Profile
- Origin
- Russia
- Built by
- NPO Splav
- Type
- 300 mm remote mine-laying rocket
- Service note
- Late Soviet period to present
- Produced
- 1987-present
Munitions
9M55K4 Smerch rocket
Also known as
- 9M55K4
- 9М55К4
- 9M55K4 rocket
- 9M55K4 remote mine-laying rocket
- 9М55К4 Смерч
The 9M55K4 is a Russian 300 mm Smerch rocket for remote laying of anti-tank minefields from the BM-30 / 9K58 launcher family. Rosoboronexport lists it as a 25-mine PTM-3 delivery round, while GICHD and U.S. Army T2COM describe the same Smerch/PTM-3 combination in explosive-ordnance and Russian remote-mining context.
Profile / Specs
Specifications
- Caliber
- 300 mm
- Weight
- 800 kg
- Length
- 7,600 mm
- Range
- 20-70 km
- Payload
- Up to 25 anti-tank mines
- Mine weight
- 4.85 kg
- Explosive per mine
- 1.85 kg
- Warhead weight
- 243 kg
- Container weight
- 1,934 kg for two rockets
- Self-destruction time
- 16-24 hours
- Ground temperature band
- Minus 50 to plus 50 C
- Launcher family
- BM-30 / 9K58 Smerch
- Role
- Remote mine-laying artillery rocket
Variants
The 9M55K4 belongs to the Smerch mine-laying rocket subfamily and is closely related to the 9M527 anti-tank mine rocket designation.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Related mine-laying designation | METIS identifies the 9M527 as a closely related anti-tank mine rocket in the same Smerch family context. Sources: 9M527 rocket - METIS |
Launch Platform
The 9M55K4 is a Smerch-fired 300 mm rocket for remote laying of anti-tank land mines.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 300 mm multiple launch rocket system | Rosoboronexport lists the 9M55K4 as a 300 mm rocket for the Smerch multiple launch rocket system, and GICHD identifies the 9M55 series as launched by the 9K58 Smerch / BM-30 family. Sources: 9M55K4 catalog page | Rosoboronexport, Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine | GICHD |
Remote Mine-Laying Function
The 9M55K4 changes a Smerch launcher from an area-fire rocket system into a remote anti-tank minefield delivery system. The key relationship is between the 300 mm rocket body, the BM-30 / 9K58 launcher, and the PTM-3 scatterable mine payload.
| Feature | 9M55K4 detail | Reader context |
|---|---|---|
| Launcher connection | Rosoboronexport lists the rocket for the Smerch multiple launch rocket system, and GICHD identifies the 9M55 series as launched by the 9K58 Smerch / BM-30 family. | The munition is not a separate launcher; it is a Smerch round that gives the launcher a remote mining role. |
| Mine payload | Rosoboronexport, GICHD, and T2COM all identify a 25-mine PTM-3 anti-tank or anti-vehicle mine payload. | One full 12-rocket Smerch salvo could disperse a large anti-vehicle mine load, though exact minefield geometry depends on firing method and conditions. |
| Mine behavior | GICHD describes the PTM-3 as a scatterable magnetic-influence anti-vehicle mine, and Rosoboronexport lists a 16-24 hour self-destruction time for the mine payload. | The payload is intended to obstruct or channel armor rather than produce an immediate blast-fragmentation strike like other 9M55 warheads. |
| Russian remote-mining context | T2COM identifies BM-30 Smerch with 9M55K4 as one of the practical Russian MLRS combinations for deploying PTM-3 mines at distance. | The designation links launcher, rocket, and scatterable mine functions in one remote-mining package. |
Sources: 9M55K4 catalog page | Rosoboronexport; Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine | GICHD; Russian remote mining article | T2COM.
Timeline
9M55K4 Smerch rocket Key Events
Baseline 9M55K4 service date listed
Deagel lists the 9M55K4 in the 300 mm Smerch rocket family with a 1987 initial operating date and an NPO Splav contractor attribution.
Sources: 9M55K4 rocket | Deagel
Remote-mining context described by U.S. Army T2COM
U.S. Army T2COM described Russian MLRS remote mining and identified the BM-30 Smerch 9M55K4 as a practical delivery combination for 25 PTM-3 anti-tank mines.
Sources: Russian remote mining article | T2COM
Ukraine EOD guide includes 9M55K4 context
GICHD's Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine included 9M55 Smerch rocket recognition notes and identified the 9M55K4 payload as 25 PTM-3 anti-vehicle mines.
Sources: Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine | GICHD
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
9M55K4 rocket | DeagelPublisher: Deagel | Note: Supports the 9M55K4's 300 mm Smerch-family context, contractor Splav, remote anti-tank mine-laying role, 25-mine payload, 4.85 kg mine weight, 20-70 km range, and 16 to 24 hour self-destruction window. | Accessed: 2026-06-299M55K4 catalog page | RosoboronexportPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export catalog page supporting the 9M55K4 designation, Smerch launcher relationship, operational remote anti-tank minefield role, 20-70 km range, 800 kg rocket weight, 243 kg warhead weight, 25-mine payload, 4.85 kg mine weight, 1.85 kg mine explosive weight, 16-24 hour self-destruction time, and two-round container weight. | Accessed: 2026-06-299M55K4 rocket | Missilery.infoPublisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports image provenance and the 9M55K4's Smerch compatibility, remote mine-laying role, 25-mine payload, and mine self-destruction timing. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine | GICHDPublisher: Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining | Note: Supports Ukraine explosive-ordnance recognition context, 9M55-series Smerch launch compatibility, 9M55K4's 25 PTM-3 anti-vehicle mine payload, and PTM-3 mine characteristics including magnetic-influence fuzing and 16-24 hour self-destruction timing. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Russian remote mining article | T2COMPublisher: U.S. Army T2COM G2 Operational Environment Enterprise | Note: Supports broader Russian remote-mining context and identifies the BM-30 Smerch / 9M55K4 combination as a practical MLRS method for deploying 25 PTM-3 anti-tank mines at distance. | Accessed: 2026-06-299M527 rocket - METISPublisher: Fenix Insight | Note: Supports the closely related 9M527 anti-tank mine rocket designation and the shared Smerch mine-laying family context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29