M1 Abrams Panther Mines Remover

M1 Abrams Panther II

The M1 Abrams Panther II is an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank specially modified for mine clearing missions. Modifications include the removal the turret, and installation of mine rollers on the front of the vehicle and Omnitech's Standardized Teleoperation System.

The Panther II is a 43-ton, remote controlled vehicle that can clear a 50,000-square-foot minefield in one hour. It can be operated up to 2,600 feet away. The M1 Abrams Panther is an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank specially modified for mine clearing missions. Modifications to the Abrams tank include the removal the turret, and installation of mine rollers on the front of the vehicle. Rollers attached to the front of the vehicle explode landmines without causing damage to the vehicle. Weighing 43 tons, the Panther II can clear a 5,000-square-meter area within an hour. Plow and roller kit attachments push mines out of the way when clearing roads without damaging the vehicle.

The remote-controlled Panther II mine-clearing vehicle allows engineers to increase safety and efficiency standards. The Panther II offers a marked improvement over current methods of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance from roads and assembly areas during contingency operations. Instead of putting sappers (engineers) on the ground with mine detectors and probes, the vehicle can rapidly and thoroughly clear large, hazardous areas at an extremely low risk to soldiers and civilians.

It is not difficult to use. Soldiers can operate the Panther II from 2,600 feet away, but generally keep it at about 800 meters. It’s not like a remote-controlled plastic car where if you run into a building it’s no big deal. With this vehicle there would be some serious damage done. If needed, a panic button located in the briefcase-sized remote control can halt the vehicle immediately. The vehicle can clear lanes effectively and efficiently, saving man hours, and it will save engineer lives by demolishing mines.

The two Panther II vehicles in the 130th Engineer Brigade’s arsenal are one-third of the Army’s total stock. Two have been used since 1999 for mine-clearing missions in Bosnia, and two more are en route to Kosovo.