MP Mines


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M16A1 "Bouncing Betty" mine

 

     When fired, this antipersonnel mine throws a shell 1 meter into the air, where it explodes sending steel balls out to a radius of 30 meters. The mine can be pressure-fired, or by either of two 10-meter long tripwires. Weight 3.6 kg; issued in wooden cases of four mines, weighing 20.25 kg, volume 20 liters. As issued, the case includes four M605 fuses, four spool assemblies, and a mine fusing wrench; the case has rope handles on the ends.

 

M18A1 "Claymore" mine

 

      A directional anti-personnel mine. The mine's blast sends 700 steel ball bearings out in a cone 100 meters long and 50 meters wide, 2 meters high at the far end. The blast itself is dangerous within 18 meters of the mine. The mine is issued in an olive-drab canvas bandoleer (shoulder bag), complete with an M57 firing device (the "clacker"), an M4 electric blasting cap and 30 meters of firing wire. Non-electric blasting caps, time fuse, or firing devices may be used to fire this mine. Mass 1.6 kg including bandoleer with accessories; a case contains 6 mines, plus one test set, and weighs 23.9 kg, with a volume of 52 liters.

 

 

 

 

M19 antitank mine

 

     A blast mine constructed almost entirely from plastic, 33 cm on a side and 9.4 cm deep. Firing pressure is 100 to 200 kg. The explosive charge is equal to 8.8 kg of C-4. It has two secondary fuse wells, for connecting to other firing systems (such as boobytraps). The mines were constructed in the late 1950s. Weight 12.6 kg; they are issued in wirebound wooden cases of four mines, along with four fuses, two wrenches, and four  activators, weighing 56 kg, with a volume of 110 liters. Two canvas carrying bags are also included in the case of four mines.

 

M25 "Elsie" mine

 

note the removable aluminum 'detection ring' around the body of the mine

 

     A very small plastic-cased mine, weighing only 0.1 kg, intended to puncture vehicle tires or boots and feet. The body assembly is 51 mm in diameter, 76 mm long and weighs 76 grams; the shaped-charge explosive assembly is 38 mm long, has a maximum diameter of 34 mm and weighs 28 grams. To place the mine, the body is pressed into the ground (usually with your foot), a dust cover is removed, the explosive charge is placed into it, and the safety clip is removed. The top of the charge container has a little patch of olive drab felt "flock" to help the mine blend in to the ground. Operating pressure is about 8 to 13 kg, over a distance of about 2.5 cm. The mines are issued in a case of 150, weighing 18.5 kg when full.