ANTITANK MINE, XM34
Abstract
The XM34 antitank mine is a blast-type mine that causes immobilization (M-kill) of the target vehicle. The XM34 is designed for use in the XM56 aircraft mine-dispersing subsystem and can be dispersed aerially, from ground vehicles, or manually. The other major item of the subsystem is the SUU- 13/A antitank mine dispenser. Because it can be air-dropped, the XM34 is useful for antitank mining in areas hitherto inaccessible. The major parts of the mine assembly are a body, a pressure plate with integral fuze, and H6 explosive. This antitank mine is suited to being sown in mixed minefields with antipersonnel mines against both armor and infantry attack. Aerial and vehicular means of sowing enable a commander to pick the best placement zones to suit his tactical needs and delay emplacement of the mines until the last possible moment to surprise the enemy. The XM34 is highly countermeasure resistant and difficult to defeat. The mine fuze is actuated by a sustained pressure of 250 pounds on its pressure plate for a period of 350 milliseconds. Its firing train is out of line, and therefore unarmed, until the correct sustained pressure simultaneously arms and fires the fuze by bringing the detonator into line. If the pressure is released in less than the required time, the arming mechanism returns to its original zero setting. This built-in actuation delay makes the fuze highly resistant to such countermeasures as rollers, flails, and explosive charges, and also provides the airdrop capability. Another advantage resulting from the actuation delay is that the detonation occurs beyond the first road wheel of the tank, where the vehicle is most vulnerable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0385563
Entities
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh