
Glide mode is used when thecloud ceiling and/or thevisibility is too low to permit the use of the ballistic mode. A glide modetrajectory consists of two phases: a ballistic phase and a glide phase. At a predetermined point along the trajectory, the guidance vanes extend and there is a transition from ballistic phase to glide phase. Glide phase targeting logic is designed to ensure the largest possible angle of fall permitted by thecloud cover and the visibility. The target is acquired when the projectile is close enough to detect the laser illumination or when the projectile emerges from the cloud cover, whichever event occurs later in the trajectory. When a trajectory solution has been obtained, time-to-target andterminal velocity are checked to ensure that there will be enough time to maneuver and that the projectile isaerodynamically stable—that it will notstall while maneuvering.
Initially the laser designation was intended to be performed by theMQM-105 Aquila pilotless drone.[5]
Copperhead was used inOperation Desert Storm,[6][unreliable source?] with 90 rounds fired against hardened Iraqi fortifications and radar stations. One of these strikes caused an Iraqi unit to surrender.[1]
Lebanese Armed Forces fired several hundred Copperhead shells atISIL targets in eastLebanon during theQalamoun offensive (July–August 2017). At least fivetechnicals, five occupied buildings, and several troop formations were struck with precision.In 2018 the US delivered 827 Copperhead shells to the Lebanese Armed Forces in an aid package alongside Bradley fighting vehicles and MK19 40mm grenade launchers.[7][vague]
Ukraine's military confirmedly employed Copperhead shells to strike a Russian communications tower inKursk in November 2024, and a command bunker inKherson 2025.[8][better source needed]
