Weapon Talk ~ M18A1 Claymore Mine
-
View of the open rear of a Claymore mine.
Primary function: Anti-personnel, defensive.
Weight: 3.53 lbs.
Maximum effective range: 328 ft.
The design for the Claymore mine was originally conceived by the German Army during WW2. The original mine consisted of a solid slab of explosive with a hollowed front face. The concave surface of the mine was lined with a solid brick of steel and was originally intended as an anti tank mine. When detonated the explosive force was enough to throw the steel brick forward with enough power and velocity to penetrate a tank's armour plating at ranges up to 50 meters. However the Germans never fully perfected the weapon. Instead it was left to the US Army to expand on the idea in response to the massed North Korean, and Chinese attacks that US soldiers faced during the Korean war. US ordnance experts developed the idea of a mine that would propel hundreds of small pieces of steel in one - go thereby causing maximum casualties among the enemy. However trials of this experimental mine were not completed before the Korean war ended.
By the time of the Vietnam war 65-75 the mine had been fully developed, with the version used in Vietnam being the M-18A1.The mine had an olive-drab coloured outer casing with the words "Front Toward Enemy" embossed on it and was made from plastic which measured 216mm long, by 83mm high, and was 35mm deep. Inside the casing was 0.68Kg of C-4 plastic explosive in front of which was placed 700 steel ball bearings. Designed so the convex side faced the enemy, and steadied by digging a twin set of "V" shaped legs into the earth. When detonated the blast sprayed its contents in a 60 degree fan-shaped arc that was lethal up to 50 meters. The mine could be either command detonated by using the hand held "clacker" (or a PRC 25 battery) which sent an electrical charge through the wire to the blasting cap inserted in the mine. Or detonated by trip wire.
When arranged in fixed defensive positions Claymore's were arranged so as to have overlapping kill zones. It was also a very effective tool for initiating ambushes due to the instant devastating, and lethal zone generated. And also because it did not reveal the whereabouts of the ambush team. -
Was the picture cropped smaller than usual as i could not see the aiming well of the claymore.
-
For the benefit of those who dunno.
The claymore mines can be counted-linked to be detonated by one detonator. You have set a couple of the claymore linked to each other to form a chain. So once you're a ready, one press on the detonator ignites them all. That's why every mine has 2 sockets for the demo cord.
I think the G.I.s in viet nicknamed that configuration a " daisy-chain".
I believe in BMT they only teach us how to setup one mine....though we privately experiemented the daisy-chain setup in unit. -
aye yah okay ..logical ..but then 1 deneator is connected to one of the wires. right ? how to do u link u the 2 claymores together to 1 denator ?Originally posted by Silenthunter:For the benefit of those who dunno.
The claymore mines can be counted-linked to be detonated by one detonator. You have set a couple of the claymore linked to each other to form a chain. So once you're a ready, one press on the detonator ignites them all. That's why every mine has 2 sockets for the demo cord.
I think the G.I.s in viet nicknamed that configuration a " daisy-chain".
I believe in BMT they only teach us how to setup one mine....though we privately experiemented the daisy-chain setup in unit. -
claymore is a thing of the past lah. Nowsadays people going for thermobaric or fuel air bombs.
if you happen to hide behind a boulder you are quite safe from claymore blast.
That not true of a thermobaric blast, thermobaric gets into every nook and crannies within the kill zone a bit like napalm and no escape. -
the primary role for the 2 plugs on top is to have a secondary method of detonation in case the primary failed.
i guess you MAY daisy chained the claymores together using that, but i think that's not recommended coz' chances of the rest being blinds are very very high after the 1st in the chain detonates
same concept when u setup a primary demolition circuit, you can't overlap det cords and no more than 90degress turns in the circuit.
if you wanna fire all the claymores using 1 activation, then a simple demolition circuit like positive or simple junction box will do the trick. for kiasus, double positive.
-
What's the primary purpose of a claymore mine? Its area defense isn't it? And compare the cost of 10 X claymore mines to ONE thermobaric or fuel air bomb, you do the maths, it ain't rocket science. And some might even argue that fuel-air bombs and the such are offensive in nature and not defensive...Originally posted by KumSioJui:claymore is a thing of the past lah. Nowsadays people going for thermobaric or fuel air bombs.
if you happen to hide behind a boulder you are quite safe from claymore blast.
That not true of a thermobaric blast, thermobaric gets into every nook and crannies within the kill zone a bit like napalm and no escape.
Also, if you're charging up/down a hill, how many boulders are there for you to hide behind? much less have the reaction time to duck for cover? -
these days you dun need to air drop a thermobaric bomb on the enemy, those days are past. Yes of course the yanks developed the MOAB for afganistan but there are much much smaller versions.Originally posted by gonegoose:What's the primary purpose of a claymore mine? Its area defense isn't it? And compare the cost of 10 X claymore mines to ONE thermobaric or fuel air bomb, you do the maths, it ain't rocket science. And some might even argue that fuel-air bombs and the such are offensive in nature and not defensive...
Also, if you're charging up/down a hill, how many boulders are there for you to hide behind? much less have the reaction time to duck for cover?
There is schmel tube launch version the blast according to experts resembles 122mm arti blast.
The chinese CCP bought 10,000 of those tubes and right to manufacture under license.
The Sri lankans bought 1000 tubes to tame their tigers.
The malaysians may have it in the form of ammo for their not so long ago purchased metis-m launchers
But then recently the russians developed an even smaller thermobaric version for grenade launched weapons the size is like an M203 round
thermobaric grenade launch "One round away" kao tim sai - exercise cut.
claymore you still have to lay charge, lay the cable a certain distance for safety , worry back blast, worry sweaty palms, worry kanna shot in the ass by hidden snipers .... hoi exercise cut liao lah!!!!
-
to those who had done the coy life firing in thailand will know.
if you are in the killing zone, even if you are not hit by claymore, you will be in a concussion state followed by firing of the ambush force.
to me it not meant to kill but to demoralise you.