Description
The BLU-92/B (Gator) is an air-delivered, free fall, bi-directional electromechanically armed antipersonnel (APERS) landmine. It is fired by tripline sensors or self destruct timers. However, some units have an additional antidisturbance feature. This mine is used for rapid large scale mining, with the potential of being delivered deep behind enemy lines. It is designed to disrupt and disorganize troops, deny utilization of key areas, and thwart mine clearance operations.
The mine is comprised of a tripline target sensor (four sensors per cover), a fragmenting type warhead, a lithium reserve battery power supply, a safe and arm (S&A) device, a magnetic coupling device, and a mine self-destruct electronics. Some mines contain an antidisturbance switch. Each target sensor consists of a locked spring-loaded bobbin with approximately 12.2 meters (40.0 feet) of tripline which is deployed when the pressure cartridge in the gas generator (not shown) is functioned. The warhead is a prescored fragmentation type. The power supply is two independent hermetically sealed cells connected in series, to provide a nominal 6.4 volts. The S&A contains dual interrupter locks on the detonator slider and a dud-safe system that permanently locks the slider in the out-of-line position if the mine arming criteria is not met. The mine self-destruct time is induced into the mine by the transmitter/receiver coil (magnetic coupling device). Destruct times are preselected by a positioning of the dispenser self-destruct setter switch. The antidisturbance switch is located in the fuze electronics. It consists of a moveable metal ball positioned between insulated and un-insulated sections in a switch can. Mine movement causes the ball to move, closing the switch.
The mine is a metal cylinder which houses the electronic and warhead components. The cylinder is encased by a plastic aeroballistic adapter to enhance mine dispersion at release and reduce ground impact force by slowing free fall. A bore rider pin/housing is located slightly off-center on only one cover. The pin is retained in the compressed position by a bore rider retaining clip until release. The opposite cover is blank. Both covers have four tripline ports, located 90 degrees apart.
The aeroballistic adapter and mine case are olive drab. Each cover has a 51mm (2.00-inch) yellow dot at its center.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Landmine, AT/AV, BLU-91/B Gator
Source(s)
Iraq Ordnance Identification Guide (2004)
