Claymore mine vs GBU-24 Paveway III

Vietnam War Korean conflict Cambodian Civil War Soviet–Afghan War Iraq War Gulf War Operation Protective Edge Bosnian War Rhodesian Bush War War in Afghanistan Sri Lankan Civil War Myanmar Civil War Russian invasion of Ukraine^[source]

Norman Macleod and others^[source]

Texas Instruments^[source]

1952–1956^[source]

1980^[source]

Mohawk Electrical Systems^[source]

Raytheon^[source]

$ 119 as of 1993^[source]

Peep sight on early models, later a knife edge sight^[source]

C-4^[source]

Mark 84 bomb as warhead^[source]

Blasting Cap Assembly M4^[source]

directional anti-personnel mine^[source]

The Claymore fires steel balls out to about 300 ft (100 m) within a 60° arc in front of the device. It is used primarily in ambushes and as an anti-infiltration device against enemy infantry . It is also used against unarmored vehicles .^[source]Claymore mine · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The M18A1 Claymore mine has a horizontally convex gray-green plastic case (inert training versions are light blue or green with a light blue band). The shape was developed through experimentation to deliver the optimum distribution of fragments at 160 ft (50 m) range. The case has the words "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" embossed on the front of the mine. A simple open sight on the top surface allows for aiming the mine. Two pairs of scissor legs attached to the bottom support the mine and allow it to be aimed vertically. On both sides of the sight are fuse wells set at 45°.^[source]Claymore mine · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Internally the mine contains a layer of C-4 explosive behind a matrix of about seven hundred 1 ⁄ 8 -inch-diameter (3 mm) steel balls set into an epoxy resin .^[source]Claymore mine · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

When the M18A1 is detonated, the explosion drives the matrix forward, out of the mine at a velocity of 3,900 ft/s (1,200 m/s), at the same time breaking it into individual fragments. The steel balls are projected in a 60° fan-shaped pattern 7 feet (2 m) high and 160 ft (50 m) wide at a range of 160 ft (50 m). The force of the explosion deforms the relatively soft steel balls into a shape similar to a .22 rimfire projectile. These fragments are moderately effective up to a range of 330 ft (100 m), with a hit probability of around 10% on a prone man-sized 1.3-square-foot (0.12 m 2 ) target. The fragments can travel up to 800 ft (250 m). The optimum effective range is 160 ft (50 m), at which the optimal balance is achieved between lethality and area coverage, with a hit probability of 30% on a man-sized target.^[source]Claymore mine · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The weapon and all its accessories are carried in an M7 bandolier ("Claymore bag"). The mine is detonated as enemy personnel enter the killing zone. Controlled detonation may be accomplished by use of either an electrical or non-electrical firing system . When mines are employed in the controlled role, they are treated as individual weapons and are reported in the unit fire plan . They are not reported as mines; however, the emplacing unit must ensure that the mines are removed, detonated, or turned over to a relieving unit. The 100-foot (30 m) M4 electric firing wire on a green plastic spool is provided in each bandolier. The M57 firing device (colloquially referred to as the "clacker") is included with each mine. An M40 circuit test set is packed in each case of six mines. When the mines are daisy-chained together, one firing device can detonate several mines.^[source]Claymore mine · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Following the massed Chinese attacks during the Korean War , Canada and the United States began to develop projects to counter them. Canada fielded a weapon called the "Phoenix" landmine, which used the Misnay–Schardin effect to project a spray of 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) steel cubes towards the enemy. The cubes were embedded in 5 pounds (2.3 kg) of Composition B explosive. It was too large to be a practical infantry weapon and was relatively ineffective, with a maximum effective range of only 70 to 100 feet (20 to 30 m).^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Norman MacLeod and Calord Corporation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The original M18 was 9.25 inches (235 mm) long and 3.27 inches (83 mm) high, held in 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 12 ounces (340 g) of C-3 explosive (the forerunner of C-4 explosive ) in front of which was laid an array of 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) steel cubes. In total the mine weighed about 2.43 pounds (1.10 kg), and could be fitted with an optional peep sight for aiming. It lacked the later version's iconic "FRONT TOWARD ENEMY" marking. The mine was planted in the ground, using its three sharp legs, and aimed in the direction of enemy approach; at that point, it was fitted with an electrical blasting cap. The mine was triggered from a safe position, preferably to the side and rear. The mine was barely more than a prototype and was not considered a "reliable casualty producer"; like the Phoenix it had an effective range of only 90 feet (30 m).^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Norman MacLeod and Calord Corporation; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

It must weigh less than 3.5 pounds (1.6 kilograms)^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

It must throw enough fragments so that at a range of 55 yards (50 m) it achieves a 100 percent strike rate on a 1.3-square-foot (0.12 m 2 ) target (man-sized)^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The fragment area must not be more than 8 feet (2.4 m) high and no more than 60° wide^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Fragments must have a velocity of 4,000 feet per second (1,200 m/s) providing 58 foot-pounds (79 joules ) of kinetic energy delivered to the target.^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The requirement for kinetic energy was based on the fact that 58-foot-pounds is required to deliver a potentially lethal injury. Given the requirements of weight and fragment density, approximately 700 fragments were needed, with the ability to aim the mine with an accuracy of around 2 feet (0.6 m) at the center of the target zone. The team at Aerojet were given access to all previous research into directional mines, including the M18 and the Phoenix, as well as German research. Dr. John Bledsoe led the initial project.^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The original M18 mine fell far short of Picatinny's requirements. One of the first improvements was to replace the steel cubes with 7 ⁄ 32 -inch (5.6 mm) hardened 52100 alloy ball bearings. These performed poorly for two reasons. Firstly, the hardened steel balls spalled into fragments when hit by the shock of the explosion; the fragments were neither aerodynamic enough nor large enough to perform effectively. Secondly, the blast "leaked" between the balls, reducing their velocity.^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Kincheloe immediately suggested using softer 1 ⁄ 8 -inch (3.2 mm) steel "gingle" balls, which were used in the foundry process. They did not spall from the shock of the explosive, but deformed into a useful aerodynamic shape similar to a .22 rimfire projectile. Using a homemade chronograph , the engineers clocked the balls at 3,775 feet per second (1,151 m/s). The second change 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 experiments, the engineers settled on Devcon-S steel-filled epoxy to hold the balls in place. With this change, the velocity improved to 3,995 feet per second (1,218 m/s).^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

By the spring of 1956, Aerojet had a near-final design. It was awarded a pre-production contract for 1,000 M18A1 Claymores, designated T-48E1 during testing. The initial versions of the mine used two pairs of wire legs produced from number 9 (3 mm) wire. Later when production was ramped up, the design was changed to flat steel scissor, folding-type legs.^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Testing concluded that the mine was effective out to approximately 110 yards (100 m), being capable of hitting 10% of the attacking force. At 55 yards (50 m), this increased to 30%. The development project completed, the Aerojet team sent the project back to Picatinny. The Arsenal bid it out to various component suppliers. In 1960 it was type standardized as the M18A1. It was first used in Vietnam in the spring or early summer 1966.^[source]Claymore mine · Development / Throner, Kennedy, Bledsoe, and Kincheloe at Aerojet; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In early 2015, the U.S. Army began testing a smaller version of the Claymore called the Mini-Multi-Purpose Infantry Munition (M-MPIMS). It weighs 2 pounds (0.9 kg) and has a 160 ft (50 m) effective range, similar to the full-size Claymore. At its optimized range of 100 ft (30 m), the fragmentation zone is 75 ft (23 m) wide and 7 ft (2 m) high, with a minimum of five hits per square meter (0.5 per square foot). It has the surface space of an average smartphone and includes a Picatinny rail for camera, laser, or other attachments. The M-MPIMS is designed to be more controllable than the Claymore with less collateral damage, using an insensitive munitions explosive that is poured rather than packed for more uniform distribution results in more consistent blast pattern. Rear-safety distance has been decreased to 50 ft (15 m) and shelf life has been increased to 25 years.^[source]Claymore mine · Variants / Mini-Multi-Purpose Infantry Munition; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

PADMINE is an anti-personnel directional fragmentation mine produced by the United Kingdom, similar to the Claymore in cosmetic design with two swivelling legs, inserted into soft-ground. Its lethality out to 160 feet (50 m) arrives in the form of 650 steel balls and it is activated by remote control or trip wire.^[source]Claymore mine · International directional fragmentation AP mines; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The M18 directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine, developed by Cardoen of Chile, contains 626 grams of explosives, surrounded by 607 anti-personnel fragmentation units providing a 60° arc of fire , with a 160-to-820-foot (50 to 250 m) lethal range.^[source]Claymore mine · International directional fragmentation AP mines; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Italy produces the DAF M6 and DAF M7 directional fragmentation mines, weighing 40 and 22 pounds (18 and 10 kg) respectively, with trip wire or remote control detonation. Their appearance is similar to the Claymore mine.^[source]Claymore mine · International directional fragmentation AP mines; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage