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Cold War Technology Returns: Ukrainian Forces Deploy M712 Copperhead Guided Shells Against Russian Targets.
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) have recently detailed their initial experiences with American Copperhead laser-guided missiles used in an operation within the Kursk region. This information, contained in translated documents shared on Russian Telegram channels, notably by @FPV_vyZOV on November 1, 2024, provides insights into the use of M712 Copperhead projectiles by an SSO surveillance team during military operations conducted from August to September 2024.
Impact on a metal support structure from an M712 Copperhead projectile, dated September 1, 2024 (Picture source: SSO ZSU)
This type of projectile, guided by a laser beam, enables highly accurate targeting of specific objectives, including armored vehicles, demonstrating the diverse technological tools deployed in the Ukrainian conflict, which combines equipment from various eras. The data from these disclosed documents reveal yet another dimension of the weaponry employed by Ukraine against Russian forces.
The operation, conducted from August to September, highlights Ukrainian forces’ ability to employ M712 Copperhead projectiles for precision tasks. The Copperhead, a modified 155mm projectile, was originally developed to meet the U.S. artillery's need for precise targeting and minimized collateral damage. With a range of 3 to 16 kilometers, this projectile can be used with conventional 155mm howitzers and is equipped with either a high-explosive or cumulative warhead, depending on the target type. Initially deployed by the U.S. military in the Gulf War of 1991, Copperhead production ceased decades ago; however, the United States reportedly maintained a stockpile of approximately 20,000 units as of 1995.
In the Ukrainian operation, the Copperhead was deployed with a cumulative warhead, guided via a portable Leonardo Type 163 laser target designator. This laser guidance system requires precise synchronization with artillery units, specifically M777 howitzers, which serve as the firing platform for these projectiles. Before each strike, Ukrainian forces programmed a unique four-digit code to link the designator with the projectile, optimizing the impact’s accuracy.
Upon reaching positions near the frontline, Ukrainian SSO operators received intelligence on enemy targets from the local defense unit commander. Based on this data, a team of four operators installed and aligned the laser designator on a firing support mount to precisely direct strikes against selected enemy positions. The first shot reached its target but did not fully destroy it, prompting a second strike to inflict additional structural damage. A third shot, however, was missed due to a technical malfunction, as the projectile’s guidance lens became damaged and clouded by smoke, hindering target alignment.
The SSO report from the Armed Forces of Ukraine outlines the operational principles for using M712 Copperhead projectiles (Picture source: SSO ZSU)
In their report, SSO operators observed that targeting at a perpendicular angle significantly enhances the projectile's precision. They also noted that certain thermal imaging devices could detect the laser beam in operational mode, whereas conventional night vision equipment does not. To improve targeting effectiveness, operators further recommended integrating drones equipped with laser designators, which could mitigate some of the limitations currently encountered with this type of ammunition.
The reappearance of Copperhead projectiles on today’s battlefield raises pertinent questions: How is it that a high-precision projectile from over four decades ago remains effective in modern warfare? Originally developed during the Cold War, the Copperhead represents one of the earliest generations of laser-guided munitions. Although mass-produced starting in 1978, it is now a rare tool in military arsenals, given that U.S. production ceased years ago. In 2017, however, several hundred of these projectiles were supplied to Lebanese forces for combating ISIS, demonstrating that despite its age, the Copperhead still has relevant applications.
In the current conflict, these munitions reflect Ukrainian forces’ adaptability in incorporating older technology into their strategy. Precision munitions like the Copperhead can circumvent advanced electronic warfare systems frequently deployed by Russia to disrupt GPS-guided munitions. Here, laser guidance offers a viable alternative, as it is less susceptible to electronic interference and maintains operational precision in challenging modern combat environments.
This revival of older technologies, such as the Copperhead, in the Ukrainian context highlights an intriguing trend in contemporary warfare: the repurposing of decades-old armament systems to meet present-day challenges. While munitions like the Copperhead are no longer prioritized in the major powers' modern arsenals, they remain undeniably effective for precision operations, especially for forces facing sophisticated electronic countermeasures. The return of these older weapons invites further examination of current military strategies and the potential for historical technologies to be adapted in high-intensity conflicts like the ongoing one in Ukraine.