# M712 Copperhead

> U.S. guided artillery shell

**Wikidata**: [Q1131472](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1131472)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M712_Copperhead)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/m712-copperhead

## Summary
The M712 Copperhead is a U.S.-developed guided artillery shell designed for precision strikes, entering service in 1983. Manufactured by Texas Instruments, it uses laser guidance to improve accuracy over conventional artillery, reducing collateral damage. It is classified as a cannon-launched guided projectile and has been operated by multiple militaries worldwide.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Texas Instruments, a U.S.-based semiconductor and electronics company.
- **Service Entry**: 1983.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Length**: 1,370 mm.
- **Operators**: U.S. Army, Egyptian Army, Jordanian Armed Forces, Republic of China Army, and Australian Army.
- **Guidance System**: Laser-guided for precision targeting.
- **Classification**: Cannon-launched guided projectile (subclass of ammunition model).
- **Aliases**: Known in multiple languages, including "M712銅斑蛇雷射導引砲彈" (Chinese) and "Copperhead (Высокоточная артиллерийская система)" (Russian).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the M712 Copperhead used for?
A: The M712 Copperhead is a precision-guided artillery shell designed to strike targets with high accuracy using laser guidance, minimizing collateral damage compared to conventional artillery.

### Q: Who manufactured the M712 Copperhead?
A: It was manufactured by Texas Instruments, a leading U.S. semiconductor and electronics company.

### Q: When did the M712 Copperhead enter service?
A: The system entered service with the U.S. Army in 1983.

## Why It Matters
The M712 Copperhead represents an early advancement in precision-guided munitions, addressing the limitations of unguided artillery by enabling accurate strikes in complex environments. Its laser guidance system allowed forces to engage high-value targets with reduced risk of civilian casualties, aligning with emerging doctrines of surgical warfare. As one of the first widely deployed guided artillery shells, it paved the way for modern smart munitions and influenced the development of subsequent systems like the M982 Excalibur. Its adoption by multiple militaries, including those of Egypt, Jordan, and Taiwan, underscores its adaptability and effectiveness in diverse operational contexts.

## Notable For
- **Laser Guidance**: One of the first artillery shells to utilize laser designation for precision targeting.
- **Global Deployment**: Operated by at least five international militaries, highlighting its reliability and versatility.
- **Semiconductor Industry Ties**: Produced by Texas Instruments, demonstrating the integration of commercial electronics expertise into defense manufacturing.
- **Cold War-Era Innovation**: Reflects 1980s U.S. military efforts to counter Soviet numerical superiority through technological advancement.

## Body
### Development and Design
The M712 Copperhead was developed by Texas Instruments, leveraging the company’s expertise in electronics and semiconductor design. Designed as a **cannon-launched guided projectile**, it incorporates a **laser guidance system** that homes in on targets marked by ground-based or aerial designators. This capability allowed the shell to adjust its trajectory mid-flight, achieving accuracy within meters under optimal conditions.

### Operational History
- **Service Entry**: Deployed by the U.S. Army in **1983**.
- **International Use**: Exported to allied nations, including Australia, Egypt, Jordan, and Taiwan, reflecting its role in U.S. foreign military sales programs.
- **Legacy**: While largely supplanted by newer systems like the GPS-guided M982 Excalibur, the Copperhead remained in service through the 1990s and early 2000s, seeing use in exercises and low-intensity conflicts.

### Technical Specifications
- **Length**: 1,370 mm.
- **Propulsion**: Fired from standard 155mm howitzers, with guidance systems powered post-launch.
- **Guidance**: Semi-active laser homing, requiring target designation by a separate source.
- **Classification**: Subclassed as a **cannon-launched guided projectile** under the broader category of **ammunition models**.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013