Description
The LMG rocket mine consists of a rocket, a rocket-support rod, a launching platform, an ignition and propellant charge, an MUV pull fuze, and a pull wire. The hollow shaft of the rocket slides over the rocket support rod which has been screwed to a metal brace. The brace is bolted to the wooden launching platform. The ignition and propellant charge is contained in the rocket-support rod. The MUV pull fuze, with the pull wire tied to the striker-retaining pin, acts as the initiating fuze.
The LMG rocket mine is employed primarily as an antitank mine and may be installed to be detonated by a trip wire or a concealed observer pulling on a pull wire attached to the fuze of the mine.
Functioning
A tank or vehicle running over the tight pull wire, stretched to a distance of about 90 feet from the rocket, depresses the wire which pulls the pin out of the MUV fuze. The fuze sets off the ignition-and-propellant charge which launches the rocket into the air. Some rockets are guided in their flight along a guide wire by means of metal eyes attached to the rocket body. When the rocket strikes the tank or vehicle, the impact sets off the percussion fuze which explodes the rocket. The pull wire may also be led to a concealed observation post where the mine is set off by an observer.
Hazardous Components
Main charge - TNT, 6.6 oz. (184 grams) per TM 5-280 (1963). The 1971 edition says the LMG rocket contains a main charge of 7.16 lbs. (3.25 kg) with a TNT booster (1.75 oz., 49 grams)
Propellant - Black powder, 7 oz. (196 grams)
Flash charge - Ignition pellet from rifle cartridge.
Physical Data
Length - 9 in. (228 mm)
Width - 8.62 in (219 mm)
Height - 4.5 in. (114 mm)
See Also
Source(s)
TM 5-280, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment (chg 1, 1971)
TM 5-280, Foreign Mine Warfare Equipment (1963)
TM 5-223A, Soviet Mine Warfare Equipment (1951)
