FM 20-32

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Change 2 Headquarters
Department of the Army
Washington, DC, 22 August 2001
Mine/Countermine Operations
1. Change FM 20-32, 30 September 1992, as follows:
Remove Old Pages Insert New Pages
i through xviii i through xviii
1-5 through 1-8 1-5 through 1-8
2-9 and 2-10 2-9 and 2-10
2-21 and 2-22 2-21 and 2-22
2-45 and 2-46 2-45 and 2-46
3-1 through 3-8 3-1 through 3-8
3-13 and 3-14 3-13 and 3-14
3-17 through 3-33 3-17 through 3-28
4-1 through 4-4 4-1 through 4-4
4-7 and 4-8 4-7 and 4-8
4-11 and 4-12 4-11 and 4-12
4-15 4-15
5-3 and 5-4 5-3 and 5-4
5-7 and 5-8 5-7 and 5-8
6-9 and 6-10 6-9 and 6-10
6-25 and 6-26 6-25 and 6-26
6-35 through 6-38 6-35 through 6-38
7-13 and 7-14 7-13 and 7-14
8-5 and 8-6 8-5 and 8-6
8-9 through 8-12 8-9 through 8-12
8-17 and 8-18 8-17 and 8-18
8-21 through 8-30 8-21 through 8-30
9-1 and 9-2 9-1 and 9-2
9-7 9-7
10-1 through 10-4 10-1 through 10-4
10-11 and 10-12 10-11 and 10-12
10-25 through 10-34 10-25 through 10-34
10-37 and 10-38 10-37 and 10-38
11-1 and 11-2 11-1 and 11-2
11-5 and 11-6 11-5 and 11-6
11-13 and 11-14 11-13 and 11-14
11-17 and 11-18 11-17 and 11-18
12-1 and 12-2 12-1 and 12-2
12-9 through 12-12 12-9 through 12-12
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Remove Old Pages Insert New Pages
12-15 and 12-16 12-15 and 12-16
13-1 through 13-6 13-1 through 13-6
13-15 and 13-16 13-15 and 13-16
13-21 and 13-22 13-21 and 13-22
13-29 through 13-33 13-29 through 13-33
A-11 and A-12 A-11 and A-12
A-29 and A-30 A-29 and A-30
A-33 and A-34 A-33 and A-34
B-1 through B-6 B-1 through B-5
C-1 and C-2 C-1 and C-2
D-5 and D-6 D-5 and D-6
D-15 and D-16 D-15 and D-16
E-1 and E-2 E-1 and E-2
F-3 and F-4 F-3 and F-4
F-9 and F-10 F-9 and F-10
F-17 and F-18 F-17 and F-18
Glossary-7 through Glossary-10 Glossary-7 through Glossary-10
References-1 and References-2 References-1 and References-2
Index-1 through Index-6 Index-1 through Index-6
DA Form 1355-1-R DA Form 1355-1-R
2. A bar ( ) marks new or changed material.
3. File this transmittal sheet in front of the publication.
4. This change includes Change 1, 30 June 1999.
DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
By Order of the Secretary of the Army:
ERIC K. SHINSEKI
General, United States Army
Chief of Staff
Official:
DISTRIBUTION:
Active Army, Army National Guard, and US Army Reserve: To be distributed in accordance
with the initial distribution number 111053, requirements for FM 20-32.
JOEL B. HUDSON
Administrative Assistant to the
Secretary of the Army
0121803
3
i
*FM 20-32
Field Manual Headquarters
No. 20-32 Department of the Army
Washington, DC, 29 May 1998
MINE/COUNTERMINE OPERATIONS
Table of Contents
Page
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .............................................................................................................x
Figur es ............................................................................................................................................ x
Tables ............................................................................................................................................ xv
PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................... xvi i
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................1-1
MECHANICS OF MINES ..........................................................................................................1-1
Char act er ist ics and Funct ioning .........................................................................................1-1
Component s and Init iat ing Act ions .....................................................................................1-2
ANTITANK MINES ....................................................................................................................1-4
Types of Kills ........................................................................................................................1-4
Types of Sensing ...................................................................................................................1-5
Types of War heads ...............................................................................................................1-5
ANTIPERSONNEL MINES .......................................................................................................1-5
Types of Kills ........................................................................................................................1-5
Types of Sensing ...................................................................................................................1-6
Types of Effect s .....................................................................................................................1-6
ANTIHANDLING DEVICES .....................................................................................................1-6
Part One. Mine Operations
CHAPTER 2. MINE-WARFARE PRINCIPLES ........................................................................2-1
MINE-WARFARE CONCEPTS..................................................................................................2-1
TYPES OF MINEFIELDS ..........................................................................................................2-1
Pr ot ect ive Minefields ............................................................................................................2-2
Tact ical Minefields ...............................................................................................................2-3
Nuisance Minefields ............................................................................................................. 2-4
Phony Minefields ..................................................................................................................2-4
PROTECTIVE VERSUS TACTICAL MINEFIELDS................................................................2-5
TACTICAL MINEFIELDS .........................................................................................................2-5
Minefield Var iables ..............................................................................................................2-7
Design ..................................................................................................................................2-10
DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Appr oved for public r elease; dist r ibut ion is unlimit ed.
____________________________
*This manual super sedes FM 20-32, 30 Sept ember 1992.
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TACTICAL-OBSTACLE INTEGRATION PRINCIPLES....................................................... 2-14
Obst acle Emplacement Aut hor it y ..................................................................................... 2-14
Obst acle Cont r ol ................................................................................................................. 2-14
Obst acle Cont r ol Measur es................................................................................................ 2-15
Fr at r icide Pr event ion ......................................................................................................... 2-19
Maneuver -Plan Suppor t .................................................................................................... 2-19
SITING AND EMPLACING TACTICAL MINEFIELDS ....................................................... 2-32
Coor dinat ing wit h t he Maneuver Commander ................................................................ 2-32
Sit ing t he Minefield ........................................................................................................... 2-37
Emplacing Minefields ........................................................................................................ 2-39
Det er mining Resour ce Requir ement s ............................................................................... 2-39
MINEFIELD SUPPLY OPERATIONS ................................................................................... 2-39
Resupply Nodes .................................................................................................................. 2-41
Resupply Rules ................................................................................................................... 2-43
Supply Locat ion .................................................................................................................. 2-44
Resupply Met hods .............................................................................................................. 2-44
MINEFIELD MARKING ......................................................................................................... 2-49
Cr it er ia ............................................................................................................................... 2-49
Per imet er ............................................................................................................................ 2-50
Techniques .......................................................................................................................... 2-50
MINEFIELD TURNOVER....................................................................................................... 2-52
MINEFIELD INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE ............................................................. 2-55
CHAPTER 3. SCATTERABLE MINES AND MINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS........................ 3-1
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.............................................................................................. 3-1
Ant iper sonnel Mines ............................................................................................................ 3-1
Ant it ank Mines .................................................................................................................... 3-3
CAPABILITIES .......................................................................................................................... 3-5
Fast er Response ................................................................................................................... 3-5
Remot e Placement ................................................................................................................ 3-5
Incr eased Tact ical Flexibilit y .............................................................................................. 3-5
Efficiency .............................................................................................................................. 3-5
Incr eased Let halit y .............................................................................................................. 3-5
LIMITATIONS............................................................................................................................ 3-5
Ext ensive Coor dinat ion ....................................................................................................... 3-5
Pr olifer at ion of Tar get s ........................................................................................................ 3-6
Visibilit y ............................................................................................................................... 3-6
Accur acy................................................................................................................................ 3-6
Or ient at ion ........................................................................................................................... 3-6
LIFE CYCLE............................................................................................................................... 3-6
LETHALITY AND DENSITY.................................................................................................... 3-7
Let halit y and Tact ical-Obst acle Effect ............................................................................... 3-7
Densit y.................................................................................................................................. 3-8
COMMAND AND CONTROL.................................................................................................... 3-9
AUTHORITY .............................................................................................................................. 3-9
COORDINATION ..................................................................................................................... 3-10
EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLACEMENT ............................................................................... 3-10
Ar ea-Denial Ar t iller y Munit ions and Remot e Ant iar mor Mines .................................... 3-11
Gat or ................................................................................................................................... 3-14
Volcano................................................................................................................................ 3-17
Modular Pack Mine Syst em............................................................................................... 3-27
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MARKING .................................................................................................................................3-26
Safet y Zones ........................................................................................................................3-27
Fr agment Hazar d Zones.....................................................................................................3-27
Fencing ................................................................................................................................3-28
CHAPTER 4. SPECIAL-PURPOSE MUNITIONS ...................................................................4-1
M18A1 CLAYMORE ...................................................................................................................4-2
SELECTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT ATTACK MUNITION .......................................................... 4-3
Oper at ing Modes...................................................................................................................4-3
Ant it amper Feat ur e.............................................................................................................. 4-6
M93 HORNET.............................................................................................................................4-6
Employment Consider at ions ................................................................................................4-7
Employment Roles ................................................................................................................ 4-7
Tact ical Emplacement ..........................................................................................................4-8
Recor ding and Mar king......................................................................................................4-15
CHAPTER 5. CONVENTIONAL MINES ...................................................................................5-1
ANTITANK MINES ....................................................................................................................5-1
M15........................................................................................................................................5-1
M19........................................................................................................................................5-2
M21........................................................................................................................................5-2
ANTIPERSONNEL MINES .......................................................................................................5-3
M14........................................................................................................................................5-3
M16........................................................................................................................................5-4
EMPLACING MINES ................................................................................................................. 5-4
Mines Wit h Pr ongs ...............................................................................................................5-4
Mines Wit h Pr essur e Plat es.................................................................................................5-4
Mines Wit h Tilt Rods............................................................................................................5-6
Bear ing Boar ds .....................................................................................................................5-6
Concealment .........................................................................................................................5-6
Maneuver Assist ance............................................................................................................ 5-8
CHAPTER 6. ROW MINING ........................................................................................................6-1
USE ..............................................................................................................................................6-1
RULES .........................................................................................................................................6-1
LOGISTICS .................................................................................................................................6-3
Calculat ions ..........................................................................................................................6-3
Task Or ganizat ion ..............................................................................................................6-14
Sit e Layout ..........................................................................................................................6-16
Mine-Laying Vehicles .........................................................................................................6-18
Laying a Row Minefield......................................................................................................6-18
Immediat e-Act ion Dr ill ......................................................................................................6-24
Squad Dr ill ..........................................................................................................................6-24
Mar king, Recor ding, and Repor t ing Row Minefields........................................................6-25
STANDARDIZED TACTICAL ROW MINEFIELDS ..............................................................6-25
Disr upt and Fix...................................................................................................................6-28
Tur n .....................................................................................................................................6-29
Block ....................................................................................................................................6-31
HASTY PROTECTIVE ROW MINEFIELDS ..........................................................................6-33
Rules ....................................................................................................................................6-34
Sit e Layout ..........................................................................................................................6-34
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CHAPTER 7. STANDARD-PATTERN MINEFIELDS ............................................................ 7-1
COMPONENTS .......................................................................................................................... 7-1
Mine St r ips ........................................................................................................................... 7-1
Mine Clust er s ....................................................................................................................... 7-1
Rules for Posit ioning Clust er s Wit hin a St r ip .................................................................... 7-2
St andar d-Pat t er n Minefield Rules ...................................................................................... 7-4
LOGISTICAL CALCULATIONS ............................................................................................... 7-9
Clust er Calculat ion .............................................................................................................. 7-9
Plat oon Or ganizat ion ......................................................................................................... 7-10
Mine-Emplacement Pr ocedur es ........................................................................................ 7-11
Mine Emplacement ............................................................................................................ 7-13
NUISANCE MINEFIELDS ..................................................................................................... 7-17
Sit ing................................................................................................................................... 7-17
Locat ion .............................................................................................................................. 7-17
Laying ................................................................................................................................. 7-18
Inspect ion and Maint enance ............................................................................................. 7-18
Handover ............................................................................................................................ 7-19
CHAPTER 8. REPORTING AND RECORDING...................................................................... 8-1
MINEFIELD/MUNITION FIELD REPORTS .......................................................................... 8-1
Repor t of Int ent ion ............................................................................................................... 8-1
Repor t of Init iat ion............................................................................................................... 8-1
Repor t of Complet ion ........................................................................................................... 8-2
Repor t of Tr ansfer ................................................................................................................ 8-2
Repor t of Change.................................................................................................................. 8-3
Pr ogr ess Repor t s .................................................................................................................. 8-3
MINEFIELD/MUNITION FIELD RECORDS .......................................................................... 8-3
Minefield Recor d .................................................................................................................. 8-4
Hast y Pr ot ect ive Row Minefield Recor d ........................................................................... 8-17
Nuisance Minefield ............................................................................................................ 8-20
SCATTERABLE MINEFIELD/MUNITION FIELD REPORTING AND RECORDING ..... 8-20
MINEFIELD/MUNITION FIELD OVERLAY SYMBOLS..................................................... 8-25
Part Two. Counteroperations
CHAPTER 9. COUNTERMINE OPERATIONS ....................................................................... 9-1
DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................................ 9-1
Obst acle ................................................................................................................................ 9-1
Reduct ion .............................................................................................................................. 9-1
Br eaching.............................................................................................................................. 9-1
Ar ea Clear ance ..................................................................................................................... 9-1
Rout e Clear ance ................................................................................................................... 9-1
Mine Neut r alizat ion ............................................................................................................. 9-1
Pr oofing................................................................................................................................. 9-2
Demining .............................................................................................................................. 9-2
BREACHING OPERATIONS .................................................................................................... 9-2
Int elligence ........................................................................................................................... 9-2
Fundament als ...................................................................................................................... 9-4
Or ganizat ion ......................................................................................................................... 9-4
Mass ...................................................................................................................................... 9-5
Synchr onizat ion ................................................................................................................... 9-5
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CLEARING OPERATIONS........................................................................................................9-6
Upgr ade of Br each Lanes .....................................................................................................9-6
Ar ea Clear ance .....................................................................................................................9-7
Demining...............................................................................................................................9-7
CHAPTER 10. MINEFIELD REDUCTION ............................................................................ 10-1
DETECTING .............................................................................................................................10-1
Visual ..................................................................................................................................10-1
Physical ...............................................................................................................................10-2
Elect r onic ............................................................................................................................10-3
Mechanical ..........................................................................................................................10-6
REPORTING .............................................................................................................................10-7
REDUCING...............................................................................................................................10-7
Explosive .............................................................................................................................10-7
Mechanical ........................................................................................................................10-14
Elect r onic ..........................................................................................................................10-22
Manual ..............................................................................................................................10-22
PROOFING ............................................................................................................................. 10-24
MARKING ............................................................................................................................... 10-24
Lane-Mar king Ter ms........................................................................................................ 10-25
Levels of Lane Mar king and Pat t er ns .............................................................................10-27
Commander 's Guidance for Lane Mar king ..................................................................... 10-33
Lane-Mar king Devices ..................................................................................................... 10-34
Mar king Requir ement s of t he Nor t h At lant ic Tr eat y Or ganizat ion.............................. 10-36
CHAPTER 11. ROUTE AND AREA CLEARANCE ............................................................... 11-1
ROUTE CLEARANCE ..............................................................................................................11-1
Planning ..............................................................................................................................11-1
Planning Consider at ions ....................................................................................................11-3
Task Or ganizat ion ..............................................................................................................11-7
Met hods and Types ........................................................................................................... 11-10
AREA CLEARANCE............................................................................................................... 11-15
Planning ............................................................................................................................ 11-15
Planning Consider at ions .................................................................................................. 11-16
Task Or ganizat ion ............................................................................................................ 11-17
Met hods and Types ...........................................................................................................11-17
IMPROVISED MINE THREAT ............................................................................................. 11-18
MINE LOCATIONS ................................................................................................................ 11-19
DISPOSITION OF MINES.....................................................................................................11-19
Mine-Removal Techniques ............................................................................................... 11-20
Hand Neut r alizat ion ........................................................................................................ 11-21
SAFETY................................................................................................................................... 11-21
REPORTS ................................................................................................................................ 11-22
Sit uat ion Repor t ............................................................................................................... 11-22
Pr ogr ess Repor t ................................................................................................................ 11-22
Mine Incident Repor t ........................................................................................................11-25
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Part Three. Special Mining Operations
CHAPTER 12. MINING OPERATIONS IN SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS ........................ 12-1
STREAMBED AND RIVER MINING ..................................................................................... 12-1
Employment ....................................................................................................................... 12-1
Emplacement ...................................................................................................................... 12-2
Recover y.............................................................................................................................. 12-3
Recor ding ............................................................................................................................ 12-3
Safet y .................................................................................................................................. 12-3
URBAN-TERRAIN MINING ................................................................................................... 12-6
Ant iper sonnel Mines .......................................................................................................... 12-7
Convent ional Ant it ank Mines ......................................................................................... 12-12
Scat t er able Mines ............................................................................................................ 12-13
Decept ion Measur es ......................................................................................................... 12-15
SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS ................................................................................................ 12-16
Cold Regions ..................................................................................................................... 12-16
J ungles .............................................................................................................................. 12-17
Deser t s .............................................................................................................................. 12-17
CHAPTER 13. BOOBY TRAPS AND EXPEDIENT DEVICES............................................ 13-1
Sect i on I. Sett i ng Booby Traps ................................................................................................. 13-1
TACTICS................................................................................................................................... 13-2
SITING...................................................................................................................................... 13-4
TYPES OF TRAPS ................................................................................................................... 13-4
COMPONENTS AND PRINCIPLES....................................................................................... 13-5
ACTUATION METHODS ........................................................................................................ 13-5
METHODS OF CONNECTION............................................................................................... 13-5
Remot e ................................................................................................................................ 13-5
Dir ect .................................................................................................................................. 13-8
PLANNING, SETTING, AND RECORDING ......................................................................... 13-8
Timeliness........................................................................................................................... 13-8
Or der s and Br iefing ........................................................................................................... 13-8
Rehear sal ............................................................................................................................ 13-9
Or ganizat ion and Pr ocedur e.............................................................................................. 13-9
Repor t ing and Recor ding ................................................................................................. 13-10
SITES ...................................................................................................................................... 13-14
SAFETY .................................................................................................................................. 13-14
Sect i on II. Clearing Booby Traps........................................................................................... 13-14
INDICATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 13-15
DETECTION........................................................................................................................... 13-15
CLEARING METHODS ......................................................................................................... 13-15
COMBAT CLEARANCE ........................................................................................................ 13-16
CLEARANCE IN SECURE AREAS ...................................................................................... 13-17
Policy and Planning ......................................................................................................... 13-17
Cont r ol Point .................................................................................................................... 13-18
Cont r ol and Size of Par t ies .............................................................................................. 13-18
Mar king ............................................................................................................................ 13-18
Clear ing of Open Ar eas .................................................................................................... 13-18
Clear ing of Buildings ....................................................................................................... 13-19
Ext er ior Reconnaissance and Ent r y................................................................................ 13-19
Sear ch Techniques ........................................................................................................... 13-19
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Clear ing Inst allat ions and Facilit ies ...............................................................................13-21
Clear ing Obst acles ............................................................................................................ 13-21
Clear ing Secur e Ar eas ...................................................................................................... 13-21
CLEARANCE METHODS ...................................................................................................... 13-22
IMPROVISED TRAPS ............................................................................................................ 13-23
NONEXPLOSIVE TRAPS ...................................................................................................... 13-23
Punji .................................................................................................................................. 13-23
Closing Tr ap......................................................................................................................13-23
Spike Boar d.......................................................................................................................13-28
Venus Flyt r ap ................................................................................................................... 13-28
Sect i on III. Expedient Devi ces ............................................................................................... 13-29
AUTHORIZATION .................................................................................................................13-29
EMPLOYMENT AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES................................................... 13-29
High-Explosive, Ar t iller y-Shell Ant it ank Device ...........................................................13-30
Plat t er Char ge .................................................................................................................. 13-31
Impr ovised Claymor e .......................................................................................................13-31
Gr apeshot Ant iper sonnel Device ..................................................................................... 13-32
Bar bwir e Ant iper sonnel Device ....................................................................................... 13-32
APPENDIX A. INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF US MINES
AND FIRING DEVICES ......................................................................................................... A-1
Sect i on I. Anti personnel Mi nes .................................................................................................. A-2
M14 ............................................................................................................................................. A-2
Char act er ist ics ..................................................................................................................... A-2
Inst allat ion ........................................................................................................................... A-3
Removal ................................................................................................................................ A-5
M16 ............................................................................................................................................. A-6
Char act er ist ics ..................................................................................................................... A-6
Inst allat ion ........................................................................................................................... A-7
Removal .............................................................................................................................. A-10
Sect i on II. Anti t ank Mi nes ........................................................................................................ A-11
M15 ........................................................................................................................................... A-11
Char act er ist ics ................................................................................................................... A-12
Inst allat ion Using t he M624 Fuse .................................................................................... A-13
Removal Using t he M624 Fuse ......................................................................................... A-17
Inst allat ion Using t he M603 Fuse .................................................................................... A-17
Removal Using t he M603 Fuse ......................................................................................... A-20
M19 ........................................................................................................................................... A-21
Char act er ist ics ................................................................................................................... A-22
Inst allat ion ......................................................................................................................... A-22
Removal .............................................................................................................................. A-24
M21 ........................................................................................................................................... A-24
Char act er ist ics ................................................................................................................... A-25
Inst allat ion ......................................................................................................................... A-26
Removal .............................................................................................................................. A-29
Sect i on III. Fi ri ng De vices and Acti vat ors ........................................................................... A-29
M5 PRESSURE-RELEASE FIRING DEVICE (MOUSETRAP) ........................................... A-30
Char act er ist ics ................................................................................................................... A-30
Inst allat ion ......................................................................................................................... A-31
Removal .............................................................................................................................. A-31
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M142 MULTIPURPOSE FIRING DEVICE ............................................................................A-32
Char act er ist ics ...................................................................................................................A-33
Ar ming and Disar ming ......................................................................................................A-33
M1 AND M2 ACTIVATORS.....................................................................................................A-33
APPENDIX B. CONTROLS AND COMPONENTS OF
SPECIAL-PURPOSE MUNITIONS ..................................................................................... B-1
SELECTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT ATTACK MUNITION..........................................................B-1
M93 HORNET ............................................................................................................................B-1
APPENDIX C. THREAT MINE/COUNTERMINE OPERATIONS ...................................... C-1
MINE OPERATIONS ................................................................................................................. C-1
CHEMICAL MINES ...................................................................................................................C-6
COUNTERMINE OPERATIONS ..............................................................................................C-7
Or ganizat ion .........................................................................................................................C-7
Equipment ..........................................................................................................................C-11
APPENDIX D. AIR VOLCANO .................................................................................................. D-1
COMPONENTS ......................................................................................................................... D-1
M87-Ser ies Mine Canist er .................................................................................................. D-1
M139 Dispenser ................................................................................................................... D-2
LIMITATIONS........................................................................................................................... D-2
EMPLOYMENT......................................................................................................................... D-2
Deep Oper at ions .................................................................................................................. D-3
Close Oper at ions ................................................................................................................. D-4
Rear Oper at ions .................................................................................................................. D-5
Minefield Effect s ................................................................................................................. D-6
Planning .............................................................................................................................. D-8
EMPLACEMENT .................................................................................................................... D-18
Out side Fr iendly Ter r it or y ............................................................................................... D-20
Wit hin Fr iendly Ter r it or y................................................................................................. D-20
REPORTING............................................................................................................................ D-22
Scat t er able Minefield War ning ........................................................................................ D-22
Scat t er able Minefield Repor t and Recor d ........................................................................ D-22
APPENDIX E. SAFETY AND TRAINING................................................................................ E-1
STORAGE ...................................................................................................................................E-1
LIVE-MINE TRAINING ............................................................................................................E-3
LIVE-MINE DEMONSTRATIONS ...........................................................................................E-5
M16 Ant iper sonnel Mine .....................................................................................................E-5
M18A1 Ant iper sonnel Munit ion..........................................................................................E-6
M15, M19, and M21 Ant it ank Mines ..................................................................................E-7
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR LIVE-MINE DEMONSTRATIONS..............................................E-8
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR LIVE-MINE TRAINING.............................................................E-10
APPENDIX F. MINE AWARENESS ...........................................................................................F-1
SOLDIER .................................................................................................................................... F-1
Visual Indicat or s .................................................................................................................. F-1
Pr obing.................................................................................................................................. F-2
AN/PSS-12 Met allic Mine Det ect or ..................................................................................... F-3
Evacuat ion Dr ills ............................................................................................................... F-10
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LEADER ................................................................................................................................... F-14
Risk Management .............................................................................................................. F-14
Recor ding and Mine-Dat a Tr acking ................................................................................. F-18
Mine-Incident Repor t ........................................................................................................ F-18
TRAINING ............................................................................................................................... F-18
Individual Tr aining ........................................................................................................... F-19
Leader Tr aining ................................................................................................................. F-20
Unit Tr aining ..................................................................................................................... F-20
APPENDIX G. COUNTERMINE DATA....................................................................................G-1
BREACHING ASSETS VERSUS THREAT OBSTACLES...................................................... G-1
FOREIGN MINE DATA ............................................................................................................ G-1
FOREIGN MINEFIELD EMPLACEMENT DATA.................................................................. G-1
FOREIGN MINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS ................................................................................ G-1
APPENDIX H. METRIC CONVERSION CHART .................................................................. H-1
GLOSSARY ....................................................................................................................... Glos sary-1
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................. Refe ren ce s -1
INDEX...................................................................................................................................... Index-1
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figures
Page
Figur e 1-1. Mine component s .......................................................................................................... 1-2
Figur e 1-2. Met hods of act uat ing mines ......................................................................................... 1-3
Figur e 1-3. Types of fuses ................................................................................................................ 1-4
Figur e 1-4. AHD incor por at ing a r elease mechanism.................................................................... 1-7
Figur e 1-5. AHD not at t ached t o t he mine ..................................................................................... 1-7
Figur e 1-6. Hand-emplaced US AHDs ............................................................................................ 1-8
Figur e 2-1. Tact ical ver sus pr ot ect ive obst acles ............................................................................. 2-6
Figur e 2-2. Tact ical-obst acle effect s ................................................................................................ 2-6
Figur e 2-3. Minefield var iables ....................................................................................................... 2-7
Figur e 2-4. Vehicle mine encount er pr obabilit y ver sus minefield densit y ................................... 2-9
Figur e 2-5. Disr upt -effect gr oup.................................................................................................... 2-10
Figur e 2-6. Fix-effect gr oup ........................................................................................................... 2-11
Figur e 2-7. Tur n-effect gr oup ........................................................................................................ 2-12
Figur e 2-8. Block-effect gr oup ....................................................................................................... 2-13
Figur e 2-9. Obst acle zones ............................................................................................................. 2-16
Figur e 2-10. Obst acle belt s ............................................................................................................ 2-17
Figur e 2-11. Obst acle gr oups ......................................................................................................... 2-18
Figur e 2-12. TF defense COA........................................................................................................ 2-24
Figur e 2-13. TF dir ect -fir e analysis .............................................................................................. 2-25
Figur e 2-14. TF obst acle-int ent int egr at ion and pr ior it ies .......................................................... 2-26
Figur e 2-15. Obst acle-plan r efinement ......................................................................................... 2-28
Figur e 2-16. Scheme-of-obst acle over lay....................................................................................... 2-30
Figur e 2-17. Sample obst acle-execut ion mat r ix ........................................................................... 2-31
Figur e 2-18. Minefield sit ing ......................................................................................................... 2-38
Figur e 2-19. Example of minefield r esour cing ............................................................................. 2-40
Figur e 2-20. Mine r esupply ........................................................................................................... 2-41
Figur e 2-21. Supply-point r esupply met hod ................................................................................. 2-46
Figur e 2-22. Ser vice-st at ion r esupply met hod.............................................................................. 2-47
Figur e 2-23. Tailgat e r esupply met hod......................................................................................... 2-48
Figur e 2-24. Minefield mar king .................................................................................................... 2-51
Figur e 2-25. Mar king of minefields and obst acle gr oups ............................................................. 2-52
Figur e 2-26. Sample obst acle-t ur nover wor k sheet ...................................................................... 2-54
Figur e 3-1. AP SCATMINEs ........................................................................................................... 3-2
Figur e 3-2. AT SCATMINE ............................................................................................................. 3-3
Figur e 3-3. Emplacement of ADAMs and RAAMs ....................................................................... 3-11
Figur e 3-4. Gat or SCATMINE syst em .......................................................................................... 3-15
Figur e 3-5. Gat or minefield ........................................................................................................... 3-17
Figur e 3-6. Volcano mine syst em .................................................................................................. 3-18
Figur e 3-7. Volcano component s ................................................................................................... 3-18
Figur e 3-8. Volcano disr upt and fix minefields ............................................................................ 3-21
Figur e 3-9. Volcano t ur n and block minefields............................................................................. 3-22
Figur e 3-10. MOPMS ..................................................................................................................... 3-22
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Figur e 3-11. MOPMS emplacement and safet y zone.................................................................... 3-23
Figur e 3-12. MOPMS in a disr upt minefield ................................................................................ 3-25
Figur e 3-13. MOPMS in a fix minefield ........................................................................................ 3-26
Figur e 3-14. Gr ound Volcano minefield ........................................................................................ 3-27
Figur e 4-2. M18A1 claymor e ............................................................................................................ 4-2
Figur e 4-3. SLAM ............................................................................................................................. 4-3
Figur e 4-4. SLAM in bot t om-at t ack mode....................................................................................... 4-4
Figur e 4-5. SLAM in side-at t ack mode............................................................................................ 4-5
Figur e 4-6. SLAM in t imed-demolit ion mode.................................................................................. 4-5
Figur e 4-7. SLAM in command-det onat ion mode ........................................................................... 4-5
Figur e 4-8. M93 Hor net .................................................................................................................... 4-6
Figur e 4-9. Hor net r einfor cing a convent ional minefield ............................................................... 4-9
Figur e 4-10. Hor net r einfor cing a Volcano minefield ................................................................... 4-10
Figur e 4-11. Hor net ar ea-disr upt ion obst acle ............................................................................... 4-11
Figur e 4-12. Hor net gaunt let obst acle (one clust er ) ..................................................................... 4-12
Figur e 4-13. Hor net gaunt let obst acle (plat oon)........................................................................... 4-13
Figur e 4-14. Hor net -enhanced t ur n-and fix-obst acle gr oups ....................................................... 4-14
Figur e 5-1. AT mines ........................................................................................................................ 5-1
Figur e 5-2. AP mines ........................................................................................................................ 5-3
Figur e 5-3. Pr ong-act ivat ed AP mine .............................................................................................. 5-5
Figur e 5-4. Tr ip-wir e-act ivat ed AP mine ........................................................................................ 5-5
Figur e 5-5. Bur ied mine wit h pr essur e plat e .................................................................................. 5-6
Figur e 5-6. Bur ied mine wit h t ilt r od .............................................................................................. 5-7
Figur e 5-7. Bur ied and concealed mines ......................................................................................... 5-7
Figur e 6-1. Minefield r equir ement s comput at ion wor k sheet ........................................................ 6-5
Figur e 6-2. St ep-by-st ep pr ocedur es for complet ing t he minefield r equir ement s
comput at ion wor k sheet ............................................................................................................ 6-9
Figur e 6-3. Sit e layout .................................................................................................................... 6-19
Figur e 6-4a. Laying a minefield..................................................................................................... 6-20
Figur e 6-4b. Laying a minefield (cont inued)................................................................................. 6-21
Figur e 6-5. Laying an IOE shor t r ow ............................................................................................ 6-21
Figur e 6-6. Sample st r ip feeder r epor t .......................................................................................... 6-22
Figur e 6-7. Laying a r ow minefield ............................................................................................... 6-23
Figur e 6-8. Measur ing dist ances bet ween mines wit h sandbags................................................. 6-25
Figur e 6-9a. Sample DA For m 1355 for a r ow minefield (fr ont ) .................................................. 6-26
Figur e 6-9b. Sample DA For m 1355 for a r ow minefield (back) .................................................. 6-27
Figur e 6-10. St andar dized disr upt and fix r ow minefields .......................................................... 6-28
Figur e 6-11. St andar dized t ur n r ow minefield ............................................................................. 6-30
Figur e 6-12. St andar dized block r ow minefield ............................................................................ 6-32
Figur e 6-13. Sit e layout .................................................................................................................. 6-35
Figur e 7-1. Minefield layout ............................................................................................................. 7-2
Figur e 7-2. Clust er composit ions ..................................................................................................... 7-3
Figur e 7-3. Ar r angement of clust er s in a mine st r ip ...................................................................... 7-3
Figur e 7-4. IOE baseline wit h shor t st r ips...................................................................................... 7-4
Figur e 7-5. Clust er s on an IOE shor t st r ip ..................................................................................... 7-7
Figur e 7-6. Minefield lanes and gaps .............................................................................................. 7-8
Figur e 7-7. Mine-emplacement pr ocedur es ................................................................................... 7-11
Figur e 7-8. Laying and fusing mines ............................................................................................. 7-14
Figur e 7-9. Lane closur e................................................................................................................. 7-16
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Figur e 8-1. Convent ional minefield/munit ion field r epor t ing chain ............................................. 8-2
Figur e 8-2a. Sample DA For m 1355 (fr ont side) for a st andar d-pat t er n
minefield/munit ion field ........................................................................................................... 8-5
Figur e 8-2b. Sample DA For m 1355 (inside) for a st andar d-pat t er n
minefield/munit ion field ........................................................................................................... 8-6
Figur e 8-2c. Sample DA For m 1355 (back side) for a st andar d-pat t er n
minefield/munit ion field ........................................................................................................... 8-7
Figur e 8-3a. Sample DA For m 1355 (fr ont side) for a Hor net minefield/munit ion field............ 8-12
Figur e 8-3b. Sample DA For m 1355 (back side) for a Hor net minefield/munit ion field ............ 8-13
Figur e 8-4. Sample DA For m 1355-1-R ........................................................................................ 8-18
Figur e 8-5. Hast y pr ot ect ive r ow minefield/munit ion field r ecor d .............................................. 8-19
Figur e 8-6a. Sample DA For m 1355 (fr ont side) for a nuisance minefield/munit ion field......... 8-21
Figur e 8-6b. Sample DA For m 1355 (inside) for a nuisance minefield/munit ion field .............. 8-22
Figur e 8-7. Scat t er able minefield/munit ion field r epor t and r ecor d wor k sheet ........................ 8-23
Figur e 8-8. Sample SCATMINWARN........................................................................................... 8-24
Figur e 8-9. Scat t er able minefield/munit ion field r epor t and r ecor d
for an ADAM/RAAM ar t iller y mission .................................................................................. 8-24
Figur e 8-10. Sample SCATMINWARN for an ar t iller y mission ................................................. 8-25
Figur e 8-11. Minefield/munit ion field over lay symbols ............................................................... 8-26
Figur e 9-1. Sample OBSTINTEL r epor t ......................................................................................... 9-3
Figur e 10-1. AN/PSS-12 mine det ect or ......................................................................................... 10-3
Figur e 10-2. ASTAMIDS................................................................................................................ 10-4
Figur e 10-3. IVMMD component s ................................................................................................. 10-5
Figur e 10-4. MICLIC ..................................................................................................................... 10-8
Figur e 10-5. AVLM ........................................................................................................................ 10-8
Figur e 10-6. MICLIC employment in a minefield less t han 100 met er s deep.......................... 10-10
Figur e 10-7. MICLIC employment in a minefield of uncer t ain dept h
or gr eat er t han 100 met er s ................................................................................................... 10-10
Figur e 10-8. Skip zone ................................................................................................................. 10-11
Figur e 10-10. APOBS................................................................................................................... 10-13
Figur e 10-11. Bangalor e t or pedo................................................................................................. 10-13
Figur e 10-12. Skim t echnique ..................................................................................................... 10-15
Figur e 10-13. MCB....................................................................................................................... 10-15
Figur e 10-14. Mine-blade widt h compar ed t o t r ack-vehicle widt hs .......................................... 10-16
Figur e 10-15. MCR....................................................................................................................... 10-17
Figur e 10-16. Mine-r oller widt h compar ed t o t r ack-vehicle widt hs .......................................... 10-17
Figur e 10-17. Pant her .................................................................................................................. 10-19
Figur e 10-18. MiniFlail................................................................................................................ 10-20
Figur e 10-19. Gr izzly ................................................................................................................... 10-20
Figur e 10-20. CEV wit h mine r ake ............................................................................................. 10-21
Figur e 10-21. Tr ipod .................................................................................................................... 10-23
Figur e 10-22. Init ial lane mar king.............................................................................................. 10-28
Figur e 10-23. Int er mediat e lane mar king .................................................................................. 10-30
Figur e 10-24. Full lane mar king ................................................................................................. 10-32
Figur e 10-25. Mar king devices .................................................................................................... 10-35
Figur e 10-26. NATO st andar d mar ker ....................................................................................... 10-37
Figur e 10-27. NATO lane-mar king conver sion .......................................................................... 10-37
Figur e 10-28. NATO st andar d mar king for limit ed visibilit y ................................................... 10-38
Figur e 11-1. IBASIC ...................................................................................................................... 11-6
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Figur e 11-2. Plat oon-size sweep t eam ........................................................................................... 11-9
Figur e 11-3. Squad-size sweep t eam ............................................................................................. 11-9
Figur e 11-4. Sweep t eams in echelon .......................................................................................... 11-10
Figur e 11-5. Linear clear ance met hod......................................................................................... 11-11
Figur e 11-6. Combat clear ance met hod....................................................................................... 11-12
Figur e 11-7. Deliber at e r out e clear ance ...................................................................................... 11-13
Figur e 11-8. Hast y r out e clear ance ............................................................................................. 11-14
Figur e 11-9. Ar ea clear ance sit e layout ....................................................................................... 11-18
Figur e 11-10. Sample enemy obst acle r epor t .............................................................................. 11-23
Figur e 11-11. Sample r out e st at us r epor t ................................................................................... 11-24
Figur e 11-12. Sample mine incident r epor t ................................................................................ 11-25
Figur e 12-1. Out r igger t echniques ................................................................................................ 12-3
Figur e 12-2a. Sample DA For m 1355 (fr ont side) for r iver mining ............................................. 12-4
Figur e 12-2b. Sample DA For m 1355 (inside) for r iver mining ................................................... 12-5
Figur e 12-3. Building sket ch and mine plan (DA For m 1355) ..................................................... 12-7
Figur e 12-4. Under gr ound passageway......................................................................................... 12-8
Figur e 12-5. Open spaces ............................................................................................................... 12-8
Figur e 12-6. St r eet obst acles.......................................................................................................... 12-9
Figur e 12-7. Roof obst acles ............................................................................................................ 12-9
Figur e 12-8. Building obst acles ................................................................................................... 12-10
Figur e 12-9. Pr obable M14 AP mine emplacement .................................................................... 12-11
Figur e 12-10. Pr obable M16 AP mine emplacement .................................................................. 12-11
Figur e 12-11. Pr obable M18A1 AP mine emplacement .............................................................. 12-12
Figur e 12-12. AT mine emplacement in ur ban ar eas ................................................................. 12-13
Figur e 12-13. AT mine emplacement in indust r ial and t r anspor t at ion ar eas .......................... 12-13
Figur e 12-14. ADAM/RAAM employment ................................................................................... 12-14
Figur e 12-15. MOPMS employment ............................................................................................ 12-16
Figur e 13-1. Typical elect r ic and nonelect r ic booby t r aps ............................................................ 13-6
Figur e 13-2. Met hods of act uat ion ................................................................................................. 13-7
Figur e 13-3. Remot ely connect ed t r aps ......................................................................................... 13-7
Figur e 13-4. St andar d booby-t r ap sign.......................................................................................... 13-9
Figur e 13-5a. Sample DA For m 1355 (fr ont side) for a booby-t r apped ar ea ............................. 13-12
Figur e 13-5b. Sample DA For m 1355 (inside) for a booby-t r apped ar ea ................................... 13-13
Figur e 13-6. Impr ovised elect r ical FDs ....................................................................................... 13-24
Figur e 13-7. Impr ovised nonelect r ic FDs (shear -pin oper at ed) ................................................. 13-25
Figur e 13-8. Impr ovised nonelect r ic FDs (spr ing-oper at ed) ...................................................... 13-25
Figur e 13-9. Impr ovised, elect r ic delay devices .......................................................................... 13-26
Figur e 13-10. Impr ovised, nonelect r ic delay devices .................................................................. 13-26
Figur e 13-11. Typical punjis ........................................................................................................ 13-27
Figur e 13-12. Side-closing t r ap .................................................................................................... 13-27
Figur e 13-13. Spike boar d ............................................................................................................ 13-28
Figur e 13-14. Venus fly t r ap ........................................................................................................ 13-28
Figur e 13-15. HE, ar t iller y-shell AT device ................................................................................ 13-30
Figur e 13-16. Plat t er char ge ........................................................................................................ 13-31
Figur e 13-17. Impr ovised claymor e device .................................................................................. 13-32
Figur e 13-18. Gr apeshot AP device ............................................................................................. 13-33
Figur e 13-19. Bar bwir e AP device ............................................................................................... 13-33
Figur e A-1. M14 AP mine................................................................................................................ A-2
Figur e A-2. M22 wr ench .................................................................................................................. A-3
Figur e A-3. M14 mine in ARMED posit ion .................................................................................... A-4
Figur e A-4. Removal of safet y clip .................................................................................................. A-4
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Figur e A-5. Bot t om view of M14 mine ............................................................................................ A-5
Figur e A-6. M16A1 AP mine ........................................................................................................... A-6
Figur e A-7. M16A1 mine and M25 wr ench..................................................................................... A-7
Figur e A-8. M605 fuse ..................................................................................................................... A-8
Figur e A-9. Safet y pins .................................................................................................................... A-9
Figur e A-10. Bur ied mine wit h a t r ip wir e ..................................................................................... A-9
Figur e A-11. Met al collar on an M605 fuse .................................................................................. A-10
Figur e A-12. M15 AT mine ............................................................................................................ A-12
Figur e A-13. M20 wr ench .............................................................................................................. A-13
Figur e A-14. Cor r ect safet y-pin configur at ion.............................................................................. A-14
Figur e A-15. Gr easing t he M624 fuse ........................................................................................... A-14
Figur e A-16. Tight ening t he fuse wit h t he ext ension r od ............................................................ A-15
Figur e A-17. M15 mine in t he hole ............................................................................................... A-15
Figur e A-18. Ext ension-r od assembly ........................................................................................... A-16
Figur e A-19. Assembly of t he ext ension r od int o t he fuse r ing ................................................... A-16
Figur e A-20. Removal of safet y pin ............................................................................................... A-17
Figur e A-21. ARMED posit ion....................................................................................................... A-18
Figur e A-22. SAFE posit ion ........................................................................................................... A-18
Figur e A-23. Safet y for k ................................................................................................................ A-19
Figur e A-24. Clear ance t est ........................................................................................................... A-20
Figur e A-25. M15 mine in t he hole ............................................................................................... A-20
Figur e A-26. M19 AT mine ............................................................................................................ A-21
Figur e A-27. Removal of t he pr essur e plat e ................................................................................. A-22
Figur e A-28. Fir ing pin .................................................................................................................. A-23
Figur e A-29. M21 AT mine ............................................................................................................ A-25
Figur e A-30. M607 fuse ................................................................................................................. A-26
Figur e A-31. M26 wr ench .............................................................................................................. A-26
Figur e A-32. Bur ied M21 mine...................................................................................................... A-27
Figur e A-33. Removing t he band and t he st op ............................................................................. A-28
Figur e A-34. M5 FD ....................................................................................................................... A-30
Figur e A-35. Ar ming t he M15 ....................................................................................................... A-31
Figur e A-36. M142 FD ................................................................................................................... A-32
Figur e A-37. M1 act ivat or ............................................................................................................. A-34
Figur e B-1. SLAM component s ....................................................................................................... B-1
Figur e B-2. Hor net component s ...................................................................................................... B-3
Figur e B-3. Hor net cont r ols and indicat or s .................................................................................... B-4
Figur e C-1. GMZ ar mor ed t r acked mine layer ............................................................................... C-2
Figur e C-2. Thr eat -st yle r apidly emplaced minefield .................................................................... C-3
Figur e C-3. Thr eat -st yle ant it r ack minefield ................................................................................. C-3
Figur e C-4. Thr eat -st yle ant ihull minefield ................................................................................... C-4
Figur e C-5. Thr eat -st yle AP minefield............................................................................................ C-4
Figur e C-6. UMZ SCATMINE syst em ............................................................................................ C-6
Figur e C-7. Chemical-mine employment ........................................................................................ C-7
Figur e C-8. BAT-M wit h BTU bulldozer blade............................................................................... C-8
Figur e C-9. KMT-4 plow .................................................................................................................. C-8
Figur e C-10. IMP por t able mine det ect or ....................................................................................... C-9
Figur e C-11. DIM mine det ect or ..................................................................................................... C-9
Figur e C-12. KMT-5 plow-r oller combinat ion .............................................................................. C-10
Figur e C-13. IMR ar mor ed engineer t r act or ................................................................................ C-10
Figur e C-14. M1979 ar mor ed mine clear er .................................................................................. C-11
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Figur e D-1. Air Volcano syst em ...................................................................................................... D-1
Figur e D-2. Tur n obst acle ............................................................................................................... D-6
Figur e D-3. Block obst acle .............................................................................................................. D-7
Figur e D-4. Disr upt obst acle ........................................................................................................... D-7
Figur e D-5. Fix obst acle .................................................................................................................. D-8
Figur e D-6. Sit e layout .................................................................................................................. D-15
Figur e D-7. Sample Volcano car d ................................................................................................. D-17
Figur e D-8. Fencing for an air Volcano minefield........................................................................ D-21
Figur e E-1. M16 AP mine................................................................................................................ E-6
Figur e E-2. M18A1 AP mine ........................................................................................................... E-7
Figur e E-3. M15 and M19 AT mines .............................................................................................. E-8
Figur e E-4. M21 AT mine................................................................................................................ E-8
Figur e E-5. Excer pt fr om Risk-Assessment Techniques Manual, pr epar ed by t he
Depar t ment of Tr anspor t at ions Tr anspor t at ion Safet y Inst it ut e, August 1986 .................. E-9
Figur e E-6. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (ar ming M15).......................................... E-11
Figur e E-7. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (disar ming M15)..................................... E-12
Figur e E-8. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (ar ming M16).......................................... E-13
Figur e E-9. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (disar ming M16)..................................... E-14
Figur e E-10. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (ar ming M19)........................................ E-15
Figur e E-11. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (disar ming M19)................................... E-16
Figur e E-12. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (ar ming M21)........................................ E-17
Figur e E-13. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (disar ming M21)................................... E-18
Figur e E-14. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (command det onat ion) ......................... E-19
Figur e E-15. Pr eliminar y hazar d-analysis wor k sheet (per ipher al fact or s) .............................. E-20
Figur e F-1. AN/PSS-12 met allic mine det ect or .............................................................................. F-4
Figur e F-2. AN/PSS-12 packed component s .................................................................................. F-4
Figur e F-3. Elect r onic unit .............................................................................................................. F-5
Figur e F-4. Bat t er y inst allat ion...................................................................................................... F-5
Figur e F-5. Sensit ivit y check .......................................................................................................... F-8
Figur e F-6. X-pat t er n sweeping movement .................................................................................... F-9
Tables
Table 2-1. Echelons of obst acle cont r ol and effect .........................................................................2-15
Table 2-2. Planning fact or s for t he mine dump .............................................................................2-21
Table 2-3. Planning fact or s for wor k r at es .....................................................................................2-21
Table 2-4. Planning fact or s for st andar dized r ow minefields .......................................................2-22
Table 2-5. Planning fact or s for scat t er able minefields ..................................................................2-22
Table 2-6. Ranges of common weapons ..........................................................................................2-23
Table 2-7. Per sonnel r equir ement s for a Class IV/V supply point ................................................2-42
Table 2-8. Class IV/V haul capacit y................................................................................................2-45
Table 3-1. Char act er ist ics of AP SCATMINEs ................................................................................3-2
Table 3-2. Char act er ist ics of AT SCATMINEs ................................................................................3-4
Table 3-3. SD windows ......................................................................................................................3-7
Table 3-4. Emplacement aut hor it y ...................................................................................................3-9
Table 3-5. Coor dinat ion r esponsibilit ies.........................................................................................3-10
Table 3-6. RAAM and ADAM minefield densit y and size .............................................................3-14
Table 3-7. Mar king scat t er able minefields ....................................................................................3-26
Table 3-8. Safet y and fr agment hazar d zones................................................................................3-28
Table 4-1. Hor net minimum emplacement dist ances ....................................................................4-15
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Table 5-1. Char act er ist ics of AT mines ............................................................................................ 5-2
Table 5-2. Char act er ist ics of AP mines ............................................................................................ 5-3
Table 5-3. Sympat het ic det onat ion char t ........................................................................................ 5-8
Table 7-1. Plat oon or ganizat ion and equipment ........................................................................... 7-10
Table 7-2. Sample mines t ally sheet .............................................................................................. 7-15
Table 8-1. Minefield/munit ion field obst acle number ing syst em ................................................... 8-8
Table 8-2. Abbr eviat ions for obst acle t ypes ..................................................................................... 8-9
Table 9-1. Lane widt hs ..................................................................................................................... 9-4
Table 10-1. Lane-mar king levels, unit r esponsibilit ies, and t r igger event s .............................. 10-33
Table 10-2. Guidelines for lane-mar king devices ........................................................................ 10-34
Table 11-1. Sample t ask or ganizat ion for a r out e clear ance ........................................................ 11-2
Table 11-2. Per sonnel and equipment r equir ement s for a sweep t eam ....................................... 11-8
Table 11-3. Sample t ask or ganizat ion for an ar ea clear ance...................................................... 11-16
Table 13-1. Tact ical r epor t s .......................................................................................................... 13-11
Table 13-2. Clear ing equipment ................................................................................................... 13-17
Table C-1. Nor mal par amet er s for t hr eat -st yle minefields ............................................................C-2
Table D-1. Air Volcano capabilit ies and limit at ions ...................................................................... D-4
Table D-2. Air Volcano minefield dat a ............................................................................................ D-6
Table D-3. Planning pr ocess (H-hour sequence) .......................................................................... D-11
Table D-4. Air Volcano dispensing t imes based on air speed ...................................................... D-19
Table E-1. Mine color -coding syst em ...............................................................................................E-2
Table F-1. Risk-assessment cr it er ia ............................................................................................... F-15
Table F-2. Sample r isk assessment ................................................................................................ F-16
Table G-1. Mount ed br eaching asset s ver sus t hr eat obst acles ..................................................... G-2
Table G-2. Dismount ed br eaching asset s ver sus t hr eat obst acles ................................................ G-5
Table G-3. For eign t r ack-widt h AT mines ...................................................................................... G-9
Table G-4. For eign full-widt h AT mines ....................................................................................... G-10
Table G-5. For eign side-at t ack AT mines ..................................................................................... G-11
Table G-6. For eign pr essur e-fused AP mines ............................................................................... G-11
Table G-7. For eign t r ip-wir e/br eak-wir e-fused AP mines............................................................ G-12
Table G-8. For eign emplaced minefields ...................................................................................... G-13
Table G-9. For eign mine deliver y syst ems ................................................................................... G-14
Table H-1. Met r ic conver sion char t ................................................................................................. H-1
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Preface
Field Manual (FM) 20-32 pr ovides Unit ed St at es (US) ar med for ces wit h t act ical, t echnical, and
pr ocedur al guidance for conduct ing mine and count er mine oper at ions. It applies t o all element s of
t he combined ar ms t eam for maneuver and engineer st aff planning and coor dinat ion. The manual
is pr esent ed in t hr ee par t smine oper at ions, count er oper at ions, and special-mining oper at ions.
The guidance pr ovided focuses on individual skills of emplacing and r emoving mines, t eam and
squ a d t a sks, pla t oon a nd compa ny or ga niza t ion a nd pla nning, a n d ba t t a lion/t a sk for ce (TF)
or ganizat ion and coor dinat ion for successful obst acle r educt ion and br eaching oper at ions.
The pr ovisions of t his publicat ion suppor t exist ing doct r ine est ablished by FMs 5-34, 5-100, 90-7,
and 90-13-1. It a lso cont ains new a nd impr oved t echniques for emplacing r ow mines; mar king,
r epor t ing, a nd r ecor ding minefields; r educing simple a nd complex obst a cles; a nd empla cing a
st andar d-pat t er n minefield. This manual r eflect s new doct r ine fr om FMs 5-10, 5-71-2, and 5-71-3.
Th i s p u bl i ca t i on i mp l emen t s t h e fol l owi n g I n t er n a t i on a l St a n da r d i za t i on Agr eemen t s
(STANAGs) bet ween Nor t h At lant ic Tr eat y Or ganizat ion (NATO) for ces:
STANAG 2036. Land Minefield Laying, Marking, Recording, and Reporting Procedures.
Edit ion 5.
STANAG 2889. Marking of Hazardous Areas and Routes Through Them. Edit ion 3.
STANAG 2990. Principles and Procedures for the Employment in Land Warfare of
S catterable Mines with a Limited Laid Life. Edit ion 1.
NOTE: US po l i c y re gardi n g t h e u s e an d e mpl oy me n t o f a n t i pe rs o n n e l l a n d mi n e s
(AP Ls ) o u t l i n e d i n t h i s FM i s s u bje c t t o t h e Co n v e n t i o n o n Ce rt a i n Co n v e n t i o n a l
We a p o n s a n d Ex e c u t i v e Or d e r s . Cu r r e n t US p o l i c y l i m i t s t h e u s e o f n o n -s e l f -
de s t ruct i ng APLs t o (1) de fe ndi ng t he US and i t s alli e s from arme d aggre s s i on acros s
t he Kore an de mi l i t ari ze d zone and (2) t rai ni ng pe rs onne l e ngage d i n de mi ni ng and
count e rmi ne ope rat i ons . The us e of t he M18A1 cl aymore i n t he command-de t onat i on
mode i s not restri cted under i nte rnational law or Executi ve Order.
All r efer ences t o US employment of non-self-des t r u ct in g APLs (su ch a s r ow minin g) in t his
manual a r e int ended t o pr ovide doct r ine for use in Kor ea only. This infor ma t ion is pr ovided in
bold let t er ing t hr oughout t he manual. Det ailed doct r ine on APLs is also pr ovided t o ensur e t hat
US for ces r ecognize how t he enemy can employ t hese weapons.
As t he US milit ar y seeks t o end it s r eliance on APLs, commander s must consider t he incr eased
use of ot her syst ems such a s t he M18A1 claymor e, nonlet hal ba r r ier s (such a s wir e obst acles),
sensor s and sur veillance plat for ms, and dir ect and indir ect fir es.
This publicat ion includes t he following appendixes:
Appendix A. Inst allat ion and Removal of US Mines and Fir ing Devices.
Appendix B. Cont r ols and Component s of Special-Pur pose Munit ions.
Appendix C. Thr eat Mine/Count er mine Oper at ions.
Appendix D. Air Volcano.
Appendix E. Safet y and Tr aining.
Appendix F. Mine Awar eness.
Appendix G. Count er mine Dat a.
Appendix H. Met r ic Conver sion Char t .
xviii
The pr oponent for t his publicat ion is Headquar t er s, US Ar my Tr aining and Doct r ine Command
(TRADOC). For wa r d comment s a nd r ecommendat ions on Depa r t ment of t he Ar my (DA) For m
2028 t o Commandant , US Ar my Engineer School, ATTN: ATSE-DME-MWF, For t Leonar d Wood,
Missour i 65473-5000.
Unless t his publicat ion st at es ot her wise, nouns and pr onouns do not r efer exclusively t o men.
C2, FM 20-32
Introduction 1-5
example, br eaks a t r ack on a t ank) and immobilizes t he t ar get . An M-Kill does
not always dest r oy t he weapon syst em a nd t he cr ew; t hey may cont inue t o
funct ion. In a K-Kill, t he weapon syst em and/or t he cr ew is dest r oyed.
TYPES OF SENSING
AT fuses fall int o t hr ee design cat egor ies:
Tr ack-widt h. Usually pr essur e-act uat ed, r equir ing cont act wit h t he
wheels or t r acks of a vehicle.
Full-widt h. Act ivat ed by sever al met hodsacoust ics, magnet ic-
influence, t ilt -r od, r adio-fr equency, infr ar ed-sensor ed, command, or
vibr at ion. Tilt -r od or magnet ic-influence fuses ar e t he most common.
Full-widt h fuses a r e designed t o be effect ive over t he ent ir e t a r get
widt h and can cause a K-Kill fr om penet r at ion and spalling met al or
fr om secondar y explosions. When a full-widt h fuse is act ivat ed solely
by cont act wit h t he wheels or t r a cks of t he t ar get vehicle, it usually
causes an M-Kill because most of t he ener gy is absor bed by t he wheels
or t r acks.
Off-r out e. Designed t o be placed along t he side of a r out e likely t o be
t a ken by a r mor ed veh icles. I t h a s n u mer ou s fu zin g pos s ibilit ies,
including infr ar ed, seismic, br eak wir e, and magnet ic. It pr oduces an
M-Kill or a K-Kill, depending on t he locat ion of t he t ar get at t he t ime
of mine det onat ion.
TYPES OF WARHEADS
AT mines can be ident ified by t heir war heads:
Blast AT mines der ive t heir effect iveness fr om t he for ce gener at ed by
high-explosive (HE) det onat ion. They usually pr oduce an M-Kill when
t h e bl a s t da ma ges t h e t r a ck or t h e veh i cl e, bu t a K-Ki l l i s a l s o
possible.
Shaped-char ge mines use a dir ect ed-ener gy war head. A shaped char ge
is for med by det ona t ing an explosive cha r ge behind a cone of dense
met a l or ot her ma t er ia l. Upon det ona t ion , t h e con e colla pses a n d
for ms a met al slug and a gaseous met al jet t hat penet r at e t he t ar get .
A K-Kill is pr obable if t he cr ew or ammunit ion compar t ment is hit .
Explosive-for med penet r at ing (EFP) mines have an explosive char ge
wit h a met al plat e in fr ont . Upon det onat ion, t he plat e for ms int o an
inver t ed disk, a slug, or a long r od. A K-Kill is pr obable if t he cr ew or
ammunit ion compar t ment is hit .
ANTIPERSONNEL MINES
TYPES OF KILLS
AP mines can kill or incapacit at e t heir vict ims. The injur ies and deat hs t hey
ca u s e commi t me d i ca l r e s ou r ce s , d e gr a d e u n i t mor a l e, a n d d a ma ge
nonar mor ed vehicles. Some t ypes of AP mines may br eak or damage t he t r ack
on ar mor ed vehicles.
C2, FM 20-32
1-6 Introduction
TYPES OF SENSING
AP mines can be fused in many ways, t o include pr essur e, seismic, wir e, or
command det onat ion:
Pr essur e fuses usually act ivat e an AP mine when a load is placed on
t he fuse.
Seismic fuses act ivat e an AP mine when t he sensor det ect s vibr at ions.
Tr ip wir es or br eak wir es act ivat e an AP mine when somet hing
dist ur bs bar ely visible wir es.
Command-det onat ed mines ar e act ivat ed by a soldier when he det ect s
t he enemy in t he mines blast ar ea.
TYPES OF EFFECTS
AP mines cont ain five t ypes of effect s:
Blast . Cr ipples t he foot or leg of a soldier who st eps on it ; can also
bur st t he t ir es of a wheeled vehicle t hat passes over it .
Bounding-fr agment at ion. Thr ows a canist er int o t he air ; t he canist er
bur st s and scat t er s shr apnel t hr oughout t he immediat e ar ea.
Dir ect -fr agment at ion. Pr opels fr agment s in t he gener al dir ect ion of
enemy soldier s.
St ake-fr agment at ion. Bur st s and scat t er s shr apnel in all gener al
dir ect ions.
Chemical. Disper ses a chemical agent t o whoever act ivat es it ;
cont aminat es t he sur r ounding ar ea.
ANTIHANDLING DEVICES
AHDs per for m t he funct ion of a mine fuse if someone at t empt s t o t amper wit h
t he mine. They ar e int ended t o pr event moving or r emoving t he mine, not t o
pr even t r educt ion of t h e minefield by en emy dismount s. An AHD usu a lly
con s i s t s of a n expl os i ve ch a r ge t h a t i s con n ect ed t o, pl a ced n ext t o, or
manufact ur ed in t he mine. The device can be at t ached t o t he mine body and
a ct iva t ed by a wir e t h a t is a t t a ch ed t o a fir ing mech a n ism. US for ces ca n
employ AHDs on convent ional AT mines only. Ot her count r ies employ AHDs
on AT and AP mines.
Some mines have ext r a fuse wells t hat make it easier t o inst all AHDs (Figur e
1-4). An AHD does n ot h a ve t o be a t t a ch ed t o t h e min e; it ca n be pla ced
u n der n ea t h t h e mi n e (F i gu r e 1-5). Mi n es wi t h AHDs a r e s omet i mes
incor r ect ly called booby-trapped mines.
C2, FM 20-32
Introduction 1-7
The following hand-emplaced AHDs are used by US forces (Figure 1-6, page 1-8):
M5 pr essur e-r elease fir ing device (FD).
M142 mult ipur pose FD.
These devices use a spr ing-loa ded st r iker wit h a st a n da r d ba se, a n d t hey
funct ion in one or mor e modespr essur e, pr essur e-r elease, t ension, a nd/or
t ension-r elease. When an FD is employed as an AHD on cer t ain AT mines, it
r equir es t he use of an M1 or M2 act ivat or. FDs and act ivat or s ar e descr ibed in
Appendix A.
Figure 1-4. AHD incorporating a release mechanism
Figure 1-5. AHD not attached to the mine
Secondary
fuse well
Activator
M5 pressure-release FD
M142 multipurpose
FD (pressure-release
model)
C4 explosive
Detonating cord
Blasting cap
FM 20-32
1-8 Introduction
Figure 1-6. Hand-emplaced US AHDs
M5 Pressure-Release FD
M142 Multipurpose FD
Square-head safety pin
FD
Tension-release
device
Round-head safety pin
Positive safety
(remove last)
FM 20-32
Mine-Warfare Principles 2-9
Pr oba bi l i t y of Ki l l
The pr obabilit y of kill is mea sur ed by t he chance (in per cent ) t ha t a vehicle
will no longer be mission-capable (M-Kill or K-Kill) because of mine effect s. It
is a funct ion of t he combined pr obabilit y t hat a vehicle will encount er a mine
and t he pr obabilit y t hat t he mine effect will pr oduce an M-Kill or a K-Kill.
Ant ihandli ng Devi ces
Emplacing AHDs on mines is t ime-int ensive. AHDs ar e added t o a minefield
t o dis cou r a ge ma n u a l r emova l a n d r eu s e of min es by t h e en emy a n d t o
demor alize t he enemy who is at t empt ing t o r educe t he minefield. AHDs do not
pr event an enemy fr om r educing t he minefield; t hey only discour age manual
r educt ion met hods.
Irregular Outer Edge
An IOE is a st r ip/r ow or mult iple st r ips/r ows of mines t hat nor mally ext end
t owa r d t h e en emy fr om t h e fir s t (en emy s ide) r ow of mi n es. An I OE is
employed t o br eak up t he ot her wise r egular pat t er n of a minefield. It is used
t o confuse t he enemy about t he exact limit s of t he minefield, par t icular ly it s
leading edge. An IOE adds an unknown qualit y t o a minefield t hat makes t he
enemys decision of whet her t o br each or bypass mor e difficult . The effect an
IOE has on enemy act ions may incr ease t he over all let halit y of a minefield.
Figure 2-4. Vehicle mine encounter probability versus minefield density
P
r
o
b
a
b
i
l
i
t
y
o
f
e
n
c
o
u
n
t
e
r
(
p
e
r
c
e
n
t
)
Minefield linear density (mines per meter)
(Tanks)
(Tanks)
(APCs)
(APCs)
TURN AND
BLOCK
DISRUPT
AND FIX
Pressure-fused mines (track-width)
Tilt-rod or magnetic-influence mines (full-width)
C2, FM 20-32
2-10 Mine-Warfare Principles
DESIGN
Modifyin g min efield va r ia bles t o a ch ieve t h e des ir ed obs t a cle effect is a
challenge for t he engineer, bot h t echnically (r esour cing a nd designing) and
t act ically (suppor t ing t he maneuver scheme). Exper ience will pr ovide t he best
basis for designing minefields. Figures 2-5 t hrough 2-8, pages 2-10 t hrough 2-13,
pr ovide guidelines for var ying minefield dept h, fr ont , densit y, and composit ion
t o best achieve disr upt , fix, t ur n, and block effect s.
The se are gui de li ne s, not fixe d rules . Mi ne fi e ld de si gns must be based
o n a t h r e a t a n a l y s i s . Th e d e s i g n s a r e s i mp l y c o n s i d e r a t i o n s o r
parame t e rs t o us e whe n de s i gni ng t act i c al mi ne fi e lds , re gardle s s of
t h e e mp l a c e m e n t me t h o d . Th ey a ppl y t o con ven t i on a l mi n e-l a yi n g
t ech n iqu es a s well a s t h e employmen t of SCATMI NE dis pen s er s. Th es e
pa r amet er s give t he engineer t he flexibilit y t o design a nd emplace t act ical
min efields ba s ed on mis sion , en emy, t er r a in , t r oops, t ime a va ila ble, a n d
civilia n consider at ions (METT-TC) (pa r t icula r ly r esour ces a nd t er r ain) a nd
st ill achieve t he r equir ed effect . These nor ms ar e also t he basis for developing
minefield pa cka ges a nd empla cement pr ocedur es out lined t hr oughout t his
manual. Chapt er 3 discusses t he char act er ist ics and emplacement pr ocedur es
for each of t he SCATMINE syst ems, Chapt er 6 out lines pr ocedur es for r ow
mining using convent ional mines, and Chapt er 7 is dedicat ed t o t he st andar d-
pa t t er n minefield. Ea ch cha pt er descr ibes st a nda r d disr upt , fix, t ur n, a nd
bl ock min efi eld pa ck a ges pa r t i cu l a r t o t h a t met h od of empl a cemen t or
dispensing syst em.
Ea ch t a ct ica l-obst a cle effect ha s a specific r esour cing fa ct or. I n shor t , t his
numer ic va lue helps det er mine t he a mount of linea r obst a cle effor t t ha t is
needed t o achieve t he desir ed effect . The r esour ce fact or is mult iplied by t he
widt h of t h e AA or MC t o get t h e t ot a l a mou n t of lin ea r obs t a cl e effor t
r equir ed. The linear obst acle effor t is t hen divided by t he minefield fr ont nor m
for t he specific effect (r ounded up) t o yield t he number of individual minefields
r equir ed in t he obst acle gr oup.
Di s rupt
A disr upt effect (Figur e 2-5) focuses fir e planning and obst acle effor t t o cause
t h e en emy t o br ea k u p it s for ma t ion a n d t empo, in t er r u pt it s t imet a ble,
commit r edu ct ion a s s et s pr ema t u r ely, a n d piecemea l t h e a t t a ck. I t a ls o
decei ves t h e en emy a bou t t h e l oca t i on of fr i en dl y defen s i ve pos i t i on s ,
separ at es combat echelons, or separ at es combat for ces fr om t heir logist ica l
s u ppor t . A di s r u pt effect s h ou l d n ot be t ime-, ma n power -, or r es ou r ce-
int ensive. I t should not be visible a t long r a nge but ea sily det ect ed a s t he
enemy near s it . Commander s nor mally use t he disr upt effect for war d of EAs.
Resource factor 0.5 (3 point obstacles) x AA
Group dimensions W = 0.5 x AA
Probability of kill 50%
Minefield front 250 m
Minefield depth 100 m
AT mines Yes (pressure/tilt)
AP mines No (Korea Only: optional, based on
threat analysis)
AHD Optional, based on threat analysis
IOE No
Figure 2-5. Disrupt-effect group
0.5
FM 20-32
Mine-Warfare Principles 2-21
and Class IV/V supply-point set up dur ing daylight hour s, and plan t o emplace
mines dur ing limit ed visibilit y hour s as much as possible.
Table 2-2. Planning factors for the mine dump
Number of Personnel Quantity of Mines Required Equipment
2-man team (2 minutes per mine) 25 mines per hour Shears, metal cutting
Grease, automotive and artillery
Rags
Work gloves
Flashlight
Night-vision goggles
Pliers
Squad (7 soldiers and an NCO) 100 mines per hour
Platoon (with leadership)
300 mines per hour; 3,600 mines
per day
Company 10,800 mines per day
NOTE: Soldiers work 50 minutes per hour, 12 hours per day.
Table 2-3. Planning factors for work rates
Survivability Time Required to Construct
With D7F Dozer With ACE With SEE
Hull-defilade position 1 BTH 1.5 BTH NA
Turret-defilade position 2.5 BTH 3.5 BTH NA
HMMWV TOW position 1.5 BTH 2 BTH NA
Vehicle-protective position 0.75 BTH 1 BTH NA
Dismount-crew position NA NA 1 SEEH
Individual-fighting position NA NA 0.5 SEEH
Countermobility With D7F Dozer With ACE In Man-Hours
Antitank ditch 1 BTH/70 m 1 BTH/50 m NA
Standardized disrupt minefield NA NA 1.5 PH
Standardized fix minefield NA NA 1.5 PH
Standardized turn minefield NA NA 3.5 PH
Standardized block minefield NA NA 5 PH
Triple-standard concertina NA NA 1 PH/300 m
Road crater NA NA 1.5 SH
Point minefield NA NA 1 SH
Concertina roadblock NA NA 1 SH
Bridge demolition (massive) NA NA 2 SH
Bridge demolition (steel) NA NA 1 SH
Mine preparation at the TF Class IV/V
supply point
NA NA 1 SH/100 mines
LEGEND:
BTH (blade team hour). One blade team working for one hour. A blade team consists of two engineer
blades (two dozers, two ACEs, or one ACE and one dozer). One vehicle digs (cutter) while the other
spreads the spoil (striker). A dozer-ACE blade team uses the dozer BTH.
SEEH (SEE hour). One SEE working for one hour.
PH (platoon hour). One platoon (3 squads) working for one hour.
SH (squad hour). One squad working for one hour.
C2, FM 20-32
2-22 Mine-Warfare Principles
Table 2-4. Planning factors for standardized row minefields
Effect Resource
Factor
Front Depth Full-Width
AT Mines
Track-Width
AT Mines
Frag AP Mines
Disrupt 0.5 250 m 100 m 42 84 NA
Fix 1.0 250 m 120 m 63 84 NA
Turn 1.2 500 m 300 m 336 168 NA
Block 2.4 500 m 320 m 378 168 84 (Korea Only)
Table 2-5. Planning factors for scatterable minefields
System Minefield Size SD Time Arming Time
ADAM
400 x 400 m
200 x 800 m
4 hr
48 hr
Within 1 min
after ground
impact
RAAM
400 x 400 m
200 x 800 m
4 hr
48 hr
2 min 45 sec
Volcano (one load = 160
canisters or 960 mines
[800 AT and 160 AP])
Turn or block (1 per load):
Ground: 555 x 320 m
Air: 557 x 320 m
Fix or disrupt (4 per load):
Ground: 277 x 120 m
Air: 278 x 120 m
4 hr
5 days
15 days
2 min
MOPMS 70 x 35 m 4 hr* 89 sec
*Can be recycled 3 times for a total of 13 hr
C2, FM 20-32
Mine-Warfare Principles 2-45
Sever a l consider a t ions may dr ive t he use of supply-point r esupply. Fir st , if
t her e a r e no a ddit iona l ha ul a sset s t o t r a nspor t obst a cle ma t er ia l for wa r d
fr om t he Class IV/V supply point , t he supply-point met hod may be t he only
viable t echnique. Secondly, t he minefield gr oup may be close enough t o t he
supply point t hat any ot her met hod is less efficient .
Advant ages.
Minimizes unloading and loading of mat er ial.
Requir es minimal augment at ion of haul asset s.
Table 2-8. Class IV/V haul capacity
Vehicle
C
o
n
c
e
r
t
i
n
a
W
i
r
e
1
M
1
5
A
T
M
i
n
e
M
1
9
A
T
M
i
n
e
M
2
1
A
T
M
i
n
e
M
1
6
A
P
M
i
n
e
M
1
4
A
P
M
i
n
e
M
O
P
M
S
M
i
n
e
V
o
l
c
a
n
o
M
i
n
e
M
I
C
L
I
C
R
e
l
o
a
d
2
H
o
r
n
e
t
HMMWV
1,124 kg, 6 cu m
2 51 34 27 55 56 15 1 NA 1
M35 2-ton truck
2,250 kg, 12.5 cu m
4 102 69 55 111 113 30 2 2 2
M1078 2-ton truck
2,250 kg, 13.4 cu m
4 102 69 55 111 113 30 2 2 2
M54 5-ton truck
4,500 kg, 13.6 cu m
7 204 138 109 222 227 61 5 3 5
M1083 5-ton truck
4,500 kg, 15.6 cu m
8 204 138 109 222 227 61 5 3 5
M930 5-ton dump truck
(without sideboards)
4,500 kg, 3.8 cu m
2 112 64 32 168 71 23 3 2 2
M930 5-ton dump truck
(with sideboards)
4,500 kg, 8.2 cu m
4 204 138 70 222 153 51 5 3 4
M1090 5-ton dump truck
4,500 kg, 3.8 cu m
2 112 64 32 168 71 23 3 2 2
HEMTT truck
9,000 kg, 15 cu m
8 408 277 128 444 317 94 10 7 8
12-ton S&T
10,800 kg, 24.5 cu m
13 489 333 208 533 514 148 12 9 13
40-ton lowboy
36,000 kg, 49.3 cu m
27 1,466 1,035 419 1,777 1,035 308 30 27 27
M548 cargo
5,400 kg, 14.9 cu m
8 244 166 125 266 272 74 6 4 6
M1077 PLS flat rack
14,900 kg, 17.6 cu m
9 440 352 164 586 293 110 11 9 9
No of mines per box NA 1 2 4 4 90 21 240 NA 30
Weight per box (kg) 531 22 33 41 21 20 73 833 1,195 810
Size of box (cu m) 1.8 0.04 0.05 0.12 0.03 0.06 0.16 1.6 1.8 1.8
1
The number of concertina = bundles; 1 bundle = 40 rolls
2
Line charge + rocket
FM 20-32
2-46 Mine-Warfare Principles
Allows manpower and equipment t o be massed at a single supply
point .
St r eamlines C
2
of mat er ial.
Disadvant ages.
Requir es mor e movement of t he plat oon, which may t ake away
fr om emplacement t ime.
Requir es t hat t he plat oon move in and out of t he ar ea wher e t he
minefields ar e being emplaced, incr easing t he r isk of fr at r icide.
May disr upt t he emplacement of individual obst acles when
empla cin g vehicles ca n not ca r r y en ough ma t er ia l t o st a r t a n d
complet e t h e obst a cle. Th is ca u ses empla cin g veh icles t o st op
wor k, r eload, and pick up wher e t hey left off.
Requir es a lar ger Class IV/V supply point t hat is capable of
r ecei vi n g ma s s qu a n t i t i es of obs t a cl e ma t er i a l a n d mu l t i pl e
loading plat oons simult aneously.
Se rvi ce Stat ion
The ser vice-st at ion met hod (Figur e 2-22) cent er s on t he act ivat ion of a mine
dump for war d of t he Class IV/V supply point . The mines ar e t r anspor t ed t o a
mine du mp u s ing a combin a t ion of en gin eer a nd TF h a u l a sset s t h a t a r e
nor ma lly un der t h e cont r ol of t he empla cing engineer. At t he mine dump,
ma t er i a l i s s t ockpi l ed a n d pr epa r ed by t h e mi n e-du mp pa r t y. Obs t a cl e
Figure 2-21. Supply-point resupply method
Corps/division truck
Received mine
Task-organized mine
package
Emplacing vehicle
S4/engineer
representatives
Entrance
Exit
Class IV/V supply
point (mines)
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-1
Chapter 3
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
SCATMI NEs a r e l a i d wit h ou t r ega r d t o a cla ssi ca l pa t t er n . Th ey a r e
des i gn ed t o be del i ver ed or di s pen s ed r emot el y by a ir cr a ft , a r t i l l er y,
missile, or a gr ound dispenser. All US SCATMINEs have a limit ed act ive
life and self-dest r uct aft er t hat life has expir ed. The dur at ion of t he act ive
life var ies wit h t he t ype of mine and t he deliver y syst em.
SCATMINE syst ems enable a t act ical commander t o emplace minefields
r apidly in enemy-held t er r it or ies, cont aminat ed t er r it or ies, a nd in most
ot her ar eas wher e it is impossible for engineer s t o emplace convent ional
minefields. Some syst ems a llow for r a pid empla cement of minefields in
fr iendly ar eas. As wit h all minefields and obst acles, scat t er able minefields
ar e an engineer r esponsibilit y.
Ba sed on t he t a ct ica l pla n, t he ma neuver comma nder ' s st a ff engineer
det er mines t he minefield locat ion, size, densit y, and emplacement and SD
t i mes. Wi t h t h i s i n for ma t i on a n d a t h or ou gh u n der s t a n di n g of t h e
a va i l a bl e s ys t e ms , h e ca n t h en r e comm en d t h e t ype of mi n e fi e l d
(convent ional or scat t er able) t o be emplaced. If a scat t er able minefield is
s el ect ed, h e r ecommen ds t h e del i ver y s ys t em a n d coor di n a t es t h e
minefield wit h appr opr iat e st aff officer s.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Most US SCATMINEs have simila r cha r a ct er ist ics. SCATMINEs a r e much
smaller in size and weight t han convent ional mines. For example, a st andar d
AT SCATMINE weighs a ppr oxima t ely 1.8 kilogr a ms a nd ha s 600 gr a ms of
explos ive; a n M15 con ven t ion a l min e weigh s 13. 5 kilogr a ms a n d h a s 10
kilogr ams of explosive. Ar ming mecha nisms, ar ming t imes, and SD t imes of
SCATMINEs differ based on t he dispensing syst em.
ANTIPERSONNEL MINES
Th er e a r e t wo gen er a l ca t egor ies of AP SCATMI NEswedge-sh a ped a nd
cyl i n dr i ca l (Fi gu r e 3-1, pa ge 3-2). Ta bl e 3-1, pa ge 3-2, s u mma r i zes t h e
char act er ist ics of each AP SCATMINE.
This chapter implements STANAG 2990.
C2, FM 20-32
3-2 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Figure 3-1. AP SCATMINEs
Table 3-1. Characteristics of AP SCATMINEs
Mine
Delivery
System
DODIC
Arming
Time
Fuse Warhead AHD SD Time
Explosive
Weight
Mine
Weight
Number
of Mines
M67 155-mm
artillery
(ADAM)
D502 Within 1
min after
ground
impact
Trip
wire
Bounding
frag
20% 4 hr 21 g
Comp A5
540 g 36 per
M731
projectile
M72 155-mm
artillery
(ADAM)
D501 Within 1
min after
ground
impact
Trip
wire
Bounding
frag
20% 48 hr 21 g
Comp A5
540 g 36 per
M692
projectile
BLU 92/B USAF
(Gator)
K291
K292
K293
2 min Trip
wire
Blast frag 100% 4 hr
48 hr
15 days
540 g
Comp B4
1.44 kg 22 per
CBU 89/B
dispenser
M77 MOPMS K022 2 min Trip
wire
Blast frag 0% 4 hr
(recycle
up to 3
times)
540 g
Comp B4
1.44 kg 4 per
M131
dispenser
Volcano Ground/
air
K045 2 min Trip
wire
Blast frag 0% 4 hr
48 hr
15 days
540 g
Comp B4
1.44 kg 1 per M87
canister
Cover
Trip-wire
port
S&A mechanism
Main
charge
Booster
pellet
Fragmenting
body
Trip-wire
port
Power
supply
12 cm
6 cm
FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-3
The M67 and M72 AP SCATMINEs ar e wedge-shaped and dispensed fr om an
ADAM pr oject ile, which is a special 155-millimet er ar t iller y munit ion. Each
mine weighs 540 gr ams and is 7 cent imet er s high.
The M74, BLU 92/B, M77, and Volcano AP SCATMINEs ar e all cylindr ical in
s h a p e. Th ey a r e 6 ce n t i me t e r s h i gh a n d 12 ce n t i met e r s i n d i a me t er.
Cylindr ical AP SCATMINEs kill enemy soldier s t hr ough t he combined effect s
of blast and fr agment at ion. Each mine cont ains 540 gr ams of composit ion B4
a s it s ma in cha r ge. The cha r ge det ona t es upon a ct ua t ion a nd sha t t er s t he
mine s met al casing t o pr oduce shr a pnel. Shr a pnel is pr opelled upwa r d and
ou t wa r d fr om t h e min e a n d pr odu ces fa t a l ca s u a lt ies t o a dist a n ce of 15
met er s. Ea ch min e h a s eigh t t r ip wir es (fou r on t h e t op a n d fou r on t h e
bot t om) t hat deploy aft er gr ound impact up t o 12 met er s fr om t he mine. Tr ip
wir es ar e similar in appear ance t o ver y fine t hr ead; t hey ar e olive-dr ab gr een
in color and weight ed at t he fr ee end. A t ension of 405 gr ams applied t o one
t r ip wir e is enough t o cr eat e a br ea k in t he elect r ica l cir cuit a nd ca use t he
mine t o det onat e.
ANTITANK MINES
All AT SCATMINEs (Figur e 3-2) have similar funct ional char act er ist ics. They
a r e cylin dr ica l in sha pe, weigh a ppr oxima t ely 1.8 kilogr a ms, cont a in 585
gr a ms of cycl on i t e (RDX) e xp l os i ve a s t h e ma i n ch a r ge, a n d h a ve a
ma gnet ica lly induced fuse. The cha r a ct er ist ics of ea ch AT SCATMI NE a r e
summar ized in Table 3-2, page 3-4.
Figure 3-2. AT SCATMINE
6 cm
Booster
charge
Clearing
charge
S&A
mechanism
Plate
Main
charge
Plate
12 cm
C2, FM 20-32
3-4 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
AT SCATMINEs ar e designed t o pr oduce a K-Kill inst ead of an M-Kill. They
pr oduce a kill by using a n SFF wa r hea d (cr ea t ed fr om a n M-S pla t e). The
wa r hea d penet r a t es t he vehicle's belly a r mor, a nd spa lling met a l fr om t he
vehicle (caused by t he mine blast ) kills occupant s inst ant ly. Even t hough t he
cr ew i s k i ll ed, t h e dr i ve t r a i n ma y be u n da ma ged a n d t h e veh icle ma y
cont inue t o move. On enemy t anks wit h aut oloader s, t he det onat ion of r ounds
in t he belly-mount ed ammunit ion ca r ousel is ver y likely. The mine may not
achieve a kill when t he t r ack of an ar mor ed vehicle r uns dir ect ly over it .
The magnet ic fuse is designed t o det onat e as t he magnet ic field changes over
t he mine. The war head is bidir ect ional, meaning t hat it can fir e fr om t he t op
or t he bot t om. AHDs ar e built int o 20 per cent of M70, M73, and M75 mines.
Alt hough Volcano, M76, and BLU 91/B mines do not have AHDs, t hey may
det onat e when moved, because t he mine may sense a significant change fr om
it s or iginal or ient at ion.
Due t o t heir small size, t he r educed explosive, a nd t he possibilit y of landing
wit h an impr oper or ient at ion (on t heir side or at an angle), AT SCATMINEs
ha ve less chance of dest r oying a vehicle t ha n a convent iona l full-widt h AT
mine. An a r mor ed vehicle will not a lways be dest r oyed a ft er a n encount er
wit h an AT SCATMINE. Fur t her, t he effect iveness of SCATMINEs in wat er
obst acles is r educed even mor e, beca use 5 cent imet er s of wat er pr event s t he
for ma t i on of t h e M-S s l u g. Al t h ou gh t h e bl a s t wa ve i s a ccen t u a t ed by
under wat er placement (at t a cking ha t ches and cover s), mining of banks and
appr oaches is r ecommended inst ead.
Table 3-2. Characteristics of AT SCATMINEs
Mine
Delivery
System
DODIC
Arming
Time
Fuse Warhead AHD SD Time
Explosive
Weight
Mine
Weight
Number
of Mines
M73 155-mm
artillery
(RAAM)
D503 Within 1
min after
ground
impact
Magnetic M-S plate 20% 48 hr 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 9 per
M718
projectile
M70 155-mm
artillery
(RAAM)
D509 Within 1
min after
ground
impact
Magnetic M-S plate 20% 4 hr 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 9 per
M741
projectile
BLU 91/B USAF
(Gator)
K291
K292
K293
2 min Magnetic M-S plate NA 4 hr
48 hr
15 days
585 g RDX 1.7 kg 72 per
CBU 89/B
dispenser
M76 MOPMS K022 2 min Magnetic M-S plate NA 4 hr
(recycle
up to 3
times)
585 g RDX 1.7 kg 17 per
M131
dispenser
Volcano Ground/
air
K045 2 min
30 sec
Magnetic M-S plate NA 4 hr
48 hr
15 days
585 g RDX 1.7 kg 5 per M87
canister; 6
per
M87A1
canister
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-5
CAPABILITIES
FASTER RESPONSE
SCATMINEs can be emplaced mor e r apidly t han convent ional mines, so t hey
pr ovide a comma n der wit h gr ea t er flexibilit y a n d mor e t ime t o r ea ct t o
cha nges in sit uat ions. The commander can use SCATMINEs t o ma int ain or
r egain t he init iat ive by act ing fast er t han t he enemy. Using SCATMINEs also
helps pr eser ve scar ce mine r esour ces.
REMOTE PLACEMENT
All SCATMINEs ar e r emot ely emplaced. This enhances bat t lefield agilit y and
a llows t he ma neuver comma nder t o empla ce mines r a pidly t o best exploit
enemy weaknesses. SCATMINEs can be used as sit uat iona l obst acles or t o
a t t a ck en emy for ma t i on s di r ect ly t h r ou gh dis r u pt , fix, t u r n , a n d block
obst acles. Moder n fusing, sensing, a nd AHDs allow SCATMI NEs t o bet t er
defeat enemy at t empt s t o r educe t he minefield.
INCREASED TACTICAL FLEXIBILITY
Upon expir at ion of t he SD t ime, t he minefield is clear ed and t he commander
ca n move t hr ough a n a r ea t hat wa s pr eviously denied t o enemy or fr iendly
for ces. I n ma ny ca ses, t he SD per iod ma y be set a t only a few hour s. This
feat ur e allows for effect ive count er at t acks t o t he enemy's flank and r ear ar eas.
EFFICIENCY
SCATMINEs can be emplaced by a var iet y of deliver y met hods. They can be
deployed by fixed-wing a ir cr a ft , helicopt er s, a r t iller y, ma npa ck, or gr ound
veh icles. They sa t isfy t he h igh mobilit y r equir emen t s of moder n wa r fa r e.
Manpower, equipment , and t onnage ar e r educed for t heir emplacement .
INCREASED LETHALITY
AT SCATMINEs ut ilize an SFF t hat is cr eat ed fr om t wo M-S plat e char ges t o
pr oduce a full-widt h kill. In simple t er ms, a met al plat e is for med int o a high-
velocit y slug t hat punches a hole in t he belly of a t ank. The effect pr oduces an
M-Kill against t he vehicle s engine, t r ack, or dr ive t r ain; or it pr oduces a K-
Kil l wh en t h e on -boa r d a mmu n it i on i s s et off a n d t h e cr ew i s kil led or
inca pacit at ed or t he vehicle s weapon syst em is dest r oyed. AT SCATMINEs
ar e designed t o dest r oy any t ank in t he wor ld. In or der t o for m a n SFF, t he
mine r equir es a cer t ain st andoff bet ween t he vehicle and t he t ar get . Mines
must also be nea r ly per pendicula r t o t he t ar get (laying on eit her side). The
M-S plat e is act ually t wo plat esone facing t he t op of t he mine and one facing
t he bot t om. This ensur es t hat it will successfully at t ack t he t ar get while lying
on eit her side.
AP SCATMINEs ar e act uat ed by a t r ip wir e and ut ilize a blast -fr agment at ion
war head.
LIMITATIONS
EXTENSIVE COORDINATION
Because SCATMINEs ar e a ver y dynamic weapon syst em, gr eat car e must be
t aken t o ensur e t hat pr oper coor dinat ion is made wit h higher, adjacent , and
C2, FM 20-32
3-6 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
subor dina t e unit s. To pr event fr iendly casualt ies, all affect ed unit s must be
not ified of t he locat ion and t he dur at ion of scat t er able minefields. Recor ding
and r epor t ing pr ocedur es for SCATMINEs ar e discussed in det ail in Chapt er 8,
and t hey wer e specifically designed t o minimize fr iendly casualt ies.
PROLIFERATION OF TARGETS
SCATMI NEs ma y be r ega r ded by some comma nder s a s ea sy solut ions t o
t act ical pr oblems. Tar get r equest s must be car efully evaluat ed, and a pr ior it y
syst em must be est ablished because indiscr imina t e use of weapon syst ems
will r esult in r apid deplet ion of a unit 's basic load. Cont r olled supply r at es
(CSRs) will pr obably be a const r aint in all t heat er s.
VISIBILITY
SCATMINEs ar e highly effect ive, especially when fir es and obscur ant s st r ain
t he enemys C
2
. SCATMINEs lay on t he sur face of t he gr ound, but t hey ar e
r elat ively small and have nat ur al color ing.
ACCURACY
SCATMINEs ca nnot be la id wit h t he same a ccur a cy as convent ional mines.
Remot ely deliver ed SCATMI NE s ys t ems a r e a s a ccu r a t e a s con ven t iona l
ar t iller y-deliver ed or t act ical air cr aft -deliver ed munit ions.
ORIENTATION
Bet ween 5 and 15 per cent of SCATMI NEs will come t o r est on t heir edges;
mines wit h spr ing finger s will be in t he lower per cent ile. If t her e is mud or
s n ow mor e t h a n 10 cen t i met er s deep, t h e n u mber wi ll be in t h e h igh er
per cent ile. When employing ADAMs or RAAMs in mor e t han 10 cent imet er s
of sn ow or mud, h igh -a n gle fir e should be u sed a n d t h e nu mber of min es
incr eased. AP mines may be less effect ive in snow, because t he deployment of
t r ip wir es is hinder ed. Melt ing of t he snow may also cause t he mines t o change
posit ions and act ivat e AHDs.
LIFE CYCLE
All SCATMINEs have a similar life cycle, alt hough specific t imes var y based
on t he SD t ime and t he dispensing syst em.
For safet y r easons, SCATMINEs must r eceive t wo ar ming signals at launch.
One signa l is usua lly physica l (spin, a cceler a t ion, or unst a cking), a nd t he
ot her is elect r onic. This same elect r onic signal act ivat es t he mine s SD t ime.
Mines st ar t t heir safe-separ at ion count down (ar ming t ime) when t hey r eceive
ar ming signals. This allows t he mines t o come t o r est aft er dispensing a nd
a llows t he mine dispenser t o exit t he a r ea sa fely. Ta ble 3-1, pa ge 3-2, a nd
Table 3-2, page 3-4, show ar ming t imes for individual SCATMINEs.
Mines ar e ar med aft er t he ar ming t ime expir es. The fir st st ep in ar ming is a
self-t est t o ensur e pr oper cir cuit r y. Appr oximat ely 0.5 per cent of mines fail t he
self-t est and self-dest r uct immediat ely.
Aft er t he self-t est , mines r emain act ive unt il t heir SD t ime expires or unt il t hey
ar e encount er ed. Mines act ually self-dest r uct at 80 t o 100 per cent of t heir SD
t ime. The t ime per iod from when t he mines begin t o self-dest r uct and when they
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-7
finish is called t he SD window (Table 3-3). No mines should r emain act ive aft er
t he SD t ime has been reached. Two t o five percent of US SCATMINEs fail t o self-
dest r uct as int ended. Any mines found aft er t he SD t ime must be t r eat ed as
unexploded or dnance (UXO). For example, mines wit h a 4-hour SD t ime will
act ually st ar t self-dest r uct ing at 3 hour s and 12 minut es. When t he 4-hour SD
t ime is reached, no unexploded mines should exist.
LETHALITY AND DENSITY
LETHALITY AND TACTICAL-OBSTACLE EFFECT
Sca t t er a bl e mi n efi el ds a r e empl oyed t o r edu ce t h e en emy' s a bi l i t y t o
ma neuver, ma ss, a n d r ein for ce a ga in st fr ien dly for ces. Th ey in cr ea se t he
enemy's vulner abilit y t o fir es by pr oducing specific obst acle effect s (disr upt ,
fix, t ur n, and block) on t he enemy's maneuver. To achieve t his aim, individual
min efields mu s t be empla ced wi t h va r yin g degr ees of let h a lit y. Du r in g
emplacement , let halit y is var ied pr imar ily by changing t he minefield densit y.
Ther efor e, t her e is a dir ect cor r elat ion bet ween t he obst acle effect a nd t he
minefield dens it y. I n or der t o a ch ieve t h e t a ct ica l-obst a cle effect , u se t he
following guidance when select ing minefield densit y:
Disr upt .
Low densit y.
Pr obabilit y of encount er : 40 t o 50 per cent .
Linear densit y: 0.4 t o 0.5 mine per met er.
Fix.
Medium densit y.
Pr obabilit y of encount er : 50 t o 60 per cent .
Linear densit y: 0.5 t o 0.6 mine per met er.
Tur n.
High densit y.
Pr obabilit y of encount er : 75 t o 85 per cent .
Table 3-3. SD windows
SD Time SD Window Begins
4 hours 3 hours 12 minutes
48 hours 38 hours 24 minutes
5 days 4 days
15 days 12 days
FM 20-32
3-8 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Linear densit y: 0.9 t o 1.1 mines per met er.
Block.
High densit y.
Pr obabilit y of encount er : 85+ per cent .
Linear densit y: Mor e t han 1.1 mines per met er.
DENSITY
Dens it y is n or ma lly expr es sed a s linea r or a r ea . For con ven t iona l min es,
linear densit y is nor mally used and is expr essed in t he aver a ge number of
mines per met er of minefield fr ont . For SCATMINE syst ems, ar ea densit y is
nor mally used a nd is expr essed as t he aver age number of mines per squar e
met er. Since SCATMINE syst ems nor mally employ a pr eset combinat ion of AT
a nd AP mines, t he a r ea densit y includes bot h . For exa mple, a sca t t er a ble
minefield wit h an ar ea densit y of 0.006 mine per squar e met er may have an
AT densit y of 0.004 AT mine per squar e met er and an AP densit y of 0.002 AP
mi n e per s qu a r e met er. Du e t o t h e va r yi n g di men s i on s of s ca t t er a bl e
minefields t hat can be cr eat ed by t he differ ent t ypes of employment devices,
t he exact densit y of a scat t er able minefield cannot be det er mined. However,
an est imat e of t he aver age densit y can be det er mined by using t he following
for mulas:
Linear densit y equals t he number of mines divided by t he minefield
fr ont .
Ar ea densit y equals t he number of mines divided by t he minefield
ar ea.
Ar ea densit y can be conver t ed t o linear densit y by mult iplying t he
a r ea den s it y by t h e min efield dept h . ( NOTE: Co n v e rt i n g a re a
de n s i t y t o l i n e a r de n s i t y i s n o t a l w a y s a c c u ra t e du e t o t h e
space between mi nefi eld stri ps.)
EXAMPLE: A 650- by 200-met er Gat or minefield cont ains 564 mines (432 AT
and 132 AP).
Ar ea densit y: 564 (200 x 650) = 0.004 mine per squar e met er.
AT ar ea densit y: 432 (200 x 650) = 0.003 mine per squar e met er.
number of mines
minefield front
--------------------------------------- - mines per meter =
number of mines
front depth
--------------------------------------- - mines per square meter =
area density minefield depth linear density =
FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-13
Hinder t he abilit y of t he enemy t o r einfor ce t he object ive ar ea.
The t ime and t he number of r ounds r equir ed t o inst all effect ive ADAMs and
RAAMs limit t heir use. Their r a nge is limit ed t o 17,500 or 17,740 met er s,
depending on which howit zer (M109 or M198, r espect ively) is used. Many of
t he deep-int er dict ion missions t hat suppor t for ce-pr oject ion doct r ine r equir e a
gr ea t er dist a nce. Due t o t he la r ge foot pr int cr ea t ed when t he min efield is
fir ed, ma n y min es will s ca t t er ou t s ide t h e pla n n ed min efield a r ea . I t is
t her efor e necessar y t o plot t he safet y zone in or der t o pr event fr at r icide. The
fir e-suppor t element (FSE) is r esponsible for plot t ing t he safet y zone, and t he
st a ff engineer should be familia r wit h t he pr ocess and t he expect ed r esult s.
Th e st a ff en gineer en su r es t h a t t he s a fet y zon e is plot t ed on t h e t a ct ica l
command post (TCP)/TOC oper at ion over lay.
Emplacement
ADAM and RAAM mining missions ar e r equest ed t hr ough nor ma l ar t iller y-
suppor t cha nnels. Alt hough t he act ua l number s var y ba sed on t he unit and
t he mission, a r epr esent at ive basic load for an ar t iller y ba t t alion consist s of
appr oximat ely 32 ADAM and 24 RAAM (shor t SD t ime) r ounds per ar t iller y
piece. NOTE: The rounds wi t h l ong SD t i me s are normal l y u s e d for
pre planne d targe ts and are i ssue d from an ammuni ti on supply poi nt
(ASP) on a mi ssi on-by-mi ss i on bas i s.
On ce t h e pr oper a u t h or i za t ion h a s been r eceived t o employ t h e mi n es,
r equest s for ADAMs a nd RAAMs a r e pr ocessed in t he sa me wa y a s ot her
r equest s for fir e suppor t , including t ar get s of oppor t unit y. Alloca t e enough
t ime for pr ocessing t he r equest and complet ing fir ing pr ocedur es. This ensur es
t hat t he enemy has not moved out of t he t ar get ar ea befor e execut ion. (FM 90-
7 cont ains mor e infor mat ion on t his pr ocess.) The use of ADAMs and RAAMs
for pr eplanned fir es r equir es close coor dinat ion among t he Assist ant Chief of
St a ff, G3 (Oper a t ions a nd Pla ns) (G3)/Oper at ions a nd Tr a ining Officer (US
Ar my) (S3), t he st aff engineer, and FSE sect ions. Coor dinat ion should also be
made wit h t he S2 and t he S3 dur ing t he development of t he decision suppor t
t emplat e (DST) t o ident ify t he pr oper named ar eas of int er est (NAIs), t ar get
ar eas of int er est (TAIs), t r igger point s, and decision point s.
Ther e ar e t wo cr it ical aspect s when emplacing ADAM and RAAM minefields:
Designing t he minefield t o achieve t he r equir ed effect .
Ensur ing t he t echnical cor r ect ness of r esour cing and deliver ing t he
minefield.
Th e fol l owi n g di s cu s s i on pr ovi des gen er a l gu i da n ce for des i gn i n g t h e
minefield t o achieve t he desir ed effect and for det er mining t he safet y zone t o
a ss ess t h e impa ct on ma neu ver. Appen dix H of FM 6-20-40 ser ves a s t he
pr ima r y sour ce for t echnica lly r esour cing a nd deliver ing a r t iller y-deliver ed
minefields.
ADAM a nd RAAM minefields can be emplaced t o a chieve disr upt , fix, t ur n,
and block effect s based on t he pr inciples out lined in Chapt er 2. The engineer
is r esponsible for deciding t he r equir ed loca t ion, t he densit y, t he size, t he
composit ion, and t he dur at ion of t he minefield based on t he t act ical-obst acle
pla n and t he obst a cle r est r ict ions of t he higher unit . The engineer pr ovides
C2, FM 20-32
3-14 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
t his infor ma t ion t o t he FSE. Ta ble 3-6 pr ovides guida nce on t he minefield
densit y and size necessar y t o achieve t he desir ed obst acle effect .
The FSE det er mines a ll t he t echnica l a spect s for deliver ing t he minefield,
such a s t h e n umber of r ou nds r equir ed per a im point , t h e nu mber of a im
point s r equir ed, t he size of t he safet y zone, and t he t ime r equir ed t o emplace
mines. Ther e is a wide var iet y of fact or s involved in det er mining t he number
of r ounds, t he size of t he safet y zone, and t he emplacement t ime. These fact or s
ar e t he r ange-t o-t ar get t ime, t he bat t er y-t o-minefield angle, t he high- or low-
angle t r a ject or y, a nd t he met hod of fir ing (obser ver adjust or met eor ologica l
dat a plus velocit y er r or [Met +VE] t r a nsfer ). The FSE must t ell t he engineer
whet her t he minefield mission is feasible. Feasibilit y is based on t he number
of r ou n ds a va ila ble, t h e s ch eme of in dir ect fir es, a n d t h e a va ila bilit y of
ar t iller y t ubes.
The engineer is pr ima r ily concer ned wit h t wo t echnica l a spect s of deliver y
pr ovided by t h e F SEt h e s a fet y zon e a n d t h e empl a cemen t t ime. Th e
engineer uses t he safet y zone and t he minefield dur at ion t o assess t he impact
of t he minefield on t he mobilit y r equir ement s of t he scheme of maneuver. The
engineer depict s t h e sa fet y zone on t he obst a cle over la y. He a lso uses t he
safet y zone t o ident ify r equir ement s for minefield mar king if t he unit leaves or
t ur ns over t he a r ea befor e t he SD t ime. The engineer a nd t he FSE use t he
empla cemen t t ime t o s yn ch r on ize t h e deliver y of t h e min efield wit h t h e
t act ical plan.
GATOR
The Gat or (Figur e 3-4) has a longer r ange t han any ot her SCATMINE syst em.
I t pr ovides a mea n s t o r a pidly empla ce min efields a n ywh er e t h a t ca n be
r ea ch ed by t a ct ica l a ir cr a ft . Th e Ga t or is pr odu ced in t wo ver s ion s t h e
Unit ed St at es Air For ce (USAF) CBU-89/B syst em t hat cont ains 94 mines (72
AT a nd 22 AP) per dispenser and t he Unit ed St at es Navy (USN) CBU-78/B
syst em t hat cont ains 60 mines (45 AT and 15 AP) per dispenser.
The mines used wit h t he Gat or ar e t he BLU-91/B AT mine and t he BLU-92/B
AP mine. They ar e similar t o t he mines used wit h t he Volcano syst em. The
mines ar e capable of t hr ee field-select able SD t imes (4 hour s, 48 hour s, and 15
days). Bot h t ypes of mines ar e encased in a plast ic, squar e-shaped pr ot ect ive
Table 3-6. RAAM and ADAM minefield density and size
Obstacle
Effect
RAAM ADAM
Width
(meters)
Depth
(meters)
Area
1
Linear
2
Area
1
Linear
2
Disrupt 0.001 0.2 0.0005 0.1 200 200
Turn 0.002 0.8 0.001 0.4 400 400
Fix 0.002 0.4 0.0005 0.1 200 200
Block 0.004 1.6 0.002 0.8 400 400
1
Area density = mines per square meter
2
Linear density = mines per meter
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-17
The minefields would be deliver ed a t differ ent loca t ions so t ha t t he gr oup
cover s t he ent ir e AA and affect s t he ent ir e enemy bat t alion.
VOLCANO
The Volca no mult iple-deliver y mine syst em (Figur e 3-6, pa ge 3-18) ca n be
dispensed fr om t he air or on t he gr ound. It can be mount ed on any 5-t on t r uck,
a n M548 t r a cked ca r go ca r r ier, a h ea vy expa n ded mobilit y t a ct ica l t r u ck
(HEMTT), a pa llet ized load syst em (PLS) flat r ack, or a UH-60A Blackhawk
h eli copt er. Th e Volca n o u s es modified Ga t or min es a n d con s i s t s of fou r
componen t s (Figur e 3-7, pa ge 3-18)t h e min e ca nist er, t he dispenser, t he
dispenser con t r ol u nit (DCU), a n d t h e mou nt in g h a r dwa r e (a ir cr a ft a lso
r equir e a jet t ison kit ). The Volcano uses M87 and M87A1 mine canist er s. The
M87 mine canist er is pr epa ckaged wit h five AT mines, one AP mine, and a
pr opu l s i on devi ce i n s i de a t u be h ou s i n g. Th e M87A1 mi n e ca n i s t er i s
pr epackaged wit h six AT mines and a pr opulsion device. The mixt ur e of mines
is fixed a nd cannot be alt er ed. Mines ar e elect r ically connect ed wit h a web
t hat funct ions a s a lat er al disper sion device as t he mines exit t he canist er.
Spr ing finger s mount ed on each mine pr event it fr om coming t o r est on it s
edge. All canist er s ar e capable of dispensing mines wit h 4-hour, 48-hour, and
15-day SD t imes. The SD t imes ar e field-select able pr ior t o dispensing and do
not r equir e a change or modificat ion t o t he mine canist er. The ar ming t ime is
2 minut es 15 seconds for AT and AP mines. The r eload t ime (not including
movemen t t ime t o t h e r eloa d s i t e) for a n exper ien ced fou r -ma n cr ew is
appr oximat ely 20 minut es.
Figure 3-5. Gator minefield
Six Gator dispensers (72 AT and 22 AP mines each)
NOTE: Add 275 m to all dimensions for the safety zone.
650 m
200 m
432 AT and 132 AP mines
AA 2
AA 1
FIX
BLOCK
C2, FM 20-32
3-18 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Figure 3-6. Volcano mine system
Figure 3-7. Volcano components
Vehicle mounting hardware
Aircraft mounting hardware
M139 dispenser DCU
M87-series
mine canister
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-19
The dispenser consist s of an elect r onic DCU and four launcher r acks. Four
r acks can be mount ed on a vehicle, and each r ack can hold 40 M87-ser ies mine
ca n ist er s. The r a cks pr ovide t h e st r u ct u r a l st r en gt h a n d t h e mech a n ica l
suppor t r equir ed for launch a nd pr ovide t he elect r ical int er face bet ween t he
mine ca nist er s a nd t he DCU. Mount ing ha r dwa r e secur es t he r a cks t o t he
vehicle or t h e a ir cr a ft . Mou n t ing ha r dwa r e for t he Bla ckha wk in cludes a
jet t ison subassembly t o pr opel t he Volcano r acks and canist er s away fr om t he
air cr aft in t he event of an emer gency.
The oper at or uses t he DCU t o cont r ol t he dispensing oper a t ion elect r ically
fr om wit hin t he ca r r ier vehicle. The DCU pr ovides cont r ols for t he a r ming
sequence and t he deliver y speed and set s mine SD t imes. The DCU allows t he
oper at or t o st ar t and st op mine dispensing at anyt ime. A count er on t he DCU
indicat es t he number of r emaining loaded canist er s on each side of t he car r ier.
Mines a r e dispensed fr om t heir ca nist er s by a n explosive pr opelling cha r ge.
For gr ound vehicles, t he mines ar e dispensed 25 t o 60 met er s fr om t he vehicle
a t gr oun d speeds of 8 t o 90 kph. Th e a ver a ge t ime t o empla ce on e gr ound
Volcano load (160 canist er s) is 10 minut es.
Employment
The pr imar y mission of t he Volcano is t o pr ovide US for ces wit h t he capabilit y
t o emplace lar ge minefields r apidly under var ied condit ions. The Volcano can
be r apidly a t t ached t o air or gr ound vehicles. I t is used t o empla ce t act ical
minefields; r einfor ce exist ing obst acles; close lanes, gaps, and defiles; pr ot ect
fla nks; a nd deny pr oba ble enemy a ir -defense sit es. Volca no minefields a r e
ideal for pr oviding fla nk pr ot ect ion of a dva ncing for ces a nd for oper at ing in
concer t wit h air and gr ound cavalr y unit s on flank guar d or scr een missions.
The air Volcano is t he fast est met hod for emplacing lar ge t act ical minefields.
When employed by combat aviat ion element s in suppor t of maneuver unit s,
close coor dinat ion bet ween aviat ion a nd gr ound unit s assur es t hat Volca no-
di s pen s ed min es a r e empl a ced a ccu r a t el y a n d qu i ck l y. Al t h ou gh mi n e
pl a cemen t i s n ot a s pr eci s e a s i t i s wi t h gr ou n d s ys t ems , a i r Vol ca n o
minefields can be placed accur at ely enough t o avoid t he da nger inher ent in
minefields deliver ed by ar t iller y or jet air cr aft . Air Volcano minefields can be
emplaced in fr iendly and enemy t er r it or y. They should not be planned in ar eas
of enemy obser vat ion and fir e because t he helicopt er is ext r emely vulner able
wh ile flyin g a t t h e s t ea dy a lt it u de, t h e s peed, a n d t h e pa t h r equ ir ed t o
emplace t he minefield. The air Volcano is t he best for m of an obst acle r eser ve
because a minefield can be emplaced in minut es.
The gr ound Volca no is designed t o empla ce la r ge minefields in dept h. I t is
nor mally employed by combat engineer unit s. These mount ed dispenser s ar e
pr ima r ily used t o empla ce t a ct ica l minefields or ient ed on enemy for ces in
s u ppor t of ma n eu ver oper a t i on s a n d fr i en dl y AT fi r es . Th e s ys t em i s
vulner able t o dir ect and indir ect fir es, so it must be pr ot ect ed when close t o
t he FLOT. It is ideal for use as an obst acle r eser ve, employed when t he enemy
r eaches a decision point t hat indicat es fut ur e movement . Obst acles can t hen
be empla ced in dept h on t h e a ven u es t h e en emy is u s in g, lea vin g ot h er
avenues open for fr iendly movement .
C2, FM 20-32
3-20 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Emplacement
Th e pr in ciples a n d pr ocedu r es of Volca n o empla cemen t a r e s ign ifica n t ly
differ ent for air- and gr ound-deliver y syst ems. This sect ion out lines t he use of
t he gr ound Volcano syst em t o emplace disr upt , fix, t ur n, and block minefields.
The a ir Volca no syst em is discussed in det a il in Appendix D. Bot h a ir a nd
gr ound Volca no syst ems ar e capable of emplacing nonst anda r d minefields.
However, t h e empla cemen t n or ms below s t r ea mlin e iden t ifyin g r es ou r ce
r equir ement s and conduct ing emplacement dr ills.
Air a nd gr oun d Volca n o syst ems empla ce a minefield wit h a n a ver a ge AT
linear densit y of 0.72 mine per met er and an AP linear densit y of 0.14 mine
per met er. These densit ies may var y slight ly since some mines will fa il t he
a r mi n g s e qu e n ce a n d s e l f-d e s t r u ct 2 t o 4 mi n u t e s a ft e r d i s p e n s i n g.
Addit ionally, some mines may not or ient cor r ect ly, will not deliver t heir full
min e effect , a n d will n ot pr odu ce a K-Kill. Th e pr oba bilit y of fa ilin g t h e
a r mi n g s e qu e n ce a n d mi s or i e n t i n g i s r e l a t i ve l y s ma l l a n d d oe s n ot
a ppr ecia bly degr a de t he minefield's let ha lit y. For t r a cked vehicles, t he AT
den sit y yields mor e t ha n 80 per cen t pr oba bilit y of encoun t er. Volca no AT
mines do not have AHDs but ar e highly sensit ive t o any movement once t hey
ar e ar med. Any at t empt t o r emove t he mines will likely r esult in det onat ion.
The basic sit e layout is ext r emely impor t ant , a nd it is t he same for air and
gr ound Volcano minefields. The limit s of Volcano minefields ar e mar ked befor e
emplacement when t he sit uat ion (planned t ar get s wit hin t he main bat t le ar ea
[MBA] of a defensive oper a t ion) a llows it . The minefield is not pr ema r ked
when t he sit ua t ion (offensive oper a t ions or sit ua t iona l obst a cles) does not
allow it . If t he mines have not self-dest r uct ed, t he minefield is mar ked befor e
t h e u n i t lea ves t h e a r ea or t u r n s i t over t o a n a dja cen t u n it . Min efield
mar king must include t he safet y zone, which is 40 met er s fr om t he st ar t and
end point s and 80 met er s t o t he left and r ight of t he cent er line. The st ar t and
end point s of t he st r ip cent er line ar e mar ked based on t he minefield fr ont and
t h e n umber of s t r ips. For a gr ou nd Volca no minefield, guide ma r ker s a r e
emplaced along t he pat h of t he cent er line but ar e offset left t o allow t he host
vehicle t o r emain on t he cent er line. When using a gr ound-deliver y syst em,
minefield mar king must leave a gap along each cent er line for vehicle ent r ance
and exit . The number of guide mar ker s used depends on t he t er r ain and t he
visibilit y. Guide mar ker s ar e not r equir ed for an air Volcano minefield because
t he pilot will use t he st ar t and end point s of t he cent er line as r efer ence point s.
Figur e 3-8 illust r at es t he empla cement pat t er n for st andar d disr upt and fix
minefields using t he gr ound or a ir Volca no. Disr upt a nd fix minefields use
only one cent er line t o give a minefield dept h of 120 met er s (gr ound) or 140
met er s (air ), not including t he safet y zone. The st r ip cent er line is 277 met er s
(gr ound) or 278 met er s (a ir ) long. The host vehicle moves t owa r d t he st a r t
point , achieving and maint aining t he gr ound or air speed select ed on t he DCU.
The oper at or depr esses t he launch swit ch on t he DCU when t he vehicle passes
t he st ar t mar ker, and he st ops dispensing mines when t he vehicle passes t he
end mar ker. The oper at or dispenses 40 canist er s (20 on each side) along t he
cent er line. One full load of gr ound or air Volcano emplaces four disr upt or fix
minefields. For gr ound emplacement , t he vehicle moves out of t he minefield,
ma r ks t he exit , a nd wa it s a minimum of 4 minut es befor e a ppr oa ching t he
minefield. This delay allows fault y mines t o self-dest r uct .
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-21
Tur n a nd block minefields (Figur e 3-9, pa ge 3-22) a r e empla ced using t he
same basic pr ocedur es as t hose used for disr upt and fix minefields. However,
t ur n and block minefields use t wo st r ip cent er lines along a fr ont of 555 met er s
(gr ound) or 557 met er s (air ). Dur ing sit e layout , cent er lines ar e separ at ed by
a t l ea s t 320 met er s for bot h gr ou n d a n d a i r del iver y. Th is gi ves a t ot a l
min efield dept h of 440 met er s (gr ou nd) or 460 met er s (a ir ). The oper a t or
dispenses 80 canist er s along each cent er line (40 on each side); t her efor e, t ur n
and block minefields r equir e a t ot al Volca no load of 160 ca nist er s. One full
load of gr ound or air Volcano emplaces one t ur n or block minefield. Wher ever
possible, t wo gr oun d Volca noes a r e employed simult a n eously on t u r n a nd
block minefields. When only one gr ound deliver y syst em is used, t he cr ew
must wa it 4 minut es a ft er dispensing t he fir st st r ip befor e dispensing t he
second st r ip. This allows mines t hat fail t he ar ming sequence t o self-dest r uct .
For a i r del i ver y, t wo s or t i es a r e a l s o opt ima l ; bu t dema n ds for s or t i es
elsewher e in t he division may pr eclude t he simult aneous employment of t wo
Blackhawks.
MODULAR PACK MINE SYSTEM
The MOPMS (Figur e 3-10, pa ge 3-22) is a ma n-por t a ble, 162-poun d, box-
sh a ped min e dispen ser t h a t ca n be empla ced a n yt ime befor e dis pen sin g
mines. The dispenser cont a ins 21 mines (17 AT and 4 AP). The mines have
lea f spr ings a long t heir out er cir cumfer ence t ha t a r e designed t o push t he
mines int o pr oper or ient at ion if t hey land on t heir side.
Each dispenser cont ains seven t ubes; t hr ee mines ar e locat ed in each t ube.
When dispensed, an explosive pr opelling char ge a t t he bot t om of each t ube
expels mines t hr ough t he cont ainer r oof. Mines ar e pr opelled 35 met er s fr om
t h e con t a in er i n a 180-degr ee s emi ci r cl e (Figu r e 3-11, pa ge 3-23). Th e
r esult ing densit y is 0.01 mine per squar e met er. The safet y zone ar ound one
cont ainer is 55 met er s t o t he fr ont and sides and 20 met er s t o t he r ear.
Figure 3-8. Volcano disrupt and fix minefields
5-ton 5-ton
20 m
35 m
35 m
20 m
Start or end marker
Guide marker
120 m (ground)
140 m (air)
277 m (ground)
278 m (air)
C2, FM 20-32
3-22 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Figure 3-9. Volcano turn and block minefields
Figure 3-10. MOPMS
35 m
50 m
20 m
20 m
20 m
20 m
440 m
(ground)
460 m
(air)
120 m
320 m (minimum)
5 ton
5 ton
555 m (ground), 557 m (air)
Start or end marker
Guide marker
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-23
Mines ar e dispensed on command using an M71 r emot e-cont r ol unit (RCU) or
a n elect r on ic init ia t in g device. On ce mines a r e dispensed, t h ey ca nnot be
r ecover ed or r eu s ed. I f mi n es a r e n ot dis pen s ed, t h e con t a in er ma y be
disar med and r ecover ed for lat er use.
The RCU can r ecycle t he 4-hour SD t ime of t he mines t hr ee t imes, for a t ot al
dur at ion of appr oximat ely 13 hour s. Mines wit h a 4-hour SD t ime will begin t o
self-dest r uct a t 3 hour s a nd 12 minut es. All a ct ive mines must be r ecycled
wit h in 3 h ou r s of t he in it ia l la un ch or la st r ecycle. Th is fea t ur e ma kes it
possible t o keep t he minefield emplaced for longer per iods if necessar y. The
RCU ca n a l s o s e l f-d e s t r u ct m i n e s on com m a n d , a l l owi n g a u n i t t o
count er at t ack or wit hdr aw t hr ough t he minefield, as necessar y, r at her t han
wait ing unt il t he SD t ime has expir ed. The RCU can cont r ol up t o 15 MOPMS
cont ainer s or gr oups of MOPMS cont ainer s fr om a dist ance of 300 t o 1,000
met er s via separ at e pulse-coded fr equencies. Coded fr equencies defeat t hr eat
elect r onic count er measur es dir ect ed against t he syst em.
If t he M71 RCU is unavailable, a dir ect wir e link is used in conjunct ion wit h
a n M32, M34, or M57 bla st ing ma chine. By using t he M32 10-ca p bla st ing
machine, one MOPMS dispenser can be det ona t ed a t a maximum r ange of
1,000 met er s. The M34 50-cap blast ing machine can det onat e one MOPMS at
a maximum r ange of 3,000 met er s. (Due t o int er nal r esist ance, t he maximum
r ange is decr eased by 400 met er s for each a ddit ional MOPMS connect ed in
ser ies.) The M57 claymor e-t ype FD can fir e only one MOPMS at a maximum
Figure 3-11. MOPMS emplacement and safety zone
55 m
Area of mine coverage
35
m
55 m
20 m
Safety
zone
MOPMS dispenser
C2, FM 20-32
3-24 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
r a n ge of 100 met er s. When con t r olled by dir ect wir e, MOPMS dispenser s
cannot be command-det onat ed, and t he SD t ime cannot be r ecycled.
Employment
Th e MOPMS pr ovi des a s el f-con t a i n ed, on -ca ll min efiel d empla cemen t
capabilit y for all for ces. It can be command-det onat ed, r eused (if mines ar e not
dispensed), and dir ect ly emplaced t o pr ovide complet e and cer t ain cover age of
small or cr it ical t ar get s. The abilit y t o command-det onat e mines or ext end
t heir SD t ime pr ovides an added flexibilit y not cur r ent ly available wit h ot her
SCATMINE syst ems. Wit h it s unique char act er ist ics, t he MOPMS is ideally
suit ed for t he following minefield missions:
Emplacing hast y pr ot ect ive minefields.
Emplacing deliber at e pr ot ect ive minefields (cases emplaced, but
mines not dispensed).
Emplacing nuisance minefields (t r ails, cr ossing sit es, landing zones
[LZs], dr op zones [DZs], and r oad junct ions).
Emplacing t act ical disr upt and fix minefields.
Closing gaps and lanes in exist ing minefields.
Tempor ar ily closing count er at t ack r out es.
Suppor t ing ambushes.
Suppor t ing milit ar y oper at ions in built -up ar eas (MOBA) oper at ions.
Wh en t he MOPMS is u sed t o clos e la nes, t h e con t a in er is pos it ion ed a n d
dispensed by per sonnel in a n over wa t ch posit ion fr om a sa fe st a ndoff. The
MOPMS is ideally suit ed for cr ea t ing a small disr upt obst acle in suppor t of
en gin eer s execu t in g a r es er ved demolit ion t a r get . Engineer s pr epa r e t he
r eser ved t a r get for demolit ion a n d empla ce sever a l MOPMS un it s on t he
enemy side, just out of t a r get r ange. When t he la st for wa r d element pa sses
t hr ough t he t ar get , t he fir ing par t y det onat es t he char ges. If somet hing goes
wr ong or t he fir ing par t y needs mor e t ime, MOPMS mines can be dispensed t o
disr upt t he enemy befor e it r eaches t he t ar get .
Th e MOPMS pr ovides ligh t a n d specia l for ces wit h a ver s a t ile, compa ct
syst em for empla cing nuisa nce minefields. It can be used in low-, mid-, and
high-int ensit y conflict s and in a var iet y of envir onment s. The MOPMS cannot
be t r a nspor t ed long dist a n ces by h a nd beca u se of it s weigh t , so it s u se is
limit ed.
Emplacement
MOPMS dispenser s ar e issued as st andar d Class V munit ions and ar e dr awn
fr om an ASP on a mission-by-mission basis. RCUs ar e or ganizat ional issues of
equipment and a r e assigned t o engineer and comba t ar ms unit s. Due t o t he
WARNING
The MOPMS dispenser has seven launch tubes. If all seven tubes are not
visible after deployment, mines are jammed in the tube(s). In this event,
clear the area and notify EOD. The dispenser is considered to be UXO; do
not attempt to recover the dispenser.
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-25
weight of t he syst em, it will nor ma lly be t r anspor t ed by vehicle, a s close as
possible t o t he empla cement sit e, wher e it ca n ea sily be ha nd-empla ced by
four soldier s using t he four foldout car r ying handles.
To ensu r e t ha t t he minefield will be dispen sed in t h e pr oper loca t ion, t he
cont ainer should be car efully sit ed by t he noncommissioned officer in char ge
(NCOIC). Sever al cont ainer s can be used t oget her t o pr ovide a gr eat er ar ea of
cover a ge or a higher mine densit y. If mines ar e not dispensed immediat ely,
cont a iner s should be ca moufla ged a nd, if possible, bur ied. When pla ced in
sand or snow, br ace t he cont ainer s t o pr event t hem fr om moving dur ing mine
dispensing. Designat e a fir ing point t hat gives t he oper at or clear obser vat ion
of t h e a r ea t o be min ed. Fir in g s ys t ems mu s t be in s pect ed a ccor din g t o
MOPMS oper at ing inst r uct ions. If mines ar e dispensed immediat ely, r emove
empt y cont ainer s t o avoid r evealing t he minefield locat ion.
The MOPMS can be employed t o emplace disr upt and fix t act ical minefields.
Empla cement pr ocedur es a r e t he sa me a s for pr ot ect ive minefields a bove.
However, MOPMS cont ainer s ar e ar r anged in a specific pat t er n t o achieve t he
necessar y dept h, fr ont , and densit y. Once t he minefield is mar ked (t o include
t he safet y zone), MOPMS cont ainer s ar e ar r anged as shown in Figur e 3-12 for
a disr upt minefield. The safet y zone is 55 met er s fr om t he fr ont and sides and
20 met er s fr om t h e r ea r of t he cont a iner. The disr upt min efield uses four
MOPMS cont ainer s t hat ar e spaced 70 met er s apar t t o give a minefield fr ont
of 280 met er s. Ot her MOPMS cont ainer s ar e offset fr om t he baseline by 35
met er s t o give t he minefield a dept h of 70 met er s. All cont a iner s a r e fir ed
using t he same RCU or FD.
Figure 3-12. MOPMS in a disrupt minefield
280 m
70 m
70 m 70 m 70 m
70 m
35 m
AP mine
AT mine
Four MOPMSs required
C2, FM 20-32
3-26 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Figu r e 3-13 illu s t r a t es t h e a r r a n gemen t of MOPMS con t a in er s for a fix
minefield. The basic layout is t he same as t he disr upt minefield; however, t he
fix minefield has one addit ional MOPMS t hat is placed 70 met er s for war d of
t he baseline t o act as an IOE. This gives t he same 280-met er minefield fr ont
but incr eases t he minefield dept h t o 115 met er s.
MOPMS can be used t o const r uct t ur n and block t act ical minefields using t he
pr inciples out lined in Chapt er 2; however, t ur n and block minefields r equir e
mor e cont ainer s t han ar e nor mally available t o a unit .
MARKING
The maneuver unit t ha t is r esponsible for t he a r ea of gr ound in which t he
min efield is empla ced is a lso r espons ible for ma r kin g t he min efield. Th is
nor ma lly r equir es dir ect coor dina t ion bet ween elemen t s of t he ma n euver
command (usually t he engineer ) and t he deliver ing/emplacing unit . However,
it is unr ealist ic t o expect unit s t o mar k ar t iller y-deliver ed ADAM and RAAM,
air-deliver ed Volcano, or Gat or minefields. For t his r eason, unit s oper at ing in
t he vicinit y of t hese minefields must know ca lcula t ed sa fet y zones a nd use
ext r eme caut ion. Scat t er able minefields ar e mar ked t o pr ot ect fr iendly t r oops
as shown in Table 3-7. Gr ound Volcano minefields ar e mar ked accor ding t o t he
guidelines below.
Figure 3-13. MOPMS in a fix minefield
Table 3-7. Marking scatterable minefields
Minefield Location Marking
Enemy forward area Unmarked
Friendly forward area Sides and rear marked
Friendly rear area All sides marked
MOPMSs placement along
the horizontal plane is
variable, like an IOE.
35 m
35 m
35 m
70 m 70 m 70 m
70 m
70 m
280 m
AP mine
AT mine
Five MOPMSs required
C2, FM 20-32
Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems 3-27
SAFETY ZONES
A s a fet y zon e is a n a r ea wh er e a s t r a y or ou t lyin g min e h a s a ch a n ce of
landing and laying t o r est . The commander must pr event fr iendly for ces fr om
maneuver ing int o t he safet y zone dur ing t he minefield's life cycle. Depending
on it s specific locat ion on t he bat t lefield, t he safet y zone may be mar ked wit h
a fence.
The safet y zone ar ound a Volcano minefield is shown in Figur e 3-14.
FRAGMENT HAZARD ZONES
I f a n AT mi n e t h a t i s or i en t ed on i t s s i de s el f-des t r u ct s, t h e EF P ca n
t heor et ically t r avel 640 met er s. This is t he maximum fr agment hazar d zone;
however, t he cha nces of being st r uck a r e negligible a t t h is dist a nce. Test s
indicat e t hat t he accept able r isk dist ance is 235 met er s fr om t he out er edges
of t he minefield's sa fet y zone. This fr a gment hazar d zone is a lso associat ed
wi t h t h e Ga t or a n d MOP MS AT mi n es. Wh en t h e MOP MS i s u s ed for
pr ot ect ive min efield mis s i on s, comma n der s mu s t be ma de a wa r e of t h e
fr agment hazar d zone.
Figure 3-14. Ground Volcano minefield
Marking fence
35 m
35 m
20 m
25 m
20 m
1,150 m
80 m
80 m
630 m
1,620 m
Fragment hazard zone
160 m
1,110 m
40 m
Stop dispensing Start dispensing
C2, FM 20-32
3-28 Scatterable Mines and Mine Delivery Systems
Use Table 3-8 t o det er mine safet y zones and fr agment hazar d zones.
FENCING
Fencing for gr ound Volcano minefields (Figur e 3-14, page 3-27) is emplaced 80
met er s beyond t he cent er line of t he minefield a nd 40 met er s fr om t he st ar t
and st op point s. Fencing should be no closer t han 20 met er s fr om t he near est
mine.
Air Volcano minefields a r e not nor mally mar ked by fencing. However, if air
Volca n o min efields a r e empla ced in fr ien dly a r ea s, t h ey a r e ma r ked wit h
fencing t o pr ot ect fr iendly per sonnel. Fencing is inst alled befor e deliver ing an
air Volcano, and it is locat ed 100 met er s fr om t he cent er line of t he minefield
and 100 met er s fr om t he st ar t and end point s. Appendix D cont ains det ailed
infor mat ion per t aining t o air Volcano minefields.
Table 3-8. Safety and fragment hazard zones
System Safety Zone Fragment Hazard Zone
ADAM/RAAM 500 to 1,500 meters from aim
point(s) (depends on delivery
factors)
235 meters from the outside
dimensions of the safety zone
Gator 925 x 475 meters from aim
point(s)
1,395 x 945 meters from aim
point(s)
Ground Volcano 1,150 x 160 meters 235 meters from start and stop
points and the centerline
Air Volcano 1,315 x 200 meters 235 meters from start and stop
points and the centerline
MOPMS See page 3-28 for specific
placement.
235 meters from the outside
dimensions of the safety zone
Special-Purpose Munitions 4-1
Chapter 4
Special-Purpose Munitions
Speci a l-pur pos e mu ni t i on s a r e h a n d-empla ced a n d u s ed t o cr ea t e a n
expedient obst a cle, enha nce exist ing ones, a nd a t t a ck specific t ypes of
t a r get s. Th e comma n der ca n empl oy t h es e mu n i t i on s t o s u ppor t h i s
scheme of maneuver, t o mass fir epower, and t o disr upt or dest r oy enemy
for ces in dept h. Specia l cons ider a t ions mus t be ma de in t he pla n ning
pr ocess t o effect ively employ special-pur pose munit ions.
C2
FM 20-32
4-2 Special-Purpose Munitions
M18A1 CLAYMORE
The M18A1 claymor e munit ion (Figur e 4-2) is a fr agment at ion munit ion t hat
cont ains 700 st eel balls and 682 gr ams of composit ion C4 explosive. It weighs
1.6 kilogr ams and can be det onat ed by command (Kore a Only: or tri p wire).
It is act ivat ed by elect r ic or nonelect r ic blast ing caps t hat ar e inser t ed int o t he
det onat or well. The claymor e pr oject s a fan-shaped pat t er n of st eel balls in a
60-degr ee h or izont a l a r c, a t a ma ximu m h eigh t of 2 met er s, a nd cover s a
casualt y r adius of 100 met er s. The for war d danger r adius for fr iendly for ces is
250 met er s. The backblast ar ea is unsafe in unpr ot ect ed ar ea s 16 met er s t o
t he r ear a nd sides of t he munit ion. Fr iendly per sonnel wit hin 100 met er s t o
t he r ear and sides of t he munit ion should be in a cover ed posit ion t o be safe
fr om secondar y missiles. If t he M18A1 is employed in a minefield for 72 hour s
or mor e, t he minefield must be fenced on all sides.
Wh en empl oyi n g t h e M18A1 cl a ymor e wi t h ot h er mu n i t i on s or mi n es,
separ at e t he munit ions by t he following minimum dist ances:
50 met er s in fr ont of or behind ot her M18A1s.
3 met er s bet ween M18A1s t hat ar e placed side by side.
10 met er s fr om AT or fr agment at ion AP munit ions.
2 met er s fr om blast AP munit ions.
Figure 4-2. M18A1 claymore
Molded, slit-type
peep sight
Detonator well
Plastic matrix
containing steel balls
Scissor-type,
folding legs
C2, FM 20-32
Special-Purpose Munitions 4-3
SELECTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT ATTACK MUNITION
Th e s el ect a bl e l i gh t wei gh t a t t a ck mu n i t i on (SLAM) (F i gu r e 4-3) i s a
mult ipur pose munit ion wit h a n a nt it a mper fea t ur e. The SLAM is compa ct
and weighs only 1 kilogr am, so it is easily por t able. The SLAM is int ended for
use a ga inst APCs, pa r ked a ir cr a ft , wheeled or t r a cked vehicles, st a t iona r y
t ar get s (such as elect r ical t r ansfor mer s), small fuel-st or age t anks (less t han
10,000-ga llon ), a nd a mmun it ion s t or a ge fa cilit ies. The EFP wa r h ea d ca n
penet r at e 40 millimet er s of homogeneous st eel.
The SLAM has t wo modelsone is self-neut r alizing (M2) and t he ot her is self-
dest r uct ing (M4):
The M2 is solid gr een and has no labels, br ands, or ot her
dist inguishing mar ks. This device is used by SOF and is not available
t o ot her unit s.
The M4 is gr een wit h a black war head (EFP) face. This device is
nor mally used by unit s designat ed as light , air bor ne, air assault , cr isis
r esponse, and r apid deployment .
See Appendix B for a descr ipt ion of major SLAM component s.
OPERATING MODES
Th e SLAM h a s fou r pos s ible employmen t met h ods bot t om a t t a ck, s ide
at t ack, t imed demolit ion, and command det onat ion.
Bot tom Att ack
The SLAM has a built -in magnet ic sensor, so it ca n be used as a magnet ic-
influenced munit ion against t rucks and light armored vehicles (Figure 4-4, page
4-4). It can be concealed along t r ails and r oads wher e t ar get vehicles oper at e
Figure 4-3. SLAM
FM 20-32
4-4 Special-Purpose Munitions
and can be camouflaged wit h dr y leaves, gr ass, and so for t h wit hout affect ing
EFP per for mance. Mud, gr avel, wat er, and ot her debr is t hat fill t he EFP cup
have minimal impact on EFP for mat ion and effect iveness as long as t he debr is
does not ext en d beyond t h e dept h of t h e EFP cup. The ma gnet ic sensor is
designed t o t r igger det onat ion when it senses a vehicle s over pass. For t he
EFP t o for m pr oper ly, it needs a minimum of 13 cent imet er s fr om t he point of
empla cemen t t o t h e t a r get . Th e bot t om-a t t a ck mode is a ct ive wh en t h e
select or swit ch is set t o 4, 10, or 24 HOURS and t he passive infr ar ed sensor
(PIRS) cover is in place. The SLAM will self-dest r uct (M4) or self-neut r a lize
(M2) if t he select ed t ime expir es befor e t he SLAM is det onat ed by a vehicle.
Si de Att ack
The SLAM is equipped wit h a PIRS t hat wa s specifically developed for t he
side-a t t a ck mode (Figur e 4-5). The PI RS det ect s t r ucks a nd light a r mor ed
vehicles by sensing t h e cha nge in ba ckgr ound t emper a t ur e when veh icles
cr oss in fr ont of t he PIRS por t . The PIRS is dir ect ional and aligned wit h t he
EFP when t he device is aimed. The side-at t ack mode is act ive when t he SLAM
select or swit ch is set t o 4, 10, or 24 HOURS and t he PIRS cover is r emoved t o
expose t he PIRS. The SLAM will self-dest r uct (M4) or self-neut r alize (M2) if
t he select ed t ime expir es befor e it is det onat ed by a vehicle.
Ti me d De moli tion
The SLAM's built -in t imer will t r igger det onat ion at t he end of a select ed t ime
(Figur e 4-6). The t imed-demolit ion mode is a ct ive when t he SLAM select or
swit ch is set t o 15, 30, 45, or 60 MINUTES . In t his mode, t he magnet ic sensor
and t he PIRS ar e inoper able, and t he SLAM will det ona t e a ft er t he select ed
t ime has expir ed.
Command Det onati on
Th is mode pr ovides ma n u a l wa r h ea d in it ia t ion u s in g s t a n da r d milit a r y
blast ing caps a nd a pr iming a dapt er (Figur e 4-7). The command-det onat ion
capabilit y bypasses t he SLAMs fuse and safing and ar ming (S&A) assembly.
Figure 4-4. SLAM in bottom-attack mode
C2, FM 20-32
Special-Purpose Munitions 4-7
affect fut ur e Hor net s t wo-way communicat ions capabilit y wit h t he Cent ur ion
r emot e cont r ol device.
See Appendix B for a descr ipt ion of Hor net component s.
EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The Hor net s a ct ive ba t t er y pa ck is inser t ed dur ing pr ea r ming a nd ha s a n
est ima t ed life of 4 hour s. The act ive bat t er y pack power s t he munit ion fr om
t h e t ime it is inser t ed unt il t he end of t he sa fe-sepa r a t ion t ime, when t he
built -in r eser ve ba t t er y is a ct iva t ed. To pr event munit ions fr om becoming
duds, do not pr ear m t hem t oo ear ly. Allow adequat e t ime for t r avelling t o t he
obst acle sit e, empla cing mines, t hr owing ar ming swit ches, a nd expir a t ion of
safe-separ at ion t imes.
Once t he Hor net is a r med and t he self-t est is per for med, t he munit ion will
r emain act ive unt il it s SD t ime expir es or unt il it is encount er ed. The SD t ime
(4 hour s, 48 hour s, 5 days, 15 days, or 30 days) is det er mined by t he mission
a nd t he comma nder s int ent . The munit ion will self-det ona t e a ft er t he SD
t ime has expir ed.
Hor net munit ions have a n employed life of 60 da ys in t he pr ea r med mode
(r emot e ar ming) and 30 days in t he ar med mode. If t he t emper at ur e exceeds
100F, t he employed life dr ops t o 15 days in t he pr ear med mode and 30 days in
t he ar med mode.
EMPLOYMENT ROLES
Combat engineer s or maneuver for ces under engineer super vision emplace
Hor n et s i n cl os e oper a t i on s ; SOF or r a n ger s empl a ce Hor n et s i n deep
oper at ions. Hor net s will be employed t hr oughout t he ent ir e dept h of t he bat t le
space t o suppor t Ar my oper at ions.
Close Ope rati ons
In close oper at ions, t he Hor net can be
Used t o fix t he enemy and weaken it along it s AA.
Emplaced as an offensive-suppor t weapon syst em because of it s quick
emplacement t ime and wide at t ack ar ea.
Employed r apidly along exposed flanks dur ing a maneuver as a
sit uat ional obst acle t o disr upt t he enemy's count er at t acks.
FM 20-32
4-8 Special-Purpose Munitions
Used as a st and-alone t act ical obst acle or as a r einfor cement t o
convent ional obst acles.
Used t o disr upt and delay t he enemy, allowing long-r ange weapons t o
engage mor e effect ively.
Deep Operations
In deep oper at ions, t he Hor net can be
Emplaced along key r out es in gaunt let obst acles t o disr upt and delay
t hr ea t second-echelon for ces, r esupply oper a t ions, a nd key lines of
communicat ion (LOC).
Used at C
2
and logist ics sit es t o disr upt enemy oper at ions.
Rear Operati ons
In r ear oper at ions, t he Hor net can be emplaced (unar med) along key r out es in
pr epar at ion for possible r et r ogr ade oper at ions.
Early-Ent ry Ope rati ons
In ear ly-ent r y oper at ions, t he Hor net can be
Used as an addit ional ant iar mor weapon t o supplement light for ces.
Used along high speed AAs in gaunt let obst acles t o buy t ime and
space.
TACTICAL EMPLACEMENT
Ther e ar e four basic emplacement scenar ios for t he Hor net .
Conve nti onal Mi ne fi e ld Re inforce me nt
Th e Hor n et ca n be u s ed t o r ei n for ce a con ven t ion a l t u r n , bl ock , or fi x
minefield (Figur e 4-9).
Pla t oon engineer s empla ce t he convent iona l minefield fir st , a nd t hen t hey
t r aver se t he safe lane t hat is per pendicular t o t he minefield. The Hor net s ar e
employed in t wo st agger ed r ows, spaced 100 met er s apar t , 50 t o 100 met er s
fr om t he fr ont edge (on t he enemy side) of t he convent ional minefield. It is also
r ecommended t hat a r ow of Hor net s be placed 50 met er s behind t he minefield
t o r educe t he enemys br ea ching capabilit y. (This r ow will be emplaced a ft er
t he safe lane is closed.) The emplacing vehicles wor k t owar d t he safe lane.
Two squads employ Hor net s in t wo r ows of t en ea ch. One or mor e soldier s
pr ovide secur it y. Under t he super vision of a noncommissioned officer (NCO),
four soldier s in each squad vehicle st ar t pr ear ming t he Hor net s, if necessar y.
They
Rot at e t he handle.
Remove t he cover.
Inser t t he act ive bat t er y pack and ver ify funct ionalit y via a solid
st at us light .
Reinst all t he act ive bat t er y-pack cover.
C2, FM 20-32
Special-Purpose Munitions 4-11
Ar ea -disr u pt ion obst a cles a r e nor ma lly a r med by r emot e, but t hey ca n be
manually ar med under t he following condit ions:
METT-TC r equir es r apid emplacement and ar ming.
Ter r ain r econnaissance det er mines t hat t her e ar e no major
impediment s (r ough t er r ain, veget at ion) t o maneuver.
Emplacement is done dur ing daylight hour s (mission-or ient ed
pr ot ect ive post ur e [MOPP] level 0 only).
Hor n et s a r e pr ea r med t he s a me a s a bove. Two squa ds la y t he Hor net s in
unison, st ar t ing wit h t he t wo emplacement sit es closest t o t he enemy. Each
squa d dr ives in a st r a ight line, cr ossing pa t hs a t t he middle of t he X, a nd
emplaces t en Hor net s.
A soldier in t he back of each emplacing vehicle t hr ows t he ar ming swit ch and
set s t he Hor net down or dr ops it off (base down) t he back of t he vehicle. Aft er
all t he Hor net clust er s ar e emplaced, squad vehicles quickly t r avel t o t he 475-
met er sa fe st a ndoff dist a nce (no fur t her t ha n 2 kilomet er s) t o pr epa r e for
r emot e ar ming. Hor net s can be r emot ely ar med 36 minut es aft er t he ar ming
swit ch is t hr own on t he la st Hor net empla ced. I f ma n ua l a r ming is used,
Hor net s a ut oma t ica lly a r m a t t he end of t heir sa fe-sepa r a t ion t ime (5 t o 6
minut es aft er t he ar ming swit ch is t hr own).
Figure 4-11. Hornet area-disruption obstacle
Squad no 2 Squad no 1
W
W
NOTE: Arrows indicate direction of emplacement.
W
Enemy movement
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
C2, FM 20-32
4-12 Special-Purpose Munitions
Gaunt le t Obst acle
Hor net gaunt let obst acles (Figur e 4-12) ar e emplaced by an engineer plat oon
a nd a r e ver y effect ive in con st r ict ed t er r a in a lon g t he en emys AA a nd a t
ch oke poi n t s. A Hor n et ga u n t l et t ypi ca l ly con s i s t s of 40 t o 50 Hor n et s
employed in a ser ies of clust er s (Figur e 4-13). Each clust er cont ains 3 t o 6
Hor net s. The Hor n et s in ea ch clust er a r e empla ced a t 50-met er int er va ls,
per pendicular t o t he r oad cent er line, on alt er nat ing sides of t he r oad/AA, and
25 t o 50 met er s (depending on t he t er r ain and t he veget at ion) off t he side of
t he r oad/AA. The dist ance bet ween clust er s var ies fr om 750 t o 2,000 met er s so
t h a t t h e a dva n ci n g t h r ea t for ce i s kept gu es s i n g a bou t wh en t h ey wi l l
encount er t he next clust er.
Befor e laying any Hor net s, t he munit ions ar e pr ear med as above. Soldier s also
set t he t a r get swit ch t o HVY for clust er s closest t o t he enemy, so t ha t t he
Hor net s will only engage heavy t r acked vehicles. The int ent is t o make t hr eat
for ces commit t o a r out e t hey per ceive t o be clear.
Hor net s ar e emplaced beginning on t he fr iendly side of t he clust er. The fir st
engineer squad emplaces Hor net munit ions beginning wit h t he clust er closest
t o t he enemy. Th e empla cement vehicle dr ives even wit h t h e fir st Hor net
Figure 4-12. Hornet gauntlet obstacle (one cluster)
Enemy movement
Squad
leader
and
driver
W
W
W
W
W
W
50 m
Initial emplacement
position (located up to
10 kilometers from the
mine dump)
50 m
C2, FM 20-32
Special-Purpose Munitions 4-15
Camouflage and Concealment
The best camouflage and concealment for t he Hor net is t all gr ass and br ush.
The Hor net can be par t ially bur ied if t he t er r ain or t he veget at ion does not
pr ovide effect ive nat ur al camouflage and concealment . Placing t he Hor net in a
hole degr ades it s per for mance, so it should only be done when Hor net s cannot
be cover ed by fir es or pr ot ect ed fr om t amper ing by dismount ed enemy. The
following condit ions must be met :
The dept h of t he hole must not exceed 4 inches, because t he acoust ic
sensor s must be above gr ound level.
The hole must not r est r ict t he Hor net s abilit y t o r ot at e and t ilt it s
body and t o fir e t he sublet . To meet t his r equir ement , t he hole must be
a t lea s t 36 in ch es wide a n d fla t en ou gh t o su ppor t t h e mu n it ion .
Alt hough t he Hor net should be placed on a flat sur face if possible, it
can oper at e on slopes up t o 15 degr ees.
Munit ions placed at gr ound level should be no closer t o obst r uct ions t han t he
dist ances shown in Table 4-1.
When t he Hor net is emplaced and concealed, r emove a ll indicat or s of excess
soil and camouflage mat er ial befor e per for ming t he ar ming sequence.
RECORDING AND MARKING
When t he Hor net munit ion field is complet ed, t he OIC will ident ify an NCO t o
be t he r ecor der. The NCO will collect dat a fr om t he NCOICs of t he emplacing
squa ds a nd complet e DA For m 1355 as out lined in Cha pt er 8. The OIC will
ensur e t hat t he DA For m 1355 is complet ed t imely and accur at ely.
Mar king t he Hor net munit ion field will be complet ed as pr escr ibed in Chapt er
2. Th e fen ce will be n o clos er t h a n 150 met er s fr om t h e n ea r es t Hor n et
munit ion. Mar king must be complet ed befor e emplacing t he munit ions.
Table 4-1. Hornet minimum emplacement distances
Maximum
Obstruction Height
Minimum Employment
Distance from Obstruction
1 m 3 m
2.4 m 5 m
6.5 m 15 m
25 m 25 m
C2, FM 20-32
Conventional Mines 5-3
ANTIPERSONNEL MINES
Th e M14 an d M16 AP mi n e s a re u s e d by US fo rc e s on t h e Kore an
pe ni ns ula. The y are als o us e d by many ot he r count ri e s . The M16 AP
mi ne i s li ke ly to be seen i n a modi fi ed form. These mines are shown i n
Fi gure 5-2, and thei r characte ri sti cs are li sted i n Table 5-2.
M14
The M14 AP mi ne i s a l ow-me t al l i c bl as t mi ne c ons i s t i ng of a mai n
charge (28.4 grams of tetryl) and a plasti c fuse wi th a steel fi ri ng pi n.
I t i s c y l i n d r i c a l i n s h a p e ( 5 6 m i l l i m e t e r s i n d i a m e t e r a n d 4 0
mi ll i me t e rs hi gh) and we i ghs 99.4 grams . The pre s s ure pl at e has an
i nde nt ed, ye llow arrow that poi nts to the A or S posi ti on on top of the
fu s e body. A forc e of 11.5 t o 13.5 ki l ogra ms de pre s s e s t he pre s s u re
plate and caus e s the Be lle vi lle s pri ng t o dri ve the fi ri ng pi n i nto the
de t onat or. The M14 i s not de s i gne d t o ki l l , but t o i nc apac i t at e . The
M14 AP mi n e h a s be e n mo di fi e d by g l u i n g a me t a l w a s h e r t o t h e
bot t om of t he mi ne . The modi fi c at i on was di re c t e d t o i mprove t he
de t e c t abi l i t y of t he mi ne . Unmodi fi e d mi ne s are not aut hori ze d for
use by US forces.
Figure 5-2. AP mines
Table 5-2. Characteristics of AP mines
Mine DODIC Fuse Warhead AHD
Explosive
Weight
Mine
Weight
Mines per
Container
M14 K121 Pressure Blast No 28.4 g 99.4 g 90
M16-
series
K092 Pressure
or trip wire
Bounding
frag
No 450 g 3.5 kg 4
M14
M16
Pressure prongs
Release-pin
ring
Fuse
Pull cord
Safety clip
Indicating
arrow
Carrying cord
FM 20-32
5-4 Conventional Mines
M16
The M16 AP mi ne i s a boundi ng fragmentati on mi ne that consi sts of a
mi n e f u s e ( M605) , t ri n i t ro t o l u e n e ( TNT) e x pl o s i v e , a pr o pe l l i n g
charge , and a proje ct i le t hat are cont ai ne d i n a she e t-s te e l case . The
mi ne i s 103 mi lli me t e rs i n di ame t e r, 199 mi lli me t e rs hi gh (i ncludi ng
the fuse), and wei ghs 3.5 ki lograms. The pri ncipal di fference between
t he M16, M16A1, and M16A2 ve rs i ons are i n t he c ons t ruct i on of t he
de tonators and booste rs. The casualty radi us is 27 mete rs for t he M16
a n d M16A1 a n d 30 me t e r s f o r t h e M16A2. A p r e s s u r e o f 3. 6 t o 9
ki l og rams appl i e d on on e or more of t h e t hre e prongs of t he M605
fuse or a pull of 1.4 to 4.5 kilograms on t he tri p wi re wi ll acti vate t he
mi ne.
EMPLACING MINES
The met hod used t o lay and conceal each t ype of mine depends on t he met hod
of mine oper at ions, t he t ype of gr ound in which t he mine is t o be laid, and t he
t ype of gr ound cover available for camouflage.
St andar d-pat t er n mine laying is labor ious and t ime-consuming, but it is mor e
e ffe ct i ve a n d fl e xi bl e t h a n r ow mi n e l a yi n g a n d a l l ows be t t e r mi n e
con cea lmen t . St a n da r d-pa t t er n min e la yin g is well s u it ed for pr ot ect ive
min efields, a n d it ca n be used in t er r a in wh er e t h e n a t u r e of t h e gr oun d
makes r ow mine laying impr act ical.
To achieve t he maximum effect , mines must be laid wher e t hey cannot be seen
and wher e a vehicle or a per son exer t s enough pr essur e t o det onat e t hem. The
following r ules should be applied t o achieve t he maximum effect s of mines:
MINES WITH PRONGS
Korea Only: If the mi ne is activated by i ts prongs, i t should be buri ed
fl u s h w i t h t h e g ro u n d s o t h a t o n l y t h e t i ps o f t h e me c h a n i s m a re
e x po s e d (Fi gu re 5-3). A mi n e bu ri e d i n t h i s mann e r i s he l d fi rml y
upright. The targe t e xe rts a di rect, downward press ure rather than a
s i de ways t hrus t . The mi ne i s prot e ct e d from damage and i s di ffi c ult
t o s e e . If i t i s buri e d more de e ply, i t be come s unre li able be caus e t he
layer of s poi l may prevent the mi ne mechani sm from operati ng.
If the mine is activated by a trip wire, it should be buried so that the trip
wire is at least 2 to 3 centimeters above the ground (Figure 5-4).
MINES WITH PRESSURE PLATES
Mines wit h pr essur e plat es will funct ion when complet ely bur ied a s long as
t h e cu shion of ea r t h a bove t hem is n ot t oo t h ick. AT min es a r e n or ma lly
bur ied wit h t he t op of t he mine appr oxima t ely 5 cent imet er s below gr ound
level.
FM 20-32
Conventional Mines 5-7
Figure 5-6. Buried mine with tilt rod
Figure 5-7. Buried and concealed mines
Use natural cover
to hide the tilt rod.
Make steep slopes to
prevent tipping.
Ensure that the mine has
a firm, level base.
RIGHT - The hole is much
larger than the mine and the
pressure plate is 5 cm below
the surface (AT mines).
RIGHT - A small mound is
left and covered with the
original sod or camouflage.
WRONG- The mine
is too deep.
WRONG - The hole
is too small.
WRONG- A depression is
left and not camouflaged.
C2, FM 20-32
5-8 Conventional Mines
t h ey a r e su r fa ce-la id, t h ey ma y be ph ysica lly da ma ged wh en pr essu r e is
exer t ed by a t r a cked veh icle. Bu r ied min es a lso h a ve s ome r esis t a n ce t o
count er measur es, but sur face-laid mines have none. Consider at ion must also
be given t o sympat het ic det onat ion of AT mines (Table 5-3). US convent ional
mines do not have int egr al AHDs, so allow ext r a t ime t o lay mines wit h AHDs.
The difficult y of bur ying mines in ver y r ocky gr ound a nd t he necessit y for
sur face laying will have a bear ing on which mines ar e suit able. For example,
sma ll, bla st -t ype AP mines ar e har d t o det ect and easy t o ca moufla ge. They
ar e much easier t o camouflage t han lar ger fr agment at ion mines. The t ype of
AT mine used will make lit t le differ ence, because t he mine s size will always
make camouflage ver y difficult .
MANEUVER ASSISTANCE
Du r in g la r ge mi n e-l a yi n g oper a t ion s, en gi n eer s s el dom h a ve s u ffici en t
ma npower t o ca r r y out a ll minefield t a sks. Ot her comba t a r ms unit s must
oft en pr ovi de wor k pa r t i es . En gi n eer s mu s t be ca pa bl e of or ga n i zi n g,
cont r olling, a nd super vising combined a r ms wor k pa r t ies. They must a lso
in s t r u ct t h em in n ew equ i pmen t a n d t ech n i qu es. Wor k pa r t ies ma y be
in t egr a t ed wi t h en gi n eer s or gi ven cer t a in t a s ks t h a t a r e wi t h i n t h ei r
capabilit ies.
Wh en la yin g a st a n da r d-pa t t er n min efield, con sider su pplemen t in g wor k
par t ies wit h ot her combat ar ms soldier s t o per for m t he following:
Execut ing Class IV/V supply point or mine dump missions. Soldier s
uncr at e and pr epar e mines and r emove empt y boxes and r esidue.
Laying. Soldier s posit ion mines wit hin st r ips and dig holes.
Mar king. Soldier s const r uct t he per imet er fence and emplace mine
signs.
Unpacking, pr epar ing, and loading mines ar e t he most t ime-consuming t asks
when laying a r ow minefield; and t hey ar e ideal t asks for ot her combat ar ms
soldier s.
Table 5-3. Sympathetic detonation chart
Type M16 M15 M19
Surface-laid NA 4.0 m 4.0 m
Buried flush 1.5 m 2.4 m 5.5 m
Buried 5 cm NA 1.5 m 4.8 m
C2, FM 20-32
Row Mining 6-9
Basic information pertaining to the minefield is normally determined by the engineer company commander
or the staff engineer. It is provided to the OIC or NCOIC of the emplacing unit during the mission briefing.
In this example, the following guidance is given to the emplacing unit:
Desired density AT 1 APF 4 APB 8
IOE representative cluster AT 1 APF 2 APB 2
Front 200 meters
Depth 300 meters
Percentage of AHDs 10%
Type of mines AT M15 APF M16A2 APB M14
Type of truck/trailer 5-ton dump (with sideboards)
Lanes/gaps/traffic tapes 1 lane, 1 traffic tape (foot troops)
Trip-wire safety tapes 3
The rest of this work sheet is completed by using the above information.
The regular strip has a cluster density of one cluster every 3 meters. The IOE has a cluster density of one-
third that of a regular strip, or one cluster every 9 meters. Therefore, to obtain the number of clusters in the
IOE, the length of the strip is divided by 9. Decimals are rounded up to the next higher whole number.
PART 1. NUMBER OF MINES
Step 1.
IOE live clusters 200 9 = 23 (rounded up)
The representative cluster composition for the IOE clusters is established and provided by the commander
based on METT-TC factors. The number of clusters in the IOE is multiplied by the cluster composition to
determine the number of mines, by type, in the entire IOE.
Step 2.
AT APF APB
IOE representative cluster 1 2 2
Number of IOE clusters = 23 23 23
Number of mines in IOE 23 46 46
The minefield front multiplied by the desired density determines the number of mines in the minefield.
NOTE: The desired density pertains only to the regular strips and does not take into account the
number of mines in the IOE which were calculated in Step 2.
Figure 6-2. Step-by-step procedures for completing the minefield requirements
computation work sheet
FM 20-32
6-10 Row Mining
Step 3.
Desired density 1 4 8
Minefield front = 200 200 200
Mines in regular strips 200 800 1,600
The number of mines required for the IOE (Step 2) is added to the number of mines in the regular strips
(Step 3).
Step 4. Subtotal of mines
(Step 2 + 3) 223 846 1,646
Ten percent is added to the total number of mines required to allow for damaged items and irregularities in
terrain and strip length. This is accomplished by multiplying the total number of mines (Step 4) by 1.1. Dec-
imals are rounded up to the next higher whole number.
Step 5.
10% excess factor = 1.1 1.1 1.1
Total number of mines to order 246 931 1,811
These figures represent the total number of mines, by type, required for the entire minefield. When order-
ing by the case rather than by individual mines, the total should be divided by the number of mines per
case and rounded up to the next whole case. (See Table 2-8, page 2-45.)
PART 2. NUMBER OF REGULAR STRIPS
Step 1.
Add desired density AT 1 + APF 4 + APB 8 = 13
Each regular mine strip has a cluster every 3 meters; therefore, its density is one-third cluster per meter of
front. A total density of 13 mines per meter of front in the previous example would equal 3 13 or 39 mines
per 3 meters of front. Clusters may contain a maximum of five mines, so the resulting figure must be
divided by 5. In short, to determine the minimum number of regular strips required, the total density must
be multiplied by three-fifths (3 meters between clusters and five mines per cluster). For ease of calculation,
three-fifths is converted to the decimal 0.6. Decimals are rounded up to the next highest whole number.
Step 2.
0.6 Step 1 0.6 13 = 8 (rounded up)
The calculations to determine the minimum number of regular strips previously described are not suitable
when the ratio of AT to AP mines is greater than 1:4. For example, if the desired density is 1-1-1, the total
density is 3. The minimum number of strips would be 3 3/5 = 1.8, rounded up to 2 strips. However,
because of the restriction on the number of AT mines per cluster, it is impossible to obtain a density of 1 AT
mine per meter of front with only 2 strips. A minimum of 3 regular strips is required. The alternative means
of determining the number of regular strips is founded by multiplying the AT desired density by 3.
Figure 6-2. Step-by-step procedures for completing the minefield requirements
computation work sheet (continued)
C2, FM 20-32
Row Mining 6-25
Soldier 4 walks behind t he vehicle and ar ms mines.
Aft er t he mine r ow is ar med and camouflaged, Soldier 4 bur ies
pins, clips, a nd shipping plugs 30 cent imet er s t o t he r ea r of t he
st ar t r ow mar ker.
The sapper t eam r epeat s t he above st eps unt il t he end of t he r ow
is r eached.
Digging t eam, if needed. (The NCOIC select s t he mine t o be bur ied by
each soldier and super vises t he oper at ion.)
Follows t he laying par t y along t he fr iendly side of t he r ow.
Digs in mines but leaves t hem exposed unt il ar ming is complet e.
Korea Only: Arms AP mi nes i n a cluster before armi ng AT
mi nes.
MARKING, RECORDING, AND REPORTING ROW MINEFIELDS
Ma r ki n g pr ocedu r es for r ow mi n efi el ds a r e t h e s a me a s t h os e for ot h er
minefields (see Chapt er 2).
Row minefields ar e r ecor ded on DA For m 1355 (Figur es 6-9a and 6-9b, pages
6-26 a n d 6-27). Repor t in g pr ocedu r es for in t en t , in it i a t ion , s t a t u s, a n d
complet ion r epor t s ar e det ailed in Chapt er 8.
STANDARDIZED TACTICAL ROW MINEFIELDS
The specific composit ion of a t a ct ica l r ow minefield depends on METT-TC
fa ct or s a n d a va i l a bl e r es ou r ces . To a i d i n s t a n da r d i za t i on of pl a t oon
t echniques, four composit ions have been developed t o mat ch desir ed obst acle
effect s. Using st andar dized minefields facilit at es planning t he obst acle t ype,
size, a n d logist ica l r equir ement s. I t is imper a t ive t ha t t he design a nd t he
effect of t hese minefields a r e well under st ood. They a r e an int egr al pa r t of
combin ed a r ms obs t a cle doct r i n e a n d for m t h e cor n er s t on e of en gin eer
obst acle oper at ions.
Figure 6-8. Measuring distances between mines with sandbags
Siting
picket
Driver
Air guard
Spotter/feeder
Layer
Mine
Mine
Start row marker
6 m
C2, FM 20-32
6-26 Row Mining
Figure 6-9a. Sample DA Form 1355 for a row minefield (front)
C2, FM 20-32
Row Mining 6-35
visualized, complet e r ecor ding and emplace t he mines, but do not ar m t hem.
This pr ocedur e simplifies r ecor ding and makes r et r ieval quicker and safer.
Mi ne Rows
The r ow closest t o t he enemy is designa t ed a s Row A; succeeding r ows a r e
designa t ed B, C, D, a nd so on. The ends of r ows a r e shown by t wo end r ow
mar ker s. They ar e labeled wit h t he let t er of t he r ow and t he number 1 for t he
r ight end of t he r ow or t he number 2 for t he left end of t he r ow. The r ows ar e
number ed fr om r ight t o left , facing t he enemy. The mar ker should be an easily
ident ifiable object , such as a wooden st ake wit h a nail or a st eel picket so t hat
it can be found wit h an AN/PSS-12 mine det ect or.
Layi ng Procedures
Fr om t h e RP, t he lea der mea su r es t he ma gnet ic a zimut h, in degr ees, t o a
select ed point on t he r ight side (facing t he enemy) of t he t ent at ive minefield.
He paces off t he dist ance and r ecor ds it in met er s. This point (B1) mar ks t he
beginning of t he second r ow. The leader places a mar ker at B1 and r ecor ds t he
azimut h and t he dist ance on DA For m 1355-1-R.
Figure 6-13. Site layout
A
2
A
1
B
2
B
1
RP
End row markers
Row B
Row A
FM 20-32
6-36 Row Mining
Fr om B1, t he leader measur es t he azimut h and dist ance t o a second point on
t he r ight side of t he minefield (facing t he enemy). He places a mar ker at t his
point (A1), and r ecor ds t he infor mat ion.
The leader measur es t he dist ance and t he azimut h fr om A1 t o t he locat ion of
t he fir st mine in t hat r ow. The dist ance (or spacing) fr om t he end r ow mar ker
t o t he fir st mine is t he mine spacing for t hat r ow. Aft er t he leader r ecor ds t he
locat ion, t he mine is emplaced, but it is not ar med.
The dist a nce a nd a zimut h a r e mea sur ed fr om t he fir st mine t o t he second
min e, a n d s o on , u n t il a ll t h e min es a r e empla ced a n d t h e loca t ion s a r e
r ecor ded. Th is pr ocedu r e is r epea t ed for t h e second r ow. As ea ch min e is
r ecor ded, it is assigned a number t o ident ify it in t he minefield r ecor d.
Wh en t h e la s t min e loca t ion is r ecor ded for a r ow, t h e dis t a n ce a n d t h e
azimut h ar e measur ed fr om t hat point t o anot her ar bit r ar y point , A2 or B2. A
mar ker is placed her e in t he same manner as A1 and B1. Next , t he dist ance
and azimut h fr om t he RP t o B2 and fr om B2 t o A2 ar e measur ed and r ecor ded.
When all t he mines have been placed and r ecor ded, t he leader measur es t he
dist a nce and t he azimut h bet ween t he RP a nd a per ma nent la ndma r k t ha t
can be found on t he map. He r ecor ds t he infor mat ion on DA For m 1355-1-R.
Th e l a n dma r k i s u s ed t o a s s i s t ot h er s i n l oca t i n g t h e mi n efi el d i f i t i s
t r ansfer r ed or unexpect edly abandoned.
Mines can be ar med aft er r ecor ding is complet e. Mines near est t he enemy ar e
a r med fir s t , a llowin g s oldier s t o s a fely wor k t h eir wa y ba ck t o t h e u n it
posit ion. Pins and clips ar e bur ied 30 cent imet er s behind r ow mar ker s, t he RP,
or any easily ident ifiable, accessible locat ion. Recor d t he locat ion of t he pins
and clips in t he r emar ks sect ion of DA For m 1355-1-R. The leader t hen r epor t s
t he complet ion of t he minefield t o higher headquar t er s.
If t he minefield is t r ansfer r ed t o a not her unit , t he t r ansfer r ing unit leader
br iefs t he ga ining unit lea der. The ga ining unit lea der signs a nd da t es t he
mines-t r a nsfer r ed block on t h e DA For m 1355-1-R. The for m is dest r oyed
when t he minefield is r emoved. If t he minefield is aba ndoned unexpect edly,
t he DA For m 1355-1-R is for war ded t o higher headquar t er s.
Mi ne Removal
When r emoving mines fr om a hast y pr ot ect ive r ow minefield, t he leader fir st
det er mines t he best met hod t o use:
If t he minefield has been under const ant obser vat ion fr om t he t ime it
was laid and has not been t amper ed wit h, t he squad leader dir ect s t he
per sonnel who laid t he mines t o pick up t he same mines. He uses DA
For m 1355-1-R pr eceded by a mine det ect or t o det er mine t he t ypes of
mines t o be r emoved and wher e t hey ar e locat ed.
If t he minefield has not been under const ant obser vat ion, may have
been t a mper ed wit h, or t h e per s onn el wh o la id t h e min es a r e n ot
a va ila ble or do not r emember t he loca t ion of t he min es, t he squa d
lea der uses DA For m 1355-1-R a nd a clea r a nce t ea m a s out lined in
Chapt er 11 t o locat e and r emove mines.
C2, FM 20-32
Row Mining 6-37
Th e lea der r et r ieves sa fet y devices, shipping plugs, a n d ot h er it ems t ha t
accompanied t he emplaced mines. Using t he azimut hs and dist ances pr ovided
on t he DA For m 1355-1-R, t he r emoval t eam st ar t s at t he RP and moves t o B1.
They t hen move fr om B1 t o t he mine and r emove t he mine. If B1 is dest r oyed,
t h e t ea m moves fr om t he RP t o B2. The t ea m t hen shoot s a ba ck a zimut h
(subt r act 180 degr ees) fr om t he r ecor ded a zimut h fr om B2 t o t he fir st mine
and r emoves t he mine. Per sonnel cont inue t his pr ocess unt il all t he mines
have been r emoved. The st akes at Al, B1, A2, and B2 ar e necessar y because it
is safer t o find a st ake t han t o find an ar med mine.
The r emoval t eam obser ves basic safet y pr ecaut ions by maint aining 30 met er s
bet ween per sonnel, not r unning, and moving only in clear ed ar eas. The t eam
st a r t s wit h t h e r ow closest t o t h e defen der a n d wor ks t owa r d t h e en emy.
Per sonnel
Check t he sides and bot t oms of t he mines for AHDs, and disar m or
mar k t he mines as t hey ar e found.
Replace all pins, clips, and ot her safet y devices befor e t he mines ar e
r emoved fr om t he gr ound.
Tur n ar ming dials t o S AFE or UNARMED; or if mines have scr ew-
t ype fuses, r emove t he fuses and t ake t hem away fr om t he mines.
Lift t he mines fr om t he holes aft er t hey have been r ender ed safe.
If a mine was put in place and kept in sight by t he individual who
r emoves it , he lift s it dir ect ly fr om t he hole aft er r ender ing it safe.
If a mine ha s not been kept in sight , t he individua l a t t aches a
60-met er r ope or wir e t o t he mine, t akes cover, and pulls t he mine
fr om t he hole.
As each mine is r emoved, place a t ick mar k beside it on t he DA For m
1355-1-R.
Assemble all t he mines in one locat ion for account abilit y.
NOTE: AHDs a r e n o t u s e d i n h a s t y p r o t e c t i v e r o w mi n e f i e l d s .
Howe ve r, as a s afe t y pre c aut i on, c ons i de r all mi ne s t o be e qui ppe d
wi th AHDs unti l proven otherwi se.
The leader confir ms t he r emoval of t he mines and account s for t he number of
mines, by t ype, as r ecor ded on t he DA For m 1355-1-R. The leader may find it
necessar y t o confir m an exploded mine t o account for all t he mines.
To confir m a mine explosion t ha t wa s not wit nessed, ident ify t he cr a t er or
t r aces of bur nt soil made by t he det onat ed mine and place a t ick mar k beside
t he mine number on t he DA For m 1355-1-R. Ensur e t hat t he cr at er found in
t he vicinit y of t he mine was caused by a land mine and not by ar t iller y. A mine
cr at er is nor mally cir cular, and it shows t r aces of bur nt soil. The impact and
t he soil disper sion of ar t iller y is nor mally elongat ed.
The squad leader confir ms t hat each mine is disar med and safe. The r emoval
t eam clea ns and r epacks ser viceable mines for fut ur e use a nd dest r oys t he
ot her s; t hey r epa ck ser viceable mines in t heir or iginal cont a iner s and st or e
t hem a ccor ding t o t h e un it SOP a n d loca l r egula t ions. The r emova l t ea m
FM 20-32
6-38 Row Mining
r emoves and st or es t he r ow mar ker s. The leader submit s a r epor t t o his higher
headquar t er s st at ing t hat t he minefield has been r emoved and t hat t he ar ea
is clear.
FM 20-32
Standard-Pattern Minefields 7-13
Fuse t ypes ar e not mixed. (Korea Only: AP mi nes are left i n t hei r crates,
and t he crate li ds are removed.)
When t he sit ing par t y complet es t he cent er line st aking, it inst alls lane t apes
and t r a ffic t a pes, r espect ively. La ne t a pes a r e used by t act ical vehicles a nd
pat r ols. Tr affic t apes ar e used by laying per sonnel t o assist in camouflage and
t o r edu ce t he a mou nt of t r a ffic on st r ip cent er lines. Tr a ffic t a pes a r e la id
per pendicular t o t he minefield t r ace at 100-met er int er vals.
MINE EMPLACEMENT
The laying par t y must know t he clust er composit ion of t he st r ip, t he locat ion
of any omit t ed clust er , and fut ur e lane locat ions. When t he cent er line t ape for
a r egular st r ip has been inst alled, t he NCOIC designat es all but t wo member s
of t h e la yin g pa r t y t o empla ce min es in t h e gr ou n d. Th e r ema in in g t wo
soldier s , us u a lly t h e mos t exper ien ced, a r e des ign a t ed a s fu ser s a n d a r e
r esponsible for ar ming mines. Layer s car r y t he maximum load of mines t o be
used as base mines in t he clust er s. Fuser s car r y t he fuses and t he det onat or s.
The NCOI C moves t o t he r ight or left (depending on t h e la ying dir ect ion)
begin n in g-of-s t r ip ma r ker of t h e s t r ip a n d or ga n izes t h e la yer s in t o on e
column t o his r ear , dir ect ly on t he cent er line. He measur es 6 met er s along t he
cent er line for t he fir st clust er and, point ing per pendicular fr om t he cent er line
and in t he dir ect ion of t he enemy, indicat es t he placement of t he base mine.
The fir st layer on t he enemy side places a mine on t he gr ound, 3 met er s fr om
t he cent er line.
The NCO measur es 3 mor e met er s and indicat es t he placement of t he second
base mine on t he opposit e (fr iendly) side of t he st r ip. The fir st layer on t ha t
side places a base mine on t he gr ound. As t he init ial load of mines is laid, each
layer r et ur ns t o t he near est mine dump for anot her load. Fuser s follow behind
layer s and inser t mine fuses, but t hey do not ar m t he mines. This pr ocedur e is
followed u n t il t h e en d-of-st r ip ma r ker on t h e fa r side of t h e min efield is
r eached.
Korea Only: The NCO te lls layers the number and type of mi nes t o be
place d ne xt t o t he bas e mi ne i n e ach clus t e r. As AP mi ne s are be i ng
placed, the NCO proceeds along the s tri p and e nsures that the proper
number of AP mi nes i s placed i n each cluste r. The NCO places a spool
of tri p wi re next to t he mines that are to be acti vated by tri p wi re.
When all t he mines ar e posit ioned in clust er s, one layer is assigned t o dig t he
h oles for a ll t he min es in a clu st er . He pla ces t he s poil fr om t he h oles in
sandbags and leaves t he sandbags beside t he base mine in each clust er . The
layer checks t he posit ioning of t he mines in t he holes, r emoves t he mines fr om
t he holes, and places t he mines beside t he holes. (Kore a Onl y: The laye rs
anchor trip wi res with nai ls or s take s and wrap the loose e nds of trip
wi res around the fuses.)
When digging has pr ogr essed at least 25 met er s fr om t he fir st mine laid, t he
ar ming pr ocedur e begins. Fuser s ar m all t he mines in a clust er , beginning
wit h t he mine far t hest fr om t he cent er line and wor k backwar d. They place all
t h e min es in t h e h ol es ( Ko re a On l y : a t t a c h t ri p w i re s ) a n d a r m a n d
ca moufla ge t he mines. They pla ce filled sa ndba gs on t he cent er lin e of t he
C2, FM 20-32
7-14 Standard-Pattern Minefields
st r ip, opposit e t he base mine. Fuser s keep t heir back t owa r d t he cent er line.
Ot her per sonnel must r emain at least 25 met er s fr om t he fuser s (Figur e 7-8).
Min es loca t ed in la n es a r e n ot in it ia lly bu r ied. Th ey a r e pla ced a s ide t o
pr event confusion when count ing clust er s. The mines can be bur ied aft er t he
lane is closed. Upon complet ing t he ar ming oper at ion, fuser s give t he safet y
clips t o t h e NCO, wh o ver ifi es t h a t a ll t h e mi n es h a ve been a r med a n d
camouflaged. The NCO checks t he st r ip and ensur es t hat sandbags, t ape, and
debr is have been picked up. The NCO gives t he safet y clips t o t he PSG, who
bur ies t hem 30 cent imet er s t o t he r ear of t he beginning-of-st r ip mar ker .
All mi n es a n d ot h er explos ive it ems a r e r ecor ded u pon is s u e. Th ey a r e
summa r ized on a mines t a lly sheet (see Ta ble 7-2). If mor e t ha n one mine
Figure 7-8. Laying and fusing mines
6 m
3 m
NCOIC
Tape
Boundary
stake
Fuser
Layer
25 m (minimum)
Layer Layer Layer
Layer Layer
3 m
6 m
Boundary
stake
Fuser
NCOIC
Tape
Enemy
Enemy
C2, FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-5
Figure 8-2a. Sample DA Form 1355 (front side) for a standard-pattern minefield/munition field
FM 20-32
8-6 Reporting and Recording
Figure 8-2b. Sample DA Form 1355 (inside) for a standard-pattern minefield/munition field
C2, FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-9
Block 5. Ent er t he map dat a as st at ed on t he map(s) used.
Bl o c k 6. En t er t h e gr i d coor di n a t es a n d a des cr i pt i on of a t l ea s t t wo
landmar ks. If t he landmar ks ar e r oads, t r ails, or r out es, ent er t heir name or
n u mber . Th is ma kes iden t ifica t ion ea s ier wh en r emovin g t h e min efield/
munit ion field. When r ecor ding minefields/munit ion fields, GPSs can only be
used t o det er mine t he coor dinat es for minefield/munit ion field landmar ks and
RPs.
Table 8-2. Abbreviations for obstacle types
BBridge Demolition WWire Obstacle
BA Abutment WA Double apron
BS Span WB Booby-trapped
BC Abutment and span WF Tanglefoot
MMinefield/Munition Field WG General-purpose, barbed tape
MD Disrupt WN Nonstandard
MT Turn WR Road block
MF Fix WT Triple standard
MB Block RRoad Crater
MN Nonstandard RH Hasty
MP Protective RD Deliberate
MQ Nuisance RM Mined
MS Standard pattern MMiscellaneous
SScatterable Minefield/Munition Field AD AT ditch
SA ADAM AR Rubble by CEV gun
SB Gator AB Rubble by blade
SR RAAM AT Abatis
SF ADAM and RAAM AE Rubble by explosives
SM MOPMS AM Movable MOBA obstacle (car, bus)
SV Volcano AN Expedient nonstandard
HHand-Emplaced Munitions AL Log crib, log obstacle
HH Hornet AP Post obstacle (hedgehog, tetrahedron)
HS SLAM AH Log hurdle
WARNING
Do not use GPSs to chart or record minefield/munition field
perimeter coordinates or to determine safe routes through or around
existing minefields/munition fields.
FM 20-32
8-10 Reporting and Recording
Block 7. Ent er t he descr ipt ion of int er mediat e mar ker s, if applicable. When a
la ndma r k is mor e t ha n 200 met er s fr om t he minefield/munit ion field, or a
s t r i p or r ow r e fe r e n ce s t a k e ca n n ot be s e e n fr om t h e l a n d ma r k , a n
int er mediat e mar ker must be used. If possible, t he int er mediat e mar ker is at
least 75 met er s fr om t he st r ip or r ow r efer ence st ake.
Block 8. Ent er t he wor d STANDARD when a st andar d mar king fence is used.
Descr ibe t he boundar y mar king if a st andar d mar king fence is not used. (Use
t wo sides and t he r ear for a t act ical minefield/munit ion field; use four sides for
a pr ot ect ive minefield/munit ion field.)
Block 9. Ent er t he number of st r ips or r ows la id. (Do not include t he IOE.)
Descr ibe t he st r ip or r ow mar ker s. Cr oss out wor ds t hat do not apply.
Bl oc k 10. Ent er t he widt h, t he ma r king, a nd t he pr ovisions for ea ch la ne.
When a ppr opr iat e, give t he t ypes of mines a nd t he number of each t ype of
mine for closing. (The locat ion of t hese mines is descr ibed in Block 12.)
C2, FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-11
Block 11. Ent er t he t ype of minefield/munit ion field by cr ossing out t he lines
t ha t ar e not needed. Indica t e t he met hod of la ying by cr ossing out incor r ect
descr ipt ions. Ent er t he t ypes of mines and t he number of each t ype of mine.
Also ent er t he number of AHDs inst alled in t he IOE and in each r ow. Let t er
t he st r ips or r ows sequent ially, st ar t ing wit h t he fir st one laid. Ent er t ot als.
I f t h e t ype of mu n i t ion fi el d i s Hor n et , en t er Hor n et a bove t h e wor d
t a ct ica l a nd lin e ou t nu isa n ce min efield a nd ph on ey min efield. (See
Figur es 8-3a and 8-3b, pages 8-12 and 8-13.)
FM 20-32
8-12 Reporting and Recording
Figure 8-3a. Sample DA Form 1355 (front side) for a Hornet minefield/munition field
S
A
M
P
L
E
FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-17
Block 17. Ent er t he secur it y classificat ion of t he for m. If t he for m was used
for t r aining, ent er t he wor d SAMPLE.
Block 18. The emplacing unit OIC signs t he signat ur e block.
HASTY PROTECTIVE ROW MINEFIELD RECORD
Ha st y pr ot ect ive r ow minefields/munit ion fields a r e r ecor ded on DA For m
1355-1-R (Figur e 8-4, page 8-18). A blank DA For m 1355-1-R is pr ovided at t he
back of t his publicat ion; it can be locally r epr oduced on 8- by 11-inch paper .
Use t he following for mula t o det er mine t he scale used on DA For m 1355-1-R:
Distance from RP to the farthest point in the minefield + 10 meters 4 = scale
Example : 90 met er s + 10 met er s = 100 met er s 4 = 25 met er s
The number 4 is a const ant a nd r epr esent s t he four concent r ic r ings on DA
For m 1355-1-R. Ten is added as a safet y mar gin t o ensur e t hat t he minefield/
mu n it ion field s ket ch is en t ir ely con t a in ed wit h in t h e la r ges t r in g. Th e
dis t a n ce bet ween r in gs is 2 cen t imet er s ; t h er efor e, t he sca le us ed in t his
example is 2 cent imet er s = 25 met er s.
C2, FM 20-32
8-18 Reporting and Recording
Figure 8-4. Sample DA Form 1355-1-R
S
A
M
P
L
E
C2, FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-21
Figure 8-6a. Sample DA Form 1355 (front side) for a nuisance minefield/munition field
FM 20-32
8-22 Reporting and Recording
Figure 8-6b. Sample DA Form 1355 (inside) for a nuisance minefield/munition field
C2, FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-23
To facilit at e r epor t ing and r ecor ding of scat t er able minefields/munit ion fields,
a simple, unifor m pr ocedur e is used. This pr ocedur e combines t he r epor t and
t he r ecor d int o one document (Figur e 8-7) t hat is a pplicable for a ll deliver y
syst ems.
In addit ion t o t he scat t er able minefield/munit ion field r epor t and r ecor d, t he
SCATMI NWARN (a s a mple is s h own in Fi gu r e 8-8, pa ge 8-24) n ot ifies
effect ed unit s t hat SCATMINEs will be emplaced. These t wo r epor t s ar e t he
only r epor t s used wit h scat t er able mines.
A complet ed sca t t er a ble minefield/munit ion field r epor t a nd r ecor d for a n
ADAM/RAAM ar t iller y mission is shown in Figur e 8-9, page 8-24. Not e t ha t
on line 6, only one gr id coor dinat e is given. It is t he aim point used when t he
mission was fir ed. Also not e t hat t he 500-met er dist ance fr om t he a im point
(line 15) designat es a safet y zone t hat is 1,000 by 1,000 met er s.
Line
No
Information Required Data
1 Approving authority Enter the approving authority, such as CDR 3AD.
2 Target/obstacle number
If the minefield/munition field is part of an obstacle plan, enter the
obstacle number, such as 2XXX0157. This number represents II
Corps, target number 157. If the minefield/munition field is not a
part of an obstacle plan or does not have a number, then leave
this line blank or enter NA.
3
Type of emplacing
system
Enter the type system that emplaced the minefield/munition field,
such as artillery or Volcano.
4 Type of mines
Enter AP for antipersonnel mines and AT for antitank mines. If
both types of mines are used, enter AP/AT.
5 Life cycle
Enter the DTG the minefield/munition field was emplaced and the
DTG the last mine SDs.
6-14
Aim point/corner points
of minefield/munition
field
If the system used to emplace the minefield/munition field uses a
single aim point to deliver the mines, enter that aim point, such as
MB 10102935. If the system has distinct corner points (Volcano),
enter those corner points, such as MB 17954790, MB 18604860,
MB 18504890, and MB 18054895.
15
Size of safety zone from
aim point
If an aim point is given in Line 6, enter the size of the safety zone
from that aim point. Example: Artillery emplaces a minefield/
munition field from aim point MB 10102935, and the safety zone
is 1,000 x 1,000 m. Enter 500 m so that personnel plotting or
receiving the information can plot the coordinates and go 500 m
in each direction from the aim point to plot the safety zone.
16
Unit emplacing mines/
report number
Enter the unit emplacing mines and the report number, such as
BCO 23 ENGR BN 4. Reports should be numbered
consecutively. This would be the fourth minefield/munition field
that B Company has emplaced.
17
Person completing
report
Enter the persons name completing the report, such as SFC
Jones.
18 DTG of report Enter the DTG of the report, such as 160735ZOCT90.
19 Remarks Include any other items the reporting unit may feel are important.
Figure 8-7. Scatterable minefield/munition field report and record work sheet
C2, FM 20-32
8-24 Reporting and Recording
Line Message
Alpha Emplacing system
Bravo AT (Yes or No)
Charlie AP (Yes or No)
Delta 4 aim or corner points
Echo Grid coordinates of aim points/corner
points and size of the safety zone
Foxtrot DTG of the life cycle
Figure 8-8. Sample SCATMINWARN
Line No Information Required Data
1 Approving authority CDR 3AD
2 Target/obstacle number 2XXX0157
3 Type of emplacing system Artillery
4 Type of mines AT/AP
5 Life cycle 0816102-082020OCT90
6 Aim point/corner points of minefield/munition field MB 10102935
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 Size safety zone from aim point 500 m
16 Unit emplacing mines/report number 2/48FA/2
17 Person completing report SFC Hollins
18 DTG of report 061645ZOCT90
19 Remarks NA
Figure 8-9. Scatterable minefield/munition field report and record
for an ADAM/RAAM artillery mission
C2, FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-25
The SCATMINWARN pr ovides affect ed unit s wit h t he necessar y war ning t o
plan and execut e t heir oper a t ions. The infor mat ion is kept t o a minimum t o
ensur e r apid disseminat ion. The r epor t may be sent or ally, digit ally, or har d
copy. It is sent befor e or immediat ely aft er t he mines have been emplaced. A
complet ed SCATMINWARN for an ar t iller y mission is shown in Figur e 8-10.
MINEFIELD/MUNITION FIELD OVERLAY SYMBOLS
The symbols cont ained in Figur e 8-11, pages 8-26 t hr ough 8-30, ar e ext r act ed
fr om FM 101-5-1 a n d a r e pr ovided for pos t i n g mi n e da t a on ma ps a n d
over lays.
Line Message
Alpha Artillery
Bravo Yes
Charlie Yes
Delta One
Echo MB 10102935 500 m
Foxtrot 081610Z-081920ZOCT90
Figure 8-10. Sample SCATMINWARN for an artillery mission
FM 20-32
8-26 Reporting and Recording
Description Symbol
Minefield/Munition Fields
Korea Only: AP mine
AT mine
AT mine with AHD
Directional mine (arrow points in
direction of main effect)
Mine cluster
Mine, type unspecified
Trip wire
Control Measures
Zone
Belt
Restrictions
Figure 8-11. Minefield/munition field overlay symbols
FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-27
Block effect
Turn effect
Disrupt effect
Fix effect
Conventional
A planned minefield/munition
field consisting of unspecified
mines
A completed minefield/munition
field consisting of unspecified
mines
Scatterable minefield/munition
field (DTGs used for SD times)
Conventional AP minefield/
munition field reinforced with
SCATMINEs
Tactical AP row minefield/
munition field (outline drawn to
scale)
Description Symbol
Figure 8-11. Minefield/munition field overlay symbols (continued)
FM 20-32
8-28 Reporting and Recording
Tactical minefield/munition field
of scatterable AT mines, effective
until 101200Z
Completed AT minefield/muni-
tion field (drawn away from the
location and connected by a vec-
tor)
Executed Volcano minefield/
munition field (DTG used for SD
time)
Lane in conventionally laid AT
minefield/munition field
Gap in conventionally laid AT
minefield/munition field (DTG
opened to DTG closed)
Description Symbol
Figure 8-11. Minefield/munition field overlay symbols (continued)
FM 20-32
Reporting and Recording 8-29
AT ditch reinforced with AT mines
UXO
UXO area
Nuisance
Nuisance minefield/munition field
Demolished crossroads with nui-
sance mines
Phony
Phony minefield/munition field
Description Symbol
Figure 8-11. Minefield/munition field overlay symbols (continued)
FM 20-32
8-30 Reporting and Recording
Phony minefield/munition field,
fenced
Hornet Symbology
Planned
Unarmed
Armed
Expended
Armed munition field (DTG used
for SD time)
Description Symbol
Figure 8-11. Minefield/munition field overlay symbols (continued)
W
W
W
W
W
DTG
Countermine Operations 9-1
PART TWO
Counteroperations
This part of the manual provides overall guidance for conducting counteroperations by
US forces. The types of breaching and clearing operations conducted, the tasks
performed, and the equipment required are described in detail. Responsibilities and
planning considerations are outlined for each operation.
Chapter 9
Countermine Operations
Count er mine oper at ions ar e under t aken t o br each or clear a minefield. All
t h e t a s k s fa l l u n der br ea ch i n g or cl ea r i n g oper a t i on s a n d i n cl u de
det ect ing, r epor t ing, r educing, pr oofing, and mar king.
DEFINITIONS
OBSTACLE
The t er m obst acle is used oft en in t his chapt er beca use t he same br ea ching
and clear ing oper at ions ar e used for minefields and ot her obst acles. For t he
pu r pos e of t h is ma n u a l, br ea ch in g a n d clea r in g t a ct ics, t ech n iqu es, a n d
pr ocedur es (TTP) focus solely on minefields.
REDUCTION
Reduct ion is t he act or act ions t aken against an obst acle t hat diminishes it s
or igin a l effect . For exa mple, cr ea t in g a la n e in a min efield wou ld yield a
r educt ion of t he minefield obst acle.
BREACHING
Br eaching is t he employment of TTP t o pr oject combat power t o t he far side of
an obst a cle. It is a synchr onized combined ar ms oper a t ion t hat is under t he
cont r ol of t he maneuver commander.
AREA CLEARANCE
Ar ea clea r a n ce is t he t ot a l elimina t ion or n eut r a liza t ion of a n obst a cle or
por t ions of an obst acle. Clear ing oper at ions ar e not conduct ed under fir e. They
ar e usually per for med by follow-on engineer for ces aft er a br eaching oper at ion
or a n yt i me i n a fr i en dl y AO wh er e a n obs t a cl e i s a h a za r d or h i n der s
movement .
ROUTE CLEARANCE
Rout e clear ance is t he r emoval of mines along pr eexist ing r oads and t r ails.
MINE NEUTRALIZATION
Mine neut r alizat ion occur s when a mine is r ender ed incapable of fir ing on
passage of a t ar get . The mine may st ill be danger ous t o handle.
C2, FM 20-32
9-2 Countermine Operations
PROOFING
Pr oofin g is done by pa s sin g a min e r oller or ot her mine-r esis t a n t vehicle
t hr ough a lane as t he lead vehicle. It ver ifies t hat a lane is fr ee of mines.
DEMINING
Demining is t he complet e r emoval of all mines and UXO wit hin a geopolit ical
boundar y aft er host ilit ies cease.
BREACHING OPERATIONS
Br ea ch in g is a syn ch r on ized combin ed a r ms oper a t ion t h a t is u n der t h e
cont r ol of t h e ma n eu ver comma n der. FM 3-34. 2 pr ovides combin ed a r ms
comma nder s a nd st a ffs wit h doct r ine TTP t ha t a r e needed t o su ccessfully
over come obst acles. Br eaching oper at ions make maneuver possible in t he face
of en emy obst a cle effor t s. Since obst a cles ma y be encou nt er ed a nywh er e,
maneuver for ces int egr at e br eaching oper at ions int o all movement plans.
When possible, enemy minefields a r e bypa ssed t o maint ain t he moment um
a n d cons er ve cr it ica l cou n t er mobilit y a ss et s. However, wh en ma kin g t h e
decision t o bypass r at her t han br each, consider t he likelihood of fr iendly unit s
being channelized int o kill zones. Bypassing is done by maneuver ing ar ound a
minefield or, if aviat ion asset s ar e available, moving over t he minefield. When
maneuver ing ar ound an obst acle, a t t empt t o locat e a por t ion of t he for ce in
over wat ch posit ions t o cover t he bypass of t he main element . Even when t he
decision is made t o conduct a br each, scout s should cont inue t o r econnoit er for
bypass r out es.
The fir st st ep in under st anding br eaching oper at ions is t o know t he obst acle
br eaching t heor y. Knowing t he t heor y behind br eaching oper at ions equips t he
engineer and t he maneuver commander wit h fundament als t hat ar e needed t o
int egr at e br each int o t he t act ical planning, pr epar at ion, and execut ion of an
oper at ion.
Successful br ea ching oper a t ions a r e cha r a ct er ized by t he applica t ion of t he
following t enet s of br eaching:
INTELLIGENCE
In a ny oper a t ion wher e enemy obst a cles int er fer e wit h fr iendly ma neuver,
obs t a cl e i n t e l l i ge n ce (OBSTI NTE L) be come s a p r i or i t y i n t e l l i ge n ce
r equir ement (PIR). Finding enemy obst acles or seeing enemy obst acle act ivit y
va lidat es and r efines t he S2's pict ur e of t he ba t t lefield. OBSTI NTEL helps
det er mine enemy int ent ions, pla ns, a nd st r engt h. The for ce engineer is t he
unit 's exper t on enemy count er mobilit y, and he a ssist s t he S2 in t emplat ing
enemy obst acles and analyzing OBSTINTEL.
When collect ing OBSTINTEL, r econna issa nce is a combined a r ms a ct ivit y
t ha t includes engineer s. An engineer squad moves wit h scout s or t he pat r ol
and conduct s dismount ed r econnaissance of t emplat ed or discover ed obst acles.
Addi t i on a l i n for ma t i on on r econ n a i s s a n ce ca n be fou n d i n F M 5-170.
Reconnaissance t eams ga t her t he following OBSTI NTEL infor ma t ion fr om
t he r econnaissance:
Minefield locat ion. Plot t he per imet er locat ion on a lar ge-scale map
and r efer t o r ecognizable landmar ks.
C2, FM 20-32
Countermine Operations 9-7
Mar king is emplaced acr oss t he fr ont , on bot h sides, bet ween lanes, and t o t he
left and r ight of t he cr ossing sit e as far out as pr act ical.
Engin eer s ma y a lso help r emove da ma ged vehicles fr om minefield la n es.
Recover y vehicles should be available near lanes for t his pur pose.
AREA CLEARANCE
Clear ing oper at ions ar e done when engineer s r eceive a mission t o clear a n
ar ea of mines or t o clear a specific minefield in a fr iendly AO. The minefield
was r epor t ed and may alr eady be mar ked on all sides. The wor st case would
be if t he minefield was r epor t ed but not mar ked and it s limit s wer e unknown.
The engineer unit r eceiving t he mission bases plans on available infor mat ion
a n d pr epa r es equipment ba s ed on t h e es t ima t e. Det a iled t ech n iqu es a n d
pr ocedur es for ar ea and r out e clear ance oper at ions ar e out lined in Chapt er 11.
Act ions at t he minefield begin wit h a t hor ough r econnaissance t o ident ify t he
minefield limit s and t he t ypes of mines. This is a t ime-consuming pr ocess t hat
is ha za r dous t o shor t cut . I den t ified limit s a r e ma r ked wit h a n expedient
syst em of single-st r a nd ba r bwir e or concer t ina . I n t his sit ua t ion, since a ll
mines must be dest r oyed, t he unit t akes a syst emat ic appr oach t o clear ing
mines. The pr ocedur e depends on t he t ypes of mines and whet her t he mines
ar e bur ied or sur face-laid.
If mines ar e magnet ic- or seismic-fused, mechanical asset s ar e used. Pr essur e
mines can be dest r oyed by using hand-emplaced explosives. When a manual
pr ocedur e is used, eliminat e t r ip wir es on AP mines wit h gr apnel hooks befor e
moving for war d t o det ect mines.
Using t he manual pr ocedur e, engineer s visually det ect mines or det ect t hem
wit h mine det ect or s a nd pr obes. Th ey a lso ma r k mines for dest r u ct ion by
explosives. Chapt er 11 cont ains infor mat ion on minesweeping pr ocedur es.
Aft er t he mines ar e dest r oyed, engineer s pr oof used lanes and r out es t o ensur e
t ha t a ll t he min es wer e elimina t ed. Th is is done by using a min e r oller or
anot her blast -r esist ant device. Pr oofing is discussed fur t her in Chapt er 10.
DEMINING
Demin ing is t he complet e r emova l of a ll mines a nd UXO t o sa fegua r d t he
civilian populat ion wit hin a geopolit ical boundar y aft er host ilit ies cease. It is
a n ext r emely ma npower - a n d t ime-in t en s ive oper a t ion a nd is s omet imes
con t r a ct ed. Alt h ou gh n ot a for ma l Ar my mission or fu n ct ion , SOFs ma y
pr ovi de s peci a l exper t i s e in t r a i n i n g demi n i n g or ga n i za t i on s, a ct i n g a s
advisor s, and t aking t he lead in pr oviding clear ance equipment or t echniques
t hat can be useful in demining oper at ions. Demining TTP ar e out lined in TC
31-34.
Minefield Reduction 10-1
Chapter 10
Minefield Reduction
Reduct ion is t he physica l cr ea t ion of a la ne t hr ough a minefield. I t is a
fundament al of br eaching oper at ions as discussed in Chapt er 9 and in FM
3-34.2. A number of t a sks (det ect ing, r epor t ing, r educing, pr oofing, a nd
mar king) dir ect ly suppor t or ar e included in minefield r educt ion.
DETECTING
Det ect i on i s t h e a ct u a l con fi r ma t i on a n d l oca t i on of mi n es. I t ma y be
accomplished t hr ough r econnaissance, or it may be unint ent ional (such as a
veh icle r u n ning in t o a min e). Min e det ect ion is u sed in con ju n ct ion wit h
in t elligen ce-ga t h er in g oper a t ion s, min efield bypa ss r econ n a is sa n ce, a n d
br e a ch i n g a n d cl ea r i n g op er a t i on s . Th er e a r e fou r t ypes of d et ect i on
met hodsvisual, physical (pr obing), elect r onic, and mechanical.
VISUAL
Visual det ect ion is pa r t of a ll combat oper a t ions. Per sonnel visually inspect
t he t er r ain for t he following minefield indicat or s:
Tr ip wir es.
Signs of r oad r epair (such as new fill or paving, r oad pat ches, dit ching,
culver t wor k).
Signs placed on t r ees, post s, or st akes. Thr eat for ces mar k t heir
minefields t o pr ot ect t heir own for ces.
Dead animals.
Damaged vehicles.
Dist ur bances in pr evious t ir e t r acks or t r acks t hat st op unexplainably.
Wir es leading away fr om t he side of t he r oad. They may be fir ing wir es
t hat ar e par t ially bur ied.
Odd feat ur es in t he gr ound or pat t er ns t hat ar e not pr esent in nat ur e.
Plant gr owt h may wilt or change color, r a in may wash away some of
t h e cover, t h e cover ma y s i n k or cr a ck a r ou n d t h e edges, or t h e
mat er ial cover ing t he mines may look like mounds of dir t .
Civilians. They may know wher e mines or booby t r aps ar e locat ed in
t he r esident ial ar ea. Civilians st aying away fr om cer t ain places or out
of cer t ain buildings ar e good indicat ions of t he pr esence of mines or
booby t r aps. Quest ion civilians t o det er mine t he exact locat ions.
Pieces of wood or ot her debr is on a r oad. They may be indicat ive of
pr essur e or pr essur e-r elease FDs. These devices may be on t he sur face
or par t ially bur ied.
C2
FM 20-32
10-2 Minefield Reduction
Pat t er ns of object s t hat could be used as a sight ing line. The enemy
can use mines t hat ar e fir ed by command, so r oad shoulder s and ar eas
close t o t he object s should be sear ched.
PHYSICAL
Physical det ect ion (pr obing) is ver y t ime-consuming and is used pr imar ily for
cl ea r i n g oper a t i on s , s el f-ext r a ct i on , a n d cover t br ea ch i n g oper a t i on s .
Det ect ion of mines by visual or elect r onic met hods should be confir med by
pr obing. Use t he following pr ocedur es and t echniques when pr obing for mines:
Roll up your sleeves and r emove your jewelr y t o incr ease sensit ivit y.
Wear a Kevlar helmet , wit h t he chin st r ap buckled, and a pr ot ect ive
fr agment at ion vest .
St ay close t o t he gr ound and move in a pr one posit ion t o r educe t he
effect s of an accident al blast . When moving int o a pr one posit ion
Squat down wit hout t ouching your knees t o t he gr ound.
Scan for war d up t o 2 met er s and t o t he sides up t o 3 met er s for
mine indicat or s.
Pr obe t he ar ea ar ound your feet and as far for war d as possible.
Kneel on t he gr ound aft er t he ar ea is found t o be clear, and
cont inue pr obing for war d unt il you ar e in a pr one posit ion.
Use sight and t ouch t o det ect t r ip wir es, fuses, and pr essur e pr ongs.
Use a slender, nonmet allic object as a pr obe.
Pr obe ever y 5 cent imet er s acr oss a 1-met er fr ont .
Gent ly push t he pr obe int o t he gr ound at an angle t hat is less t han 45
degr ees.
Apply just enough pr essur e on t he pr obe t o sink it slowly int o t he
gr ound.
If t he pr obe encount er s r esist ance and does not go int o t he gr ound
fr eely, car efully pick t he soil away wit h t he t ip of t he pr obe and r emove
t he loose dir t by hand. Car e must be t aken t o pr event funct ioning t he
mine.
When you t ouch a solid object , st op pr obing and use t wo finger s fr om
each hand t o ca r efully r emove t he sur r ounding soil a nd ident ify t he
object .
If t he object is a mine, r emove enough soil t o show t he mine t ype and
mar k it s locat ion. Do not at t empt t o r emove or disar m t he mine. Use
explosives t o dest r oy det ect ed mines in place, or use a gr appling hook
and r ope t o cause mines t o self-det onat e. Do not use met al gr appling
hooks on magnet ic-fused mines.
DANGER
Use extreme caution when probing. If the probe is pushed
straight down, its tip may detonate a pressure fuse.
C2, FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-3
Pr obing is ext r emely st r essful and t edious. The senior leader must set a limit
t o t h e t ime a pr ober ca n a ct u a lly pr obe in t h e min efield. To det er min e a
r ea s on a bl e t i me, t h e l ea der mu s t con s i der METT-TC fa ct or s, wea t h er
condit ions, t he t hr eat level, t he unit s st r ess level, and t he pr ober s fat igue
level and st at e of mind. As a r ule, 20 t o 30 minut es is t he maximum amount of
t ime t hat an individual can pr obe effect ively.
ELECTRONIC
Elect r onic det ect ion is effect ive for locat ing mines, but t his met hod is t ime-
consuming and exposes per sonnel t o enemy fir e. In a ddit ion, t he suspect ed
mines must be confir med by pr obing.
AN/PSS-12 Mi ne Detector
The AN/PSS-12 mine det ect or (Figur e 10-1) can only det ect met al, but most
mines have met al component s in t heir design. The det ect or can loca t e and
ident ify plast ic or wooden mines by a slight met allic signat ur e. Employment
and oper at ion pr ocedur es for t he AN/PSS-12 ar e discussed in Appendix F, and
t echnica l dat a is available in TM 5-6665-298-10. The det ect or is hand-held
and ident ifies suspect ed mines by an audio signal in t he headphones.
As in pr obing, consider at ion must be t aken for t he maximum amount t ime an
individua l ca n oper at e t he det ect or. The lea der consider s METT-TC fact or s,
wea t h e r con di t i on s , t h e t h r e a t l eve l , t h e u n i t s s t r es s l evel , a n d t h e
individuals fat igue level and st at e of mind. As a r ule, 20 t o 30 minut es is t he
maximum amount of t ime an individual can use t he det ect or effect ively.
Ai rborne St andoff Mi nefi eld Det ection Syst em
The Air bor ne St andoff Minefield Det ect ion Syst em (ASTAMIDS) (Figur e 10-2,
page 10-4) pr ovides US for ces wit h t he capabilit y t o det ect minefields r apidly.
Envir onmen t a l con dit ions mu st be fa vor a ble for a ir cr a ft a n d ASTAMI DS
oper at ions. ASTAMIDS can be mount ed on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopt er, an
unmanned aer ial vehicle (UAV), or a fixed-wing air cr aft . The syst em det ect s
Figure 10-1. AN/PSS-12 mine detector
FM 20-32
10-4 Minefield Reduction
a nd cla ssifies t her ma l a nd ot h er a noma lies a s suspect ed minefields a long
r out es or in ar eas of int er est . ASTAMIDS can be used t o pr ot ect advancing
for ces and can oper at e in concer t wit h air and gr ound unit s in r econnaissance
missions.
Syst em Component s
ASTAMI DS h a r dwa r e a n d s oft wa r e compon en t s con sist of a s en sor wit h
associat ed elect r onics a nd t he minefield-det ect ion algor it hm and pr ocessor
(MI DAP). Sur r oga t e equipment inclu des a n a ir -da t a pa cka ge (GPS, r a da r
a l t i met er, i n er t i a l mea s u r emen t u n i t [I MU]), a power s u ppl y, a wor k
st at ion(s), a digit al dat a r ecor der, mount ing r acks, and a modified floor for t he
specific air cr aft .
Oper a t or s view t he da t a displayed on t he monit or s, communica t e wit h t he
a i r cr ew, a n d per for m ot h er fu n ct i on s (s u ch a s ch a n gi n g da t a t a pes a n d
pr oducing r epor t s). The air cr ew must maint ain an alt it ude of 300 feet and an
air speed of appr oximat ely 70 knot s for t he syst em t o det ect mines accur at ely
wit hin t he sensor s gr ound swat h (appr oximat ely 215 feet wide). The syst em
ha s a 2-h our oper a t iona l ca pa bilit y, ba sed on st a nda r d fligh t t ime for t he
mission pr ofile.
Emp l oyment Concep t
ASTAMI DS is a fa s t met h od for det ect ing t a ct ica l min efields. Wh en it is
e mp l oye d by a vi a t i on e l e me n t s i n s u p p or t of ma n e u ve r u n i t s , cl os e
coor din a t ion bet ween a via t ion a n d gr ou n d u n it s a s s u r es t h a t min efield
det ect ion is r epor t ed accur at ely and quickly. ASTAMIDS is not as pr ecise as
gr ou n d det ect ion syst ems, bu t it is a ccu r a t e en ou gh t o h elp mit iga t e t h e
danger s inher ent wit h minefields. It can be used in bot h fr iendly and enemy
t er r it or ies. The use of a Blackhawk ASTAMIDS in ar eas of t hr eat obser vat ion
Figure 10-2. ASTAMIDS
C2, FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-11
The neut r alizat ion of mines by blast depends on t he peak pr essur e and t he
impulse. For t he MICLIC, t he impulse is at a maximum of 3 met er s fr om t he
line cha r ge (on bot h sides) and decr eases t he closer it get s t owar d t he line
ch a r ge, t o a min imu m of 1 met er fr om t h e lin e ch a r ge. Th is decr ea se on
i mp u l s e ca u s e s a s k i p z on e (F i gu r e 10-8). Th i s d oe s n ot me a n t h a t
neut r a liza t ion is equa l t o zer o per cent ; it mea ns t ha t it is not equa l t o 100
per cent . Mines t hat ar e bur ied deeper t han 10 cent imet er s and locat ed 1 t o 2
met er s fr om t he line char ge have a high pr obabilit y of not being neut r alized.
Figure 10-8. Skip zone
Skip zone
Skip zone
5 m
3 m
4 m
2 m
1 m
1 m
3 m
2 m
4 m
5 m
Line charge
C2, FM 20-32
10-12 Minefield Reduction
Ant ipe rsonnel Obstacle Breachi ng Syst em
The Ant iper sonnel Obst a cle Br ea ching Syst em (APOBS) (Figur e 10-10) is a
man-por t able device t hat is capable of quickly cr eat ing a foot pat h t hr ough AP
mines and wir e ent anglement s. The APOBS is nor mally employed by combat
engineer s, infa nt r y soldier s, or dismount ed a r mor ed cavalr y per sonnel. The
APOBS pr ovides a light weight , self-cont ained, t wo-man, por t able line char ge
t hat is r ocket -pr opelled over AP obst acles fr om a st andoff posit ion away fr om
t he edge of t he obst acle.
For dismount ed oper at ions, t he APOBS is car r ied in 25-kilogr am backpa cks
by no mor e t han t wo soldier s for a maximum of 2 kilomet er s. One backpack
assembly consist s of t he r ocket -mot or launch mechanism, cont aining a 25-
C2, FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-25
of t he a t t ack, fr om init ial r educt ion of t he obst acle t o t he passage of lar ger
follow-on for ces, a s well a s t he r et ur n t r affic necessa r y t o sust ain t he for ce.
Addit ional guidelines ar e discussed in FM 3-34.2.
Mar king br each lanes and bypasses is cr it ical t o obst acle r educt ion. Effect ive
la ne ma r king a llows t he comma nder t o pr oject for ces t hr ough t he obst a cle
quickly, wit h combat power and C
2
. It gives t he assault ing for ce confidence in
t he safet y of t he lane and helps pr event unnecessar y minefield casualt ies.
Ther e ar e t wo cr it ical component s of t he lane-mar king syst em:
Lane-mar king pat t er n (locat ion of mar ker s indicat ing t he ent r ance,
t he lane, and t he exit ).
Mar king device (t ype of har dwar e emplaced t o mar k t he ent r ance, t he
lane, and t he exit ).
The lane-mar king syst em out lined in t his sect ion cent er s ar ound st andar dized
mar king pat t er ns r at her t han t he mar king device. St andar dizing t he mar king
pat t er n is cr it ical t o offensive oper at ions. A common lane pat t er n
Enables cr oss at t achment s and adjacent unit s t o r ecognize br each
la nes ea sily wit h minima l knowledge of a pa r t icula r unit 's t a ct ica l
SOP.
Gives all for ces a st andar dized set of visual cues t hat ar e needed t o
pass t hr ough a lane safely while maint aining t heir moment um.
Facilit at es quick conver sion t o t he lane-mar king r equir ement s of
STANAGs 2889 and 2036 (discussed lat er in t his chapt er ).
The st anda r d lane-ma r king har dwar e is decided by unit commander s. This
gives unit s gr eat er flexibilit y and allows t hem t o adopt mar king devices t hat
a r e t a ilor -ma de for t h eir t ype of u n it a n d oper a t ion a l focu s (s u ch a s a n
a r mor ed or light for ce, a mount ed or dismount ed a t t a ck, limit ed visibilit y,
t her mal capabilit y). However, r egar dless of t he t ype of device used, it must
s u ppor t t h e s t a n d a r d l a n e-ma r k i n g pa t t er n ou t l i n ed i n t h e fol l owi n g
pa r a gr a phs. Ther efor e, comma nder s should con sider t hese guidelines a nd
examples befor e developing or adopt ing t heir own mar king syst em.
LANE-MARKING TERMS
Th e defin it ion s in t h e followin g pa r a gr a ph s pr ovide a common ba s is for
discussing lane mar king.
Ent rance Markers
Ent r ance mar ker s indicat e t he st ar t of a r educed lane t hr ough an obst acle.
They signify t he fr iendly-side limit of t he obst a cle a nd t he point a t which
movement is r est r ict ed by t he la ne widt h a nd pa t h. Ent r a nce ma r ker s a r e
placed t o t he left and t he r ight of t he ent r ance point and spaced t he widt h of
t he r educed lane. They must be visually differ ent fr om ha ndr ail mar ker s t o
help t he for ce dist inguish t his cr it ical point in t he lane.
Handrai l Markers
Handr ail mar ker s define t he lane pat h t hr ough t he obst acle and indicat e t he
limit s of t he lane widt h. As a minimum, mount ed and dismount ed lanes will
FM 20-32
10-26 Minefield Reduction
have a left handr ail mar ker. Mount ed and dismount ed for ces moving t hr ough
t he lane should keep t he left handr ail mar ker immediat ely t o t heir left . As t he
oper at ion pr ogr esses, lane mar king may be upgr aded t o include left and r ight
handr ail mar ker s.
Exi t Markers
Exit ma r ker s indica t e t he fa r side of t he r educed la ne t hr ough an obst a cle.
Like ent r ance mar ker s, exit mar ker s must be dist inguishably differ ent fr om
handr ail mar ker s; however, t he exit may be mar ked t he same as t he ent r ance.
Exit mar ker s ar e placed t o t he left and t he r ight of t he exit point and spaced
t he widt h of t he r educed lane. This visual r efer ence is cr it ical when only t he
left handr a il is ma r ked. The combina t ion of ent r ance mar ker s, left handr a il
mar ker s, and exit mar ker s pr ovide t he dr iver and t he t ank commander wit h
visual cues so t hat t hey can safely pass t hr ough a r educed lane.
Ent rance Funnel Marke rs
Ent r a n ce fu nn el ma r ker s a ugmen t ent r a nce ma r kin g. The V for med by a
funnel mar ker for ces t he pla t oon int o a column a nd helps dr iver s and t ank
commander s make last -minut e adjust ment s befor e ent er ing a lane.
Fi nal-Approach Marke rs
Final-appr oach mar ker s ar e highly visible, r obust mar ker s t hat augment t he
visual signat ur e of ent r a nce funnel ma r ker s. They ar e cr it ical when init ial
a ssa ult for ces mu st ma n euver t o t he br ea ching s it e. Nor ma lly, t h e init ia l
assa ult for ce ca n obser ve t he br eaching a r ea but ca nnot clear ly dist inguish
ent r a nce funnel ma r ker s. Final-a ppr oa ch mar ker s pr ovide t he assault for ce
commander wit h a highly visible RP t owar d which t o maneuver his for mat ion.
They also signal company t eam commander s t o begin changing fr om combat
column t o column for mat ion, wit h plat oons in combat column.
Far Recognit i on Markers
Far r ecognit ion mar ker s ar e highly visible mar ker s t hat ar e locat ed bet ween
t h e fina l-a ppr oa ch ma r ker a nd t he fr iendly unit . They a r e pr ima r ily used
wh en pa s s in g for ces a r e den ied dir ect obs er va t ion of t h e fin a l-a ppr oa ch
mar ker due t o dist ance, visibilit y, or t er r a in. When possible, far r ecognit ion
mar ker s should be differ ent fr om t he final-appr oach mar ker. Far r ecognit ion
mar ker s indicat e t he point at which for ces begin changing t heir for mat ion t o
post ur e for t he passage. A single far r ecognit ion mar ker may ser ve up t o t wo
i n i t i a l br ea ch l a n es . On ce l a n es a r e u p gr a d ed t o t wo-wa y t r a ffi c, fa r
r e cogn i t i on ma r k er s a r e r e qu i r ed for ea ch t wo-wa y l a n e. Wh en a fa r
r ecognit ion mar ker ser ves mor e t han one lane, a guide or a t r affic-cont r ol post
(TCP) is colloca t ed wit h t he fa r r ecognit ion ma r ker t ha t is nea r est t o t he
br each.
Gui des and Traffi c-Control Posts
A TCP or a guide consist s of a t wo-man t eam wit h communica t ions means.
The t eam assist s t he commander in cont r olling t he movement of for ces. When
possible, milit a r y police (MP) should ma n TCPs. However, t he comma nder
may init ia lly use ot her per sonnel a s guides t o ma n cr it ica l fa r r ecognit ion
ma r ker s u n t il t h e MP est a blish fu ll TCPs. TCPs a n d gu ides pr ovide t h e
comma n der wi t h a ma n on t h e gr ou n d wh o con t r ol s t r a ffi c fl ow t o t h e
C2, FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-27
appr opr iat e lanes. When t her e ar e mult iple la nes br anching off a single fa r
r ecognit ion mar ker, t he TCP can assist in br eaking par t s of t he for mat ion off
int o var ious lanes. The TCP can also help modify t he t r affic flow when lanes
h a ve be en cl os ed for ma i n t en a n ce, for l a n e e xp a n s i on , or by e n e my
SCATMINEs. The guide or TCP must give t he assault for ce commander t he
azimut h and dist ance t o t he final-a ppr oach mar ker, ident ify t he device used
for t h e fin a l-a ppr oa ch ma r ker, a nd pr ovide t he level of t he la ne-ma r kin g
pat t er n. For light for ces, guides may physically escor t passing unit s fr om t he
far r ecognit ion mar ker t o t he lane ent r ance.
LEVELS OF LANE MARKING AND PATTERNS
Th e t h r ee s t a n da r d levels of ma r kin g for br ea ch la n es a n d bypa ss es a r e
init ial, int er mediat e, and full.
Each lane-mar king level pr ovides an incr ease in lane signat ur e and capabilit y.
Lane r equir ement s change as a br eaching oper at ion mat ur es fr om an init ial
br each t o t he for war d passage of lar ge combat for ces.
I n it ia l la n e-ma r kin g r equ ir emen t s a r e dr iven by t h e n a t u r e of t h e figh t
t h r ou gh t h e obs t a cl e. Ma r k i n g mu s t be r a pi d, pr ovi di n g on l y t h e ba r e
min imu m s ign a t u r e n eeded t o pa ss sma ll u n it s wh o ma ke u p t h e in it ia l
assault for ce. This cont r ast s wit h t he lane r equir ement s of lat er phases of an
offense wher e lar ger unit s ar e passed t o subsequent object ives. Her e, t he lane
signat ur e must be mor e ext ensive and mor e visible, because it must guide
l a r ger for ces over a gr ea t e r d i s t a n ce t o t h e l a n e' s en t r a n ce wi t h ou t
int er r upt ion. Two-way t r affic becomes a pr ior it y for t he simult aneous for war d
passage of combat unit s as well as t he r et ur n t r affic (such as ambulances and
empt y supply vehicles) t ha t is necessar y t o sust ain t he for ce. Lane-mar king
limit s must be absolut ely clear t o t he most inexper ienced dr iver or cr ewman.
A fu lly devel oped la n e mu s t s u ppor t t wo-wa y t r a ffi c a n d be complet ely
mar ked.
Bypasses ar e not mar ked t he same as lanes. They ar e mar ked wit h dir ect ional
pa nels indicat ing t he dir ect ion of t he bypass. The limit s of t he mine t hr eat
mu st be ma r ked t o pr even t fr ien dly for ces fr om en t er in g t h e min efield.
Mar king t he dir ect ion of t he bypa ss and t he minefield limit s will enable t he
maneuver ing element t o bypass t he minefield wit hout having t o unnecessar ily
defile t hr ough a mar ked lane. Fur t her infor mat ion on bypass mar king can be
found in FM 3-34.2.
Comma nder s must be awa r e of how t he needs of t he for ce cha nge wit h t he
oper a t ion s o t h a t t h ey ca n a n t icipa t e la n e-ma r kin g a n d la n e-ca pa bilit y
r equ i r emen t s . I n t egr a t i n g t h e l evel s of l a n e ma r k i n g i n t o t h e over a l l
br eaching plan ensur es t hat t he unit 's needs ar e sat isfied. For ces necessar y t o
ma r k, ma int a in, a nd upgr a de la nes must be a lloca t ed a nd t a sked wit h t he
mission. The phases of t he scheme of maneuver and t he ser vice-suppor t plan
a r e t he ba s is for a na lyzin g la ne r equir emen t s. The followin g pa r a gr a phs
descr ibe lane-mar king pat t er ns in det ail and pr ovide guidelines on when t he
commander should upgr ade lane mar king and lane capabilit y.
Ini ti al Lane Marki ng
Init ia l la ne ma r king (Figur e 10-22, pa ge 10-28) is empla ced by t he br ea ch
for ce immediat ely aft er t he lane is r educed and pr oofed. It pr ovides a signal t o
C2, FM 20-32
10-28 Minefield Reduction
t he a ssa ult for ce comma nder t ha t t he la ne is r ea dy for t r a ffic. Init ia l la ne
ma r k i n g i s k ept t o a min i mu m, cen t er i n g on ma r k i n gs n eeded t o pa s s
immediat e assault for ces t hr ough t he lane t o seize t he init ial foot hold on t he
object ive. Nor ma lly, t he a ssa ult for ce ca n obser ve t he br ea ch a nd does not
need t he mor e visua l signat ur e of a mat ur e lane mar king. The init ia l lane-
mar king pat t er n has t he following mar ker s:
Ent r ance.
Exit .
Left handr ail.
Ent r ance funnel.
Final-appr oach.
Figure 10-21. Initial lane marking
*Distance for dismounted lanes
4.5 m (1 m*)
200 m (30 m*)
Final-
approach
marker
Entrance-
funnel
markers
Entrance markers
Exit markers
Left-handrail markers
15 m (5 m*)
4.5 m (1 m*)
The distance between markers is
driven by METT-TC. Distances
shown are a recommendation.
A
t
t
a
c
k
15 m
(4.5 m*)
FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-29
The ent r ance, left handr ail, and exit mar ker s ar e t he fir st mar ker s emplaced
by t he br ea ch for ce beca use t h ey define t he loca t ion a nd t he limit s of t he
r educed lane.
Ent r ance mar ker s ar e placed t o t he left and t he r ight of t he r educed
lane's ent r a nce point , and t hey ar e spaced t he widt h of t he la ne (4.5
met er s for mount ed lanes, 1 met er for dismount ed lanes).
Left handr ail mar ker s ar e placed at t he left limit of t he lane, along t he
ent ir e pa t h. Ha ndr a il ma r ker s a r e pla ced a t 15-met er int er va ls for
mou n t ed for ces a n d a t 5-met er i n t er va ls for di s mou n t ed for ces.
Commander s may have t o modify t he int er vals based on t he t er r ain,
t he visibilit y, t he lane lengt h, and t he lane pat h.
Exit mar ker s ar e placed t o t he left and t he r ight of t he r educed lane's
exit point , and t hey ar e spaced t he widt h of t he lane (4.5 met er s for
mount ed lanes, 1 met er for dismount ed lanes).
Once t he ent r ance, left handr ail, and exit mar ker s ar e emplaced, t he br each
for ce emplaces t he ent r ance funnel mar ker s and t he final-appr oach mar ker.
Ent r ance funnel mar ker s ar e placed at 15-met er int er vals for
mount ed for ces and at 5-met er int er vals for dismount ed for ces. They
a r e pla ced dia gon a l t o t h e la n e en t r a n ce a n d for m a 45-degr ee V
(Figur e 10-22).
The final-appr oach mar ker is cent er ed on t he lane and placed at least
200 met er s fr om t he lane ent r ance for mount ed for ces. For dismount ed
for ces, t he nat ur e of t he at t ack may init ia lly pr eclude using a fina l-
a ppr oa ch ma r ker ; h owever, a s s oon a s t he mission a llows, a fina l-
a ppr oa ch ma r k er i s pla ced 30 met er s fr om t h e en t r a n ce. Fi n a l-
appr oach mar ker s for mount ed and dismount ed for ces must be placed
on high gr ound t o ensur e t hat t hey ar e clear ly visible. The commander
may modify t he r ecommended dist ance for t he final-appr oach mar ker,
based on t he t er r ain and t he visibilit y.
Intermedi ate Lane Marki ng
Upgr ading init ial lane mar king t o int er mediat e lane mar king (Figur e 10-23,
page 10-30) is t r igger ed by one of t wo key event st he commit ment of lar ger
combat for ces who ar e unable t o dir ect ly obser ve t he br each or t he r ear war d
pa ssa ge of sust a inment t r a ffic (ca sua lt y eva cua t ion a nd vehicle r ecover y).
Int er mediat e lane mar king has t wo goals:
Incr easing t he lane signat ur e t o help t he passage of lar ger, mor e
dist ant combat for ces.
Pr oviding sufficient mar king for t wo-way, single-lane t r affic.
Int er media t e la ne ma r king builds on init ia l la ne ma r king by a dding r ight
handr ail mar ker s, exit funnel mar ker s, far r ecognit ion mar ker s, and a far side
final-appr oach mar ker.
Th e comma n der s et s t h e pr i or i t y of ma r ker empl a cemen t ba s ed on t h e
sit uat ion. If t he scheme of maneuver r equir es t he immediat e passage of lar ger
combat for ces, t he r ight handr ail mar ker s and t he far r ecognit ion mar ker may
be t h e pr ior it y. On t h e ot h er h a n d, if it is n eces s a r y t o gr ou n d eva cu a t e
ca s u a lt ies or t o r ecover veh icles, empla cin g r igh t h a n dr a il ma r ker s, exit
funnel mar ker s, and a far side final-appr oach mar ker may be r equir ed fir st .
C2, FM 20-32
10-30 Minefield Reduction
When upgr a ding t o int er media t e ma r king, t he fir st st ep is t o empla ce t he
r ight handr ail mar ker s. Right handr ail mar ker s define t he r ight most limit of
t he lane. They ar e placed t he widt h of t he lane as defined by t he ent r ance and
exit ma r ker s. The r ight ha ndr ail follows a pa t h par a llel t o t he left ha ndr ail
t hr ough t he obst acle. Right handr ail mar ker s ar e placed at t he same int er val
as left handr ail mar ker s.
Exit funnel ma r ker s a nd a fa r side fina l-a ppr oa ch ma r ker a r e empla ced t o
mir r or t he ent r a nce ma r ker s. Exit funnel ma r ker s pr event t he pr ema t ur e
deploymen t of t he pa s sin g for ce int o comba t for ma t ion befor e it is s a fely
Figure 10-22. Intermediate lane marking
*Distance for dismounted lanes
4.5 m (1 m*)
500 m (200 m*)
Right-handrail
markers
Exit-funnel
markers
200 m (30 m*)
Guide or TCP
Farside final-
approach marker
Far-recognition
marker
700 m (230 m*)
The distance between markers is
driven by METT-TC. Distances
shown are a recommendation.
A
t
t
a
c
k
200 m
(30 m*)
Final-
approach
marker
Entrance-
funnel
markers
Entrance markers
Exit markers
Left-handrail
markers
15 m (5 m*)
4.5 m (1 m*)
15 m
(4.5 m*)
FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-31
ou t s ide t h e obs t a cle. Th ey a ls o become t h e en t r a n ce fu n n el ma r ker s for
r ea r wa r d pa ssing t r a ffic, giving t hese for ces t he visua l cues needed t o line
t h emselves up on t h e la ne. Th e exit fu n nel ma r ker s a r e a u gmen t ed by a
far side final-appr oach mar ker t o help r ear war d passing for ces clear ly ident ify
t he lane fr om t heir side. The far side final-appr oach mar ker is cent er ed on t he
lane and placed 200 met er s (mount ed for ces) or 30 met er s (dismount ed for ces)
fr om t he exit .
A far r ecognit ion mar ker complet es int er mediat e lane mar king. It pr ovides
commander s wit h a visual signat ur e or a ser ies of signat ur es for guiding t heir
movement t owa r d t he la ne. For mount ed for ces, t he fa r r ecognit ion ma r ker
near est t o t he br each lane is placed 500 met er s fr om t he lane ent r ance or on
t he near est t er r ain feat ur e. Dismount ed for ces may r equir e a syst em of guides
inst ea d of fa r r ecognit ion ma r ker s for pa ssing comba t for ces; however, fa r
r ecognit ion ma r ker s must be empla ced a s soon a s possible t o r educe guide
r equir ement s for passing mount ed sust ainment t r affic. This gives t he assault
for ce commander t he space needed t o t r ansit ion his for mat ion t o companies in
comba t col u mn . Fa r r e cogn i t i on ma r k er s ma y be e mp l a ced befor e or
concur r ent wit h exit mar ker s, based on t he mission and t he sit uat ion.
The commander collocat es guides or TCPs at t he far r ecognit ion mar ker when
h e feel s t h e s i t u a t i on r equ i r es mor e pos i t i ve con t r ol over t r a ffi c fl ow.
Comma n der s s h ou ld pla n for t h e u s e of fu ll-t ime gu ides on ce t h ey h a ve
u pgr a ded t o in t er media t e ma r kin g. TCPs become miss ion -cr it ica l du r in g
limit ed visibilit y or in r est r ict ive t er r ain. They should also be used when a
single far r ecognit ion mar ker feeds mor e t han one br each lane. TCPs must be
manned wit h a minimum of t wo soldier s and must have FM communicat ions
wit h t he cont r olling headquar t er s. It is essent ial t hat soldier s act ing as guides
or TCPs know t he
Azimut h and dist ance t o t he br each lane and t he 8-digit gr id
coor dinat e of t he lane.
Level of lane mar king.
Type of final-appr oach mar ker used.
Tr affic-cont r ol plan and mar ch or der.
Up-t o-dat e st at us of lane mar king, maint enance, and so for t h.
Full Lane Marki ng
Expa nding br ea ch lanes t o full (t wo-way) lane ma r king (Figur e 10-24, page
10-32) is r esour ce-int ensive a nd is not nor ma lly a pa r t of a n init ia l br ea ch
oper at ion. A fully mat ur ed lane is one t hat will suppor t unint er r upt ed, t wo-
way t r a ffic. Expa nding a br ea ch la ne t o a full la ne involves expa nding t he
widt h of t he lane t o accommodat e t wo-way t r affic and modifying t he mar king
pa t t er n t o gi ve for wa r d a n d r ea r wa r d pa s s i n g for ces t h e s a me vi s u a l
signat ur e. Upgr ading t o a full lane is nor mally assigned t o follow-on engineer
for ces, since it is usually beyond t he immediat e ca pa bilit y of engineer s wit h
for war d unit s.
Upgr a di n g i n t er medi a t e l a n e ma r k i n g t o fu l l l a n e ma r k i n g begi n s by
t empor ar ily closing t he lane, r er out ing t r affic, and expanding t he lane widt h.
The init ial r educed and pr oofed lane is always expanded t o t he left , in r elat ion
t o t h e di r ect ion of t h e a t t a ck. En gi n eer s r edu ce a n d pr oof t h e obs t a cle
beginning at t he left handr ail t o give a t ot al lane widt h of 10 met er s (5 met er s
C2, FM 20-32
10-32 Minefield Reduction
ea ch way). The expa nsion widt h r equir ement is t he sa me for a r mor ed a nd
light for ces, because bot h for ces must be able t o pa ss mount ed sust a inment
and combat for ces dur ing t his phase.
Once t he en gineer s expa nd t he la ne widt h t o 10 met er s, t hey ensu r e t ha t
ent r ance, exit , handr ail, funnel, and final-appr oach mar ker s ar e r eplaced on
t h e r et u r n l a n e. Al l ma r k i n gs a r e t h e s a me a s d es cr i be d i n pr evi ou s
par agr aphs.
The full la ne-ma r king pa t t er n ha s t hr ee ent r a nce a nd t hr ee exit ma r ker s.
Th ey a r e pla ced t h e widt h of for wa r d a n d r et u r n la n es a n d a r e vis u a lly
differ ent fr om ot her mar ker s. Unit s must be t r a ined t o r ecognize t hat t hr ee
ent r ance mar ker s indicat e a t wo-way t r affic lane and t hat t hey should always
use t he r ight most lane.
Figure 10-23. Full lane marking
10 m
Forward
traffic
Right handrail
(forward traffic)
Right handrail
(return traffic)
Return
traffic
Guide or TCP
Guide or TCP
Left handrail for
forward and return
traffic
Original lane
The distance between markers is
driven by METT-TC. Distances
shown are a recommendation.
A
t
t
a
c
k
Far-recognition
marker
10 m
Entrance/exit markers
Entrance/exit markers
Funnel
markers
Funnel
markers
Far-recognition
marker
Final-approach
marker
Final-approach
marker
C2, FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-33
Ent r ance and exit funnel mar ker s ar e placed slight ly differ ent fr om pr evious
mar king pat t er ns. They ext end out fr om t he ent r ance and exit mar ker s on t he
r ight side only.
Fi n a l-a ppr oa ch ma r ker s a r e pl a ced 200 met er s fr om, a n d cen t er ed on ,
ent r ances of for wa r d and r et ur n la nes. This helps for ces clear ly ident ify t he
ent r ance point s fr om eit her dir ect ion.
Far r ecognit ion mar ker s ar e placed a maximum of 500 met er s fr om t he lane
ent r a nce or on t he nea r est t er r a in fea t ur e fr om for wa r d a n d r et ur n fina l-
appr oach mar ker s.
COMMANDER'S GUIDANCE FOR LANE MARKING
Ta ble 10-1 pr ovides a summa r y of la ne-ma r king levels, guidelines on unit
r esponsibilit ies, and event s t hat t r igger lane upgr ade. In t he t able, who r efer s
t o t he unit r esponsible for lane upgr ade mar king and when descr ibes event s
t hat t r igger t he need t o upgr ade.
Table 10-1. Lane-marking levels, unit responsibilities, and trigger events
Initial Intermediate Full (Two Way)
Who TF breach force TF breach force Brigade
When
Obstacle is reduced
Passing battalion- or
company-size forces
Passing brigade- or battalion-size
forces
Passing platoon- or
company-size assault forces
Passing force which
cannot see the lane
Situation requires uninterrupted
sustainment traffic
Passing TF combat
trains
Markers
Entrance Add right handrail Expand lane width to 10 meters
Exit Add exit funnel Adjust entrance/exit
Left handrail
Add farside final
approach
Adjust left/right handrails to new width
Entrance funnel Add far recognition Add far recognition
Final approach Add guides or TCPs Add farside guides or TCPs
FM 20-32
10-34 Minefield Reduction
LANE-MARKING DEVICES
Th e ma jor it y of la n e ma r kin g in t h e field is don e by u s in g n on s t a n da r d
mar king devices. When adopt ing a nonst andar d mar king device, commander s
should consider t he guidelines summar ized in Table 10-2.
Figur e 10-25 shows some of t he devices t hat can be ut ilized for lane mar king,
and t hey ar e easily pr ocur ed or fabr icat ed. This is not an inclusive list ing but
is int ended t o show commander s some of t he opt ions.
Some gener al r equir ement s for lane mar king ar e
Mar ker s must be able t o wit hst and t he r igor s of t he t er r ain, t he
weat her, and t he bat t lefield.
Mar ker s should be easy t o modify, using minimal manpower and
equipment , when visibilit y is limit ed.
Lane-mar king panels should have t her mal and IR r eflect ive mar king
so t hat t hey can be easily ident ified dur ing limit ed visibilit y.
Enhancement s for limit ed visibilit y should be a const ant sour ce r at her
t ha n a pulsa t ing st r obe. St r obes do not ma ke t he ma r king pa t t er n
r eadily appar ent , par t icular ly when appr oaching fr om an angle.
Table 10-2. Guidelines for lane-marking devices
Marker Mounted Forces Dismounted Forces
Handrail and funnel
markers
Visible by TC and driver
(buttoned up) from 50 meters
Visible by a dismounted soldier in
a prone position from 15 meters
Quick and easy to emplace,
minimizing the need to expose
soldiers outside the carrier
Lightweight, quick, and easy to
emplace (a dismounted soldier
should be able to carry enough
markers for the lane and still be
able to fire and maneuver)
Entrance and exit
markers
Visible by TC buttoned up from
100 meters
Visible by a dismounted soldier
from 50 meters
Visually different from handrail
and funnel markers
Visually different from handrail
and funnel markers
Quick and easy to emplace (may
require soldiers to dismount to
emplace)
Lightweight, quick, and easy to
emplace
Easily man-portable
Final-approachand
far recognition
markers
Visible by TC (not buttoned up)
from 500 meters
Visible by a dismounted soldier
on the march from 100 meters
Visually different from each other Visually different from each other
Visually alterable to facilitate
traffic control through multiple
lanes
Visually alterable to facilitate
traffic control through multiple
lanes
C2, FM 20-32
Minefield Reduction 10-37
Figure 10-25. NATO standard marker
Figure 10-26. NATO lane-marking conversion
Lane markers painted red and white are erected at intervals of
about 30 meters from the lane entrance to the exit.
Lane
(Red) (White) (White) (Red)
Markers must be placed at right angles to the direction of the lane.
Guide sign
Guide sign
Lane
Black
Yellow
or
Illuminated wheel or track
sign fixed beneath route
markers (see Note 5)
NOTES:
1. Minimum lane width = 4.5 m
Normal one-way lane width = 8 m
Normal two-way lane width = 16 m
2. The use of separate track and wheel
routes and the distance of the route
junction from the lane is a decision
for the tactical commander.
3. The marking interval within the lane
should be 30 m.
4. On separate routes for wheeled and
tracked vehicles, the appropriate
yellow and black illuminated sign
may be fixed beneath the route
marker.
5. Only approach and exit markers are
required.
30 m
Route
markers
Entrance/
exit lights
Entrance/
exit lights
Route markers
Illuminated wheel or
track sign fixed
beneath route
markers (see Note 5)
C2, FM 20-32
10-38 Minefield Reduction
each left and r ight handr ail mar ker. When conver t ing full lane mar king, t he
cent er handr ail is mar ked wit h a modified NATO mar ker. The combinat ion of
a modifi ed cen t er h a n dr a il ma r ker a n d dir ect ion a l a r r ows a t ea ch la n e
ent r ance pr ovides allied for ces wit h t he signat ur e necessar y t o dist inguish
t wo separ at e lanes. In addit ion, a bar bwir e or concer t ina fence (one st r and
mi n imu m) i s l a i d 1 met er a bove t h e gr ou n d t o con n ect fu n n el ma r ker s,
ent r ance mar ker s, handr ail mar ker s, and exit picket s.
NATO uses whit e or green light s t o illuminat e markers at night (Figure 10-28).
Ent r ance and exit mar ker s ar e mar ked wit h t wo gr een or whit e light s placed
hor izont a lly, so t ha t t he sa fe a nd da nger ous ma r kings on t hem a r e clea r ly
visible. One whit e or gr een light is used on funnel and handr ail mar ker s. The
commander decides whet her t he light is placed on t op of t he NATO mar ker or
pla ced so t h a t it illu min a t es t h e ma r ker s. Ligh t s mu s t be vis ible fr om a
minimum of 50 met er s under most condit ions and have a cont inuous life of 12
hour s.
The mission t o conver t int er mediat e or full lane mar king t o NATO st andar d is
nor mally assigned t o cor ps-level engineer bat t a lions wor king in t he division
r ear ar ea. In special cases, divisional engineer bat t alions may be t asked wit h
NATO mar king.
Figure 10-27. NATO standard marking for limited visibility
(White) (Red) (White) (Red)
Exit
markers
(Red)
(White) (White)
(White) (White)
(Red)
(Red)
(Red)
Lights (green
or white)
Lights (green
or white)
Lane
markers
Lights (green
or white)
Entrance
markers
Route and Area Clearance 11-1
Chapter 11
Route and Area Clearance
The abilit y t o move for ces and mat er ial t o any point in an AO is basic t o
comba t power a n d oft en deci des t h e ou t come of comba t oper a t i on s.
Ma neuver r elies on t he a va ila bilit y of LOC wit hin a n AO; a nd dur ing
OOTW, clea r LOC is ess ent ia l t o t h e movemen t of for ces. Un it s mu st
conduct r out e and ar ea clear ance t o ensur e t hat LOC enables safe passage
of comba t , comba t s u ppor t (CS), a n d CSS or ga n i za t i on s. Cl ea r a n ce
oper at ions ar e best -suit ed for r ear-ar ea and st abilit y suppor t oper at ions.
ROUTE CLEARANCE
Rou t e clea r a n ce is a combin ed a r ms oper a t ion . Un it s mu st clea r LOC of
obst acles and enemy act ivit y t hat disr upt bat t lefield cir culat ion.
PLANNING
The pr inciples of br eaching oper at ions (Chapt er 9) apply t o t he development
a n d execu t i on of t h e r ou t e -cl e a r a n ce mi s s i on . Th e br e a ch i n g t e n e t s
(int elligence, fundament als, or ganizat ion, mass, and synchr onizat ion) should
be t he basis for planning.
Intelli ge nce
Incor por at ing t he IPB and METT-TC fact or s int o r out e-clear ance oper at ions
will enable unit s t o pr edict what t he enemy will do and wher e it will do it . The
IPB and t he EBA offer ideal met hods for est ablishing a SITEMP. Aft er t he S2
and t he engineer ident ify t he most pr obable t hr eat sit es, t he S2 designat es
t h em a s NAI s. Th es e NAI s a r e t h e focu s of t h e r econ n a i s s a n ce effor t .
Engineer s wor k in concer t wit h ot her r econnaissance a sset s t o confir m t he
pr esence or a bsen ce of a mbu sh es, UXO, a n d minefields. Th e in for ma t ion
gat her ed fr om t he IPB and t he r econnaissance effor t det er mines t he met hod
a n d t h e t ype of r ou t e clea r a n ce n eces s a r y. I t a ls o h elps t h e comma n der
det er mine any out side r esour ces (EOD, SOF) t hat he may need.
Fundamentals
SOSR may not be execut ed, but it is planned as it is in br eaching oper at ions.
Unit s must be pr epar ed t o execut e SOSR fundament als as necessar y.
Organi zati on
Task or ganizat ion for a r out e clear ance is similar t o t he t ask or ganizat ion for
a deliber a t e br ea ch. The clea r ance compa ny t ea m is or ga nized int o br each,
suppor t , and assault for ces. The br each for ce conduct s clear ing oper at ions, t he
suppor t for ce isolat es t he ar ea being clear ed, and t he assault for ce per for ms
secur it y funct ions beyond t he clear ance sit e (t r affic cont r ol point s) and assist s
C2
FM 20-32
11-2 Route and Area Clearance
t he br each for ce in disengagement , as r equir ed. Table 11-1 shows a sample
t ask or ganizat ion for a r out e clear ance.
Mas s
Sufficient ma neuver a nd engineer asset s must be allocat ed t o t he clea r ance
compa n y t ea m. Th e l en gt h a n d t h e wi dt h of t h e r ou t e a n d t h e t ype of
clear ance t o be conduct ed det er mine t he size of t he sweep t eam. Clea r ing a
Class A milit a r y r oad wit h t he deliber at e sweep t echnique r equir es at lea st
t wo en gin eer s qu a ds du e t o t h e t ot a l l a n e wi dt h t o be clea r ed a n d t h e
r equir ement for t he r ot at ion of mine-det ect or oper at or s. Depending on t he
t ype of sweep oper at ions, t he commander can expect a 50 per cent loss of sweep
asset s. Nor mally, as in br eaching, a 50 per cent r edundancy of engineer asset s
should be allocat ed t o t he sweep t eam.
Synchroni zat i on
All aspect s of synchr onizat ion should be implement ed when pla nning r out e
clea r a n ce. I t is especia lly impor t a n t t h a t r eh ea r sa ls be con du ct ed a t t h e
combined ar ms level. Rehear sals should include
React ion t o enemy cont act .
React ion t o an ambush.
Communicat ions exer cise.
Fir e suppor t (obscur at ion smoke, immediat e suppr ession fir es, cr it ical
fr ien dly zon es for cou n t er fir e r a da r, a n d n o-fir e a r ea a r ou n d t h e
clear ance sit e).
Table 11-1. Sample task organization for a route clearance
Team Support Force Assault Force Breach Force
Heavy
Mechanized infantry
platoon with
dismount capability
Armor platoon
Mechanized infantry platoon
Engineer squad
Mortar section
Medical team (two ambulances)
PSYOP team
FIST
MP element
Engineer platoon with
organic vehicles
Armor platoon with
plows and rollers
Light/Heavy
Two infantry platoons
(light)
Bradley platoon with dismount
capability
Engineer squad
60-mm mortar section
Medical team (two ambulances)
PSYOP team
Forward observer
MP element
Engineer platoon with
organic vehicles
Armor platoon with
plows and rollers
Light
Two infantry platoons
(light)
AT/MP section with M60/MK19 mix
60-mm mortar section
Medical team (two ambulances)
PSYOP team
Forward observer
MP element
Engineer squad (+)
Infantry platoon (light)
AT/MP section with
M60/MK19 mix
FM 20-32
Route and Area Clearance 11-5
Consider including r oad r epair equipment and mat er ial as par t of t he
sweep element (for example, a 5-t on dump t r uck filled wit h soil and an
ACE t o spr ead t he soil).
Keep all r adios, elect r onic equipment , and aviat ion asset s at a safe
dist ance dur ing r educt ion oper at ions.
Block unclear ed r oads and t r ails t hat br anch fr om t he r out e being
clear ed. This pr ot ect s unit s fr om inadver t ent ly t r aveling an unclear ed
r out e.
Debr ief t he chain of command and t he TF S2 on t he locat ion, t he
comp os i t i on , a n d t h e or i e n t a t i on of a l l obs t a cl e s cl e a r e d a n d
encount er ed. This assist s t he S2 and t he engineer in IPB/EBA pat t er n
analysis.
Ai r-Defens e Art illery
Consider t he possibilit y of an air at t ack.
Use t he following passive air-defense measur es:
Eliminat e glar e by using mud, t ape, car dboar d, or camouflage net s
t o cover headlight s, mir r or s, and por t ions of windshields.
Reduce dust clouds by r educing speed.
Plan r out es t hat offer nat ur al concealment .
Use air guar ds.
Incr ease t he dist ance bet ween vehicles.
Incor por at e St inger missile t eams int o t he suppor t for ce.
Combat Se rvi ce Support
Ensur e t hat clear ance oper at ions ar e suppor t ed by a logist ical/combat
healt h suppor t (CHS) package fr om t he br igade suppor t ar ea.
Plan for air and gr ound evacuat ion of casualt ies. The pr efer r ed
evacuat ion met hod is by air ; t he r out ine met hod is by gr ound.
Conduct an air-mission br ief wit h air ambulance asset s, t o include
pickup zones a nd ma r ker s. Rehea r se pr ocedur es for eva cua t ion
r equest s.
Ensur e t hat t he medical t eam consist s of one or t wo ambulances.
Locat e t he medical t eam wit h t he suppor t for ce.
Ident ify t he ambulance exchange point along t he r out e t o be
clear ed.
Ensur e t hat all per sonnel wear flak vest s or IBASIC (Figur e 11-1,
page 11-6).
Ensur e t hat all vehicles have t ow cables in t he fr ont and t he r ear for
ext r act ion pur poses.
Ensur e t hat all vehicles car r ying t r oops have har dening (sandbags on
floor s and sides).
C2, FM 20-32
11-6 Route and Area Clearance
Pr ovide MP and explosive-sniffing dogs t o help in clear ance and
pr ovide secur it y for convoys dur ing and aft er clear ing oper at ions.
Command and Cont rol
NOTE: The company team commander i s requi red to operate on three
s e parat e fre que nc i e s bat t al i on command ne t work, company t e am
command network, and fi re-support network.
Designat e, r ecognize, and include minefield indicat or s (Chapt er 10) as
par t of company t eam r ehear sals.
Designat e a r eser ve for ce (at least plat oon-size) t hat is mechanized or
air -assault capable.
Ensur e t hat pr oper r ehear sals ar e planned and conduct ed accor ding t o
FM 3-34.2. As a minimum, t he clear ance for ce should r ehear se act ions
on t he obst acle, act ions on enemy cont act , casualt y evacuat ion, a nd
t he cont r ol of COBs.
Ensur e t hat t he t asked unit has a clear under st anding of t he mission,
in t en t , a n d en d s t a t e. For exa mple, t h e clea r in g u n it comma n der
should under st and t hat his unit must clear t he r oad widt h, including
t he shoulder s, and secur e t he r out e.
Assign clear ance r esponsibilit ies t o br igade and bat t alion asset s.
Ensur e t hat t he maneuver commander /TF S3
Figure 11-1. IBASIC
SPECS
Antifragmentation
protective trousers
AP overboots
FM 20-32
Route and Area Clearance 11-13
Del i ber a t e
A deliber a t e sweep (Figur e 11-7) is ver y t hor ough a nd includes a complet e
sweep of t he ent ir e r oad (shoulder s, culver t s, dit ches, and br idges). It is t he
most t ime-consuming sweep oper at ion and r elies on elect r onic (pr imar y) and
visual (secondar y) det ect ion syst ems.
The plat oon sweep t ea m (Figur e 11-2, page 11-9) is dismount ed t o focus it s
at t ent ion on t he ent ir e lengt h of t he r out e. The suppor t for ce (company-size)
secur es a t lea st 100 met er s on t he fla nks a nd 100 met er s for wa r d t o clea r
possible enemy dir ect -fir e syst ems and over wat ching element s in fr ont of t he
br each for ce. This not only allows t he br each for ce t o focus solely on t he r out e
but also clear s t he ar ea of off-r out e and command-det onat ed mines.
If enemy cont act is made, t he suppor t for ce fixes t he t hr eat while t he assault
for ce r e a ct s . Th e s we e p t e a ms wi t h d r a w t o a l oca t i on t h a t p r ovi d e s
concealment and/or secur it y. Mechanical det ect ion pr ovides a t hir d means of
det ect ion and is t he met hod used t o pr oof t he r out e aft er t he sweep t eam has
p a s s e d t h r ou gh t h e a r e a . Th e d e l i b e r a t e s we e p i n cl u d e s a r ou t e
r econn a issa n ce a n d looks a t a ll a r ea s of a r out e, in cluding bypa sses. The
deliber at e sweep focuses on t hor oughness r at her t han speed. This met hod is
ver y slow and t edious and should only be used when t ime is not a fact or ; 80 t o
100 met er s can be cover ed per hour.
Ha st y
A hast y sweep (Figur e 11-8, page 11-14) consist s of visual inspect ion, physical
sear ch or pr obing, and t he use of mine det ect or s. It is t he fast est , most r isky
met hod and is suit ed for an ar mor ed or mechanized t eam. It r elies pr imar ily
Figure 11-7. Deliberate route clearance
Support force
Breach force
Assault force
MP
C2, FM 20-32
11-14 Route and Area Clearance
u pon vi s u a l det ect i on (t h er ma l s i gh t s or t h e n a k ed eye) for mi n efi el d
ident ifica t ion. The br ea ch for ce looks for mines, wir e, a nd ot her minefield
indicat or s. The r oad sur face, culver t s, dit ches, and br idges ar e inspect ed and
sear ched. Visual det ect ion is a ccompa nied by a mechanical pr oofing syst em.
Elect r onic mine det ect or s a r e used by sweep t ea ms t o check a ll suspect ed
ar eas.
The suppor t for ce includes a maneuver plat oon t hat pr ovides over wat ching
fi r e a n d/or s ecu r i t y. Act i on s u pon en emy con t a ct a r e t h e s a me a s i n a
deliber a t e sweep. The pr imar y object ive of t his t echnique is speed, moving
appr oximat ely 3 t o 5 kph. This met hod is ext r emely similar t o t he inst r ide
br each met hod when encount er ing minefields.
The sweep t eam focuses on ident ifying immediat e r isks t o t r affic, neut r alizing
t hose r isks, and cont inuing on wit h t he mission. A hast y sweep is used dur ing
t he combat clear ance met hod t o validat e t he ar eas t hat wer e not deliber at ely
clea r ed by t he sweep t eam. It is also used if t he METT-TC ana lysis does not
per mit a deliber a t e sweep or if t he need for a r oa d t o be opened is ur gent .
Time a nd dist a nce fa ct or s ma y be imposed. A light for ce ma y not ha ve a n
MCR syst em but ca n conduct t he sa me sweep met hod wit h a n impr ovised
r ol l er s ys t em, or t h e for ce ca n u s e a s a n dba gged, 5-t on t r u ck movi n g
ba ckwa r ds a s a l a s t -r es or t met h od. Us in g MCRs or t h ei r equ iva len t is
absolut ely imper a t ive due t o t he high r isk of encount er ing a minefield. The
mine r a ke or plow is not a sa t isfa ct or y subst it ut e beca use it dest r oys r oa d
sur faces.
Figure 11-8. Hasty route clearance
Support force
Breach force
Assault force
MP
C2, FM 20-32
Route and Area Clearance 11-17
Clear and secur e flanks (at least 500 met er s) and t he far side of t he
ar ea t o be clear ed.
Pr ovide secur it y for t he clear ed ar ea.
Fir e suppor t . Ensur e t hat t he ar ea-clear ance t eam has a FIST
coor dinat or. The FIST should be collocat ed wit h t he suppor t for ce OIC.
Mobilit y/sur vivabilit y. Est ablish minefield cont r ol point s along t he
ar ea t o be clear ed.
CSS.
Ensur e t hat t he medical t eam consist s of one or t wo ambulances
and t hat it is locat ed wit h t he br each for ce.
Ensur e t hat all per sonnel wear flak vest s or IBASIC (Figur e 11-1,
page 11-6).
C2.
Det er mine t he ar ea lengt h, using clear ly definable per imet er
point s.
Coor dinat e wit h adjacent unit s, t he host nat ion, NGOs, PVOs, and
SOF.
TASK ORGANIZATION
The ba t t a lion TF will focus a compa ny t ea m (minus) a s t he ma in effor t t o
conduct ar ea clear ance.
Support Force
This for ce is compr ised of t wo maneuver plat oons a nd an OIC. The suppor t
for ce pr ovides flank secur it y, for wa r d secur it y, and pr ot ect ion for t he br each
for ce. It neut r alizes host ile for ces t hat ar e encount er ed by t he company t eam.
The suppor t for ce secur es t he ar ea 500 met er s beyond t he ar ea t o be clear ed.
METT-TC fact or s will affect t he act ual dist ance based on t he t hr eat and t he
weapon syst ems. The suppor t for ce OIC est a blishes st at ic secur it y posit ions
ar ound t he ar ea unt il t he clear ance oper at ion is complet e. He also has cont r ol
of fir es and t he r esponsibilit y t o neut r alize any host ile for ce.
Bre ach Force
The br each for ce is compr ised of a n engineer plat oon t ha t is or ganized int o
sweep t eams, a medical t eam, and an EOD t eam (or one t hat is on call). The
sweep t eam (squad-size) is or ganized as shown in Figur e 11-3, page 11-9. The
br each for ce s mission is t o sweep and clear t he a r ea of mine a nd explosive
t hr eat s.
METHODS AND TYPES
The br each for ce OIC det er mines t he per imet er of t he ar ea t o be clear ed and
ensur es t hat it is mar ked. The OIC divides t he ar ea int o sect ions t o be clear ed
(Figur e 11-9, pa ge 11-18). The sect ions should be no lar ger t ha n 40 met er s
wide and 100 met er s long. This is an opt imal-sized ar ea for a sweep t eam t o
clear at one t ime. The OIC assigns squad-size sweep t eams t o each sect ion.
FM 20-32
11-18 Route and Area Clearance
Th e squ a ds clea r t h eir a s sign ed s ect ion s u sin g t h e s weepin g t ech n iqu es
discussed ear lier in t his chapt er. As t he sect ions ar e clear ed, t hey ar e mar ked
for safet y and cont r ol pur poses. This pr ocess is cont inued unt il t he ent ir e ar ea
is clear ed. Pr ogr ess is r epor t ed t o t he company t eam commander as r equir ed.
IMPROVISED MINE THREAT
Mines ar e not always employed convent iona lly by milit ar y for ces or ga nic t o
t h e h ost na t ion or it s enemies. I n ma n y ca ses, t h ey a r e a lso employed by
t er r or ist s against allied for ces or t he host -nat ion populace. In t hese cases, t he
t hr eat incr eases because of t he impr ovised met hods in which t he mines wer e
emplaced. In convent ional emplacement of mines, a pat t er n emer ges fr om t he
emplacing for ce s doct r ine, and t he t hr eat can easily be r educed by using t his
knowledge. Ther e is less pat t er n in t he case of impr ovised mining met hods,
and t his makes det ect ion and r emoval ver y difficult .
Impr ovised mining has many differ ent employment t echniques. In most of t he
t echniques shown below, a UXO can easily be employed in place of a mine:
Coupling mines. Coupling is done by linking one mine t o anot her,
usually wit h det onat ing cor d. When t he init ia l mine is det ona t ed, it
d e t on a t e s t h e l i n k e d mi n e. Th i s t e ch n i qu e i s d on e t o d e fe a t
count er mine equipment .
Figure 11-9. Area clearance site layout
Support force OIC
Sweep teams
(lanes are 2 m)
100 m
100 m
40 m
A
J
D
I
C B
H G K L
E F
Mining Operations in Special Environments 12-1
PART THREE
Special Mining Operations
Part three provides tactical and technical information on special-mining operations,
such as using booby traps and expedient devices. It also discusses mining in rivers,
urban terrain, and unique environments. Restrictions and responsibilities are outlined
in detail for the employment and the clearance of special mines and devices.
Chapter 12
Mining Operations in Special Environments
Mines ar e emplaced and encount er ed in all envir onment s, some of which
need special consider at ion t o under st and effect ive employment , det ect ion,
and/or r emoval.
STREAMBED AND RIVER MINING
EMPLOYMENT
Con ven t i on a l AT mi n es a r e mu ch mor e effect i ve i n wa t er t h a n on l a n d
beca u se wa t er t r a nsmit s t he shock effect bet t er t h a n a ir. Vehicle su ppor t
member s, t r acks, and wheels ar e damaged by a mine blast . Small vehicles ar e
over t ur ned and almost complet ely dest r oyed. Because wa t er a mplifies a nd
t r a n smit s shock wa ves, mines equipped wit h pr ess ur e-a ct u a t ed fu ses a r e
subject t o sympat het ic det onat ion at gr eat er dist ances in wat er t han on land.
M15 and M19 AT mines can be used for st r eambed and r iver mining. The M21
AT mine should not be used beca use it is ver y difficult t o a r m a nd disa r m
u n der wa t er, a n d it ca n be ea s ily fu n ct ion ed by dr ift in g debr is. To a void
sympat het ic det onat ion, AT mines must be at least 14 met er s apar t in wat er
t hat is less t ha n 61 cent imet er s deep, and at least 25 met er s apar t in wat er
t h a t is deeper t h a n 61 cen t imet er s. Th e min ed a r ea s a r e ch os en t o t a ke
advant a ge of st r ea m and adja cent a r ea char act er ist ics. Wa t er dept h wit hin
t h e min efield sh ou ld not exceed 1 met er beca u se it is difficu lt t o wor k in
deeper wa t er, a nd pr essur e-a ct ua t ed fuses a r e u sua lly in effect ive a ga in st
wat er bor ne vehicles.
Cur r ent velocit y must be consider ed when emplacing mines in a st r eambed or
a r iver. I f t he min es a r e pla ced deeper t h a n 45 cen t imet er s, t hey must be
r ecover ed by engineer diver s:
A light weight diver has diving r est r ict ions based on cur r ent velocit y.
A scuba diver is r est r ict ed t o a maximum cur r ent velocit y of 0.5 met er
per second.
C2, FM 20-32
12-2 Mining Operations in Special Environments
A sur face-supplied diver is r est r ict ed t o a maximum cur r ent velocit y of
1.3 met er s per second.
Seasonal cur r ent velocit y should also be consider ed if t he minefield is t o be in
pla ce for a n ext en ded per i od of t ime. Addit ion a l in for ma t i on on di vin g
r est r ict ions can be found in FMs 20-11 and 5-490.
Sin ce s a n d in in la n d wa t er s con t in u ou s ly moves down s t r ea m, it ma y be
difficult t o locat e and r emove mines plant ed on sandbar s or downst r eam fr om
sandbar s. If t he sit e has a muddy bot t om, t he mud should not be deeper t han
46 cent imet er s a nd t her e must be a ha r d ba se under nea t h it . The enemy is
unlikely t o choose a for ding point wher e vehicles mir e easily. If under wat er
obst acles (gr avel, r ock, st umps) ar e bigger t han t he mine, t he ar ea cannot be
ea sily mined. I f such a r ea s must be used, pla ce t he mines so t ha t t hey a r e
exposed t o vehicle wheels or t r acks. Ar mor ed vehicles usually ent er and exit
st r eams at point s wher e t he incline is less t han 45 per cent . Aft er ent er ing a
s t r ea m, veh i cl es oft en t r a vel u ps t r ea m or down s t r ea m befor e exi t i n g.
Car efully examine r iver bank for mat ions and under wat er obst acles t o pr edict
t he t r ail a vehicle will use t o for d t he st r eam.
EMPLACEMENT
When emplacing mines in st r eams and r iver s, always wor k in pair s. Pr epar e
t he mine on land near t he emplacement sit e. Coat fuse t hr eads and wells wit h
silicone gr ea se (a wa t er pr oof lubr ica nt ) or a heavy gr ea se t o minimize t he
ch a n ces of wa t er lea ki n g in t o t h e mi n e. Wa t er pr oof join t s bet ween t h e
pr essur e pla t e a nd t he mine ca se wit h silicone gr ea se. As a r ule of t humb,
wa t er pr oofed mines a r e r elia ble up t o 3 mon t hs when immer sed wit hout
wat er pr oof cover ings. Secur e t he mine wit h out r igger s t o pr event dr ift ing:
Const r uct field-impr ovised out r igger s wit h
Two gr een limbs t hat ar e about 3 cent imet er s in diamet er and 1
met er l on g. Gr een li mbs a r e r ecommen ded beca u s e t h ey a r e
st r onger and less likely t o float t han t hose which ar e dr ied out and
dead. (St eel picket s, sign post s, fence r ails, or similar it ems having
t he pr oper dimensions may also be used.)
Two pieces of clot hesline, manila line, or similar mat er ial t hat ar e
about 1 met er long.
Fast en t he limbs t o t he under side of t he mine and secur e t hem wit h
t he line (Figur e 12-1).
Appr oach t he emplacement posit ion fr om t he downst r eam side. To
pr event dr agging t he out r igger or cont act ing object s in t he st r eam,
car r y t he mine by gr asping it s sides, not by it s car r ying handle.
Place t he mine and t he out r igger on t he st r eam bot t om. St ake down
out r igger s aft er t hey a r e emplaced t o pr event dr ift ing. If st aking is
impossible, place sandbags or lar ge r ocks on t he out r igger s for bet t er
anchor age.
Ar m t he fuse.
FM 20-32
Mining Operations in Special Environments 12-9
St re e t Obstacle s
Ha nd-empla ced AP mines ca n be empla ced on st r eet sur fa ces, on r a ilr oa d
lines, and in ar eas along shallow wat er ways. (See Figur e 12-6.)
Roof Obstacle s
Mines a nd booby t r a ps supplement wir e obst a cles t o deny oper a t ions t ha t
r equir e air a ssault ont o r ooft ops. They a lso pr event occupat ion on r oofs t ha t
affor d good obser vat ion point s and fields of fir e. (See Figur e 12-7.)
Figure 12-6. Street obstacles
Figure 12-7. Roof obstacles
Overwatching fires
Overwatching fires
Wire with booby traps
and directional
fragmentation mines Antihelicopter
obstacle
C2, FM 20-32
12-10 Mining Operations in Special Environments
Buildi ng Obstacle s
Building obst acles include ar eas wit hin and adjacent t o buildings. For ces can
lay mines in conjunct ion wit h wir e obst acles t o deny infant r y access t o cover ed
r out es and weapon posit ions (Figur e 12-8).
De ad Spaces
Obst acles and mines can be emplaced t o r est r ict infant r y movement in ar eas
t hat cannot be obser ved and in ar eas t hat ar e pr ot ect ed fr om dir ect fir e.
Employment
The following AP mines ar e effect ive in ur ban t er r ain:
M14 (use d by US forces i n Korea only). Its s mall size makes it
i de al for obs c ure pl ace s , s uc h as s t ai rs and ce ll ars . It c an be
used i n conjunct i on wit h metalli c AP and AT mi nes to confuse
and hi nder breachi ng at tempts. (See Fi gure 12-9.)
M16 (use d by US force s in Kore a only). Wi th tri p-wi re
actuat i on, i ts let hal radi us covers large areas such as rooftops ,
backyards, and ce llars. An adde d advantage can be gai ne d by
attachi ng t wi ne or wi re to the re le ase -pi n ri ng to e xpe di e ntly
ri g the mi ne for command de tonati on. (Se e Fi gure 12-10.)
M18A1 (claymor e). Numer ous innovat ive applicat ions of claymor e
mu nit ion deployment ca n be found for defensive wa r fa r e in ur ba n
a r ea s (Figu r e 12-11, pa ge 12-12). Wit h r emot e fir in g, a s er ies of
claymor e mines along a st r eet est ablishes a highly effect ive ambush
zon e. Mi n es ca n a l s o be empl oyed on t h e s i des of bu i l di n gs , i n
a ba n don ed veh icles, or in a n y ot h er s t u r dy s t r u ct u r e. Nu mer ou s
op p or t u n i t i e s e xi s t for e ffe ct i ve l y s i t e d , we l l -con ce a l e d mi n e
employment a bove t he t er r a in sur fa ce. Claymor e munit ions ca n be
used t o fill t he dea d spa ce in t he FPF of a ut oma t ic wea pons. They
pr es en t a h a za r d when u sed in con fin ed, bu ilt -up a r ea s. Exer cise
ca ut ion when using t hem close t o fr iendly for ces beca use t her e is a
danger of backblast .
Figure 12-8. Building obstacles
Boarded up window
Directional AP mine
Buried directional
AP mine wire
AP mine
With trip
wires
With trip
wires
With trip
wires
With trip
wires
Overwatching fires
Defensive fires
Overwatching fires Overwatching fires
C2, FM 20-32
Mining Operations in Special Environments 12-11
Figure 12-9. Probable M14 AP mine emplacement
Figure 12-10. Probable M16 AP mine emplacement
In footpaths
Under steps
Behind doors
Under thresholds
In rubble
At base of walls and fences
Rooftops
Trip wire (command-
detonated)
C2, FM 20-32
12-12 Mining Operations in Special Environments
CONVENTIONAL ANTITANK MINES
En emy t a n ks, in fa n t r y figh t i n g veh icles (I FVs ), a n d dir ect -fir e s u ppor t
wea pon s a r e r est r ict ed t o st r eet s, r a ilr oa d lines, a nd, in some inst a n ces,
wat er ways. (See Figur e 12-12.) M15, M19, and M21 mines ar e used pr imar ily
i n t a ct i ca l a n d n u i s a n ce mi n efi el ds ; bu t t h ey a r e occa s i on a l l y u s ed i n
pr ot ect ive min efields. Th ey sh ou ld be employed wit h ot h er obst a cles a n d
cover ed by fir e. Convent iona l AT mines empla ced in st r eet s or a lleys block
r ou t es of a dva n ce i n n a r r ow defi les. Con cea l men t of l a r ge AT min es is
a ccomplish ed by pla cin g t h em in a n d a r ou n d r ubble a n d ot h er obst a cles.
Ext ensive labor r equir ement s gener ally pr ohibit bur ying mines in difficult
t er r ain t ypes.
In disper sed r esident ial a r eas, obst acles a r e r equir ed t o r educe t he enemys
infant r y mobilit y t hr ough and bet ween houses and in open ar eas. They a lso
pr event ar mor ed vehicles fr om moving bet ween houses and along st r eet s. AT
minefield pa t t er ns should ext en d out wa r d fr om t he st r eet s, incor por a t ing
open a r ea s bet ween buildings a nd st r eet s t o pr event ea sy bypa ss of st r eet
obst acles.
Significa n t la bor a n d min e ma t er ia ls a r e r equir ed t o deploy con ven t ion a l
min es bet ween widely spa ced bu ildings, in h igh-r is e cons t r u ct ion, a n d in
i n du s t r i a l a n d t r a n s por t a t i on a r ea s. Th er efor e, SCATMI NEs s h ou l d be
ser iously consider ed as viable alt er nat ives. Some sit uat ions, such as t he one
shown in Figur e 12-13, pr ovide oppor t unit ies for t he effect ive employment of
mines in t act ical and nuisance minefields.
Figure 12-11. Probable M18A1 munition emplacement
On streets
Outside
buildings
In rubble
In alleys
On streets
Coverage for dead spaces
Overwatching fires
C2, FM 20-32
Mining Operations in Special Environments 12-15
Ai r Volcano
The pr imar y advant age of t he air Volcano syst em is it s capabilit y t o sit e and
e m p l a ce m i n e f i e l d s a ccu r a t e l y. Th i s d e p e n d s on t h e h e l i cop t e r ' s
ma n e u ve r a bi l i t y ove r t h e s e l ect e d mi n e fi e l d t e r r a i n a n d t h e p r op e r
coor dina t ion bet ween gr ou nd for ces a nd a via t ion s uppor t . Disa dva n t a ges
i n cl u de vu l n er a bi l i t y a n d t h e h i gh r epl a cemen t cos t of t h e h el i copt er.
However, in view of t he syst em's oper at ional concept , employment in ur ban
t er r ain (which pr ovides lit t le exposur e of t he helicopt er ) act ually incr eases t he
pr act icalit y of employing t his syst em in ur ban ar eas. Mine sur vival r at e on
impact wit h a har d sur face is anot her pot ent ial pr oblem.
Ground Volcano
Thr ee a spect s of t he gr ound Volca no dist inguish it fr om ot her SCATMI NE
syst ems:
The dispenser is or ganic t o suppor t ing combat engineer s, making it
r ea dily a va ila ble t o suppor t t he ma neuver comma nder 's defensive
plan.
Deliver y sit ing is accur at ely pinpoint ed t o t he gr ound.
Bet t er oppor t unit ies exist t o r ecor d t he pr esence of a minefield. In
cont r a st t o a r t iller y-deliver ed a nd a ir Volca no syst ems, t he gr ound
Volcano is deliver ed by engineer s who ar e nor mally locat ed wit h and
r epor t dir ect ly t o t he maneuver commander.
Some pr ima r y fa ct or s ma y degr a de gr ou nd Volca no deployment in u r ba n
t er r a in. The r equir ement t o empla ce minefields befor e a n a ct ua l a t t a ck in
or der t o r educe syst em vulner abilit y is t he most significant fact or. This makes
t he minefield det ect a ble a nd pr ovides mor e r ea ct ion t ime for t he enemy t o
a lt er t heir scheme of ma neuver. The deliver y of mines depends on t er r a in
t r a ffica bilit y. The pr ime mover a nd t he la unch vehicle must negot ia t e t he
t er r ain over which mines ar e t o be dispensed.
Modular Pack Mi ne Syste m
The MOPMS is ideally suit ed for employment in ur ban t er r ain (Figur e 12-15,
page 12-16). The module can be hidden fr om enemy view, and t he mines can
be dispensed aft er at t acker s ar e commit t ed t o a r out e of advance. Addit ionally,
min es ca n be empl a ced r a pi dl y u n der en emy fir e. I n con t r a s t t o ot h er
SCATMI NE syst ems, t he comma nder con t r ols when a nd wher e min es a r e
dispensed and how t hey ar e det onat ed, r egar dless of t he enemy sit uat ion.
Gat or
When consider ed for employment in u r ba n t er r a in, Ga t or s encompa ss t he
same pr oblems as ar t iller y-deliver ed and air Volcano mine syst ems.
DECEPTION MEASURES
Phony minefields can be est a blished r apidly wit h negligible effor t and cost .
Th ey h a ve t h e dist in ct a dva n t a ge of blockin g t h e en emy bu t not fr iendly
for ces. Alt hough it is difficult t o fake a sur face-laid minefield, expedient s such
a s soup pa ns, sea t cushions, a nd ca r dboa r d boxes have hist or ica lly pr oven
effect ive in delaying and channelizing at t acking for ces. These object s, as well
FM 20-32
12-16 Mining Operations in Special Environments
a s ot h er on es r ea di l y a va i l a bl e i n u r ba n a r ea s , ca n be u s ed a s ph on y
minefields or used t o cover r eal mines. A mor e r ealist ic phony minefield could
be cr eat ed wit h iner t or t r aining mines.
I n a dequ a t e minefield ca moufla ge in u r ba n t er r a in is viewed a s a cr it ica l
const r aint in deploying convent iona l mines a nd SCATMINEs. Smoke can be
deployed fr om va r iou s dis pen s er s, bu t i t mu s t be den s e a n d a ccu r a t ely
employed and r eleased.
SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTS
COLD REGIONS
Mine employment in cold r egions poses special pr oblemst he pr incipal one
being emplacement . Mine bur ial is ext r emely difficult in fr ozen gr ound. The
fr eezi n g wa t er i n s oi l ca u s es i t t o h a ve h igh s t r en gt h a n d pen et r a t i on
r esist ance, so digging t imes ar e gr eat ly incr eased if not impr act ical. However,
t h er e a r e s ever a l mea n s t o over come t h i s pr obl em. I n s ome ca s es , t h e
minefield can be laid out befor e t he soil fr eezes. To do t his, dig holes for each
in dividu a l min e a n d in ser t a plu g in t o t h e h ole t o pr ot ect it s sh a pe a n d
pr event it fr om bein g filled in. A wide va r iet y of ma t er ia l ca n be used for
plugs. Ideally, t he plug should be economical, easy t o r emove, and r igid enough
t o maint ain t he dept h and shape of t he hole. Sandbags, plast ic bags filled wit h
sa nd or sa wdust , or logs ma ke excellen t plugs. I f t h e min efield ca nnot be
pr echamber ed, mecha nical means can be used t o dig holes. When ava ila ble,
civilian const r uct ion equipment (par t icular ly lar ge ear t h auger s) can be used
t o dr ill holes for mine emplacement .
Figure 12-15. MOPMS employment
MOPMS transmitter
MOPMS
MOPMS
MOPMS
Direction of enemy advance
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-1
Chapter 13
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
Dur ing war a nd OOTW, booby t r aps ca n be found anywher e at anyt ime.
They ca n kill or inca pa cit a t e t heir unsuspect ing vict ims. This cha pt er
pr ovi des i n for ma t i on on booby-t r a p empl oymen t con cept s, det ect i on
t echniques, mar king and r ecor ding pr ocedur es, and r emoval guidelines.
This cha pt er a lso pr ovides a n over view of expedient devices a nd t heir
employment consider at ions.
US policy r est r ict s t he u se of booby t r a ps by US per sonn el. Th is does not
pr eclude t heir use by ot her count r ies, so US for ces may encount er t hem dur ing
oper at ions.
Th e u s e of booby t r a ps i s l i mi t ed on l y by t h e i ma gi n a t i on of t h e for ce
employing t hem. They
Ar e usually explosive in nat ur e.
Ar e act uat ed when an unsuspect ing per son dist ur bs an appar ent ly
har mless object or per for ms a pr esumably safe act .
Ar e designed t o kill or incapacit at e.
Cause unexpect ed, r andom casualt ies and damage.
Cr eat e an at t it ude of uncer t aint y and suspicion in t he enemy's mind,
t her eby, lower ing his mor a le a nd inducing a degr ee of ca ut ion t ha t
r est r ict s or slows his movement .
Many booby t r aps ar e const r uct ed using milit ar y equipment and ammunit ion.
Impr ovised t r aps ar e used dur ing count er insur gency missions in low-int ensit y
conflict s.
The cor ps comma nder is t he employment a ut hor it y for booby t r a ps. He ca n
delegat e t his aut hor it y t o t he division commander. If aut hor it y is given t o set
booby t r a ps, US per son n el will a dh er e t o t h e r u les for in t er n a t ion a l la w
applicable t o a r med conflict . Ther e a r e sever al uses of booby t r aps t ha t a r e
pr ohibit ed. Remember, t hese r est r ict ions ar e not obser ved by all count r ies; US
per sonnel must st ill be ca ut ious when a ppr oa ching object s in a r ea s wher e
booby t r aps ar e supposedly pr ohibit ed.
Int er nat ional law pr ohibit s t he use of booby t r aps as follows:
Booby t r aps and ot her devices ar e pr ohibit ed if t hey ar e at t ached t o or
associat ed wit h
SECTION I. SETTING BOOBY TRAPS
C2
FM 20-32
13-2 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
Int er nat ionally r ecognized pr ot ect ive emblems, signs, or signals.
Sick, wounded, or dead per sonnel.
Bur ial or cr emat ion sit es or gr aves.
Medical facilit ies, equipment , or supplies.
Childr ens t oys or ot her por t able object s or pr oduct s t hat ar e
designed for t heir feeding, healt h, hygiene, clot hing, or educat ion.
Food or dr ink.
Kit chen ut ensils or appliances except in milit ar y est ablishment s,
milit ar y locat ions, or supply depot s.
Object s t hat ar e clear ly r eligious in nat ur e.
Hist or ic monument s, wor ks of ar t , or places of wor ship.
Animals or t heir car casses.
Booby t r aps ar e pr ohibit ed in cit ies, villages, and ot her ar eas t hat
cont ain civilians if combat bet ween gr ound for ces is not t aking pla ce
or does not appear t o be imminent , unless
Booby t r aps ar e placed on or in t he close vicinit y of a milit ar y
object ive.
Measur es (guar ds, war ning, or fences) ar e t aken t o pr ot ect
civilians fr om booby-t r ap effect s.
TACTICS
Booby t r a ps ar e psychologica l weapons. They ma ke t he enemy ca ut ious and
slow it down. These act ions, in t ur n, cause enemy casualt ies. Do not wast e
t ime at t empt ing t o set elabor at e t r aps t hat ar e undet ect able or impossible t o
disar m. Also, do not wast e t ime developing difficult sit es, because simple t r aps
usually have t he same chance of cat ching t he enemy. Even if booby t r aps ar e
det ect ed and clear ed, t heir aim is achieved.
Th e pr in ciples gover n in g t h e u se of booby t r a ps a n d n u isa n ce min es a r e
ident ical, so consider using t hem in conjunct ion wit h one anot her. They have
char act er ist ics t hat make t hem suit able for use in differ ent sit uat ions:
Nuisance mines ar e quicker t o lay and safer t o use t han booby t r aps,
a nd t hey a r e nor ma lly used in out side loca t ions wher e t hey ca n be
bur ied.
Booby t r aps ar e nor mally used in ur ban ar eas, st r uct ur es, and places
wher e mines ar e easily det ect ed.
Booby t r a ps a n d n u i s a n ce mi n es a r e pa r t i cu l a r l y s u i t ed for defen s i ve
oper at ions. They ar e used t o
Slow t he enemy's advance.
Deny t he enemy use of facilit ies and mat er ial.
War n of enemy appr oach.
FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-3
Det er t he enemy fr om using gr ound not cover ed by dir ect fir e.
Plan defensive oper at ions.
In offensive oper at ions, booby t r aps and nuisance mines ar e employed on an
oppor t unit y basis dur ing r aids and pat r ols. For mal inst r uct ion is not usually
issued by t he st aff.
Exer cise caut ion when using bobby t r aps in offensive oper at ions because t hey
ma y h in der t h e oper a t i on . I n a dva n ce a n d pu r s u it oper a t ion s, t h ey a r e
pr imar ily used by pat r ols and r aiding par t ies. They slow down enemy follow-
up act ions and hinder t he enemys r epair and maint enance t eams aft er r aids.
Th e followin g con s ider a t ion s per t a in t o defen s ive oper a t ion s bu t ma y be
r elevant t o offensive oper at ions and must be consider ed when br iefing t r oops:
Booby t r apping is r ar ely given a high pr ior it y and is usually
per ipher al t o ot her engineer t asks.
Nuisance mines ar e mor e cost -effect ive t han booby t r aps, unless booby
t r a ps a r e u s ed in s it u a t ion s t h a t a l low t h eir fu ll pot en t i a l t o be
exploit ed. If it is easier, use nuisance mines inst ead of booby t r aps.
To maximize t he effect of booby t r aps and nuisance mines, t he st aff pr ovides
engineer commander s wit h t he following infor mat ion:
Pur pose. Booby t r aps ar e t ime-consuming and danger ous t o set . Do
not wast e t ime and effor t set t ing t r aps t hat ar e unlikely t o be act uat ed
or t hat ar e not specifically designed t o achieve t he r equir ed aim. For
exa mple, if booby t r a ps ar e being used aga inst t r oops, small, simple
t r aps designed t o incapacit at e will achieve t his r esult just as well as
complicat ed ones wit h lar ge char ges. If t he aim is t o dest r oy vehicles,
use mines.
Locat ion. The pr ecise locat ion for booby t r aps and nuisance mines can
only be det er mined by t he set t ing unit . Ar eas must be delineat ed and
r ecor ded so t hat t her e is no t hr eat t o fr iendly for ces in t he event of
r eoccupat ion.
Time set t ing st ar t s and t ime available for set t ing. The t ime set t ing
st ar t s affect s ot her engineer t asks, and t he lengt h of t ime available for
set t ing gover ns t he number of men r equir ed.
Number of safe r out es r equir ed. Safe r out es ar e impor t ant dur ing
gener a l wit hdr awa ls wher e a ut hor it y ha s been given t o booby-t r a p
posit ions as t hey ar e evacuat ed. They also pr ovide safe ar eas for t he
cover ing for ce t o launch count er at t acks.
Likelihood of r eoccupat ion. Even if t he enemy has not det onat ed booby
t r a ps, t hey might ha ve int er fer ed wit h t hem. Ther efor e, do not set
booby t r aps when ar eas ar e t o be vacat ed t o meet shor t -t er m t act ical
r equir ement s or when r eoccupat ion is expect ed soon.
I n t el l i gen ce per s on n el pr ovi de i n for ma t i on t o a s s i s t t h e s et t i n g u n it in
ma ximi zin g t h e effect of booby t r a ps. Th e n a t u r e a n d t h e t ype of t r a ps
r equir ed depen d on t he enemy unit . For exa mple, while pa ying pa r t icula r
at t ent ion t o dead space and defilade posit ions, use mines or widely disper sed
C2, FM 20-32
13-4 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
t r aps (wit h lar ge char ges) against a mechanized enemy. Conver sely, use small
t r aps and AP mines (in places t hat affor d cover ) against an infant r y enemy.
SITING
I f t h e fir st obst a cle or in st a lla t ion t h e enemy s t r ikes is booby-t r a pped or
nuisance-mined, he is delayed while he clear s it . The enemy is fur t her delayed
by an incr eased degr ee of caut ion. His t r oops know t hat addit ional t r aps and
mines ca n be encoun t er ed. Booby t r a ps a nd n uisa nce min es a r e gen er a lly
locat ed
In and ar ound buildings, inst allat ions, and field defenses.
In and ar ound r oad cr at er s or any obst acle t hat must be clear ed.
In nat ur al, cover ed r est ing places along r out es.
In likely assembly ar eas.
In t he vicinit y of st ocks of fuel, supplies, or mat er ials.
At focal point s and bot t lenecks in t he r oad or r ail syst ems
(par t icular ly t he ones t hat cannot be bypassed).
The set t ing-par t y commander is r esponsible for t he det ailed sit ing and design
of booby t r aps. Consider all t he infor mat ion about t he enemy soldier and his
oper at ing pr ocedur es when select ing places and object s t o t r ap. Also, consider
t he t r a ps fr om t he enemys point of view and assess t he cour ses open t o t he
enemy when he encount er s t hem. This can expose weaknesses in your init ial
pla n a n d br ing a bout cha nges t o t he pr oposed la you t , or it ca n r esult in a
differ ent locat ion being select ed. In addit ion, det er mine t he effor t r equir ed by
t he enemy t o bypass t he t r aps. This shows whet her t he imposed delay just ifies
t he effor t r equir ed t o set t he booby t r aps in t he select ed locat ion.
TYPES OF TRAPS
Booby t r aps ar e designed t o
Be act uat ed by per sons car r ying out t heir nor mal dut ies.
Take advant age of human nat ur e.
The following booby t r aps can oft en be det ect ed because t hey ar e designed t o
make t he per son do somet hing:
Bait . Usually consist s of object s t hat ar ouse someone s int er est , such
a s a t t r a ct ive or in t er es t in g it ems t h a t h a ve a ppa r en t ly been left
behind or discar ded dur ing a r apid evacuat ion.
Decoy. The most common decoy consist s of t wo t r apsone designed t o
be det ect ed, t he ot her designed t o act ua t e when per sonnel deal wit h
t he fir st one. The fir st t r ap can be a dummy. A classic for m of a decoy
is t o place booby t r aps or nuisance mines in locat ions fr om which t he
decoy mine can be r emoved.
Bluff. A bluff is a hoax and usually consist s of a dummy t r ap.
C2, FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-5
Double bluff. A double bluff only appear s t o be a bluff. Per sonnel
believe t he t r ap is safe or can be disar med. For example, a number of
t r a ps ca n be s et t h a t a r e di s a r med wh en t h e det on a t i n g cor d is
r emoved fr om t h e ch a r ge. Th e dou ble blu ff is a ch ieved by set t in g
a n ot h er t r a p t ha t a ppea r s t o be t he sa me, bu t it a ct ua lly explodes
when t he det onat ing cor d is r emoved fr om t he char ge. Double bluffs
r ely on a r educed awar eness and aler t ness caused by r epet it ion.
COMPONENTS AND PRINCIPLES
Th er e a r e t wo in it ia t ion met h ods for explosive booby t r a pselect r ic a n d
nonelect r ic. Bot h met hods can be const r uct ed using many differ ent t ypes of
FDs. FDs ca n be secur ed t o t he cha r ge (dir ect connect ion) or loca t ed away
fr om it (r emot e connect ion). They ar e act uat ed by one or mor e met hods. It is
impossible t o descr ibe ever y t ype of t r ap t hat may be encount er ed; however,
most ar e const r uct ed and oper at ed by using component s similar t o t hose list ed
below:
FD.
Power sour ce (bat t er y, for example).
Connect ion (usually det onat ing cor d or elect r ic wir es).
Blast ing cap.
Main char ge.
Figur e 13-1, page 13-6, shows how t ypical elect r ic and nonelect r ic t r aps can be
made.
ACTUATION METHODS
Ma n y soph ist ica t ed booby-t r a p devices a r e n ow being ma n u fa ct ur ed t h a t
oper at e on vibr at ion, sound, t emper at ur e change, and ot her met hods. Cur r ent
int elligence on t he booby t r ap being used in t he AO should be gat her ed so t hat
cou nt er mea su r es ca n be developed a n d pr a ct iced. Most FDs fou n d in t he
combat zone ar e simple mechanisms designed t o be act uat ed by pull, pr essur e,
pr essur e r elease, or t ension r elease (Figur e 13-2, page 13-7).
METHODS OF CONNECTION
Pr ocedu r es ca n be va r ied when it is sa fe t o do so. For exa mple, inst ea d of
connect ing t he FD t o a char ge alr eady in posit ion, pr econnect t r ap component s
and t hen posit ion t he t r ap.
Sma ll ch a r ges (u p t o 1 kilogr a m) a r e s u fficien t for AP t r a ps, bu t la r ger
quant it ies ca n be used t o incr ease t heir effect . Shr apnel can be pr oduced by
packing st ones, scr ap met al, nails, or ot her mat er ial a r ound t he char ge. AT
t r a ps r equir e la r ge cha r ges (up t o 6.75 kilogr a ms for wheeled vehicles a nd
11.25 kilogr ams or mor e for t r acked vehicles).
REMOTE
Follow t he pr ocedur es list ed below when a ssembling a r emot ely connect ed
t r ap using an M142 FD (similar t o t he illust r at ion in Figur e 13-3, page 13-7):
Design t he t r ap and collect necessar y mat er ials.
FM 20-32
13-6 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
Test t he M142 FD.
Lay t he det onat ing cor d fr om t he char ge locat ion t o t he FD locat ion.
Posit ion t he char ge.
Connect t he det onat ing cor d t o t he char ge.
Pr epar e t he coupler.
Tape a lengt h (46 cent imet er s, minimum) of det onat ing cor d t o t he
coupler s blast ing end.
Pr epar e and posit ion t he M142, set it t o oper at e in t he desir ed
manner, and r emove t he r ound- or squar e-headed pin.
Figure 13-1. Typical electric and nonelectric booby traps
Detonating cord
REMOTE
Blasting cap
Charge
FD
FD
DIRECT
REMOTE
DIRECT
DIRECT
Charge
Blasting cap
Battery
Electrical cable
Detonating cord
C2, FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-15
Wait at least 30 seconds aft er pulling a booby t r ap or a mine. Ther e
might be a delay fuse.
Mar k all t r aps unt il t hey ar e clear ed.
Expect const ant change in enemy t echniques.
Never at t empt t o clear booby t r aps by hand if pulling t hem or
dest r oying t hem in place is possible and accept able.
INDICATIONS
Successful det ect ion depends on t wo t hingsbeing awa r e of wha t might be
t r apped and why, and being able t o r ecognize t he evidence of set t ing. The fir st
r equir ement demands a well-developed sense of int uit ion; t he second, a keen
eye. I n t u i t i on , l i k e mi n e s en s e, i s ga i n ed t h r ou gh exper i en ce a n d a n
under st anding of t he enemy's t echniques and habit s. A keen eye is t he r esult
of t r a ining a nd pr act ice in t he r ecognit ion of t hings t ha t might indicat e t he
pr esence of a t r ap. The pr esence of booby t r aps or nuisance mines is indicat ed
by
Dist ur bance of gr ound sur face or scat t er ed, loose soil.
Wr apper s, seals, loose shell caps, safet y pins, nails, and pieces of wir e
or cor d.
Impr ovised met hods of mar king t r aps, such as piles of st ones or mar ks
on walls or t r ees.
Evidence of camouflage, such as wit her ed veget at ion or signs of
cut t ing.
Br eaks in t he cont inuit y of dust , paint , or veget at ion.
Tr ampled ear t h or veget at ion; foot mar ks.
Lumps or bulges under car pet or in fur nit ur e.
DETECTION
Det ect ion met hods depend on t he nat ur e of t he envir onment . In open ar eas,
met hods used t o det ect mines can usually det ect booby t r a ps. Look for t r ip
wir es and ot her signs suggest ing t he pr esence of an act uat ing mechanism. In
ur ba n a r ea s, mine det ect or s a r e pr oba bly of lit t le use. You have t o r ely on
manual sear ch t echniques and, if available, special equipment .
CLEARING METHODS
The met hod u sed t o n eut r a lize or disa r m a t r a p depends on ma ny t hings,
including t ime const r aint s, per sonnel asset s, and t he t ype of t r ap. Remember,
a t r ap cannot be consider ed safe unt il t he blast ing cap or t he det onat ing cor d
h a s been r emoved fr om t h e ch a r ge. Th i s i s you r fi r s t object i ve a n d i s
pa r t icula r ly impor t a nt for elect r ic t r a ps, wh ich ma y con t a in a colla psin g
cir cuit .
Use t he safest met hod t o neut r alize a t r ap. For example, if t he FD a nd t he
det onat ing cor d ar e accessible, it is usually safer t o cut t he det onat ing cor d.
This met hod does not act uat e t he t r ap, but inser t ing pins in t he FD might .
C2, FM 20-32
13-16 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
COMBAT CLEARANCE
Clea r i n g booby t r a ps a n d n u is a n ce mi n es i n AOs i s don e pr ima r i l y by
engineer s. Ther efor e, engineer advice is impor t ant dur ing t he planning st ages
of any oper at ion wher e booby t r aps ar e likely t o be encount er ed. Int elligence
r ega r din g t h e pos s ible pr es en ce a n d t ypes of t r a ps mu s t be pr ovided t o
engineer unit s a s soon a s possible. This a llows t h e u nit t o t a ke necessa r y
a ct ion a n d pr ovide r eleva n t t r a in in g. Clea r a n ce of booby t r a ps ca n not be
u n der t a ken a s a s econ da r y t a sk, beca u se en gin eer clea r in g t ea ms migh t
r equir e pr ot ect ion t hat necessit at es combined ar ms t r aining. Befor e engineer
planning can st ar t , t he st aff pr ovides commander s wit h t he lat est int elligence
infor mat ion and, if possible, t he following infor mat ion:
Amount of clear ance r equir ed.
Accept able damage.
Time r equir ement s.
Availabilit y of special equipment .
Secur it y r equir ement s.
Int elligence infor mat ion r egar ding t he nat ur e, t ype, and locat ion of t r aps has
a dir ect bear ing on t he number of clear ing par t ies necessar y and t he degr ee of
pr ot ect ion r equir ed. For example, in built -up a r eas wher e t r a ps have t o be
clear ed in buildings t hat offer pr ot ect ion fr om enemy fir e, dir ect pr ot ect ion is
usually pr ovided by t he nor mal combat sit uat ion. On t he ot her hand, in open
ar eas wher e clear ing par t ies may be r equir ed t o clear t r aps cover ed by dir ect
enemy fir e, pr ot ect ion ar r angement s must be mor e specific.
En gineer comma n der s mu st be a wa r e of t he t ime needed t o clea r va r ious
t ypes of t r a ps in differ in g t er r a in s it u a t ion s. Remember, in cr ea s in g t h e
number of clear ance par t ies may not necessar ily r educe t he t ime r equir ed t o
clear t r aps. This is par t icular ly t r ue when t r aps ar e set close t oget her or set
deep along a nar r ow fr ont t hat is t he only available r out e.
Init ially, clear ar eas of immediat e t act ical impor t ance and t r aps t hat pr esent a
specific t hr eat . For example, clear only t he por t ion of a building r equir ed for
obser vat ion a nd t hose t r a ps pr esent ing an immediat e hazar d. This enables
clear ing par t ies t o concent r at e on ot her ar eas of t act ical impor t ance.
Clea r in g t r a ps by h a n d is t h e on ly wa y t h a t da ma ge ca n be a voided a n d
secur it y guar ant eed. When it is vit al t o avoid equipment or st r uct ur e damage,
cons ider usin g a va ila ble EOD a ss et s. I t is oft en necess a r y t o ba la nce t he
r equ ir emen t t o r ema in s ilen t a n d a void da ma ge wit h t h e r equ ir ement t o
maint ain moment um.
When t r aps a r e being clear ed in dir ect -suppor t combat sit uat ions, t hey a r e
nor ma lly dea lt wit h by u sin g u nit r esou r ces a nd loca lly ma n ufa ct u r ed or
acquir ed aids. Specified equipment is r ar ely available. Equipment var ies wit h
t he sit uat ion but usually consist s of select ed it ems fr om Table 13-2. In ar eas
wit h a high incidence of booby t r aps, a ssemble and r eser ve special clear ing
kit s.
FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-21
CLEARING INSTALLATIONS AND FACILITIES
Clea r in g by h a nd is n ecess a r y in inst a lla t ions a nd fa cilit ies (fu el dumps,
ammunit ion dumps, elect r ic subst a t ions) wher e an explosion could r esult in
t h e los s of r es ou r ces. I n ot h er s i t u a t i on s, t h e i t em' s impor t a n ce or t h e
r esult ing da mage might not be obvious. For example, a small cha r ge placed
a ga in s t t h e con t r ol va lves of a da m or a ga in s t t h e ma in ca ble en t er in g a
t elephone exchange r esult s in unfor eseen damage t hat can t ake days t o r epair.
Ther efor e, you should seek a specia list ' s a dvice, if possible, when clea r ing
booby t r aps in indust r ial ar eas and unfamiliar locat ions.
CLEARING OBSTACLES
If an enemy has t ime t o cr eat e obst acles, he also has t ime t o set booby t r aps
a n d la y n u i s a n ce min es. Th e obs t a cle i t s el f i s u s u a ll y cl ea r of t r a ps t o
encour age a false sense of secur it y and lead t r oops int o mor e danger ous ar eas.
Ther efor e, r egar d all obst acles as booby-t r apped unt il pr oven ot her wise. The
simplest , safest way t o deal wit h movable obst acles is t o pull t hem. Befor e an
obst acle can be pulled, you must fir st clear t he ar ea fr om which t he pull will
be made.
CLEARING SECURE AREAS
When clea r ing secur e a r ea s a nd t ime is not a ma jor fa ct or, use specia lized
clear ance equipment as much as possible. The following equipment might be
available for use:
Camer as. Camer as have a wide r ange of applicat ions. They can be
used wit h differ ent t ypes of film, such a s infr ar ed and ult r aviolet , t o
disclose evidence t hat is indiscer nible t o t he naked eye. For example,
in fr a r ed ph ot ogr a ph y r evea ls di ffer en ces in t h e h ea t emit t ed by
object s and can oft en disclose r ecent digging and bur ied or concealed
object s.
Explosive det ect or dogs (EDDs). Alt hough EDDs can det ect minut e
qu a n t it ies of expl os ives a n d t h e pr es en ce of t r ip wir es, t h ey a r e
t r a ined t o det ect t he char ge a nd not t he FD. This ext r emely limit s
t heir usefulness in det ect ing booby t r aps. They also t end t o become
confused if t he ar ea cont ains explosive odor s ot her t han t hose emit t ing
fr om booby t r aps.
Elect r onic count er measur es. Elect r onic count er measur es can be used
t o explode elect r ic booby t r a ps a nd t o pr event r emot ely cont r olled,
impr ovised explosive devices fr om being det onat ed by r adio.
Robot s. In t heir simplest for m, r obot s can be used t o det onat e or
neut r a lize booby t r a ps. Mor e sophist ica t ed models ca n be r emot ely
cont r olled t o ca r r y out simple t a sks, such a s videot a ping or cut t ing
wir es.
Body ar mor.
Elect r ic met er s.
X-r ay equipment .
C2, FM 20-32
13-22 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
CLEARANCE METHODS
Pulling. This met hod uses a gr apnel and a r ope t o pull t he t r ap. It is
used when t he r esult ing damage is accept able. It is t he safest met hod
and is par t icular ly applicable t o t r aps set in open ar eas. Do not dist ur b
a ny pa r t of a booby t r a p when pla cing t he gr a pnel a nd pulling t he
ca ble. Ca r efu lly s elect t h e sit e fr om wh er e t h e pu ll is t o be ma de
because it might be mined or t r apped. When a booby t r ap is pulled and
does not explode, wait at least 30 seconds befor e appr oaching it in case
delay devices have been used. Disposal of unexploded t r aps depends
on t heir condit ion when inspect ed. The pr ocedur e for pulling booby
t r aps is similar t o t hat for pulling mines (see Chapt er 11).
Tr ip wir es. Check t he ar ea for AP devices befor e pr oceeding. Place a
gr apnel hook as close as possible t o t he t r ip wir e. Do not t ouch t he t r ip
wir e unt il t he pulling par t y is in a cover ed ar ea.
Pull and r elease. Pull away object s t hat conceal and oper at e pull and
r elease mechanisms.
Pr essur e mechanism. Pull pr essur e mechanisms fr om under object s
t ha t con cea l a nd oper a t e t h em. I f t his is impossible, blow t h em in
place. In many cases, it might be easier t o pull t he char ge r at her t han
t he FD. Take ext r eme car e when at t empt ing t his, because addit ional
mechanisms ar e oft en concealed in or under t he main char ge.
Dest r oying in place. When dest r oying booby t r aps in place, explode a
small char ge near t he booby t r ap's char ge. Again, use t his met hod only
if damage fr om t he explosion is accept a ble. When it is impossible t o
pla ce t he explosive close en ou gh t o ens ur e det ona t ion of t he ma in
char ge, car efully place it alongside t he mechanism. Do not assume t he
ma in char ge is safe t o ha ndle just beca use t he mechanism has been
dest r oyed. Act u a t e pr essu r e mech a n isms by s u spen din g on e-h a lf
pound of explosive above t he pr essur e plat e.
Clear ing by hand. This met hod involves neut r alizing, disar ming,
r emovi n g, a n d di s pos i n g of t r a ps wi t h ou t ca u s i n g da ma ge. I t is
ext r emel y h a za r dou s a n d s h ou l d on l y be u s ed wh en pu l l i n g or
dest r uct ing t r a ps in pla ce is impossible or una ccept a ble. Clea r a nce
should only be conduct ed by EOD per sonnel or exper ienced engineer s.
Car efully examine all aspect s of t he t r ap befor e deciding how t o clear
it .
Explosive line char ge. Using t his device pr oduces quick r esult s when
only a nar r ow pat h is r equir ed t hr ough a booby-t r apped ar ea. It gives
clea r a n ce for t h e s a me dis t a nce t o eit h er s ide, only wh er e it is in
cont act wit h t he gr ound.
Ar mor. This met hod is used wher e t r aps wit h small char ges (designed
as AP devices) ar e locat ed in open ar eas. Ar mor ed vehicles t r ack back
and for t h over t he ar ea. This shor t ens t he clear ing t ime wit h lit t le r isk
of casualt ies.
FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-29
Expedient devices ar e const r uct ed in t he field wit h locally available mat er ial.
They ar e employed against vehicles or per sonnel in t he same manner as ot her
mine syst ems. Expedient devices
Supplement a unit 's low supply of convent ional mines.
Hinder r econnaissance, clear ance, and neut r alizat ion of minefields.
Cr eat e enemy at t it udes of uncer t aint y and suspicion t o lower mor ale
and slow movement ).
AUTHORIZATION
Beca use expedient devices have nonst a nda r d design a nd funct ioning, t a ke
s peci a l pr eca u t i on s t o pr ot ect fr i en dl y for ces. Con s i der n eu t r a l i za t i on ,
dis a r min g r equ ir emen t s, a n d a dequ a t e ma r kin g pr ocedu r es. Th e u s e of
expedient devices is r est r ict ed under t he Convent ion of Convent ional War far e.
Expedient devices have t he same int er na t ional r est r ict ions as booby t r a ps.
The cor ps commander is t he employment aut hor it y for expedient devices. He
can delegat e t his aut hor it y t o t he division commander. If aut hor it y is given t o
use expedient devices, US per sonnel will adher e t o t he r ules for int er nat ional
law t hat ar e applicable t o ar med conflict .
EMPLOYMENT AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
If issued mines ar e not r eadily available on t he bat t lefield, expedient devices
ca n be ma n ufa ct u r ed in t h e field. Con st r u ct ion va r ies ba sed on a va ila ble
mat er ials and t he ingenuit y of t he per sonnel who ar e fabr icat ing t he devices.
Expedient devices pose a pot ent ial safet y hazar d t o fr iendly for cest hose who
ar e const r uct ing t hem and t hose who may lat er encount er t hem. Const r uct ion
should be per for med by per sonnel who ar e familiar wit h t he mat er ials being
used. I nnova t ive design s should be ch ecked a nd t est ed befor e a r ming a nd
emplacing t he devices.
As a min imu m, t es t t h e fu s i n g mech a n is m s epa r a t el y t o en s u r e t h a t i t
funct ions as designed. Impr oper fuse oper at ion is t he most common cause of
malfunct ion. Also, t est t he fuse and t he fir ing chain (base char ge, blast ing cap,
and det ona t ing cor d) wit hout t he ma in cha r ge t o ensur e pr oper oper a t ion.
Emplace t he device a ft er sat isfa ct or y per for ma nce of t he fir ing mechanism.
Fir st , emplace heavy it ems (such as ar t iller y shells) t hat ar e used as t he main
ch a r ge, a n d t h en a dd t h e fi r i n g mech a n is m. Ta k e ca r e wh en movi n g or
empla cing expedient devices beca use t heir nonst a nda r d ma nufa ct u r e a nd
pot ent ially fault y const r uct ion make t hem highly sensit ive t o jar s and shocks.
Const r uct devices at t he emplacement sit e whenever possible.
E xped i en t devi ces a r e p r e pa r ed i n t h e fi el d u s i n g s t a n da r d US F Ds ,
det onat or s, and demolit ion mat er ials. All devices discussed in t his chapt er can
be ma de t o fu n ct i on e l ect r i ca l l y or n on el ect r i ca l l y u s i n g mod er n i zed
demolit ion init iat or s (MDIs). AP devices must be command-det onat ed.
SECTION III. EXPEDIENT DEVICES
C2, FM 20-32
13-30 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
HIGH-EXPLOSIVE, ARTILLERY-SHELL DEVICE
Th e HE, a r t iller y-s h ell devi ce (Figu r e 13-15) ca n be r ea dily a da pt ed t o
expedient mining. Remove t he ar t iller y fuse and r eplace it wit h a st andar d FD
a n d a len gt h of det ona t in g cor d or wit h a n MDI bla st ing ca p. I f pr oper ly
a ssembled, a dest r uct or may a lso be used. If a dest r uct or is not ava ila ble,
fir mly pack t he fuse well wit h composit ion C4 explosive and inser t a lengt h of
knot t ed det onat ing cor d or a blast ing cap.
The device can be act ivat ed by a var iet y of met hods depending on t he t ype of
FD used. When MDI blast ing caps ar e used, t he device is command-det onat ed.
The device can also be a dapt ed t o funct ion elect r ically by adding an elect r ic
cap and a power sour ce.
This device can be used as an AT or an AP device. When used as an AP device,
it must be command-det onat ed.
NOTE: Use onl y se rvi ceable US ammuni ti on that has remai ned i n the
po s s e s s i o n o f US fo rc e s . Ne v e r u s e c a pt u re d a mmu n i t i o n o r UXO
f o u n d o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d . I t m a y b e a r m e d , b o o b y -t r a p p e d , o r
de t eri orate d.
Figure 13-15. HE, artillery-shell device
PRESSURE FD WITH
DESTRUCTOR
Nonelectric
blasting cap
M10 universal
destructor
Artillery shell
with fuse
removed
Artillery shell
with fuse
removed
Artillery shell
with fuse
removed
M142 multi-
purpose FD
Standard base cap
(remove)
Priming adapter
C4 explosive
Nonelectric
blasting cap
Standard base cap
(remove)
Electric
blasting cap
Standard base
Pull FD with
C4 explosive
Detonating cord
Composition C4
explosive
ELECTRICAL
FIRING SYSTEM
Standard base
Metal plates
Power system
Paper or suitable
insulating material
NOTE: For command-detonation, an M34 blasting
machine can replace the metal plates and the battery.
Electric-cap leads
C2, FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-31
PLATTER CHARGE
The plat t er char ge (Figur e 13-16) consist s of a suit able cont ainer t hat is filled
wit h unifor mly packed explosive a nd placed behind a plat t er. The plat t er is
met a l (pr efer a bl y r ou n d, bu t s qu a r e i s s a t i s fa ct or y) a n d wei gh s 1 t o 3
kilogr ams. The explosive r equir ed is equal t o t he weight of t he pla t t er. The
cont ainer may not be necessar y if t he explosive can be held fir mly against t he
plat t er (t ape ca n be used). The char ge should be pr imed fr om t he exact r ear
cent er, and t he bla st ing cap should be secur ed wit h a small amount of C4 t o
ensur e det onat ion.
The cha r ge should be aimed a t t he dir ect cent er of t he t a r get . The effect ive
r a n ge (pr ima r ily a ma t t er of a im) is a ppr oxima t ely 35 met er s for a sma ll
t a r get . Wit h pr a ct ice, exper ienced per s on n el ca n h it a 55-ga llon dr u m (a
r elat ively small t ar get ) at 25 met er s wit h about 90 per cent accur acy.
The plat t er char ge can be used as an AT or an AP device. When used as an AP
device, it must be command-det onat ed.
IMPROVISED CLAYMORE
For t he impr ovised cla ymor e device (Figur e 13-17, pa ge 13-32), a la yer of
plast ic explosive is at t ached t o t he convex side of a suit ably dense, cur ved base
(such as wood or met al). A hole must be made in t he exact r ear of t he base. A
blast ing cap is placed in t he hole t o pr ime t he device. Shr apnel is fixed t o t he
explosive wit h a suit able r et ainer (clot h, t ape, mesh scr een).
Th e devi ce mu s t be comma n d-det on a t ed. Comma n d det on a t ion i s bes t
achieved wit h elect r ical pr iming or an MDI. A blast ing device is a t t ached t o
t he elect r ic cap via fir ing wir es laid at least 50 met er s fr om t he device. Ensur e
t h a t p er s on n el h a ve a dequ a t e cover wh en det on a t i n g t h e i mpr ovi s ed
claymor e.
Figure 13-16. Platter charge
To initiating device
(electric or
nonelectric)
Blasting cap (electric or
nonelectric) primed in
center rear of explosive
C4 explosive
main charge
Platter
Center of target
C2, FM 20-32
13-32 Booby Traps and Expedient Devices
GRAPESHOT ANTIPERSONNEL DEVICE
Place shr apnel in t he bot t om of a cylindr ica l cont ainer t o ma ke a gr a peshot
AP device (Figur e 13-18). The shr a pnel is t a mped a nd held in pla ce wit h a
su it a ble sepa r a t or (wa ddin g). Explosive (a ppr oxima t ely on e-qu a r t er t h e
weight of t he shr apnel) is pa cked t o a unifor m densit y behind t he wadding.
The device is pr imed in t he cent er of t he explosive wit h an elect r ic cap or an
MDI.
NOTE: Th e Un i t e d Na t i o n s Co n v e n t i o n o f Ce r t a i n Co n v e n t i o n a l
We apons mandat e s t hat al l fragme nt muni t i ons produc e fragme nt s
that are vi si ble by X ray (such as metal or rock).
This device must be command-det onat ed. The explosive pr opels t he shr apnel
out war d fr om t he cont ainer. The gr apeshot is ver y effect ive against per sonnel
t ar get s.
BARBWIRE ANTIPERSONNEL DEVICE
The bar bwir e AP device (Figur e 13-19) can be made dir ect ional by placing t he
wir e against a n embankment or a fixed object . This causes t he for ce of t he
explosion t o expel t he bar bwir e fr agment s in t he desir ed dir ect ion. One r oll of
st andar d bar bwir e is placed int o posit ion, and one block of C4 is placed in t he
cent er of t he r oll and pr imed. This device must be command-det onat ed.
Figure 13-17. Improvised claymore device
Screen or
retainer
Shrapnel
Convex base
Electric blasting cap
Legs
Tape
Explosive ( weight of shrapnel)
Electric blasting cap primed in
center with C4 wadding
Blasting machine (or
suitable substitute)
Enemy
50 m
(minimum)
C2, FM 20-32
Booby Traps and Expedient Devices 13-33
Figure 13-18. Grapeshot AP device
Figure 13-19. Barbwire AP device
Explosive ( weight of
shrapnel)
Wadding Shrapnel
Container
Blasting machine
Electric
blasting cap
Wadding
Shrapnel
Bottom
C4 explosive
Primed in
center
M34 blasting machine
(or suitable substitute)
Wooden
base
Electric blasting cap
1-lb block of C4
Roll of barbwire
C2, FM 20-32
Installation and Removal of US Mines and Firing Devices A-11
Disar m t he mine.
Clear t he soil car efully fr om t he t op of t he fuse t o t he posit ive
safet y-pin hole. When using t he M605 fuse, clear away all t he soil
fr om t he fuse ar ea.
Inser t t he posit ive safet y pin t hr ough t he posit ive safet y-pin hole.
Inser t t he locking safet y pin t hr ough t he locking safet y-pin hole.
Cut t he slack t r ip wir es t hat ar e at t ached t o t he r elease-pin r ing.
Check for AHDs.
Hold t he mine body fir mly in place wit h one hand.
Feel for AHDs wit h t he ot her hand by digging ar ound t he sides of
and under neat h t he mine.
Remove t he mine.
Remove t he mine fr om t he hole. Ensur e t hat t he safet y pins
r emain in place.
Remove t he M605 fuse wit h t he M25 wr ench.
Replace t he shipping plug in t he fuse well.
AT mines ar e designed t o immobilize or dest r oy t anks and vehicles and t heir
cr ews. They per for m t his funct ion by pr oducing an M-Kill or a K-Kill. An M-
Ki l l i s a ch i eved by des t r oyi n g on e or mor e of t h e veh i cl e' s vi t a l dr i ve
component s (usually br ea king t he t r ack on a t ank), causing t he t ar get t o be
immobilized. The weapon syst em and t he cr ew ar e not dest r oyed in an M-Kill;
t he wea pon syst em is immobile but cont inues t o funct ion. A K-Kill r esult s
when t he weapon syst em or t he cr ew is dest r oyed.
Convent iona l AT mines a r e dist inguished by t heir effect s a nd t heir fusing
syst ems. Blast AT mines, such as t he M15 and M19, der ive t heir effect iveness
t hr ough t he blast gener at ed by t heir det onat ion. These usually pr oduce an M-
Kill, but a K-Kill may r esult . Mines such as t he M21 use a shaped char ge or
a n SFF designed t o penet r a t e t he under side of a vehicle's a r mor . A K-Kill
nor mally r esult s unless t he mine det onat es under t he vehicle's t r ack.
M15
The M15 (Figur e A-12, page A-12) is a blast AT mine t ha t is cont ained in a
r ound sheet -st eel casing. The pr imar y fuse well is locat ed in t he t op cent er of
t he mine. Ther e ar e t wo secondar y fuse wellsone on t he side and one on t he
bot t om. Th e pr ima r y fu se well a ccept s t h e M603 pr es su r e-a ct u a t ed fu se.
St andar d FDs can be used in t he secondar y fuse wells wit h t he M1 act ivat or .
The M624 t ilt -r od-act uat ed fuse can also be used wit h t his mine.
SECTION II. ANTITANK MINES
FM 20-32
A-12 Installation and Removal of US Mines and Firing Devices
CHARACTERISTICS
The M15 is employed in pr ot ect ive, t act ical, and nuisance minefields.
The M15 is sur face-laid or bur ied.
The M15 r equir es a for ce of 158 t o 338 kilogr ams t o det onat e t he M603
fuse and a for ce of 1.7 kilogr ams t o deflect t he t ilt r od and det onat e t he
M624 fuse.
The M15 is designed t o defeat heavy t anks.
The M15 pr oduces an M-Kill upon cont act .
Figure A-12. M15 AT mine
Main Charge Diameter Height Weight No Mines per Box Weight per Box
Comp B, 9.9 kg 337 mm 125 mm 13.5 kg 1 18 kg
337 mm
125 mm
Arming plug in
SAFE position
Pressure plate
Secondary
fuse well
Secondary
fuse well
Gasket
Secondary
fuse well
Filling hole
Pressure plate Arming plug
Fuse retainer spring
M120 booster
M603 fuse
Charge (Composition B)
C2, FM 20-32
Installation and Removal of US Mines and Firing Devices A-29
Give t he band, t he st op, t he pull r ing, t he shipping plugs, and t he
closur e assembly t o t he NCOIC.
REMOVAL
Disar m t he mine.
Clear t he camouflage away fr om t he mine car efully.
At t ach t he band and t he st op t o t he fuse.
Inser t t he cot t er pin int o t he band and t he st op. Spr ead t he ends of
t he cot t er pin.
Remove t he ext ension r od.
Check for AHDs.
Hold t he mine fir mly in place wit h one hand, wit hout put t ing
pr essur e on t he fuse.
Feel for AHDs wit h t he ot her hand by digging ar ound t he sides of
and under neat h t he mine.
Remove t he mine.
Remove t he mine fr om t he hole.
Remove t he fuse fr om t he mine.
Inst all t he closur e assembly on t he fuse.
Inst all t he shipping plug int o t he fuse well of t he mine.
Remove t he closing plug fr om t he bot t om of t he mine.
Remove t he boost er fr om t he mine.
Inst all t he closing plug int o t he boost er well.
An FD per for ms t he funct ion of a mine fuse by pr oviding an alt er nat ive means
t o det onat e t he mine. It is nor mally used in conjunct ion wit h a st andar d fuse
so t hat a mine will ha ve t wo separ at e explosive chains. The pur pose of t he
second fir ing chain is t o pr event t he enemy fr om disar ming or r emoving mines
aft er emplacement . When used for t his pur pose, t he FD is called an AHD and
it is designed t o funct ion by det onat ing t he at t ached mine or anot her explosive
char ge near by if unaut hor ized per sonnel at t empt t o r emove or t a mper wit h
t he mine. NOTE: US forces wi ll not employ AHDs on AP mi nes. Bot h t he
M19 and t he M15 have t wo secondar y fuse wells for at t aching an FD and an
act ivat or .
Th e r e a r e t wo s t a n d a r d US F Ds M5 p r e s s u r e r e l e a s e a n d M1 4 2
mult ipur pose. They ut ilize a spr ing-loaded st r iker a nd a st a ndar d ba se and
ar e designed t o funct ion in one or mor e of t he following modes:
SECTION III. FIRING DEVICES AND ACTIVATORS
C2, FM 20-32
A-30 Installation and Removal of US Mines and Firing Devices
Pr essur e.
Pr essur e r elease.
Tension.
Tension r elease.
M5 PRESSURE-RELEASE FIRING DEVICE (MOUSETRAP)
The M5 FD (Figur e A-34) is act ivat ed by t he r elease of pr essur e. Lift ing or
r emoving a r est r aining weight r eleases t he st r iker t o fir e t he cap.
CHARACTERISTICS
Case: Met al.
Color : Olive-dr ab.
Lengt h: 445 millimet er s.
Widt h: 239 millimet er s.
Height : 175 millimet er s.
Int er nal act ion: Mechanical wit h hinged st r iker r elease.
Init iat ing act ion: Removal of r est r aining weight , 2.25 kilogr ams or
mor e.
Accessor ies: Pr essur e boar d.
Safet ies: Safet y pin and hole for int er cept or pin.
Packaging: Four complet e FDs and four plywood pr essur e boar ds ar e
packaged in a paper car t on, five car t ons ar e packaged in a fiber boar d
box, and 10 fiber boar d boxes ar e shipped in a wooden box.
Figure A-34. M5 FD
Interceptor or
improvised positive
safety-pin hole
Locking
safety pin
Protective cap
(always remove)
Standard
base
Firing pin
Release
plate
Activator
Gasket
Cap
Standard base
Locking
safety pin
Interceptor pin
(thin wire)
Pressure base
M5 pressure-
release FD
C2, FM 20-32
Installation and Removal of US Mines and Firing Devices A-33
wit hout a blast ing cap at t ached, and it is not a da pt able t o any a ct ivat or or
secondar y fuse well. When t he M142 is used as an AHD, t he coupling device is
r emoved and an M1 or M2 st andar d base is used.
CHARACTERISTICS
Case: Plast ic.
Color : Olive-dr ab.
Diamet er : 190.5 millimet er s.
Lengt h: 571.5 millimet er s.
Int er nal act ion: Spr ing-dr iver st r iker .
Safet ies: Posit ive safet y pin, squar e-head pivot pin, r ound-head pivot
pin, and alt er nat ive safet y-pin hole.
Accessor ies: Nail and scr ew fast ener s, coupling assembly, t ension-
r elease at t achment , 15-met er spool of t r ip wir e, and vinyl inst r uct ion
sheet .
Packaging: Round, met al can cont aining FD wit h accessor ies.
ARMING AND DISARMING
Ar min g a n d di s a r mi n g pr ocedu r es va r y ba s ed on t h e a ct i va t i on mode.
Det a iled inst r uct ions a r e pr int ed on a weat her pr oof, vinyl sheet included in
each FD package.
M1 AND M2 ACTIVATORS
When FDs ar e employed wit h M15 and M19 AT mines, t hey r equir e t he use of
an M1 or M2 act ivat or .
Act ivat or s ar e essent ially det onat or boost er s t hat ar e designed t o magnify t he
explosive for ce gener a t ed by a n FD wit h a st a nda r d ba se a nd t r a nsfer t he
for ce t o t he main char ge. Act ivat or s may be used wit h eit her t ype of FD t o
supply an AT mine wit h a secondar y fuse for ant ihandling pur poses. The M1
act ivat or is used wit h t he M15 AT mine, and t he M2 act ivat or is used wit h t he
M19 AT min e. Th e a ct iva t or a lso per for ms t he fu nct ion of a n a da pt er for
at t aching t he FD t o t he mine. One end of t he act ivat or is t hr eaded ext er nally
for in ser t ion in t h e secon da r y well of t he min e; t h e ot her end is t hr ea ded
int er nally t o r eceive t he st andar d base coupling of t he FD.
The M1 act ivat or (Figur e A-37, page A-34) is 54 millimet er s long (wit h cap), is
made of olive-dr ab plast ic, cont ains a det ona t or , a nd has a t hr eaded closing
plug and a gasket . It has a cylindr ical, unt hr eaded cap t hat is cement ed t o t he
opposit e end of t he body and cont a ins a t et r yl boost er char ge. The t hr ea ded
end, which scr ews int o t he mine, is 25 millimet er s in diamet er .
The M2 act ivat or is similar t o t he M1 except t hat it cont ains an HE pellet , and
it s over all lengt h, wit h cap, is 53 millimet er s.
C1,
FM 20-32
A-34 Installation and Removal of US Mines and Firing Devices
Figure A-37. M1 activator
Tetryl cup
Well for standard base
Gasket
Cap
Plastic body
Controls and Components of Special-Purpose Munitions B-1
Appendix B
Controls and Components of
Special-Purpose Munitions
This a ppendix pr ovides cha r a ct er ist ics a nd det a iled descr ipt ions of US
s pecia l-pur pos e mu ni t ions. The u s e of t h es e mu n it i on s i s out li ned in
Chapt er 4.
SELECTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT ATTACK MUNITION
The SLAM is a mult ipur pose munit ion wit h ant idist ur bance and ant it amper
fea t ur es. Ther e a r e t wo models of t he SLAMone is self-neut r alizing (M2)
and t he ot her is self-dest r uct ing (M4). The M2 is solid gr een and has no labels,
br ands, or ot her dist inguishing mar ks. The M4 is gr een wit h a black war head
(EFP) face.
Employment met hods for t he SLAM ar e out lined in Chapt er 4.
Figur e B-1 descr ibes and illust r at es t he major component s of t he SLAM.
Component Description
Mounting holes (1)
The mounting holes are used to secure the carrying strap or the mounting wire to the
SLAM when attaching the SLAM to trees and so forth.
Bore sights (2)
Two bore sights and an omega sight are located on the top of the SLAM and are used to
aim the SLAM at targets.
Selector switch (3)
The selector switch is used to select operating modes and times. It has eight detent
positions. The switch is against a stop (in the shipping position), which is the only switch
position that allows the SLAM to fit in the reusable environmental protective pack.
Turning clockwise, there are three positions for selecting the operating time (4, 10, and
24 hours). Setting any of these positions will select an internal sensor mode of
operation, which is a magnetic sensor for mine mode and a passive infrared sensor for
side-attack mode. These three positions will cause the SLAM to self-destruct (M4) or
self-neutralize (M2) at the end of the selected operating time. Continuing clockwise, the
last four positions select an internal timer, which sets the minutes until demolition. These
positions are 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.
Activation-lever
shear pin (4)
There is a shear pin mounted across the SLAMs lever slot. If the shear pin is sheared,
thereby breaking the seal, the lever may have been pulled and the SLAM may be an
electronic dud. If the shear pin is broken, it should only be used in the command-
detonation mode.
Safety pin (7)
The safety pin slides from the body and starts the SLAMs timing. It is pried from its latch
with the tip of the lever. Once the safety pin is pulled, it cannot be reinserted.
Figure B-1. SLAM components
C2
C2, FM 20-32
B-2 Controls and Components of Special-Purpose Munitions
M93 HORNET
The M93 Hor net is a light weight (35 pounds) AT/ant ivehicular munit ion t hat
on e per s on ca n ca r r y a n d empl oy. I t i s a on e-t i me u s e, n on r ecover a ble
munit ion t ha t is ca pa ble of dest r oying vehicles using sound a nd mot ion a s
det ect ion met hods. The Hor net will a ut omat ically sea r ch, det ect , r ecognize,
and engage moving t ar get s, using t op at t ack at a maximum st andoff dist ance
of 100 met er s. It is employed by unit s equipped wit h an M71 RCU. The RCU is
a ha nd-held encoding unit t hat int er fa ces wit h t he Hor net when t he r emot e
mode is select ed at t he t ime of employment . Aft er encoding, t he RCU can be
u s e d t o a r m t h e H or n e t , r e s e t SD t i m e s , a n d d e s t r u ct t h e H or n e t .
Employment met hods of t he Hor net ar e out lined in Chapt er 4.
Figu r e B-2 descr ibes a nd illu st r a t es t he ma jor component s of t he Hor net .
Figur e B-3, page B-4, descr ibes and illust r at es t he cont r ols and indicat or s of
t he Hor net .
Passive infrared
sensor (8) and
cover (9)
The SLAM is equipped with a passive infrared sensor that detects trucks and light
armored vehicles by sensing the change in background temperature as vehicles cross in
front of the SLAM. The sensor is directional and is aligned with the EFP. The sensor is
active when the SLAM is operating with the selector switch set to 4, 10, or 24 hours and
the sensor cover is removed to expose the infrared sensor (such as, during the side-
attack mode). The SLAM will self-destruct (M4) or self-neutralize (M2) if the selected
time expires before it is detonated by vehicle passage.
Blasting-cap well
and plug (10)
The threaded plug seals the blasting-cap well. It is removed to mount a standard military
blasting cap with a priming adapter.
Warhead (11)
The warhead is an EFP that is designed to defeat light armored vehicles. The EFP forms
within the first 5 inches of flight and has an effective range of 25 feet.
Housing assembly
(12)
The housing assembly contains the fusing, electronics, and S&A components. It also
provides a structural interface for the warhead, the sights, the activation lever, the
passive infrared sensor, the selector switch, and the safety pin.
Component Description
Figure B-1. SLAM components (continued)
5
6
7
6
5
7
8
10
9
12
4
3
2
1
1
11
C2, FM 20-32
Controls and Components of Special-Purpose Munitions B-3
Component Description
Support legs (1) Support legs are used to stabilize the Hornet when it is deployed.
Active battery-
pack cover (2)
The active battery-pack cover provides a seal to protect and secure the active battery
pack. The latch is lifted up to remove the cover, the active battery pack is installed, and
the cover is then reinstalled and latched down. A line secures the battery-pack cover to
the control panel of the munition.
SD switch (3)
The SD switch is a six-position rotary switch that is used to select the SD time and
unlock the arm control switch. The SD switch is also used to unlock the arming lever.
This is done by rotating the switch to the setting U. A red lock element is extended 1/8
inch from the side of the munition when the SD switch is in the unlock position. The SD
time is preset to Setting 1 when the Hornet is shipped. SD times are as follows:
Setting Time
1 4 hours
2 48 hours
3 5 days
4 15 days
5 30 days
Arm control
switch (4)
The arm control switch consists of an arming lever interlocked with the SD switch and
the S&H band assembly to prevent inadvertent actuation. Until the S&H band assembly
is removed and the SD switch is placed in the unlock position, the arming lever cannot
be moved to the arm position. An internal lock secures the arming lever in the arm
position.
Microphones (5)
When the geophone seismic sensor detects a potential target, usually at ranges up to
600 meters, it alerts the munition to start listening with the three microphones that
extend from the munition body. They track the two loudest noise sources that are heard.
Antenna (6) The antenna provides a means for the Hornet to receive M71 RCU commands.
Capture screws
(7)
These are four flat-head screws that secure the bottom plate to the munition body. They
are removed along with the bottom plate to access the battery compartment.
Bottom plate (8)
The bottom plate provides a seal to protect and secure the battery compartment and
connect the batteries once they are installed.
D-cell batteries
(9)
The battery compartment houses four D-cell batteries. A drawing on the inside of each
battery tube shows battery orientation.
Dowel pin (10)
The dowel pin ensures that the bottom plate is in the correct orientation to properly
connect the batteries.
Figure B-2. Hornet components
C2, FM 20-32
B-4 Controls and Components of Special-Purpose Munitions
Component Description
Magnetic
coupling device
(MCD) (1)
This device is used as part of the RCU interface. The RCU interface consists of the
MCD and keyed tabs. In the remote arming mode, the RCU is placed on top of the MCD
and minefield code data is transferred to the munition. Upon successful encoding, the
status light begins to flash.
Target switch (2)
The target switch is a toggle switch used to select the type of target engagement. This
gives the operator the choice between detecting and destroying only heavy armored
vehicles or all vehicles.
Manual select
switch (3)
The manual select switch is a push-button switch, protected by a plastic cover that must
be removed to access the switch. Successful activation of the switch will cause the
status light to flash. This switch is used to allow the operator to employ the Hornet
without the RCU.
Status light (4)
The status light is a visual indicator for the operator during the munition setup. It is a
green light-emitting diode (LED) that indicates a self-test was successfully performed or
an operating-mode selection was successfully selected.
SD switch (5) See Figure B-2, page B-3.
Arming lever (6) See Figure B-2.
Active battery-
pack cover (7)
See Figure B-2.
Figure B-3. Hornet controls and indicators
Figure B-2. Hornet components (continued)
4
6
3
2
1
5
8
7
10
9
C2, FM 20-32
Controls and Components of Special-Purpose Munitions B-5
Figure B-3. Hornet controls and indicators (continued)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Threat Mine/Countermine Operations C-1
Appendix C
Threat Mine/Countermine Operations
This a ppendix is int ended t o complement t he infor ma t ion pr esent ed in
ot her manuals on t hr eat obst acle t act ics. It applies t o most t hr eat ar mies
a nd t heir sur r oga t es. Comma nder s should use t his infor ma t ion t o give
a dded r ea lism t o uncla s sified t r a ining, a lt hough obs t a cle employment
n or ms ca n ch a n ge wi t h METT-TC fa ct or s for a gi ven AO. Th er efor e,
pr eoper at ional t r aining on t emplat ing, int elligence, r econnaissance, and
r educt ion pr ocedur es must be ba sed on t he bes t infor ma t ion a va ila ble
befor e deployment .
Appendix G cont ains a compilat ion of count er mine dat a.
MINE OPERATIONS
Th r ea t for ma t ion s con t a in con s ider a ble or ga n ic min efield empla cemen t
ca pa bilit y. Thr ea t r a pid-mining ca pa bilit y pr esent s a ser ious cha llenge t o
fr iendly maneuver.
To lay mines a nd place obst acles r apidly dur ing offensive oper at ions, t hr ea t
ar mies for m a special t eam fr om r egiment al and divisional asset s. This t eam
is called a mobile obstacle detachment (MOD). The MOD places AT mines on
t he most likely a venues for a r mor ed a t t a cks or count er a t t a cks. MODs a r e
posit ioned on t he flanks of a ma r ch for mat ion for r apid deployment a nd ar e
nor mally close t o AT r eser ves. Dur ing t he mar ch, MODs r econnoit er avenues
int o t he fla nks a nd ident ify t he most likely avenues for t a nk movement . At
secur ed object ives, MODs r einfor ce exist ing obst acles and place new obst acles
t o assist in t he defeat of count er at t acks.
Th e combi n ed a r ms comma n der or der s t h e or ga n i za t i on of MODs a n d
det er mines t heir composit ion ba sed on t he comba t sit ua t ion a nd ava ila ble
t r oops. En gin eer elemen t s i n a di vi s i on MOD come fr om t h e di vi s i on a l
engineer bat t alion and nor mally consist of t hr ee ar mor ed t r acked mine layer s
known as GMZs (Figur e C-1, page C-2). This plat oon-sized element has t wo or
t h r ee t r u cks t ha t ca r r y min es for immedia t e r esupply. For t h e r egiment a l
MOD, t he r egiment al engineer compa ny nor mally pr ovides a plat oon-sized
unit equipped wit h t wo or t hr ee GMZs. The plat oon t r avels in BTR-50/60s and
has 600 AT mines.
The GMZ dispenses mines at a pr edet er mined spacing of 5.5 met er s. Mine-
laying helicopt er s a lso suppor t t he MOD. The HIP and HI ND-D helicopt er s
ca r r y t wo or t h r ee di s p en s er p od s of AP or AT mi n es . Ar t i l l er y-fi r ed
SCATMINEs can also suppor t t he MOD. Thr ee GMZs can lay a 1,200-met er,
t hr ee-r ow minefield, cont aining 624 mines, in 26 minut es. Doct r inally, t his
minefield would be br oken int o sever a l minefields, ea ch 200 t o 300 met er s
long.
Thr eat ar mies use obst acles ext ensively t hr oughout t he dept h of t heir defense,
and t heir t act ics a r e chosen well. Shallow obst acles ar e r educed quickly and
ea sily. For example, a shallow, one-r ow minefield is essent ially r educed by
blowing one or t wo mines in t he r ow. A t h r ea t r a pidly empla ced minefield
C2
FM 20-32
C-2 Threat Mine/Countermine Operations
consist s of t hr ee or four 200- t o 300-met er r ows, spaced 20 t o 40 met er s apar t ,
wit h mines spa ced 4 t o 6 met er s a pa r t . As a r ule, t he minefield cover s t he
dept h of a foot ball field.
Ta ble C-1 pr ovides det a iled in for ma t ion on s t a n da r d t h r ea t AT a n d AP
minefields. Ter r ain and t act ical sit uat ions dict at e t he act ual dimensions and
dist ances of minefields.
Figure C-1. GMZ armored tracked mine layer
Table C-1. Normal parameters for threat-style minefields
AT Minefields
Front (situation-dependent) 200 to 300 meters
Depth 40 to 120 meters
Number of rows 3 or 4
Distance between rows 20 to 40 meters
Distance between mines
4 to 6 meters for antitrack mines; 9 to 12 meters for
anithull mines
Outlay, normal
550 to 750 antitrack mines per kilometer; 300 to 400
antihull mines per kilometer
Outlay, increased effect
1,000+ antitrack mines per kilometer; 500+ antihull
mines per kilometer
Probability of destruction
57% for antitrack mines (750 per kilometer); 85% for
antihull mines (400 per kilometer)
AP Minefields
Front (situation-dependent) 30 to 300 meters
Depth 10 to 150 meters
Number of rows 3 or 4
Distance between rows
5+ meters for blast mines; 25 to 50 meters for
fragmentation mines
Distance between mines
1 meter for blast mines; 50 meters (or twice the lethal
radius of fragmentation) for fragmentation mines
Outlay, normal
2,000 to 3,000 HE/blast mines per kilometer; 100 to 300
fragmentation mines per kilometer
Outlay, increased effect 2 to 3 times the normal outlay
Probability of destruction
15 to 20% for HE/blast mines (2,000 per kilometer); 10
to 15% for fragmentation mines (100 per kilometer)
C2, FM 20-32
Air Volcano D-5
t he int ended effect . The air Volcano can be used t o r eseed exist ing minefields
or t o close lanes and gaps. The t ar get a r ea must be clear of fr iendly for ces
befor e an air Volcano mission is execut ed.
Use of t h e a ir Volca n o in close oper a t ion s s h ou ld be a pr ima r y pla n n in g
consider a t ion. It ca n quickly r ea ch t he out er edge of t he for wa r d oper a t ing
base wher e AAs need a minefield obst acle. The t hr eat level will be lower, and
t he st at ion t ime will incr ease.
Avi ation Confi gurati on
Two a ir Volca n o a ir cr a ft s h ou ld be u s ed (on e pr ima r y, on e ba cku p). Th e
r equir ement for secur it y air cr a ft depends on METT-TC fact or s, but secur it y
should be used whenever possible.
Fi re -Support Coordinati on
The for war d command post FSE coor dinat es and execut es fir es in suppor t of
a ir Volca no missions. The FSE, t he engineer lia ison officer, a nd t he G3/S3
r epr esent at ive coor dinat e t o ensur e t hat t he air coor dinat ion/t asking or der
suppor t s t he mission and t he planned SEAD fir es. The division/br igade main
will be available t o suppor t t he for war d command post as necessar y.
Th e br iga de/TF FSE is r es pon s ible for coor din a t in g t hr ou gh t h e for wa r d
command post t o t he division/br igade main FSE. If t he for war d command post
has jumped, t he br igade/TF FSE coor dinat es dir ect ly wit h t he division/br igade
main FSE.
REAR OPERATIONS
Employment
The pr imar y pur poses of t he air Volcano in r ear ar eas is t o pr ot ect key t er r ain
fr om possible air bor ne/air-assault for ces and t o fix/disr upt enemy for ces long
enough t o allow t he t act ical combat for ce or r eady-r eser ve for ce t ime t o r eact
and meet t he changing enemy sit uat ion.
The lea st pr efer r ed employment met hod is t o deliver t a ct ica l minefields t o
br iga de a nd cor ps suppor t a r ea s. This employment t a ct ic is nor ma lly used
when all ot her available asset s have been exhaust ed. The flexibilit y of t he air
Volcano syst em makes it ideal for employment against a mount ed Level III
t hr eat in t he r ear. The t ar get ar ea should be out of t he dir ect view/fir e of t he
t hr eat and on a choke point t hat allows cover for t he r eact ing for ces.
Avi ation Confi gurati on
The air Volcano air cr aft could be employed individually or wit h secur it y/escor t
air cr aft . The use of OH-58D KWs as secur it y air cr aft allows unit s t o develop
t h e s it u a t ion a n d h elps pla ce min efields in t h e pr oper loca t ion t o a s s is t
inbound a t t a ck a ir cr a ft or fir es. I f t he a ir Volca no a ir cr a ft is not pr ovided
secur it y air cr aft , it is r ecommended t hat gr ound for ces pr ovide cover ing fir es.
Fi re -Support Coordinati on
The division/br igade r ear FSE coor dinat es and execut es fir es in suppor t of air
Vol ca n o mi s s ion s. Th e F SE, t h e en gi n eer l ia i s on officer, a n d t h e G3/S3
r epr esent at ive coor dinat e t o ensur e t hat t he air coor dinat ion/t asking or der
FM 20-32
D-6 Air Volcano
suppor t s t he mission and t he planned SEAD fir es. The division/br igade main
will be available t o suppor t t he division/br igade r ear as necessar y.
The hea dqua r t er s element t hat cont r ols t he r ea r a r ea coor dina t es wit h t he
division/br igade r ear FSE. The division/br igade r ear FSE coor dinat es wit h t he
division/br igade FSE for fir e suppor t and air asset s.
MINEFIELD EFFECTS
Turn
A t u r n min efield ma n ipu la t es en emy ma n eu ver in a des ir ed dir ect ion . I t
for ces or ent ices enemy for mat ions t o move in a differ ent dir ect ion r at her t han
br each t he obst acle. This means t he bypa ss must be easily ident ified. Tur n
minefields ar e ext r emely let hal, wit h appr oximat ely 80 per cent pr obabilit y of
mine encount er. The t ypical widt h is 557 by 320 met er s for air Volcano. Figur e
D-2 shows t wo t ur n minefields combined t o cr eat e a t ur n-effect obst acle gr oup.
It t akes 160 canist er s (800 AT/160 AP mines) t o emplace one t ur n minefield.
One air Volcano air cr aft can lay one t ur n minefield (see Table D-2).
Block
A block minefield (Figur e D-3) is designed t o st op an enemy advance along a
specific AA or allow it t o advance at an ext r emely high cost . Block minefields
ar e obst acles wit h int ensive int egr at ed fir es. They should be employed in a
Figure D-2. Turn obstacle
Table D-2. Air Volcano minefield data
Type of
Minefield
Depth (m)
Frontage of
Minefield (m)
Number
of Strips
Canisters per
Strip
Total
Canisters
Minefieldsper
Aircraft
Disrupt 120 278 1
40
(20 each side)
40 4
Fix 120 278 1
40
(20 each side)
40 4
Turn 320 557 1
80
(40 each side)
160 1
Block 320 557 1
80
(40 each side)
160 1
Aircraft line of flight
320 m
320 m
557 m
557 m (1) (2)
(3) (4)
NOTE: Numbers correspond to the aircraft pass.
FM 20-32
Air Volcano D-15
Fir e. In t he event of a fir e away fr om t he mines, at t empt t o cont ain
or ext inguish t he fir e by a ny availa ble mea ns. I f t he fir e is nea r
t he min es or in t hem, clea r t he a r ea t o a min imum dist a nce of
1,000 met er s and not ify fir e-fight ing per sonnel immediat ely. When
t r aining wit h M88 canist er s, clear t he ar ea t o a minimum dist ance
of 30 met er s.
Accident al dischar ge. Immediat ely clear t he ar ea t o a dist ance of
640 met er s a nd not ify EOD. The mines a r m a ppr oxima t ely 2
minut es aft er fir ing. When t r aining wit h M88 canist er s, t er minat e
ar ming unt il t he pr oblem can be ident ified and cor r ect ed.
Failur e t o fir e. Remove t he canist er fr om t he air cr aft and place it
in t he dud pit . Not ify EOD immediat ely. When t r aining wit h M88
canist er s, r emove t he canist er fr om t he air cr aft , separ at e it fr om
t he ot her canist er s, r epack it , and r et ur n it t o t he ASP.
Sit e layout (Figur e D-6).
Ber ming of t he sit e is not r equir ed for a t act ical ar ming point .
The following r ules apply when t he sit e is locat ed next t o a r efuel
point :
> A minimum of 1,000 met er s must exist bet ween ar ming point s
and r efuel point s when t he t ot al quant it y of explosives is less
t h a n 60 0 k i l ogr a ms . For q u a n t i t i e s gr e a t e r t h a n 6 0 0
kilogr ams, r efer t o FM 5-250.
NOTE: Each M87 cani ste r contai ns 3.4 ki lograms of e xplosi ve s; a full
load (160 cani sters) contai ns 550 ki lograms of e xplosi ves.
Figure D-6. Site layout
Dud pit
Ammunition
points
Avoid
area
Avoid
area
Spent ammunition
O
r
i
e
n
t
a
t
i
o
n
o
f
a
i
r
c
r
a
f
t
C2, FM 20-32
D-16 Air Volcano
> The r efuel point for ar med air cr aft must be locat ed at least
375 met er s fr om ot her air cr aft r efueling point s.
> Par ked, ar med air cr aft must be at least 36 met er s fr om ot her
a r med a ir cr a ft t o pr even t t h e det on a t ion of explos ives on
a dja cent a ir cr a ft . This dist a nce will not pr event da ma ge t o
adjacent air cr aft ; a 130-met er dist ance is r equir ed t o pr event
damage by fr agment s and t o ensur e t hat t he air cr aft r emains
oper at ional.
A dud pit (ber med when possible) for damaged or misfir ed
ammunit ion should be est ablished beyond t he ammunit ion point s.
Ar ming point s should be laid out as shown in Figur e D-6.
De armi ng. Aft er t he mission is complet e, t he air cr aft r et ur ns t o t he ar ming
point for dea r ming. Spent canist er s should be disca r ded a t lea st 30 met er s
fr om t he air cr aft , at t he 4- a nd 8-oclock posit ions. Live canist er s should be
r et ur ned t o ASPs for fut ur e use or r epackaging. Canist er s t hat misfir e should
be placed in t he dud pit .
Fli ght Planni ng and Prefli ght.
The flight cr ew analyzes t he mission using METT-TC fact or s and
det er mines t he flight pr ofile t o be used dur ing mine emplacement . It
will select (or have designat ed) one or mor e of t he following cont r ol
measur es t o be used dur ing mine emplacement :
Visual ident ificat ion (st ar t and st op mar ker s on t he gr ound).
Time-lapse (t ables t o det er mine t he minefield lengt h).
Number of canist er s fir ed.
Doppler /GPS (st ar t and st op coor dinat es).
The cr ew member (s) will ensur e t hat t he air Volcano is inst alled
pr oper ly, t ha t a ll inst a lla t ion checks a r e complet ed, a nd t ha t mine
canist er pallet s ar e loaded as dir ect ed by t he pilot or t he SOP.
The flight cr ew conduct s gr ound checks accor ding t o t he checklist in
TM 1-1520-237-10 t o confir m pr oper oper at ion of t he air Volcano pr ior
t o t akeoff.
Before Arri val at the Target Area.
Dur ing t he equipment check, t he cr ew chief t ur ns on t he DCU power-
cont r ol swit ch, ver ifies t hat no malfunct ions wer e indicat ed dur ing t he
init ial built -in t est , and t ur ns off t he DCU power-cont r ol swit ch.
Aft er complet ion of run-up wit h t he air cr aft at flight idle, t he cr ew
chief t ur ns on t he DCU power-cont r ol swit ch.
Befor e ar r ival at t he r elease point , t he pilot will make t he following
checks (list ed on t he Volcano car d [a sample is shown in Figur e D-7]):
Ver ify t hat t he DCU is on.
Ver ify t hat t he mine SD t ime is pr oper ly set .
Safety and Training E-1
Appendix E
Safety and Training
Mine t r aining is inher ent ly danger ous, in par t , because sever al differ ent
t ypes of mines and fuse syst ems ar e used t hr oughout t he wor ld. Det ailed
sa fet y inst r uct ions for ea ch t ype of mine a r e pr ovided t hr oughout t his
manual. This appendix mer ely point s out t he sa fet y aspect s of live-mine
t r aining t hat ar e common t o all t ypes of mines.
Conduct mine t r a ining a s if t he mines wer e live. This is t he only wa y
soldier s for m a ha bit of cor r ect ly a nd sa fely ha ndling mines a nd gain a
t r ue appr eciat ion of t he r equir ement s and t he t ime it t akes t o per for m an
a ct u a l mi n e-wa r fa r e mi s s i on . Li ve-mi n e t r a i n i n g gi ves s ol di er s t h e
confidence t hey need t o handle mines and t heir component s. Accident s can
u s u a l l y be t r a ced t o i gn or a n ce, n egl i gen ce, del i ber a t e mi s h a n dl i n g,
over con fi den ce, mech a n i ca l fa i l u r e, or fr i gh t . Th e fi r s t fou r ca n be
over come by t r aining and pr oper super vision. Mechanical fa ilur e r a r ely
h a ppen s ; bu t i f i t does, i t ca n be con t r ol l ed by t r a i n i n g a n d pr oper
super vision. The la st it em, fr ight , is ma st er ed t hr ough well-cont r olled,
live-mine t r aining.
STORAGE
Ther e ar e t hr ee t ypes of mines used in mine t r aining:
Iner t . Does not cont ain explosives.
Pr act ice. Cont ains an LE char ge or a smoke-pr oducing component t o
simulat e det onat ion.
HE. Involves act ual mines used in combat
Convent iona l mines a r e pa int ed t o enha nce concea lment , r et a r d r ust ing of
exposed met al par t s, and help ident ify t he t ype of mine and filler (HE, LE, or
chemical agent ). Older manufact ur ed mines ar e paint ed accor ding t o t he Five-
Element Mar king Syst em; newer mines use t he St andar d Ammunit ion Color-
Coding Syst em (see Table E-1, page E-2).
NOTE: Mi ne s that are color-code d and marke d accordi ng to the old
s y s t e m h a v e b e e n o n h a n d f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s . En s u r e t h a t a l l
a mm u n i t i o n , w h e t h e r c o l o r -c o d e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e o l d o r n e w
sys te m, is prope rly and fully ide nti fie d.
Always ha ndle mines wit h ca r e. The explosive element s in fuses, pr imer s,
det on a t or s, a n d boos t er s a r e pa r t icu la r ly s en s it ive t o mech a n ica l s h ock,
fr ict ion, st at ic elect r icit y, and high t emper at ur es. Boxes and cr at es cont aining
mines should not be dr opped, dr agged, t umbled, walked on, or st r uck. Do not
smoke wit hin 50 met er s of a mine or it s component s.
C2, FM 20-32
E-2 Safety and Training
When it is necessar y t o leave mines in t he open
Set t hem on dunnage at least 5 cent imet er s above t he gr ound.
Place a wat er pr oof cover (such as canvas) over t hem, and leave enough
space for air cir culat ion.
Dig dr ainage t r enches ar ound st acks of mines t o pr event wat er fr om
collect ing under t hem.
Pr ot ect mines and t heir component s against moist ur e by
wat er pr oofing t hem wit h gr ease coat ings, t ar paper, or t ar paulins.
Addit ional maint enance pr ocedur es ar e as follows:
Do not open mine boxes in a magazine, at an ammunit ion dump, or
wit hin 30 met er s of an explosive st or e. Use copper or wooden sa fet y
t ools, if available, t o unpack and r epack mines.
Do not fuse mines wit hin 30 met er s of an explosive or ammunit ion
holding ar ea. Mines can be fused at t he mine dump.
Use specifics aut hor ized by t he US Ar my Mat er iel Command and
applicable TMs t o disassemble mines and t heir component s.
Remove safet y pins, safet y for ks (clips), and ot her safet y devices as t he
last st ep when ar ming t he mine; and r eplace t hem befor e t he mine is
moved again. These devices pr event accident al init iat ion of t he mine
while it is being handled.
Place t ape over open fuse cavit ies and secondar y fuse wells. Ensur e
t ha t t hey a r e clea r of obst r uct ion a nd fr ee of for eign ma t t er befor e
at t empt ing t o inst all t he fuse, t he det onat or, or t he FD.
Take st eps t o pr event moist ur e or wat er fr om accumulat ing ar ound
t he mine a nd su bsequ en t ly fr eezing if t h e t emper a t u r e flu ct u a t es
ar ound fr eezing. Mines usually funct ion sat isfact or ily at t emper at ur es
bet ween 40 a nd 160F. Most mines a r e not a ppr ecia bly a ffect ed by
t emper a t u r e ch a n ges, bu t min es ca n become n eu t r a l i zed by i ce
for mat ions (see Chapt er 12).
Table E-1. Mine color-coding system
Type of Ammunition
Five-Element Marking System
(Old)
Standard Ammunition Color-
Coding System (New)*
Persistent casualty chemical
agent
Gray with green markings and
two green bands
Gray with green markings and
two 12-mm green bands
Nerve agents
Gray with green markings and
two or three green bands
Gray with green markings and
three 12-mm green bands
Incendiary
Gray with violet markings and
one violet band
Light red with black markings and
one yellow band
HE Olive drab with yellow markings Olive drab with yellow markings
Practice mines Blue with white markings Blue with white markings
Inert mines
Black with the word INERT in
white
Blue with the word INERT in
white
*Chemical ammunition containing an HE has one 6-mm yellow band in addition to the other markings.
C2, FM 20-32
Mine Awareness F-3
If t he pr obe encount er s r esist ance and does not go int o t he gr ound
fr eely, car efully pick t he soil away wit h t he t ip of t he pr obe and r emove
t he loose dir t by hand. Car e must be t aken t o pr event funct ioning t he
mine.
When a solid object is t ouched, st op pr obing and use t wo finger s fr om
each hand t o ca r efully r emove t he sur r ounding soil a nd ident ify t he
object .
If t he object is a mine, r emove enough soil t o show t he mine t ype and
mar k it s locat ion. Do not at t empt t o r emove or disar m t he mine. Use
explosives t o dest r oy det ect ed mines in place or use a gr appling hook
a n d r ope t o ca u s e min es t o s elf-det on a t e. Met a l gr a pplin g h ooks
should not be used on magnet ic-fused mines.
Pr obing is ext r emely st r essful and t edious. The senior leader must set a limit
t o t h e t ime a pr ober is a ct u a lly pr obin g in t h e min efield. To det er min e a
r ea s on a bl e t i me, t h e l ea der mu s t con s i der METT-TC fa ct or s, wea t h er
condit ions, t he t hr eat level, t he unit s st r ess level, and t he pr ober s fat igue
level and st at e of mind. As a r ule, 20 t o 30 minut es is t he maximum amount of
t ime t hat an individual can pr obe effect ively.
AN/PSS-12 METALLIC MINE DETECTOR
Th e AN/PSS-12 min e det ect or (Figu r e F-1, pa ge F -4) is a ma n -por t a ble
met allic mine-det ect ion syst em t hat is used t o det ect AT and AP land mines.
It s sear ch head cont a ins t wo concent r ic coilst he t r ansmit t ing coil a nd t he
r eceivin g coil. Du r in g oper a t ion , t h e t r a n s mit t in g coil is en er gized wit h
elect r ic pu ls es t o bu ild u p a ma gn et ic field. Th e ma gn et ic field in du ces
cur r ent s in met a l object s near t he sea r ch head, a nd t he cur r ent s build up a
magnet ic field in t he met al object s. Depending on t he met al's composit ion and
qua nt it y, t he ma gn et ic field ma y be st r on g enou gh t o be picked up by t he
r eceiving coil. The signals fr om t he r eceiving coil ar e pr ocessed in t he AN/PSS-
12s elect r on ics. Wh en a sign a l is con sider ed posit ive, t h e elect r on ic u nit
pr ovides an audible alar m t o t he oper at or.
Unpacking
The syst em is st or ed and t r anspor t ed in a single car r ying case.
Open t he pr essur e-r elief valve in t he car r ying case.
Release t he lat ches on t he car r ying case and open t he t op.
Remove t he bag t hat cont ains syst em component s.
Unzip t he bag and ensure t hat all component s are present (Figure F-2,
page F-4).
Remove t he following it ems fr om t he bag car efully:
WARNING
It is important to understand that magnetic
detection is only effective when there a sufficient
amount of alloy in the mine.
FM 20-32
F-4 Mine Awareness
Wand and sear ch-head assembly wit h cable and plug.
Elect r onic unit .
Headset wit h cable and plug.
Ensur e t hat t he bag cont ains t he following spar e par t s and t est it ems:
Spar e plast ic bolt .
Spar e cable clamps.
Figure F-1. AN/PSS-12 metallic mine detector
Figure F-2. AN/PSS-12 packed components
FM 20-32
Mine Awareness F-9
If you ar e sear ching for lar ge, met al object s, det ect ing and
localizing is fast er when t he sensit ivit y cont r ol is t ur ned down
(count er clockwise).
Keep mine det ect or s at least 2 met er s apar t dur ing set t ing and
adjust ment phases t o pr event int er fer ence.
Change t he bat t er ies and r eadjust t he unit if t he indicat or lamp
fla s h es. Th e s ea r ch s en s i t i vit y is n ot a ffect ed wh en t h e la mp is
fla shing; if sea r ching cont inues, a const a nt a udible t one will sound
and t he unit will be unusable unt il fr esh bat t er ies ar e inst alled.
Discont inue sear ching and r eadjust t he unit 's sensit ivit y if t he check
t one disappear s or it s fr equency decr eases.
Ensur e t hat only t he inner par t of t he t elescopic pole is used when t he
equipment is oper at ed by a soldier in t he pr one posit ion.
Tur n t he unit off aft er complet ing t he sear ch oper at ions.
Di s ass e mbly and Packi ng
Ensur e t hat t he on/off swit ch on t he elect r onic unit is in t he OFF
posit ion.
Det ach t he cable connect ion on t he elect r onic unit for t he magnet ic
sear ch head, and r eplace t he pr ot ect ive caps on t he plug and socket .
Release t he elect r onic unit 's bat t er y-cover lat ches, and r emove t he
bat t er y cover.
Remove t he bat t er ies, and ensur e t hat none of t he bat t er y cases have
r upt ur ed; if t hey have, not ify your super visor. Reinst a ll t he ba t t er y
cover and lat ch it .
Remove t he t wo cable clamps, which ar e holding t he sear ch head's
cable, fr om t he t elescopic pole.
Figure F-6. X-pattern sweeping movement
C2, FM 20-32
F-10 Mine Awareness
Collapse t he t elescopic pole t o it s t r avel lengt h, and t ur n it s out er t ube
unt il it is locked by t he cat ch. Loosen t he plast ic r est r aining bolt , and
fold in t he magnet ic sear ch head.
Pack t he component s in t he car r y bag as shown in Figur e F-2, page F-
4. For long-t er m st or a ge, do not put bat t er ies in t he car r y bag. Close
and zip t he car r y bag.
Place t he car r y bag in t he met al t r anspor t case, and lat ch t he case.
Close t he pr essur e-r elief valve.
As in pr obing, t he senior leader must set a limit t o t he t ime an individual can
use t h e mine det ect or. The t ime limit is det er mined by METT-TC fa ct or s,
wea t h e r con di t i on s , t h e t h r e a t l eve l , t h e u n i t s s t r es s l evel , a n d t h e
individuals fat igue level and st at e of mind. As a r ule, 20 t o 30 minut es is t he
maximum amount of t ime an individual can use t he det ect or effect ively.
EVACUATION DRILLS
A well-developed, well-r ehea r sed evacua t ion dr ill is necessar y t o ext r act an
individual or a unit fr om a mined ar ea. Unit s must develop evacuat ion dr ills
for dis mou n t ed a n d mou n t ed oper a t ion s. Ea ch t ype of oper a t ion s h ou ld
include t wo dr illsone using a mine det ect or (mount ed ext r act ion) and one
wit hout using a mine det ect or (dismount ed ext r act ion).
Mount e d Extracti on
The convoy commander halt s t he convoy and r epor t s t o higher
headquar t er s.
No vehicles move and no t r oops dismount unless dir ect ed t o do so.
Element s pr ovide 360-degr ee secur it y fr om vehicles.
Tr oops t hr own fr om vehicles should not move. Per sonnel ar e ext r act ed
by using dismount ed evacuat ion pr ocedur es if elect r onic det ect or s ar e
not available.
The senior leader, if engineer s ar e not available, assesses t he sit uat ion
a nd dir ect s vehicles t o ba ck up a long t h e ent r y-r out e t r a cks. I f a n
immediat e t hr eat exist s, occupant s of damaged vehicles evacuat e out
t h e r ea r of t h e veh i cle a n d a lon g t h e veh icl e-en t r y t r a cks. I f n o
immediat e t hr eat exist s, occupant s of damaged vehicles r emain in t he
vehicle unt il it is ext r act ed.
Engineer s, if available, sweep t he ar ea and pr ovide a clear ed pat h for
movement . They
Clear a lane t hat is wide enough for t he t owing vehicle.
Use all available t ow cables t o incr ease t he dist ance befor e t owing
if a n M88 is una va ila ble. Remember, a n M88 ha s a wider t r a ck
base t han ot her t r acked vehicles.
Ensur e t hat all t owing-shackle set s ar e complet e and mount ed.
Ensur e t hat t he t owing vehicle has t ow cables on t he fr ont and t he
r ear if possible.
C2, FM 20-32
Mine Awareness F-17
Make Risk De ci si ons and Deve lop Controls
This st ep r equir es decision ma ker s t o ident ify a ct ions t ha t ca n r educe t he
pr obabilit y and/or sever it y t o accept able levels. This may be accomplished by
t aking act ions t o r educe t he pr obabilit y of a mine st r ike or by pr oviding mor e
pr ot ect ion t o t he soldier or mat er iel t o r educe sever it y of a mine st r ike. Oft en,
it is a combinat ion of t he t wo.
Imple me nt Controls
Lea der s mu s t a pply t he iden t ified con t r ols t o r edu ce t h e pr oba bilit y a n d
sever it y of a mine st r ike.
Supe rvi se
Th is st ep en su r es t h a t con t r ols a r e implemen t ed a n d t h a t a mea su r e of
qualit y cont r ol exist s t o ensur e a quant ified level of clear ance.
Th e k ey t o u s i n g r i s k ma n a gemen t s u cces s fu l ly is t o employ it a t ea ch
echelonfr om t he comma nder, t hr ough t he t a ct ical planner, t o t he soldier s
execut ing t he mission. Each level ident ifies haza r ds, eliminat es or r educes
hazar ds as feasible, and communicat es t he r esidual hazar ds t o t he next lower
echelon. As such, each echelon wor ks as a filt er t o cont r ol unaccept able r isks.
Tr aining pr ovides soldier s wit h an under st anding of equipment
limit at ions and plays a cr it ica l r ole in t he r isk-management pr ocess.
Ca p a bi l i t i e s a n d l i mi t a t i on s of Ar my s ys t e ms a r e t a k e n i n t o
consider at ion dur ing t he development of doct r ine and TTP.
Risk management at t he t act ical planning level r equir es a t hor ough
knowledge a nd awar eness of t he ha za r ds and pot ent ial cont r ols t ha t
ca n be employed. Th e pla n ning pr ocess r equir es a met hodica l a nd
disciplined t echnique t o ident ify t he hazar ds and develop appr opr iat e
con t r ols for oper a t i n g in a min ed en vi r on men t . Th e con t r ols for
count er mine oper at ions, discussed in Cha pt er s 9 and 11 a nd in FM
3-34.2, pr ovide a fr a mewor k for r isk-ma na ging h a za r ds a ssocia t ed
wit h mines.
The execut ion level is t he culminat ing point of r isk management . It is
wher e soldier s and leader s employ t he syst ems pr ovided t o accomplish
t h e mis sion . Th e a mou nt of r esidu a l h a za r ds r ema in in g a ft er t h e
filt er ing pr ocess fr om echelons above may well det er mine success. The
individual soldier is t he last element t o cont r ol any r esidual hazar ds.
Opt imizing t he component s of r isk management at t he t act ical planning level
is mor e ch a llenging a s emer ging t echnologica lly dependen t syst ems br ing
mor e var iables int o t he mission. While t act ical int elligence is t he key element
in ident ifying mine-r elat ed hazar ds, t echnical knowledge is t he key element in
assessing t he r isks associat ed wit h mine hazar ds. This knowledge assimilat es
t he t a ct ica l int elligen ce wit h t he ca pa bilit ies of t h e unit s equipment , t he
per for ma nce of t hr eat mines, and t he pr ot ect ion pr ovided t o our soldier s by
t heir vehicles or per sonal pr ot ect ive equipment . The st aff engineer, using his
en gi n eer C
2
s ys t em t o r i s k-ma n a ge ea ch COA, pr ovi des t h e ma n eu ver
comma nder a nd h is st a ff wit h infor ma t ion on r isks a nd pot ent ia l cont r ols
ear ly on in t he planning pr ocess. Each subsequent commander must per for m
t he same analysis and incor por at e t he mine t hr eat int o r isk management .
FM 20-32
F-18 Mine Awareness
RECORDING AND MINE-DATA TRACKING
Obt a i n i n g a n d di s s emi n a t i n g i n for ma t i on a r e t h e k eys t o ba t t l efi el d
ma n a gemen t . Un it s en cou n t er in g min efields or explosive devices sh ou ld
follow a five-st ep pr ocessst op, secur e, mar k, r epor t , and avoid. Unit s must
pr ovide a dequa t e infor ma t ion t o t heir higher hea dqua r t er s t o ensur e t ha t
follow-on element s a r e well infor med. I nfor ma t ion must include known or
suspect ed minefield locat ions, t ypes of mines (if known), t he mar king met hod,
t he t ime encount er ed, and any a ddit ional infor mat ion t ha t may be of use t o
t he clear ing unit .
Division a nd ma n eu ver br iga de en gin eer pla n n ing cells mus t est a blis h a
cent r al cont r ol cell for mine-clear ance infor mat ion. The cent r al cont r ol cell
Maint ains a cur r ent sit uat ion map and over lay t hat depict s fr iendly
and enemy mines and obst acles.
Maint ains and updat es infor mat ion on minefield t r acking and r out e
st at us.
Receives and maint ains minefield r ecor ding for ms wit hin t he unit s
AO (includes host -nat ion minefield dat a if available).
Maint ains a dat abase of mine infor mat ion.
Pr ocesses, analyzes, updat es, and disseminat es t he infor mat ion t o
subor dinat e commander s and st aff.
MINE-INCIDENT REPORT
A mine incident includes any unpla nned act ivit y involving a mine, UXO, or
booby t r ap. It also includes near misses t hat could have r esult ed in pot ent ial
damage or injur y. The mine-incident r epor t is a t echnical r epor t t hat follows a
ser ious-incident r epor t . The r epor t should be submit t ed as soon a s possible
(t h e loca l SOP will indica t e t ime r equ ir ement s). A sa mple min e-inciden t
r epor t is shown in Figur e 11-12, page 11-25.
TRAINING
Moder n combat is complex, let hal, and demanding. Soldier s must be capable
of per for ming t heir missions in any t ype of bat t lefield envir onment . Cur r ent
doct r ine and TTP pr ovide soldier s wit h guidelines t o a ccomplish t heir t asks
and qualit y equipment pr ovides t he means. The common t hr ead t hat connect s
doct r ine, t a ct ics, and equipment is qua lit y t r aining. To fight a nd win, unit s
must t r ain t heir soldier s t o execut e all wa r t ime missions successfully. They
must use ever y t r aining oppor t unit y t o impr ove soldier, leader, and unit t ask
per for mance. Wit hout qua lit y t r aining, no amount of wor ld-class equipment
can make t he soldier effect ive or make him sur vive in a war t ime envir onment .
Even t h e bes t doct r in e in t h e wor ld is wor t h les s u n les s s oldier s r eceive
effect ive t r aining. This is especially t r ue wit h mine-awar eness t r aining.
Soldier s must be t r a ined t o t hink mine awa r eness a s well as per for m mine-
r ela t ed act ions. Decisions, act ions, and r ea ct ions must become a ut oma t ic t o
ever y soldier. This r equir es t hat all soldier s r eceive mine-awar eness t r aining
ea r l y i n t h ei r ca r eer s. I t mu s t begin a t ea r l y en t r y t r a i n i n g wi t h ba s i c
individual t asks and cont inue t hr ough advanced unit t r aining wit h collect ive
C2, FM 20-32
Glossary-7
mag magnet ic
Mar Mar ch
MBA main bat t le ar ea
MC mobilit y cor r idor
MCAP mine-clear ing/ar mor -pr ot ect ion kit
MCB mine-clear ing blade
MCD magnet ic coupling device
MCO Mar ine Cor ps or der
MCOO modified combined obst acle over lay
MCR mine-clear ing r oller
MCRP Mar ine Cor ps r efer ence publicat ion
MDI moder nized demolit ion init iat ion
MDV mine-det ect ion vehicle
Me t +VE met eor ological dat a/velocit y er r or
METL mission-essent ial t ask list
METT-TC mission, enemy, t er r ain, t r oops, t ime available, and civilian consider at ions
MHE mat er ial handling equipment
MICLIC mine-clear ing line char ge
MIDAP minefield-det ect ion algor it hm and pr ocessor
MILSTD milit ar y st andar d
mi n minut e(s)
mi n minimum
MLRS Mult iple-Launched Rocket Syst em
mm millimet er (s)
MOBA milit ar y oper at ions in built -up ar eas
MOD mobile obst acle det achment
MOPMS Modular Pack Mine Syst em
MOPP mission-or ient ed pr ot ect ive post ur e
FM 20-32
Glossary-8
MOOTW milit ar y oper at ions ot her t han war
MOUT milit ar y oper at ions on ur banized t er r ain
MP milit ar y police
MRB mot or ized r ifle bat t alion
MRC mot or ized r ifle company
MRR mot or ized r ifle r egiment
MSD movement suppor t det achment
MSR main supply r out e
NA not applicable
NAI named ar ea of int er est
NATO Nor t h At lant ic Tr eat y Or ganizat ion
NAVSEA Naval Sea Syst ems Command
NBC nuclear , biological, chemical
NCO noncommissioned officer
NCOIC noncommissioned officer in char ge
NE nor t heast
NGO nongover nment or ganizat ion
NLT no lat er t han
nm naut ical mile
no number
NSN nat ional st ock number
OBSTINTEL obst acle int elligence
Oct Oct ober
OIC officer in char ge
OP obser vat ion post
OPCON oper at ional cont r ol
OPLAN oper at ion plan
OPORD oper at ion or der
C2, FM 20-32
Glossary-9
P pace(s)
pam pamphlet
PIR pr ior it y int elligence r equir ement
PIRS passive infr ar ed sensor
PL plat oon leader
PL phase line
PLS pallet ized load syst em
plt plat oon
PSG plat oon ser geant
ps i pounds per squar e inch
PSYOP psychological oper at ions
pt point
PVO pr ivat e volunt eer or ganizat ion
QASAS qualit y assur ance ammunit ion specialist
R&S r econnaissance and sur veillance
RAAM r emot e ant iar mor mine
RAC r isk-assessment code
RCU r emot e-cont r ol unit
RDX cyclonit e
recon r econnaissance
rep r epr esent at ive
RF r adio fr equency
ROKUS Republic of Kor ea, Unit ed St at es
RP r efer ence point
RSO r ange safet y officer
RTO r adio-t elephone oper at or
S&A safing and ar ming
FM 20-32
Glossary-10
S&H safet y and handling
S&T supply and t r anspor t
S2 Int elligence Officer (US Ar my)
S3 Oper at ions and Tr aining Officer (US Ar my)
S4 Supply Officer (US Ar my)
SAW squad aut omat ic weapon
SCATMINE scat t er able mine
SCATMINWARN scat t er able minefield war ning
sct scout
SD self-dest r uct
SE sout heast
SEAD suppr ession of enemy air defense
se c second(s)
SEE small emplacement excavat or
SFC ser geant fir st class
SFC ser geant fir st class
SFF self-for ging fr agment at ion
SIR ser ious incident r epor t
SITEMP sit uat ion t emplat e
SLAM select able light weight at t ack munit ion
SOEO scheme of engineer oper at ions
SOF special-oper at ions for ces
SOP st andar d oper at ing pr ocedur e
SOSR suppr ess, obscur e, secur e, and r educe
SPECS Special Pr ot ect ive Eyewear Cylindr ical Syst em
SPOTREP spot r epor t
SSG st aff ser geant
SSN social secur it y number
References-1
References
SOURCES USED
These ar e t he sour ces quot ed or par aphr ased in t his publicat ion.
Joi nt and Multi servi ce Publi cations
AR 385-63. Policies and Procedures for Firing Ammunition for Training, Target Practice and
Combat {MCO P3570.1A}. 15 Oct ober 1983.
FM 20-11. Military Diving {NAVS EA 0910-LP-708-8000}. 20 J anuar y 1999.
FM 90-3. Desert Operations {FMFM 7-27}. 24 August 1993.
FM 90-13. River-Crossing Operations {MCWP 3-17.1}. 26 J anuar y 1998.
FM 101-5-1. Operational Terms and Graphics {MCRP 5-2A}. 30 Sept ember 1997.
STANAG 2036. Land Mine Laying, Marking, Recording and Reporting Procedures. Edit ion 5.
12 Febr uar y 1987.
STANAG 2889. Marking of Hazardous Areas and Routes Through Them. Edit ion 3.
26 Mar ch 1984.
STANAG 2990. Principles and Procedures for the Employment in Land Warfare of S catterable
Mines With a Limited Laid Life - ATP-50. Edit ion 1. 15 Sept ember 1988.
TM 5-6665-298-10. Operators Manual AN/ PS S -12 Mine Detecting S et {TM 5-6665-298-10}.
28 Febr uar y 1995.
TM 9-1345-203-12&P. Operators and Organizational Maintenance Manual (Including Repair
Parts and S pecial Tools List) for Land Mines {TO 11A8-3-1}. 14 J anuar y 1977.
TM 9-2590-509-10. Operators Manual Mine Clearing Blade for M1, IPM1, or M1A1 Abrams Tank
(NS N 2590-01-230-8862) {TM 2590-10/ 1}. 12 Apr il 1990.
Army Publi cati ons
AR 40-10. Health Hazard Assessment Program in S upport of the Army Materiel Acquisition
Decision Process. 1 Oct ober 1991.
AR 385-10. The Army S afety Program. 23 May 1988.
AR 385-16. S ystem S afety Engineering and Management. 3 May 1990.
DA Pam 350-38. S tandards in Weapons Training. 3 J uly 1997.
FM 1-113. Utility and Cargo Helicopter Operations. 12 Sept ember 1997.
FM 3-34.2 (for mer ly FM 90-13-1). Combined-Arms Breaching Operations. 31 August 2000.
FM 5-7-30. Brigade Engineer and Engineer Company Combat Operations (Airborne, Air Assault,
Light). 28 December 1994.
FM 5-10. Combat Engineer Platoon. 3 Oct ober 1995.
C2
C2, FM 20-32
References-2
FM 5-34. Engineer Field Data. 30 August 1999.
FM 5-71-2. Armored Task-Force Engineer Combat Operations. 28 J une 1996.
FM 5-71-3. Brigade Engineer Combat Operations (Armored). 3 Oct ober 1995.
FM 5-100. Engineer Operations. 27 Febr uar y 1996.
FM 5-170. Engineer Reconnaissance. 5 May 1998.
FM 5-250. Explosives and Demolitions. 30 J uly 1998.
FM 90-5 (HTF). J ungle Operations (How to Fight). 16 August 1982.
FM 90-7. Combined Arms Obstacle Integration. 29 Sept ember 1994.
FM 90-10 (HTF). Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) (How to Fight).
15 August 1979.
FM 90-10-1. An Infantrymans Guide to Combat in Built-up Areas. 12 May 1993.
FM 101-5. S taff Organization and Operations. 31 May 1997.
MILSTD 882C (Revision). S ystem S afety Program Requirements. 19 J anuar y 1993.
STP 5-12B1-SM. S oldiers Manual: MOS 12B, Combat Engineer, S kill Level 1. 14 Febr uar y 2001.
TC 25-8. Training Ranges. 25 Febr uar y 1992.
TC 31-34. Demining Operations. 24 Sept ember 1997.
TM 1-1520-237-10. Operators Manual for UH-60A Helicopters, UH-60L Helicopters, and EH-60A
Helicopters. 31 Oct ober 1996.
TM 9-1095-208-10-1. Operators Manual for Dispenser, Mine: M139 (NS N 1095-01-235-3139)
(EIC: 3V8) with Mounting Kits for 5-Ton Vehicle (1095-01-252-2818) (EIC: 3V9) and M548A1
Vehicle (1095-01-331-6755) (Ground Volcano). 10 J uly 1992.
TM 9-1300-206. Ammunition and Explosives S tandards. 30 August 1973.
TM 9-1345-203-12. Operators and Unit Maintenance Manual for Land Mines. 30 Oct ober 1995.
TM 9-1345-209-10. Operators Manual for Modular Pack Mine S ystem (MOPMS ) Consisting of
Dispenser and Mine, Ground: M131 (NS N 1345-01-160-8909) Control, Remote, Land Mine
S ystem: M71 (1290-01-161-3662) and Dispenser and Mine, Ground Training: M136 (6920-01-
162-9380). 31 Mar ch 1992.
TM 9-1375-213-12. Operators and Unit Maintenance Manual (Including Repair Parts and S pecial
Tools List): Demolition Materials. 30 Mar ch 1973.
TM 9-1375-215-14&P. Operators, Unit, Direct S upport and General S upport Maintenance Manual
(Including Repair Parts and S pecial Tools List) for Demolition Kit, Mine Clearing Line Charge
(MICLIC). 31 J anuar y 1992.
TM 43-0001-36. Army Ammunition Data S heets for Land Mines (FS C 1345). 1 Sept ember 1994.
Index-1
Index
A
Air bor ne St andoff Minefield Det ect ion Syst em,
10-3
air -mission br ief, D-13
anchor point , 2-12
ant ihandling devices, 2-9, 6-31, 6-37
M142 mult ipur pose FD, 1-7
M5 pr essur e-r elease FD, 1-7
ant iper sonnel mines, 1-5
char act er ist ics, 5-3
inst allat ion, A-3, A-7
M14, 5-3, A-2
M16, A-6
r emoval, A-5, A-10
sensing, t ypes of, 1-5
war heads, t ypes of, 1-6
Ant iper sonnel Obst acle Br eaching Syst em
(APOBS), 10-12
ant it amper feat ur e, 4-6
ant it ank mines, 1-4
char act er ist ics, 5-2
M15, A-11, E-7
M19, A-21, E-7
M21, A-24, E-7
AP SCATMINEs, 3-1
char act er ist ics, 3-2
APOBS. S ee Ant iper sonnel Obst acle Br eaching
Syst em.
ar ea clear ance, 9-1, 9-7, 11-15
ar ea-denial ar t iller y munit ions, 3-11
ar ea-disr upt ion obst acle, 4-10
ar ming point , D-16
ar ming t ime, 3-6, 4-1
ar mor ed vehicle-launched MICLIC (AVLM),
10-7
ar t iller y-shell AT device, 13-30
assault for ce, 11-7
AT SCATMINEs, 3-3
char act er ist ics, 3-4
AVLM. S ee ar mor ed vehicle-launched MICLIC.
B
bangalor e t or pedo, 10-13
bar bwir e AP device, 13-32
Bat t lefield Oper at ing Syst em, 2-34
bear ing boar d, 5-6
bear ing plat e, 5-6
beginning-of-st r ip mar ker , 7-2
blast ing machine, 3-27
block minefields, 2-13, 6-31, D-6
MOPMS, 3-29
r ow, 6-31
Volcano, 3-24
booby t r aps, 13-1
act uat ion met hods, 13-5
boost er char ge, 1-1
br each for ce, 11-8, 11-17
br eaching, 9-1, 9-2
br eak wir es. S ee t r ip wir es.
br eaking a t r ip wir e, 1-2
bypasses, 10-27
bypassing, 9-2
C
camouflage, 5-6
cat ast r ophic kill (K-Kill), 1-4
cent ur ion, 4-7
chemical land mines, C-6
claymor e device, impr ovised, 13-31
clear ing, 9-6
buildings, 13-19
equipment , 10-7
met hods, 13-22
obst acles, 13-21
open ar eas, 13-18
secur e ar eas, 13-17, 13-21
sequence, 13-15
clust er s, 7-4
combat clear ance, 13-16
combat engineer vehicle wit h full-widt h mine
r ake, 10-21
command-det onat ion, 4-4
cont r ol measur es
sit e layout , 6-16, 6-17
cont r ol of par t ies, 13-9
cont r ol point , 13-9
C2, FM 20-32
Index-2
convent ional mines, 5-1
count er mine dat a, G-1
count er mine oper at ions, C-6
D
DA For m 1355, 8-3, 12-3
DA For m 1355-1-R, 8-3, 8-17
DCU. S ee dispenser cont r ol unit .
decision and execut ion, 2-29
obst acle-execut ion mat r ix, 2-29
scheme-of-obst acle over lay, 2-29
demining, 9-2, 9-7
densit y, 3-8
det ect ion, 10-1, 13-15
Air bor ne St andoff Minefield Det ect ion
Syst em (ASTAMIDS), 10-3
AN/PSS-12 mine det ect or , 10-3
elect r onic, 10-3
mine r oller s, 10-6
physical (pr obing), 10-2
visual, 10-1
det onat or , 1-1
digging t eam, 6-16
dispenser cont r ol unit (DCU), 3-21
dispensing mar ker , 3-19
disr upt minefields, 2-10, D-7
MOPMS, 3-29
r ow, 6-28
Volcano, 3-24
dud pit , D-16
E
emplacement
ADAM/RAAM, 3-13
Gat or , 3-16
hast y pr ot ect ive r ow minefield, 6-34
Hor net , 4-14
MOPMS, 3-28
Volcano, 3-23
wat er , 12-2
emplacement aut hor it y, 3-9
employment
ADAM/RAAM, 3-12
Gat or , 3-15
MOPMS, 3-28
Volcano, 3-23
employment aut hor it y, 6-34
end-of-st r ip mar ker , 7-4
engineer diver s, 12-1, 12-3
ENS. S ee Explosive Neut r alizat ion Syst em.
ESMB. S ee explosive st andoff minefield
br eacher .
expedient devices, 13-29
Explosive Neut r alizat ion Syst em (ENS), 10-11
explosive st andoff minefield br eacher (ESMB),
10-11
ext r act ion
dismount ed, F-11
mount ed, F-10
F
FECS. S ee Field-Expedient Count er mine
Syst em.
fencing, 3-33, D-20, D-21
Field-Expedient Count er mine Syst em (FECS),
10-22
fir e-suppor t coor dinat ion line, 3-15
fir e-suppor t plan, 2-34
fir ing mechanism, 1-1, 1-2
fix minefields, 2-11, D-7
MOPMS, 3-30
r ow, 6-28
Volcano, 3-24
for ce or ganizat ion, 9-4
fr agment hazar d zone, 3-31, 3-32
fuse t ypes, 1-2
G
gaps, 7-8
Gat or , 3-14
gaunt let obst acle, 4-12
gr apeshot AP device, 13-32
gr apnel hook, 10-22, 10-23
hand-t hr own, 10-24
weapon-launched, 10-24
Gr izzly, 10-20
H
hand neut r alizat ion, 11-21
hand-emplaced explosives, 10-22
hand-emplaced mine mar king syst em
(HEMMS), 10-36
hand-emplaced mines, 5-1
haul capacit y, Class IV/V, 2-45
HEMMS. S ee hand-emplaced mine mar king
syst em.
Hor net , 4-6
C2, FM 20-32
Index-3
I
IBASIC. S ee Impr oved Body Ar mor Syst em,
Individual Count er mine.
ignit er , 1-1
Impr oved Body Ar mor Syst em, Individual
Count er mine (IBASIC), 10-19
impr oved dog-bone assembly, 10-15, 10-17
impr ovised mining, 11-18
individual t r aining, F-19
int er dict ion weapons, 4-14
int er im vehicle-mount ed mine det ect or
(IVMMD), 10-5
int er mediat e mar ker s, 8-10
IOE. S ee ir r egular out er edge.
ir r egular out er edge (IOE), 2-9, 6-2, 6-20, 7-3, 7-
6
baseline, 7-4
shor t r ows, 6-20
shor t st r ips, 7-6
IVMMD. S ee int er im vehicle-mount ed mine
det ect or .
L
landmar ks, 6-3, 7-9, 8-9
lane mar king, 10-27
NATO st andar d, 10-36
lane widt hs, 9-4, 9-6
lane-closur e t eam, 7-15
lanes, 7-7, 9-6
closing, 7-15
r educing, 9-4
laying a minefield, 6-20
laying a r ow minefield, 6-18, 6-23
dr ill, 6-18, 6-20
laying par t y, 6-15, 7-11
layout
sit ing, 6-16
let halit y, 3-5, 3-7
let halit y and densit y, 3-7
life cycle, 3-6
linear obst acle effor t , 2-10, 2-39
live-mine fir ing demonst r at ions, E-5
live-mine t r aining, E-3
logist ical calculat ions, 6-3, 7-9
M
M1 and M2 act ivat or s, A-33
M139 dispenser , D-2
M14 AT mine, 5-3
M142 fir ing device, A-32
M15 AT mine, 5-1
M16 AP mine, 5-3, 5-4, E-5
M18A1 AP munit ion, E-6
M18A1 Claymor e munit ion, 4-2
M19 AT mine, 5-1, 5-2
M21 AT mine, 5-1, 5-2
M5 fir ing device, A-30
M58A4 mine-clear ing line char ge, 10-7
M60 Pant her , 10-18
M603 fuse, 5-2
M606 int egr al fuse, 5-2
M624 fuse, 5-2
M71 r emot e-cont r ol unit , 3-26
M87 mine canist er , D-1
M87A1 mine canist er , D-1
M93 Hor net , 4-6, B-1
magnet ic-influenced mine, 4-3
manual br eaching, 10-22
manual obst acle r educt ion, 10-22
mar ker s, D-13
ent r ance, 10-25
ent r ance funnel, 10-26
exit , 10-26
far r ecognit ion, 10-26
final-appr oach, 10-26
handr ail, 10-25
mar king, 3-29, 3-30, 9-7, 10-24, 13-9, 13-18
mar king devices, 10-34
mar king of minefields and obst acle gr oups, 2-
52
mar king par t y, 6-15, 7-11
mar king pr ocedur es, 6-25
MICLIC. S ee mine-clear ing line char ge.
mine
clust er s, 6-2, 7-1
component s, 1-2
emplacement , 7-13
incident , 11-25
r emoval, 6-36, 11-20
r ows, 6-1, 6-16, 6-34
spacing, 6-17
st r ips, 7-1
visual indicat or s, F-1
mine det ect or , AN/PSS-12, 10-3, F-3
mine dump, 2-43, 6-15
mine r oller , 10-6
mine t r aining, E-1
mine-awar eness t r aining, F-18
mine-clear ing blade, 10-14
mine-clear ing line char ge (MICLIC), 10-7
C2, FM 20-32
Index-4
mine-clear ing r oller , 10-14, 10-16
mine-clear ing/ar mor -pr ot ect ion kit , 10-22
mine-dump par t y, 6-15, 7-11
minefield
densit y, 3-14
design, 2-5
gaps, 7-8
handover , 7-19
inspect ion and maint enance, 2-55
lanes, 6-3, 7-7
mar king, 2-49
r ecor ding, 6-15
r educt ion, 10-7
r epor t ing, 6-15
sit ing, 2-38, 6-15
t ur nover , 2-52
minefield mar king set , 10-36
minefield packages, 2-40, 2-42, 2-43
minefield r epor t and r ecor d, 2-53
minefield t ur nover r epor t , 2-53
minefield var iables, 2-7
minefields
block, 6-31
disr upt and fix r ow, 6-28
hast y pr ot ect ive r ow, 6-33
nuisance, 7-17
st andar d pat t er n, 7-1
t ur n, 6-29
minefields, t ypes of, 2-1
mine-incident r epor t , F-18
mines
ant iper sonnel
M14, 12-10
M16, 5-3, 5-4, 12-10
M18A1 (claymor e), 12-10
M605 fuse, 5-4
pr ong-act ivat ed, 5-5
t r ip-wir e-act ivat ed, 5-5
ant it ank
M15, 5-1, 12-1
M603 fuse, 5-2
M624 fuse, 5-2
M19, 5-1, 5-2, 12-1
M606 int egr al fuse, 5-2
M21, 5-1, 5-2, 12-1
sympat het ic det onat ion, 5-8
convent ional, 5-1
hand-emplaced, 5-1
mines t ally sheet , 7-14
mine-st r ip packages, 2-43, 2-47
MiniFlail, 10-19
mission analysis, 2-19
mobile obst acle det achment , C-1
mobilit y kill (M-Kill), 1-4
Modular Pack Mine Syst em (MOPMS), 3-26,
12-15
employment , 3-28
MOPMS. S ee Modular Pack Mine Syst em.
mouset r ap. S ee M5 fir ing device.
N
NATO mar ker s, 10-36
NATO st andar d mar king, 10-36
neut r alizat ion, 9-1
nuisance minefields, 7-17
O
obscur at ion, 9-4
obst acle cont r ol, 2-14
obst acle cont r ol measur es, 2-14
belt s, 2-16
gr oups, 2-17
r est r ict ions, 2-18
zones, 2-15
obst acle effect s, 2-5
obst acle emplacement aut hor it y, 2-14
obst acle int elligence, 9-2
obst acle mat er ial
Class IV, 2-39
Class V, 2-39
obst acle number ing syst em, 8-8
obst acle planning, 2-19
obst acle sit ing, 2-37
obst acle-t ur nover wor k sheet , 2-54
out r igger s, 12-2
over lay symbols, 8-25
P
Pant her , 10-18
phony minefields, 12-15
planning consider at ions, 11-16
planning fact or s, 2-20
planning pr ocess (air Volcano), D-11
plat oon-size sweep t eam, 11-8
plat t er char ge, 13-30
plowing, 10-16
pr essur e plat es, 5-4
pr obabilit y of encount er , 2-8
pr obabilit y of kill, 2-9
pr obes, 10-22
pr obing, 10-2, F-2
C2, FM 20-32
Index-5
pr ogr ess r epor t , 11-22
pr ongs, 5-4
pr oofing, 9-2, 9-7, 10-24
pr ot ect ive obst acles, 2-5
R
RAAM. S ee r emot e ant iar mor mine.
r adio-fr equency jamming devices, 4-6
r anges of common weapons, 2-23
r econnaissance, 9-2
r ecor ding and mine-dat a t r acking, F-18
r ecor ding par t y, 7-11
r educt ion, 9-1, 9-4, 10-1
r egular st r ips, 7-5
r einfor ce a convent ional minefield, 4-8
r emot e ant iar mor mine (RAAM), 3-11, 3-12
r emot e cont r ol unit , 3-26
r epor t ing and r ecor ding, 13-10
r epor t ing pr ocedur es, 6-25
r epor t s
change, 8-3
complet ion, 8-2
init iat ion, 8-1
int ent ion, 8-1
spot , 10-7
st r ip feeder , 6-15, 6-22
t r ansfer , 8-2
r esour ce fact or s, 2-10, 2-39
r esponsibilit ies (air Volcano), D-8
r isk assessment , E-8, F-15
r isk management , F-14
r iver mining, 12-1
r out e clear ance, 9-1, 11-1
r out e clear ance, met hods of, 11-10
r ow mining, 6-1
S
safe st andoff dist ance, 4-9
Hor net , 4-10
MOPMS, 4-9
Volcano, 4-10
safe-separ at ion count down, 3-6
safet y consider at ions, E-3
safet y pr ocedur es, 13-14
safet y t apes, 7-17
safet y zone, 3-26, 3-30, 3-32
sample r isk assessment , F-15
scat t er able minefield r einfor cement , 4-10
scat t er able minefield r epor t and r ecor d, 8-23,
D-22
scat t er able minefield war ning, 3-10, 8-23, 8-24,
D-22
scat t er able mines, 3-1
ADAM, 12-13
capabilit ies, 3-5
Gat or , 12-15
RAAM, 12-13
Volcano
air , 12-15
gr ound, 12-15
scat t er able mines, ext r act ion fr om, F-12
select able light weight at t ack munit ion
(SLAM), 4-3, B-1
M2, 4-3
M4, 4-3
self-dest r uct t imes
SLAM, 4-4
Volcano, 3-21
windows, 3-7
self-for ging fr agment at ion, 3-5
self-neut r alizat ion (SLAM), 4-4
sensing, t ypes of, 1-5
set t ing par t y, 13-9
side at t ack (SLAM), 4-4
sit e layout , 3-24, 6-19, 6-34
sit ing, 2-37
sit ing par t y, 6-16, 7-10
sit ing-and-r ecor ding par t y, 6-18
sit uat ion r epor t , 11-22
skim t echnique, 10-14
skip zone, 10-11
SLAM. S ee select able light weight at t ack
munit ion.
special envir onment s
cold r egions, 12-16
deser t , 12-17
jungle, 12-17
squad dr ill, 6-24
STANAG 2036, 6-1, 6-34, 10-36
STANAG 2889, 10-36
st andar d AP minefield, C-4
st r eambed mining, 12-1
supply oper at ions, 2-39
suppor t for ce, 11-7, 11-17
suppr ession, 9-4
sweep oper at ions, 11-12
sweep t eam
squad-size, 11-9
sympat het ic det onat ion, 5-8, 12-1
FM 20-32
Index-6
T
t act ical minefields, 2-32
t act ical munit ion dispenser s, 3-15
t act ical obst acles, 2-5
t act ical-obst acle effect s, 2-6, 3-7
t ask or ganizat ion, 11-15
t echnical inspect ions, 2-55, 7-18
Ter r abase, D-13
t er r ain analysis, D-13
t heat er air -t asking or der , 3-15, 3-16
t hr eat
ant it r ack minefield, C-3
equipment , C-11
mine oper at ions, C-1
minefield par amet er s, C-2
mixed minefields, C-5
movement suppor t det achment , C-7
t ilt -r od fuses, 5-6
t imed-demolit ion, 4-4
t op at t ack, 4-6
t r affic cont r ol, 9-6
t r affic-cont r ol post s, 10-26
t r ip wir es, 1-2, 1-6, 5-4, 6-2, 7-6
t r ipod, 10-23
t ur n minefields, 2-12, D-6
MOPMS, 3-29
r ow, 6-29
Volcano, 3-24
t ur ning point s, 7-6
t ur nover , 2-52
U
uncr at ing mines, 2-42
ur ban-ar ea mine employment , 12-6
V
Volcano, 3-21, 3-23
air , 3-23, D-1
emplacement , 3-23
employment , 3-23
fencing, 3-33
gr ound, 3-23
M87, 3-21
M87A1, 3-21
minefields, 3-24
mult iple-deliver y mine syst em, 3-21
W
war heads, t ypes of, 1-5
blast AT, 1-5
self-for ging fr agment at ion, 1-5
HASTY PROTECTIVE ROW MINEFIELD RECORD
For use of this form, see FM 20-32; the proponent agency is TRADOC.
Scale: 2 cm = ____ meters
Enemy Mag North
____ m
____ m
____ m
____ m
0 m
____ m
____ m
____ m
____ m
Tabular Block
Row Type Actuation Mine Number
Remarks
Identification Block
Unit
Reference Point
Remarks
Map and Sheet No.
Name of OIC
Signature Time and Date
Mines Removed
Mines Transferred
DA Form 1355-1-R, ______ (This form supersedes all previous forms.)
Azimuth Block
lNSTRUCTlONS
)

O -

-

T


C
C

O C
SSN
S





R


S
-



T


S








N


Reverse of DA Form 1355-1-R, ______ (This form supersedes all previous forms.)