Mine "Claymore" - the history of creation, characteristics, replicas for airsoft

The most effective type of weapon are mined explosive devices. However, these are the most insidious constructions. This is due to the long readiness for blasting, the difficulty in finding and neutralizing. Minor weapons do not select the object of destruction, eliminating all without exception, who fell into its zone of action. And after the end of hostilities, the danger of mines remains high for many years.

"Claymore" is an anti-personnel mine device with directional defeat and the possibility of regulation. This is the only officially permitted mine in the US army today. Such spreads were received during the Vietnam War.

History

"Claymore" (mine M18) appeared in the 50's in the United States. The author of the design is engineer Norman MacLeod.

During the Vietnam War, the American army was confronted with the fact that the enemy began actively using fragmentation mines. "Claymore" was created for US marines. Initially, it was intended to protect key points and bases. Such mines were placed around the most important objects. If the enemy was approaching, the mines exploded. In a word, powerful protection.

For mine soldiers, the mine was safe, since the explosion occurred at a distance. "Claymore" has shown high efficiency, with its help it was possible to liquidate a lot of enemy forces.

Appearance

The anti-personnel mine "Claymore" includes an explosive and slaughter component in the form of balls of steel. Its shape is convex-parallelepiped. The case is covered with plastic material of green color. The training options have a blue color.

The outer part of the device must be directed to the enemy side. Inside there are 700 deadly components in the form of balls or rollers made of steel.

Specifications

Now more. "Claymore" - mine, the photo of which is presented in the article, has the following parameters:

• Type of explosive device - antipersonnel, fragmentation type, with the ability to control, with directional action;
• Frame - plastic;
• Weight - 1,6 kg;
• Mass of the explosive mixture - 682 g;
• Dimensions - 21,5х9х3,5 cm;
• Coverage area - a radius of 50 meters, a sector of 60 degrees, a height of 10cm-4 meters;
• The ability to use - from minus 40 to plus 50 degrees.

Using

Initially, the M18 did not have its own fuse. In the upper part there were two nests to install it.

It was assumed that the "Claymore" - mine controlled, and its activation should be performed by the operator during the approach of enemy soldiers to it. There is also the possibility of an explosion in response to a rupture sensor.

To install the device and determine the scope, at the top of the M18 there is a sight. "Claymore" - a mine with four legs, it is installed on the ground. You can also attach to various objects (trees, poles). Later in the M18 began to fasten breakage and tension fuses. When the device explodes, steel slaughter balls hit the enemy, flying in his direction. "Claymore" is a special purpose 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 lateral directions from other M18;
• 10 meters from anti-personnel and anti-tank devices;
• 2 meters from high-explosive antipersonnel devices.

The safe distance for M18 for own troops is 250 meters ahead, towards the rear and in the lateral directions - 100 meters.

Stories related to M18

In the Soviet Union in the sixties an analogue of the M18 mine construction, named MON-50, was created. Later similar designs appeared in other states. For example, in Yugoslavia released MRUD, in Sweden - Type 13 and Type 21.

Vietnamese soldiers during the war differed in that they imperceptibly approached the delivered M18 and turned them towards the Americans. Then they opened their presence to the enemy, thereby provoking an explosion. In history, incidentally, was a young Vietnamese intelligence officer named Ngo-Tin-Jiam, who once did explode on an undetected second mine mine.

Danger of weapons

Mines nowadays are part of the fences established to detain enemy forces and inflict the greatest losses on enemy troops. As a rule, minefields are resistant to any fiery impacts. 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 of mines perish 15-20 thousand people. These are peaceful citizens, 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 mines during the war. The US did not participate in the signing of this document, but the leadership of this country has adopted its own prohibitive document on the use of mines. Thus, the answer to the question of "Claymore" -min (what is it, and what is its danger) is answered.

Fans to shoot in a peaceful life

The instinct of the hunter and the desire to throw out emotions do not stop the fans of shooting and in a peaceful life. Not in vain for them was invented a game called airsoft. For fans of airsoft, game analogs of the famous weapon M18 are produced today. And this, indeed, is a masterpiece.

"Claymore" -min for airsoft is externally an exact copy of the genuine M18. The kit includes:

• The device itself;
• Electronic fuse;
• Tarpaulin protective color ;
• Camouflage cover;
• Instruction in CD and printed version.

Specialists and fans of airsoft leave exceptionally positive feedback on the game version of the weapon.