The DM22 differs from the DM22 in that it has an increased target engagement range of up to 100 meters.
The DM-12 entered service with the Bundeswehr in June 1997 and was in service as of 2022.
Designed to disable enemy tracked and wheeled vehicles. Enemy vehicles are damaged by the explosion of a shaped charge grenade, thrown from the machine by an ejection powder charge, which enters the side of the vehicle.
Structurally, the mine consists of a warhead and a tripod stand. The warhead, in turn, consists of a cumulative grenade (1) and a stationary part (2), which remains on the stand after the mine is triggered. The grenade has a charge (3) of hexogen with a cumulative notch, a piezoelectric generator (4) is located in the nose of the extension tube, which produces a powerful electric pulse when it encounters an obstacle (the side of the target). It is electrically connected to the electric detonator (5), which is located in the lower part of the grenade. In the event of a break in the fiber-optic cable or its pinching, an electronic circuit (6) located in the stationary part is triggered. This circuit supplies an electric pulse to the ejector powder charge (7), which throws the grenade at the target. In the same stationary part, there is a clock mechanism (8) for bringing the mine into combat position. Finally, at the end of the fixed part is the handle for bringing the mine into combat position (9). There is also a removable reel with a fiber-optic cable. The instructions require that the mine be camouflaged only from enemy observation.
The target sensor of this mine is a thin fiber-optic cable 40 meters long, which is laid out on the ground from the machine in the direction of the grenade's flight, that is, across the possible direction of movement of the target. In the event of damage (clamping, breakage) of the cable by the caterpillar or wheel of the machine, the electronic circuit of the mine sends an impulse to the electric igniter of the powder ejection charge, which throws the grenade in the direction of the target. The grenade does not have its own jet engine, flies on a ballistic trajectory and is held in flight by a head flying forward in flight, a tripping stabilizer. The mine is guided horizontally and vertically using a removable optical sight and a 1-meter-high tower. The cumulative jet, having penetrated the side, damages the internal equipment of the machine, and the high temperature of the jet and splashes of melted armor cause a fire inside the machine.
The mine can only be installed on the surface and only manually. Installation under water or on fords is not envisaged. In all cases, there must be at least 30 cm of free space behind the machine, and there must be no obstacles in the grenade's flight path (grass, bushes, wires, branches, etc.).
The mine body, if installed correctly, will always be above the surface. It is strictly forbidden to cut any wires in places where mines are detected. You can only approach the mine in the direction of the side projections.