MINE-FIELD CLEARANCE BY NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Abstract
The objective of the project was to investigate the behavior of pressure-activated antitank mines under air-blast loading from a nuclear detonation. Of particular interest were the reliability of current methods for predicting probability of land-mine actuation from nuclear detonations, the effect of burial depth on mine actuation, and the effect of sympathetic actuation in extending the range of mine clearance. In addition, a study was initiated to determine if special methods were needed for prediction of mine actuation at particular ranges of transition in the pressure-wave shape. Fifteen mine types, both United States and foreign, were employed. Test results indicated: (1) the procedures for predicting mine actuation under nuclear detonations were reasonably accurate; (2) in the live mine fields, sympathetic actuation occurred among mines; (3) the response of the Universal Indicator Mines (UIM) increased with burial depths to a maximum value between 6 and 9 in.; and (4) the reliability of the actuation curves can be improved by laboratory testing of adequate sampling mines. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 16, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0358121
Entities
People
- F. E. Deeds
- Flix W. Fleming
- Robert K. Stump
Organizations
- MRIGlobal