At the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition, TDW, a member of the MBDA concern, specializing in the design and manufacture of ammunition for various purposes, presented its new anti-tank mine PARM NextGen. The novelty was first shown to the public at the end of 2023, at the company's facility in Schrobenhausen, about 75 km northwest of Munich.
TDW has now begun production of thousands of original PARM directional anti-tank mines (acronyms for PanzerAbwehrRichtMinen), partly to replenish the Bundeswehr's reserves, as Germany supplied its mines to Ukraine, and partly for direct supplies to Ukraine. It is reported that today the company operates five days a week in one shift, the volume of production remains classified.
PARM NextGen Anti-tank mine
After 10 years of pause in the production of PARM, the current mine has undergone minor changes caused by the obsolescence of its design. However, it remains the same system developed by the then Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) company in the early 1980s.
In November 2023, it was reported that an upgraded version of PARM is being developed, the main difference of which is the trigger sensor. The Paris exhibition gave more details. First of all, the new version is called PARM NextGen.
New optical mine sensor
According to the manufacturer, a new trigger sensor is integrated into the product instead of the original trigger cable. The sensor is provided by a third party. The innovation gives a better ability to distinguish targets, and also increases the firing range of the weapon, since it allows you to determine the trigger point when fired, which the original optical cable could not do. The cable felt the tank moving above it and activated the warhead (warhead), but could not determine how far away the tank was. The new sensor solves this problem and allows you to activate the weapon at the best moment in time.
The second implemented function is remote radio control, which allows, if necessary, to repeatedly activate and deactivate the PARM NextGen anti–tank mine. This gives the system maximum flexibility, as it allows you to create an intelligent minefield. It will allow friendly military equipment to pass through itself, and then block the passage of the advancing enemy units. The activation of mines at different times can also trap a convoy on the road, simultaneously hitting the front and rear cars.
Remote control bullets
The remote control is made in the form factor of a personal walkie-talkie, equipped with a short antenna. The remote control is simple and has three main buttons: safe, arm and fire, the latter disables the automatic sensor activation function. It can operate at a distance of "several hundred meters" from the mine, more precise data are not provided. One remote control allows you to activate a maximum of three mines. Before starting work, the mine safety pin must be inserted into one of the three slots available on the control panel. The remote control is usually silent and transmits the control signal only for very short periods of time, which, together with the low power output, minimizes the risk of detection and radio suppression.
The NextGen PARM management system is based on an open system architecture. This means that the mine can be integrated into any current or future tactical weapons control system, allowing, for example, to control intelligent minefields consisting of several dozen mines.
The effective firing range of the PARM NextGen anti-tank mine reaches 60 m. The product retained the single-shot cumulative warhead of the original PARM with a diameter of 128 mm. Compared to the original mine, the PARM NextGen has 30 days of battery life (instead of 40), because compared to the previous one, the new sensor kit consumes more energy. According to the developers, "after the expiration of the set period, NextGen PARM becomes completely safe." In terms of cost and ease of production, the solution is considered the most cost-effective. PARMS in two different versions are installed very low above the ground, which guarantees the defeat of the lower, usually the least protected, part of the tank. There are "very good reviews from Ukraine".
TWD management believes that the output to production facilities can be two to three times higher than current figures. Production can be organized for a full week, "and we can switch from one to two or even three shifts," as well as "additional staff hired." The first deliveries of the new PARM NextGen anti-tank guided mine are scheduled for the end of 2026.
Based on the materials of the resource edrmagazine.eu
