Restricted Militry Explosives will, eventually, fall into all the wrong hands; Therefore it behooves you to not only know what they are, but to have as many of them as you can get.

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Landmines
M16 “Bouncing Betty” Landmine The M16 mine is a U.S. made bounding anti-personnel mine, often referred to as a “Bouncing Betty,” developed from the World War II-Era German S-Mine and has similar performance. They consist of a cast iron body in a thin steel sleeve, fitted with an M605 pressure and tilt fuse. Sufficient pressure on the prongs or tension on an attached tripwire, causes the release of a striker; The striker is forced into a percussion cap which ignites a short pyrotechnic delay. The purpose of this delay is to allow the victim to move off the top of the mine, to prevent its upward movement from being blocked. Once the delay has burned through, a 4½ gram black powder charge is ignited, which launches the inner iron body of the mine up into the air (leaving behind the steel outer sleeve). The mine rises to a height of approximately 3 feet 4½ inches (one meter), before the delays triggers the main charge of the mine which sprays metal fragments in a 360 degree radius. The mine can produce casualties out to a radius of 115 feet (35 meters), and the shrapnel presents a serious hazard out to a range of 656 feet (200 meters). When emplaced, most of an M16 mine is buried. The M16 contains large amounts of metal, so is very easy to detect using a mine detector. However, other minimum metal antipersonnel blast mines such as the M14 may have been planted nearby in order to protect it.
M18A1 Claymore The M18A1 Claymore is directional anti-personnel mine used by the U.S. military. It was named after the large Scottish sword by its inventor, Norman A. MacLEOD. The Claymore fires shrapnel, in the form of steel balls, out to about 328 feet (100 meters) across a 60° arc in front of the device. It is used primarily in ambushes against enemy infantry and soft-skinned vehicles. The M18A1 Claymore mine consists of a curved plastic shell developed through experimentation to deliver the optimum distribution of fragments at 55 yards (50 meters) range. Internally the mine contains a layer of C-4 explosive on top of which is a matrix of approximately seven hundred ⅛ inch diameter steel balls (about as big as #4 birdshot) set into an epoxy resin. When the M18A1 is detonated, the explosion drives 700 spherical fragments out of the mine at a velocity of 3,995 feet per second (1,200 m/s). The spherical steel balls are projected in a 60° fan-shaped pattern that is 6 feet 8 inches (2 meters) high and 165 feet (50 meters) wide at a range of 165 feet (50 meters). The force of the explosion deforms the relatively soft steel fragments into a shape similar to a .22 rimfire projectile . These fragments are moderately effective up to a range of 328 feet (100 meters), with a hit probability of around 10% on a prone man-sized 1 foot 4½ inch² target (0.12² meters). The fragments can travel up to 829 feet (250 meters) forward of the weapon. The optimum effective range is 165 feet (50 meters), at which the optimal balance is achieved between lethality and area coverage with a hit probability of 30% on a man-sized target. An instruction sheet for the weapon is attached to the inside cover of the bandolier. The Claymore mine is typically deployed in one of three modes: Controlled, Uncontrolled, or Time-delayed. Controlled Mode (also known as Command Detonation) The mine is detonated by the operator as the forward edge of the enemy approaches a point within the killing zone where maximum casualties can be inflicted, 65 to 100 feet (20 to 30 meters). Controlled detonation may be accomplished by use of either an electrical or nonelectrical firing system. The M57 Firing Device (colloquially referred to as the “clacker”) is included with the M18A1 Claymore Mine so that it can be used in the controlled mode. When Claymore Mines are daisy chained together, one M57 firing device can initiate several claymore mines. Uncontrolled (Victim Initiated Detonation) Mode Uncontrolled firing is accomplished when the mine is installed in such a manner as to cause an unsuspecting enemy to detonate the mine. There are many mechanisms that can be used to initiate the M18A1 in uncontrolled mode, including the M142 Multipurpose Firing Device, M5 Pressure Release Device (mousetrap), tripwires, strikers, infrared sensors, acoustic & vibration sensors. Time-delayed Mode Time-delayed firing involves the fitting of a short timed fuse and a fuse igniter to allow the mine to be used as a pursuit deterrent; This may be combined with a CS grenade or bag containing the irritant contained in a CS grenade. The mine is emplaced, quickly oriented on the direction pursuers are most likely to take, and the fuse is ignited before the position is abandoned. Around 1952 Norman MacLEOD at his company the Explosive Research Corporation began working on the concept of a small directional mine for use by infantry. It was accepted into Army service as the M18 Claymore and approximately 10,000 were produced. It was used in small numbers in Viet Nam from around 1961, but it wasn’t until the arrival of the improved M18A1 that it became a significant weapon. The M18 is 10 inches (235 millimeters) long and 4 inches (83 millimeters) high with a plastic case with three folding spike legs on the bottom. An electrical blasting cap for triggering the mine was inserted through a small hole in the side. Internally the mine consisted of a layer of 340 grams of C-3 explosive (the forerunner of C-4 explosive) in front of which was laid an array of 0.25 inch steel cubes. The mine was planted in the ground using its sharp legs and is aimed in the direction of enemy approach and then fitted with an electrical blasting cap. The mine is then triggered from a safe position, preferably to the side and rear. In testing it became apparent that the original M18 mine fell far short	of the Picatinny requirements. One of the first improvements was to replace the steel cubes with 7/32 inch hardened 52100 alloy ball bearings. These performed poorly for two reasons, the hardened steel balls, spalled into fragments when hit by the shock of the military explosive, the fragments were neither aerodynamic nor large enough to perform effectively. Additionally the blast “leaked” between the balls, actually reducing their maximum velocity. A second problem to be addressed was the optimum curvature of the mine. This was determined experimentally by Bledsoe, through a large number of test firings. Bledsoe left the project to work at the Rheem Corporation, and another engineer, William KINCHELOE came onto the project. KINCHELOE immediately came up with the suggestion to use softer ⅛ inch steel “gingle” balls that were used in the foundry process. The softer balls did not spall when struck by the shock from the explosive, instead they deformed into a useful aerodynamic shape similar to a .22 rimfire projectile. Using a homemade Chronograph these were clocked at 3,775 feet per second (1,150 meters per second). The second optimization was to use a poured plastic matrix to briefly contain the blast from the explosive, so that more of the blast energy was converted into projectile velocity. After a number of weeks of experimentation they finally settled on Devcon-S steel filled epoxy to hold the steel balls against the explosive. With this in place the velocity improved to 3,995 feet per second (1,200 meters per second). There were still a number of technical challenges to overcome, including the development of a case that would be able to contain the corrosive C-3 explosive, and be tough enough to withstand months of field handling in wide temperature ranges. Using soluble dyes to test various plastics for leaks, they found a suitable plastic called Durex 1661½ which could be easily molded into a case. By the Spring of 1956 they had a near final design, which was awarded a preproduction contract for 1,000 M18A1 claymores designated T-48E1 during testing. The initial versions of the mine used two pairs of spindly wire legs. Later when production was ramped up the design was changed to flat steel scissor, folding-type legs. For sighting for the device simple peep sights were adopted, which was later replaced by a knife blade sight. Testing conducted with the mine concluded that the mine was effective out to approximately 110 yards, being capable of hitting 10% of the attacking force. At 55 yards this increased to 30%. Minor modifications have been made to the mine during its service. A layer of tinfoil has been added to the design, fixed between the fragmentation matrix and the explosive. This serves to slightly improve the fragment velocity, and to chemically protect the steel fragments from the corrosive explosive compound. Additionally a ferrite choke is used to prevent RF signals and lightning triggering the mines. Mine Ban Treaty: Although the US agreed to obey the tenants of several land mine use treaties, they never signed any of them; Irregardless, in a post skin job world, such treaties will end up in the latrine for more useful purposes. However, such weaps are extremely dangerous, and can be unpredictable if not properly supervised, and therefore should be used close in to your perimeter, or to close specific approach routes (roads); The later should be kept on command-detonate only. Designer: Norman MacLEOD Specifications Weight: 3.5 lbs Length: 8½ inches (216 mm) Width: 1½ inches (38 mm) Height: 5 inches (124 mm) Caliber: ⅛ inch steel balls (×700) Muzzle velocity: 3,995 fps (1,200 m/s) Effective Range: 164 feet (50 m) Maximum Range: 820 feet (250 m)
Demolitions Explosives
Composition-4 (C-4) Composition-4 (C-4) is one variety of plastic explosive. The basic idea of plastic explosives, also called plastic bonded explosives (PBX), is to combine explosive chemicals with a plastic binder material. The binder has two important jobs: It coats the explosive material, so it's less sensitive to shock and heat. This makes it relatively safe to handle the explosive. It makes the explosive material highly malleable. You can mold it into different shapes to change the direction of the explosion. The explosive material in C-4 is cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (C3H6N6O6), commonly called RDX (which stands for "royal demolition explosive" or "research development explosive"). The additive material is made up of polyisobutylene, the binder, and di(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate, the plasticizer (the element that makes the material malleable). It also contains a small amount of motor oil and some 2, 3-dimethyl-2, 3-dinitrobutane (DMDNB), which functions as a chemical marker for security forces. To make C-4 blocks, explosives manufacturers take RDX in powder form and mix it with water to form a slurry. They then add the binder material, dissolved in a solvent, and mix the materials with an agitator. They remove the solvent through distillation, and remove the water through drying and filtering. The result is a relatively stable, solid explosive with a consistency similar to modelling clay. Just as with other explosives, you need to apply some energy to C-4 to kick off the chemical reaction. Because of the stabilizer elements, it takes a considerable shock to set off this reaction; lighting the C-4 with a match will just make it burn slowly, like a piece of wood (in Vietnam, soldiers actually burned C-4 as an improvised cooking fire). Even shooting the explosive with a rifle won't trigger the reaction. Only a detonator, or blasting cap will do the job properly. A detonator is just a smaller explosive that's relatively easy to set off. An electrical detonator, for example, uses a brief charge to set off a small amount of explosive material. When somebody triggers the detonator (by transmitting the charge through detonator cord to a blasting cap, for example), the explosion applies a powerful shock that triggers the C-4 explosive material. When the chemical reaction begins, the C-4 decomposes to release a variety of gases (notably, nitrogen and carbon oxides). The gases initially expand at about 26,400 feet per second (8,050 meters per second), applying a huge amount of force to everything in the surrounding area. At this expansion rate, it is totally impossible to outrun the explosion like they do in dozens of action movies. To the observer, the explosion is nearly instantaneous -- one second, everything's normal, and the next it's totally destroyed. The explosion actually has two phases. The initial expansion inflicts most of the damage. It also creates a very low-pressure area around the explosion's origin -- the gases are moving outward so rapidly that they suck most of the gas out from the "middle" of the explosion. After the outward blast, gases rush back in to the partial vacuum, creating a second, less-destructive inward energy wave.	Composition-4 can be molded like playdough. A small amount of C-4 packs a pretty big punch. Less than a pound of C-4 could potentially kill several people, and several military issue M112 blocks of C-4, weighing about 1.25 pounds (half a kilogram) each, could potentially demolish a truck. Demolition experts typically use a good amount of C-4 in order to do a job properly. To take out one 8-inch (20.3-centimeter) square steel beam, for example, they would probably use 8 to 10 pounds (3.6 to 4.5 kilograms) of C-4. People apply C-4's explosive power toward all kinds of destruction. One common application is military demolition -- soldiers pack it into cracks and crevices to blow up heavy walls. It has also been widely used as an anti-personnel weapon, in battle and in terrorist attacks. In Vietnam, for example, soldiers used a number of C-4-based bombs and grenades. One notable weapon, the claymore mine, consisted of a C-4 block with several embedded ball bearings. When the C-4 was detonated, the ball bearings became deadly flying shrapnel (this sort of weapon was also featured in the movie Swordfish). Unfortunately, C-4 will keep making headlines for years to come. Because of its stability and sheer destructive power, C-4 has attracted the attention of terrorists and guerilla fighters all over the world. A small amount of C-4 can do a lot of damage, and it's fairly easy to smuggle the explosive past light security forces. The U.S. military is the primary manufacturer of C-4, and it tightly guards its supply, but there are a number of other sources for similar explosive material (including Iran, which has a history of conflict with the United States). As long as it is readily accessible, C-4 will continue to be a primary weapon in the terrorist arsenal. A U.S. Army unit detonated C-4 explosives inside this Serbian battle tank during Operation Joint Guard.
BLU-82 T C: 1. C: 1. img pLACEHOLDER Specifications: Specifications: Class: 15,000 lb. Blast. Guidance: Ballistic. Control: None. Propulsion: None. Weight: 15,000 lbs. Length: 141.6 inches. Diameter: 54 inches. Warhead: 1. Explosive: Aluminum Powder (12,600 lbs). Fuzing: 2 (1 nose, 1 tail). Delivery Aircraft: C-130 variants. he BLU-82B/C-130 weapon system, officially nicknamed “Big Blue “ or “Big Blue 82” (unoficially nicknamed Commando Vault and Dai<img src=blu-82-1.gifDaisy align=left>sy Cutters), is a 15,000 pound conventional bomb, delivered from a C-130 (since it’s too heavy for any bomber). The BLU-82 was originally designed to instantly clear a helicopter landing zones and artillery emplacements in Viet Nam, it has also been used as an intimidation weapon because of its very large lethal radius (300-900 feet) combined with flash and sound visible for miles. For many years, Big Blue riegned as the largest conventional bomb (though significanlty smaller that Little Boy, it’s still bigger than some current nuclear weaps). Frequent press reports to the contrary, Big Blue is not a fuel-air explosive (FAE). It is a conventional explosive; It is 12,600 lbs. of aluminum powder and oxidizer. In contrast, an FAE consists only of agent and a dispersing mechanism, and takes its oxidizer from the oxygen in the air. Thus, the conventional explosive technique of Big Blue is more reliable than that of an FAE, particularly if there is significant wind. The minimum altitude for release due to blast effects of the weapon is 6,000 feet. The warhead contains 12,600 pounds of low-cost GSX slurry (ammonium nitrate, aluminum powder, and polystyrene) and is detonated just above ground level by a 38-inch fuze extender, optimized for destruction and ground level without digging a crater. The weapon produces an overpressure of 1,000 psi at ground zero, tapering off as distance increases. Eleven BLU-82s were dropped during Desert Storm, all from Special Operations C-130s. The initial drops were intended to test the ability of the bomb to clear mines; no reliable bomb damage assessment exists on mine clearing effectiveness. Later, bombs were dropped as much for their psychological effect as for their antipersonnel effects. The Air Force dropped several BLU-82s during the campaign to destory the Taliban and al-Qaeda terror networks in Afganistan to attack and demoralize personnel and to destroy underground- and cave-complexes. Special thanks to The Federation Of American Scientists for this report.