Polish defense firm Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) has unveiled its final prototype of the Baobab-K mine-laying system, which can carry up to 600 MN-123.1 and MN-123.2 programmable anti-tank mines.
The Baobab-K is an automated system that lays mines of various sizes, densities, and detonation times. The platform is mounted on a Jelcz 662D.43 8×8 high-mobility truck chassis with an armored cabin and six launchers.
The company uploaded a video last week demonstrating a crane loading system for the mine launchers and personnel manually loading individual mine cassettes.
The two-minute clip shows the Baobab-K vehicle navigating dry, grassy terrain while laying mines on a factory training ground.
Development of the system is part of a 19.95 million Polish zloty ($5 million) project awarded by the Polish Armaments Inspectorate (now Armaments Agency) in 2018.
The platform is now undergoing qualification trials to certify the final prototype.
Additional Features
Developed by a consortium of companies, the Baobab-K carries out autonomous minefield laying missions guided by a ground control station.
When automatic mode is activated, a station computer calculates vehicle speed, modifies launcher settings, and adjusts mine launch frequency while underway.
The minefield parameters and coordinates are recorded on a digital map for review on the computer, and this data can be shared throughout the command structure.
The system employs MN-123 anti-tank mines with two-directional shaped charges fitted with self-destruct and self-neutralize features. The platform employs the Engineering Mine Scattering System to set up a minefield while the Baobab-K vehicle is manned by two personnel.
