Russian specialists have conducted a study of the cluster submunition of the US-designed ATACMS operational-tactical ballistic missile. According to the specialists, the peculiarities of operation and the altitude at which this type of munition is not activated have been studied.
As the expert explained to RIA Novosti, each ATACMS missile contains approximately 275 M74 cluster submunitions. They are green spherical objects resembling a tennis ball, but with protrusions on the surface. The opening of a cluster occurs about 200 meters above the ground.
As it falls to the surface, each submunition begins to rotate, reaching 2,000 revolutions per minute, which causes the centrifugal stoppers to open and activate the detonator opposite the striker. An explosion occurs if the munition meets the surface.
However, according to the expert, if the cassette opened but the munition did not detonate, it remains cocked and becomes stationary. The expert urged the population to be especially careful in case of detection of such objects.
Earlier it was reported that Russian specialists gained access to the laser gyroscope units and GPS-module of the ATACMS missile. This data helped to study the missile's fuse.
ATACMS is developed by Lockheed Martin and can be launched from various multiple launch rocket systems. The missile has a range of up to 300 kilometers. In March 2024, the first such missiles were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite a ban on the use of ATACMS to strike Russian territory, as the Pentagon pointed out.
Before that, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov accused the USA of approving Kiev's attacks, realizing that civilians in Crimea could become victims.