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MON-90

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The MON-90 is a claymore shaped, plastic bodied, directional type of anti-personnel mine designed and manufactured in Russia. It is designed to wound or kill by fragmentation. The mine is similar in appearance to the MON-50, but is approximately twice the size with a much greater depth.

Contents

Design

The MON-90 has an attachment point on the bottom for connecting a special clamp which can be attached to wood, metal etc but it has no scissor type legs. It has a sight centered on the top which is flanked by two detonator cavities. The mine contains 6.2 kg of RDX (PVV-5A) to propel approximately 2000 steel rod fragments to a lethal range of 90 meters in a 54' arc (60 m wide spread at 90 m range).

The MON-90 is usually command actuated using a PN manual inductor and an EDP-R electric detonator (ZT non-electric detonator also available). It can also be actuated by a variety of booby trap (BT) switches including:

The MON-90 is usually mounted above ground level on the surface or up in a tree to give the greatest dispersion of fragments. It is waterproof and will function effectively from temperatures of +50' to -50'C. Due to its large size the MON-90 is effective against unarmored vehicles and it may have applications as an anti-helicopter mine.

It can be located visually or with metal detectors under most field conditions. Depending on its actuation method the MON 90 may be resistant to blast overpressure from explosive breaching systems like the Giant Viper and M58 MICLIC.

Specifications

Disarming (demining) hazards

The MON-90 is known to be used with the VP13 siesmic 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.

On detonation the mine will normally propel lethal fragmentation to a range of 90 meters. 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

Once the mine is laid (normally by pressing scissor legs into ground or attaching to objects with adjustable clamp), it is aimed using a 600 mm high aiming mark at a range of 10 m. The initiation mechanism is then set up. Once the mine is in position proceed as follows, depending on the initiating methods:

Command Detonation

  1. For command detonation using the EDP or EDP-R 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.
  2. Test the continuity of the EDP or EDP-R 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.
  3. Insert the detonator into the detonator cavity. Re-adjust the aim if necessary and complete the camouflage of the mine.
  4. Return to the firing point and after rechecking continuity; attach the firing mechanism to the firing cable.
  5. If using the NM electric initiator with the MD-5 detonator in the command detonation mode the sequence is the same.

Tripwire Activation (MUV fuze)

  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.
  2. Screw the MD-2 or MD-5M detonator assembly into the end of the fuze.
  3. 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.
  4. If using either the MUV 2, 3 or 4, remove the delay arming pin at this time and retain.

Breakwire Activation (MVE-72 fuze)

  1. Position the MVE-72 electronic 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 (AH) or anti-disturbance (AD) devices (if either are detected, blow mine in place).
  6. Ensure that no other means of actuation are present on the mine (the mine is now neutralized).

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

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. Store explosive components separately for future disposal observing proper storage regulations and compatibility segregation.

Disposal Procedure

Whenever possible the MON-90 directional anti-personnel mine should be blown in place (BIP) using a 0.5 kg explosive charge placed in a way to disrupt the fragmentation pattern and force the fragmentation toward the ground.

See also

 

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