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MON-50

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The MON-50 is a claymore shaped (rectangular, slightly concave), plastic bodied, directional type of anti-personnel mine designed and manufactured by Russia. It is designed to wound or kill by explosive fragmentation. The mine is a copy of the American M18 Claymore with a few differences.

Contents

Design

It has folding scissor type legs for supporting and aiming, but it also has an attachment point on the bottom for connecting a special clamp/spike which can be attached to wood, metal etc. It has a peep sight centered on the top which is flanked by two detonator cavities. The mine contains 700g of RDX (PVV-5A) to propel approximately 500 fragments to a lethal range of 50 meters in a 54' arc (spread of 45 meters at 50 meter range). The fragments can be steel balls (540) or short steel rods (485) depending on the variant.

The MON-50 is usually command actuated using a PN manual inductor and an EDP-R electric detonator. It can also be actuated by a variety of booby trap (BT) switches including the MUV series pull; the MVE-72 electric breakwire; or the VP13 seismic controller.

The MON 50 will usually be mounted above ground level on the surface or up in trees to give the greatest dispersion of fragments. It is waterproof and will function effectively from +50 to -50'C (it can be buried in snow as long as the pack in front of the mine doesn't exceed 10 cm, any more will greatly reduce the mine effectiveness).

The mine can be located visually or with metal detectors under most field conditions. Depending on its actuation method the MON-50 may be resistant to blast overpressure from explosive breaching systems like the Giant Viper and M58 MICLIC.

The MON-50 is also manufactured for export in Bulgaria and has been adopted by the German Army as the DM51. The MON 50 is widely used in many parts of the world. It comes in a two pouch cloth bandolier which holds all the components for securing and command actuating the mine. It may also come packed in a VKPM-2 set which contains 4 mines complete with miscellaneous fuzes, control panel and wire.

Specifications

Disarming (Demining) hazards

The MON-50 is known to be used with the VP13 seismic controller which prevents close approach for any clearance operations. If the mine is encountered with any type of electrical wires running from it, secure both ends of the wire before approaching the mine, because it could be linked to another mine or other booby trap device. Further devices could also be placed along such wires.

On detonation the mine will normally propel lethal fragmentation to a range between 40 and 60 meters, although the actual hazard range for these types of mines can be as high as 300 metres based on US Army tests of the M18A1 "Claymore" (this is directly in front of the mine, fragmentation range and density drop off to 125 meters to the sides and rear of these mines).

Operating procedures

Arming

  1. The mine is normally laid using either the scissor legs, pressed into the ground or the adjustable clamp to mount the mine on timber or metal objects. It may also be secured to appropriate objects with wire, twine or duct tape although the effects may not be as good.
  2. When the mine is secured it is aimed using a 0.6 metre high aiming mark at a range of 10m. The initiation mechanism is then set up.
  3. The MON-50 can use a variety of initiating methods. Either a command wire with an EDP or EDPr electric detonator or an NM electric igniter with MD-5M detonator, the MUV series of fuzes, a trip wire and detonator cord system, MVE-72 fuze or VP-13 (NVU-P) triggering device can be employed. Once the mine is in position proceed as follows:

Command Detonation

  1. For command detonation using the EDP or EDPr detonator, run the firing cable from the firing point to the mine ensuring that the leg wires at the firing end are shunted and grounded. Inspect the cable to ensure its serviceability. Test the continuity of the EDP or EDPr detonator. Attach the detonator to the firing cable and test circuit for continuity observing approved grounding/bonding procedures for a minimum of 10 seconds. While leg wires are opened all radio transmissions must cease. Insert the detonator into the detonator cavity. Re-adjust the aim if necessary and complete the camouflage of the mine. Return to the firing point and after rechecking continuity; attach the firing mechanism to the firing cable.
  2. If using the NM electric initiator with the MD-5 detonator in the command detonation mode the sequence is the same.

Tripwire Activation (MUV series)

  1. If the mine is to be set for tripwire activation it will likely use the Russian MUV series of fuze. Check the condition of the fuze and confirm its serviceability. Screw the MD-2 or MD-5M detonator assembly into the end of the fuze.
  2. Secure the tripwire to an anchor and run it to the fuze. This trip wire once secured to the pull pin must be a loose trip wire to prevent inadvertent pull on the pin. Attach the wire to the pull pin and finish camouflaging the mine. If using either the MUV 2, 3 or 4, remove the delay arming pin at this time and retain.

Breakwire Activation (MVE-72 electronic (break wire) fuze)

  1. Position the MVE-72 fuze in close proximity to the mine and remove the blue plastic spool on the top of the fuze, remove the three Bakelite caps and inspect the Breakwire jack, the NM fuze well and the pull friction igniter cord for the pyrotechnic delay.
  2. Remove the battery holder and insert new or check the existing battery and replace the battery holder.
  3. Carefully lay the breakwire around the area to be covered and insert the breakwire jack into the breakwire jack socket.
  4. Screw an MD-2 or MD-5M detonator assembly into the end of the NM fuze and insert the threaded ring into the NM fuze well.
  5. The friction switch cord is pulled beginning the pyrotechnic delay, the mine is armed after 50 to 180 seconds. If the wire is broken the fuze detonates the NM fuze.
  6. Carefully insert the NM fuze into the mines detonator well.
Note: If the wire is broken the fuze detonates the NM fuze. Handle the breakwire with extreme care.

Neutralizing

Command Detonation

  1. Always secure the firing system of an electrically actuated mine by ensuring that both the mine, the command wire and the electrical firing device are under observation and physical control of friendly forces.
  2. Once the exact location of the firing device is determined, check the immediate ground around the control site for signs of boobytraps or anti-disturbance devices.
  3. Remove the firing device from the system, then shunt and ground the command wire.
  4. Approach the mine from the rear quarter following along the command wire (ensure to clear the ground along the wire for blast type A pers mines).
  5. Once at the mine, check the immediate surroundings for signs of anti-handling or anti-disturbance devices (if AH or AD are detected at this time blow the mine in place).
  6. Ensure that no other means of actuation are present on the mine (the mine is now neutralized).

For Tripwire Actuation Only

  1. Follow the tripwire to both ends clearing the ground along the wire for other types of anti-personnel mines.
  2. Check the immediate ground for signs of boobytraps or anti-disturbance devices. If BT or AD devices are detected or suspected blow the mine in place.
  3. If an MUV series fuze has been used, secure the safety pin in the MUV series fuze using thumb and forefinger.
  4. Cut the tripwire 20 cm from the fuze and wrap the excess around the fuze to secure the pull pin. The mine is now neutralized.

For Breakwire Activation

The MVE-72 cannot be neutralized.

Note: For Dual Actuated Mines, if the electrical system is manned, it is the primary threat and it must be dealt with first by following the drill for command actuation. If the firing system is secured then the tripwire is the primary threat and it must be dealt with first.

Disarming

  1. Lift the mine from the ground and unscrew the fuze. If the MVE-72 fuze was used, unscrew the threaded ring from the NM fuze well and remove the fuse from the mine. Remove the MD-2 or MN-5M detonator from the NM fuze. Disconnect the Breakwire Jack and discard. Remove battery and discard IAW HAZMAT disposal regulations and destroy the MVE-72 fuze body by smashing with a hammer. Discard parts.
  2. Store explosive components separately for future disposal observing proper storage regulations and compatibility segregation.

Safely Approachable

The mine has conventional or advanced seismic influence fuzing. It is a hand laid directional fragmentation mine which is normally command actuated (always secure command wires). The MON-50 may also be attached to a VP13 controller or to a variety of BT fuzes. Approach from side if possible (never from front).

See also

 

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