APM series directional fragmentation mines

The APM-1, APM-2, APM-3, APM 19, and APM 29 are Austrian directional fragmentation mines similar to the United States Claymore mine. The mine's cases are made from moulded plastic and have convex faces. They contain a matrix of 5 millimeter diameter steel balls weighing 0.5 gram laid over a Composition B charge. When triggered the mines project the fragments in a horizontal arc of approximately 60 degrees.

The mines were not produced in numerical order—the APM-3 was superseded by the APM-2. The APM-1 is the smallest of the mines; it uses a tripod mounting with a pan and tilt head. The APM-2 uses two scissor type legs to position.

The mines can be command or tripwire activated, and can be fitted with a time delay fuze ranging from one minute to twenty-four hours.

Production of the APM-1 and APM-2 ceased in 1980s, though both have been reported as used in Angola.

Specifications

APM-1 APM-2 APM-3 APM 19 APM 29
Weight 1 kg 2.95 kg 3 kg 1.9 kg 2.9 kg
Explosive content 0.36 kg of
Composition B		 1.3 kg of
Composition B		 1.2 kg of
Composition B		 0.9 kg of
Composition B[1]		 1.45 kg of
Composition B[1]
Length 315 mm 140 mm 230 mm 265 mm
Height 80 mm 155 mm 140 mm 95 mm 120 mm
Width 40 mm 40 mm 23 mm 35 mm 45 mm
Fragments 290 1,450 1,000 + 923 923[2]
Initial velocity 1,460 m/s 1,660 m/s
Effective range[3] 25 meters 50+ meters 50 m 50+ m

References

  1. ^ a b The main charge is believed to be Composition B.
  2. ^ The APM 29 uses larger 5.6 mm diameter fragments, giving it a greater effective range.
  3. ^ The mines are considered effective when the fragments at the range are capable of penetrating 20 mm of pine or 4 mm of aluminium.


Stub icon

This article relating to landmines is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.