ARGES, ACEATM or MACPED[1] is an anti-tank off-route mine, developed by an international consortium[clarification needed] to meet the needs of the British, French and German armed forces.
The system consists of a rocket and launch tube, a tripod and a sensor package.
The sensor package has an acoustic sensor that detects the approach of a suitable target and activates the passive infrared and laser sensors which trigger the launch of the rocket when the target passes in front of it.
The rocket uses a modified version of the motor from the LAW 80 anti-tank rocket, and has a tandem HEAT warhead, enabling it to penetrate the side armour of all main battle tanks, including those protected with reactive armour.
The mine is highly programmable with an active window of between three hours and forty days, to choose a specific target in a convoy, as well as the ability to be re-programmed.