The most effective type of weapon are mine explosive devices. However, these are the most insidious designs. This is explained by a long readiness for blasting, difficulty in finding and neutralizing. Mine weapons do not select the target of destruction, eliminating everyone, without exception, who fell into its coverage area. And after the end of hostilities, the danger of mines remains high for many years.
Claymore is an anti-personnel mine device with directional damage and the ability to regulate. This is the only officially authorized mine in the US Army these days. Such mines gained distribution during the Vietnam War.
History
"Claymore" (mine M18) appeared in the 50s in the United States. The author of the design is engineer Norman MacLeod.
During the Vietnam War, the American army was faced with the fact that the enemy began to actively use fragmentation mines. Claymore was created for the US Marines. Initially, it was intended to protect key points and bases. Such mines were placed around the most important objects. If the enemy approached, the mines blew up. In a word, powerful protection.
For their own soldiers, the mine was safe, since the explosion occurred at a distance. “Claymore” has shown high efficiency, with its help it was possible to eliminate a lot of enemy forces.
Appearance
Claymore anti-personnel mine includes an explosive and a killer component in the form of steel balls. Its shape is curved-parallelepipedal. The case is covered with green plastic material. Training options have a blue color.
The external part of the device should be directed towards the enemy. Inside are 700 deadly components in the form of balls or steel rollers.
Specifications
Now in more detail. “Claymore” - a mine, the photo of which is presented in the article, has the following parameters:
- type of explosive device - anti-personnel, fragmentation type, with the ability to control, with directed action;
- frame - plastic;
- weight - 1.6 kg;
- the mass of the exploding mixture is 682 g;
- dimensions - 21.5 x 9 x 3.5 cm;
- coverage area - radius 50 meters, sector 60 degrees, height 10cm – 4 meters;
- possibility of application - from minus 40 to plus 50 degrees.
Using
Initially, the M18 did not have its own fuse. In the upper part there were two sockets to install it.
It was understood that the Claymore was a controlled mine, and its activation should be carried out by the operator when enemy soldiers approached it. An explosion is also possible in response to grazing of the breakaway sensor.
To install the device and determine the coverage area, a sight is placed at the top of the M18. "Claymore" - a mine with four legs, it is set on the ground. It can also be attached to various objects (trees, poles). Later in the M18 began to mount detachable and tension fuses. When the device explodes, steel lethal balls hit the enemy, flying in his direction. “Claymore” is a special mine and is intended for units called “green” and “black berets”.
Distances
An important point. M18 can be installed from other mine structures at certain distances:
- in the interval of 50 meters back and forth from the same weapons;
- 3 meters in the lateral directions from the other M18;
- 10 meters from anti-personnel and anti-tank devices;
- 2 meters from high-explosive anti-personnel devices.
The non-hazardous distance for the M18 for its own troops is 250 meters forward, towards the rear and in the lateral directions - 100 meters.
Stories related to M18
In the Soviet Union in the 60s, an analogue of the M18 mine structure, called MON-50, was created. Later similar designs appeared in other states. For example, MRUD was released in Yugoslavia, Type 13 and Type 21 in Sweden.
During the war, the Vietnamese soldiers distinguished themselves by imperceptibly approaching the delivered M18s and turning them towards the Americans. Then they opened their presence to the enemy, thereby provoking an explosion. By the way, a young Vietnamese intelligence officer named Ngo-Tin-Jiam fell into history, who once did explode on an undetected second mine device.
Weapons danger
Mines these days are part of the barriers established to detain enemy forces and inflict the greatest losses on enemy troops. As a rule, minefields are resistant to any fire exposure. They are located in the most unexpected places. For these reasons, mines remain the most dangerous type of weapon invented by man.
Statistics say that every year on the planet 15-20 thousand people die from mines. These are civilians, women and children. Explosive devices remain operational for many decades after the end of hostilities.
Therefore, 161 countries entered the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use of mine weapons during wars. The United States did not participate in the signing of this document, but the leadership of this country adopted its own prohibitive document on the use of mine devices. Thus, the answer to the question about “Claymore” mine (what is it and what is its danger) is given.
Lovers to shoot in a peaceful life
The instinct of the hunter and the desire to throw out emotions do not stop fans of shooting in civilian life. It was not for nothing that they came up with a game called airsoft. For fans of airsoft, game analogues of the famous M18 weapon are nowadays released. And this is really a masterpiece.
"Claymore" - mine for airsoft outwardly is an exact copy of the genuine M18. Her kit includes:
- the device itself;
- electronic fuse;
- protective color tarpaulin;
- camouflage case;
- instruction in CD and print.
Specialists and fans of airsoft leave exclusively positive feedback on the game version of the weapon.