INFO ONLY. NOT FOR SALE. P85-11
M18A1 Claymore Antipersonnel Mine
Type Direction: fragmentation anti-personnel mine
Place of origin: United States
Service history :
In service: 1960-
Used by: United States
Wars: Vietnam War
Iraq War
Production history:
Designer Norman Macleod and others
Designed: 1952-1956
Manufacturer: Various
Unit cost: $ 119 as of 1993
Specifications:
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Length: 216 mm
Width: 38 mm
Height: 124 mm
Caliber: 700 1/8 inch steel balls
Muzzle velocity: 3,995 fps (1,200 m/s)
Effective range: 50 m
Maximum range: 250 m
Sights: Peep sight on early models, later a knife edge sight
Filling: C-4
Filling weight: 680 g
Detonation:
mechanism Two detonator well for electrical detonators
The M18A1 Claymore is a directional anti-personnel mine used by the U.S. military. It was named after the large Scottish sword by its inventor, Norman A. MacLeod. The Claymore fires shrapnel, in the form of steel balls, out to about 100 meters across a 60° arc in front of the device. It is used primarily in ambushes and as an anti-infiltration device against enemy infantry. It is also of some use against soft-skinned vehicles.
Numerous licensed and unlicensed copies of the mine are produced in numerous countries. Examples are the former Soviet Union models MON-50, MON-90, MON-100, MON-200; MRUD (Serbia); No. 6 (Israel); MAPED F1 (France); Mini MS-803 (South Africa), and more.
Description
The M18A1 Claymore mine consists of a horizontally convex olive green plastic case (inert training versions are blue), which is vertically concave. The shape was developed through experimentation to deliver the optimum distribution of fragments at 50 meters (55 yards) range. The case has the words "Front Toward Enemy" embossed on the front surface of the mine. A simple open sight is provided for aiming the mine on the top surface. Two pairs of scissor legs attached to the bottom support the mine and allow it to be aimed vertically. Either side of the sight are fuse wells set at 45 degrees to the vertical. Internally the mine contains a layer of C-4 explosive on top of which is a matrix of approximately seven hundred 1/8 inch diameter steel balls (about as big as #4 birdshot) set into an epoxy resin.
When the M18A1 is detonated, the explosion drives the matrix of 700 spherical fragments out of the mine at a velocity of 3,995 feet per second (1,200 m/s) [1], at the same time breaking the matrix into individual fragments. The spherical steel balls are projected in a 60° fan-shaped pattern that is two meters high (6 ft, 8 in) and 50 meters (165 ft) wide at a range of 50 meters (165 ft). The force of the explosion deforms the relatively soft steel fragments into a shape similar to a .22 rimfire projectile [1]. These fragments are moderately effective up to a range of 100 meters (328 ft), with a hit probability of around 10% on a man-sized 1.3 square foot target (0.12 square meters). The fragments can travel up to 250 meters (820 ft) forward of the weapon. The optimum effective range is 50 meters (165 ft), at which the optimal balance is achieved between lethality and area coverage with a hit probability of 30% on a man-sized target. The weapon and all its accessories are carried in the M7 bandolier. An instruction sheet for the weapon is attached to the inside cover of the bandolier.
The Claymore mine is typically deployed in one of three modes: Controlled, Uncontrolled, or Time-delayed.
Controlled Mode (also known as Command Detonation)
The mine is detonated by the operator as the forward edge of the enemy approaches a point within the killing zone (20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 ft)) where maximum casualties can be inflicted. Controlled detonation may be accomplished by use of either an electrical or nonelectrical firing system. When mines are employed in the controlled role, they are treated the same as individual weapons and are reported for inclusion in the unit fire plan. They are not reported as mines; however, the emplacing unit must ensure that the mines are removed, detonated, or turned over to a relieving unit. The M57 Firing Device (colloquially referred to as the "clacker") is included with the M18A1 Claymore Mine so that it can be used in the controlled mode. When Claymore Mines are daisy chained together, one M57 firing device can initiate several claymore mines.
Uncontrolled Mode (also known as Victim Initiated Detonation)
Uncontrolled firing is accomplished when the mine is installed in such a manner as to cause an unsuspecting enemy to detonate the mine. Mines employed in this manner must be reported and recorded as land mines. There are many mechanisms that can be used to initiate the M18A1 in uncontrolled mode, including the M142 Multipurpose Firing Device, M5 Pressure Release Device (mousetrap), tripwires, strikers, infrared sensors, acoustic & vibration sensors.
Time-delayed Mode
Time-delayed firing involves the fitting of a short timed fuse and a fuse igniter to allow the mine to be used as a pursuit deterrent. This, anecdotally, may be combined with a CS grenade or bag containing the irritant contained in a CS grenade. The mine is emplaced, quickly oriented on the direction pursuers are most likely to take, and the fuse is ignited before the position is abandoned.
Mine ban treaty
When in use by the U.S. Military, the M18A1 Claymore Anti-Personnel Mine is most often command-detonated. Such use is permitted by the Mine Ban Treaty. However, use of Claymore mines in uncontrolled (tripwire) mode is prohibited by the treaty.[5] Because of this uncontrolled mode, it is frequently listed in efforts to ban anti-personnel mines. While the United States has been an active participant in worldwide demining operations, and has signed the 1996 Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, it has not signed the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, commonly known as the land mine ban treaty. Under the 1996 Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines the US forces may legally use the claymore in victim initiated detonation as long as provisions of the protocol are met. Provisions of the protocol center around confining landmines to clearly known and marked areas such that the chances of civilian incursion into mined areas is so low as to minimize civilian risks and casualties. As such, it is a requirement for individual U.S. Soldiers and Marines to know how to properly deploy and emplace the M18A1 landmine in compliance with appropriate regulations.
National copies
A number of licensed and unlicensed copies of the mine were produced.
M18 Chile
Type 66 China
KM18A1 South Korea
K440 South Korea, slightly smaller than the Claymore with 770 fragments.
No 6 Israel
VS-DAFM 7 Italy
P5 Mk1 Pakistan
MON-50 Russia
Arms-Tech MM-1 "Minimore" United States, a smaller variant conceived for Special Forces use
Shrapnel mine No 2 South Africa
Försvarsladdning 21 Sweden
FFV-013 Sweden
LI-12/Truppmina 12 Sweden
MDH-C40 Vietnam
IHR-60 Hungary
