The_Soviet_Army_troops_organization_and_equi

DESCRIPTION:

The OZM series of mines rely on their bounding fragmentation effect. Earlier versions include the OZM, OZM-3, OZM-4, and the OZM-160. Each mine consists of a main charge and a propelling charge. Each has an electrical fuze as well as provision for a mechanical fuze.

CAPABILITIES:

The OZM mines can be command-detonated or trip-wire-initiated. On activation, the propelling charge causes the inner case containing the main charge and fragmentation sleeve to bound into the air. A tethering wire which remains attached to the base of the outer case determines the

height of the main charge explosion. The OZM-3 and OZM-4 have lethal radii of 9 and 13 meters, respectively.

REMARKS:

The OZM-3 was introduced around 1950 as a replacement for the improvised OZM (fragmentation obstacle mines) used during World War II. Each improved OZM mine has featured greater explosive content and more fragmentation. The newest version appears to follow this trend, perhaps indicating a lethal radius 25 t o 50 percent greater than the OZM-4.

The KhF-1and KhF-2chemcial hounding antipersonnel mines differ only in dimensions. Both

mines are cylindrical with a handle on one end. The outer shell acts as a miniature mortar tube.

The inner shell holds 4.5 liters of liquid contaminant (mustard).

CAPABILITIES:

Both mines fire electronically from a remote position. The firing of the electronic detonator ignites the propellant charge. This hurls the mine upward out of t h e container, simultaneously igniting the delay fuze. After a delay of 1 to 1.5 seconds, the delay fuze sets off the explosive charge, shattering the mine and spreading the liquid contaminant.

The mines are normally employed in groups of 10 to 12, connected by cable to a single power source located a minimum of 300 meters from the grouping of mines. If the mine explodes between 4 to 8 meters off the ground, t h e contaminant filling will cover approximately 250 to 300 square meters.

REMARKS:

During World War II, the Soviet Union produced, hut did not employ, the KhF-1and the KhF-2.The Soviets designed the shorter KhF-2 because of difficulty in burying the taller KhF-1 in hard and frozen ground.

DESCRIPTION:

The PFM-1 is a n aerially delivered, hydraulic-

ally activated, pressure-fired antipersonnel landmine. It functions principally as a n area-denial

munition. The mine appears to be a copy of the US BLU-43B mine, commonly referred to a s "Dragon Teeth." Cased in plastic, this mine is characterized by a viscous explosive charge, a metal fuze, and a stabilizing fin. The high-density polyethylene mine casing weighs approximately 12 grams.

CAPABILITIES:

The four-component liquid explosive that hydrau-

lically transmits the pressure to the fuze has a

density of 1.57 grams per milliliter and contains

2, 2, 2-trinitroethy 1 acetate, methyl, 4, 4, 4-trintro­ butylate, 2 chloro-2, 2-dinitroethy1 formal and 2,

2, 2-trinitroethyl formal. This explosive represents a new formulation and application previously unknown to the West.

The fin acts to stabilize and disperse the mine and extends outward from the lower portion of the fuze well. The P F M - 1 comes i n green and t a n versions. A white version may also exist.

Antipersonnel Mine MON Series

DESCRIPTION:

The plastic-cased Soviet MON-50 is an almost identical copy of the US M18A1 Claymore. Its

lethal range is approximately 50 meters with fragmentation coverage similar to that of the Claymore. The MON-100 and the MON-200 are metallic-cased, circular mines with a much more focused fragmentation effect. Their lethal ranges are expected to be 100 and 200 meters. For mounting the mines, the integral carrying handle a n d s t a n d of the MON-100 and MON-200 can be driven into the ground or trees.

CAPABILITIES:

T h e fuze normally employed is commanddetonated; it electrically initiates a percussion detonator, firing a nonelectric cap. These mines can also accommodate a trip wire fuze. The MONseries mines provide devastating fragmentation in ambushes as well as around defensive perimeters. The larger MON-series mines will also have a significant effect against unprotected and lightly armored vehicles (with 2.0 and 12.0 kilograms of TNT, respectively).

DESCRIPTION:

Little is known about this newest scatterable antipersonnel mine: it is aerially delivered; it has

self-erecting leas: and it extends its own trio wires. The metal-cased mine has a fragmentation kill mechanism.

DESCRIPTION:

The TMN-46 blast-type antitank mine h a s a cvlindrical metal case with a sliehtlv domed. ridged top. The main TNT charge weighs 5.3 kilograms.

CAPABILITIES:

The TMN-46 has a fuze well on the bottom for booby trapping. It has a pressure fuze for mechani-

cal laying. A more recently developed angled tilt­ rod fuze is used only when the mine is laid by hand.

REMARKS:

The Soviets introduced TMN-46 around 1946. It differs from the earlier TM-46 only in having a fuze well on the bottom. Both models can be laid mechanically. They are limited standard items.

DESCRIPTION:

The TM-57 blast-type antitank is almost identical to the older TM-46 and TMN-46; however, it has a larger charge (6.3 kilograms) a n d improved fuzing. I t has' no booby t r a p well, since it is designed for mechanical laying. The steel mine is

olive green in color.

CAPABILITIES:

A delay-armed fuze is standard, but a tilt-rod fuze can be used when the TM-57 is laid by hand.

DESCRIPTION:

The TM-62 series of conventional antitank blast mines are the current mainstay of the Soviet antitank mine inventory. They exist in four distinct

versions: the TM-62M,metallic case; TM-62P, plastic case; TM-62B,caseless; and TM-62D, wooden case. All are circular except for the TM-62D, which is

rectangular. The TM-62M has a bracket on the base plate to accommodate a springy metal handle.

CAPABILITIES:

It is logical to assume that the TM-62 series

stemmed from a need for improved countermeasures and variety. The TM-62 mines represent the first physically similar series of mines t h a t allows

mechanical emplacement; varying degrees of detectability;and the use of a manufactured anti-

disturbance fuze, the VM-62Z.The TM-62 mines can be emplaced manually or mechanically, in mixed or homogeneous minefields. The TM-62M a n d TM-62P probably have limited duration capabilities when used underwater.

DESCRIPTION:

T h e TMK-2 shap e d -charge a n t i t a n k m i n e consists of a double-truncated, conical-shaped mine body with a shaped charge in the lower half. It has an adjustable-length, tilt-rodfuze attached to a holder on the side of the mine. The metal mine is olive green in color.

CAPABILITIES:

The TMK attacks the bellies of tanks and other

armored vehicles. Normally, it is buried in the ground leaving only the tilt rod exposed. Its effec-

tiveness results from t h e shaped charge (HEAT) which produces a penetrating jet i n the s a m e

manner as shaped demolition charges and HEAT projectiles.