Helkir mine

The Helkir is an anti-helicopter mine developed by the Austrian company Hirtenberger.^[1] It uses an IR sensor and an acoustic sensor to detect airborne targets. Once the mine is armed and ready to engage, the acoustic sensor listens for a valid noise input. This enables the IR sensor which is located coaxially to the warhead. When the IR sensor detects a hot signature, the mine blasts off fragments that can penetrate up to 6 mm of armored steel at 50 meters and 2 mm of mild steel at 150 meters. The mine is active for a period of 1 to 120 days, after which it returns to a safe mode.

Helkir mine
Type	Directional mine, anti-helicopter
Specifications
Mass	43 kg
Maximum firing range	500 m
Filling weight	20 kg
Detonation mechanism	Acoustic & IR sensors

Helkir, as well as other mines developed by Hirtenberger, like the APM-1 and the APM-2 anti-personnel directional mines (discontinued in 1994),^[2] do not appear on the company's current website.^[3]

See also

• Bulgarian anti-helicopter mines
• List of land mines