PMD series mines

PMD-6

The PMD-6, PMD-7 and PMD-57 series mines are Soviet Union blast type anti-personnel mines that consist of a wooden box with a hinged lid with a slot cut into it. The slot presses down against a retaining pin, which holds back the striker. When sufficient pressure is applied to the lid of the box the retaining pin moves, allowing the striker to hit the detonator. The mines typically have an operating pressure of 1 to 10 kg. All the mines in the series use MOV series fuzes.

As with other wooden box mines, the mine has a relatively short lifetime since the box is vulnerable to rotting and splitting, disabling the mine. It is, however, more dangerous, due to the fact that it can't be found with a metal detector.

The mines are sometimes used with mortar bombs in place of the normal explosive blocks.

The mines, and locally produced copies, are found in a large number of countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Chad, Cyprus, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Iraq, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Oman, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Western Sahara, Uganda, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

Variants

PMD-6 - original version of the mine, first used in the 1939 Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland.
PMD-6M - slightly larger version of the mine, with a leaf spring installed inside the box to increase operating pressure, which allows safer handling during minelaying.
PMD-6F - a version used extensively during the Siege of Leningrad, with an ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) main charge.
PMD-7 - smaller version of the mine, using a cylindrical main charge.
PMD-7ts - consists of a solid wooden block hollowed out to accept the main charge and fuse.
PMD-57 - A later, larger box mine, using a larger warhead.

Specifications

	PMD-6	PMD-6M	PMD-7	PMD-7ts	PMD-57
Weight	400 g	400 g	400 g (approx)	400 g
Explosive content	200 g	200 g	75 or 200 g	50 or 75 g	400 g
Length	198 mm	190 mm	152 mm		200 mm
Width	85 mm	89 mm	76 mm		100 mm
Height	65 mm	65 mm	51 mm		80 mm
Operating pressure	1 to 10 kg	6 kg	1 to 9 kg		19 kg

Similar mines

Schu-mine 42, PP Mi-D, Type 59, PMD-1

References

Brassey's Essential Guide To Anti-Personnel Landmines, Recognizing and Disarming, Eddie Banks, ISBN 1-85753-228-7
Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance 2005-2006
TM 5-223, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment

External links

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