Patchy mining is also significantly different from what we associate with movies. Mines are not placed by sappers, but they are there fired from combat vehicles. In this article we describe this method of protection against the aggressor.
On Wednesday, April 29 this year. on the premises of Bydgoskie Zakłady Electromechanical “BELMA”, Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz officially signed agreement between the State Treasury – Armament Agency and Bydgoskie Zakłady Elektromechaniczne “BELMA” SA for the supply of combat and training scattered mines domestic production.
The contract covers the purchase of 72 thousand. mine cartridges, i.e 360 thousand MN-123 armored mines to systems scattered mining – both modern BAOBAB-K Surface Mining Vehicles (PMN), Surface Mining Carriers (TMN) on a tracked chassis, as well as previously used Kroton systems. The value of the contract is approx PLN 3.4 billion gross (PLN 9.5 thousand per mine), and deliveries will be made in 2027–2029.
What are scattered mines and how are they laid?
Scattered mines (SCATMIN) are relatively small mines dropped from aircraft or by barrel artillery or deployed using mechanical devices. Unlike large traditional anti-tank mines, scattered mines are not placed manually, buried or camouflaged according to the classic pattern.
A scattered mine vehicle fires (throws) cartridges with mines, creating them minefield strips. Depending on the system, such a single field with 400 – 600 mines has length 1.2 – 1.8 km and width 60 – 120 mand the mining process lasts only several dozen minutes.
Scattered minefield – a method of mining the area using the Kroton system
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Military Institute of Engineering Technology
BAOBAB-K
In Poland, the Engineering System of Mining (ISM) is used for scatter mining / Kroton Surface Mining Carrier (TMN).which It is built on an adapted tracked armored personnel carrier. It also recently came into use BAOBAB-K Surface Mining Vehicle (PMN). on a wheeled chassis.
BAOBAB-K allows you to set up minefields of various sizes and mine densities. There is a process automatedboth rotation and extension of platforms with launchers (pitchers min) is performed automatically from the control station, which allows for a quick transition from transport mode to combat mode (and vice versa).
In automatic mode the computer calculates the vehicle speed, launcher settings and adjusts the launcher firing frequencyto ensure correct minefield parameters. Additionally, field parameters and coordinates are recorded on maps and displayed on the computer. All data can also be sent to a higher level of command. Manual mode is also available if necessary.
| BAOBAB-K | |
|---|---|
|
Vehicle chassis |
Jelcz with 8×8 drive |
|
Total number of min |
600 pieces [6 wyrzutni × 20 kaset × 5 min] |
|
Crew |
2 people |
|
Reload time |
|
|
Laying range min |
from 60 to 180 m |
|
Laying speed |
from 5 to 20 km/h |
|
Length of the minefield |
up to 1,800 m |
- Read more: The Polish Army has already ordered 24 Baobab-K vehicles. This is what they can do
A newer one was also ordered a few months ago BAOBAB-G versionwhich will use the existing launcher, but placed on a tracked chassis (from the Krab gun-howitzer).
The equivalents of such scattered mining in the world include: American Volcano system, Russian UMZGerman Skorpion, British Shielder, French Minotaur and Italian Istricte.
MN-123 anti-tank mine
Main features of the MN-123 mine from the “BELMA” plant
- developed and produced in Poland for the needs of the minelayer ISM Kroton
- are intended to create minefields (using ISM or similar)
- anti-tank, anti-bottom (destructive by penetrating the bottom of the vehicle)
- equipped with double-acting shaped charge
- magnetic type fuse reacting under the steel outline of a passing vehicle
- mines are packaged after 5 pieces in a mine box
- cartridges placed in a launcher mounted on a combat vehicle
BAOBAB-K scattered mining vehicle – cartridges in the launcher
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Huta Stalowa Wola SA
Cylindrical mine cassette containing five MN-123 scattered mines
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Military Institute of Engineering Technology
Dimensions
The MN-123 scattered (surface) anti-tank mine has the shape of a flattened cylinder with a diameter of 18 cm, a thickness of 9 cm and a weight of 3.7 kg. In the case of this type of mines, the key is that the charge has a double-sided effect, i.e. it is equally effective regardless of which side the thrown mine lands on the ground. Thanks to this, the mine can be placed by the ISM Engineering Mining System (but also placed manually in the MR-123 version). It is intended for setting mine barriers using mine cartridges, and barriers using MN-123 mines can be placed in various terrain conditions.
MN-123 anti-tank mine
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BELMA.pl
| BASIC TECHNICAL DATA OF MINA MN-123 | |
|---|---|
|
Mass of a single mine |
3.7kg |
|
Power supply |
6.8V |
|
Time of self-liquidation |
2, 3, 5 days |
|
Pierceability |
60 mm (from a distance of 30 cm) |
|
Resistance to |
strong magnetic fields, explosive and electromagnetic demining, explosion of a neighboring mine |
Warhead, charge, fuze
In MN-123 the head is of the cumulative typeand an explosion can penetrate armor up to 60 mm thick of armor steel. This is more than enough to neutralize any type of tank or other heavy combat vehicle in the world from below, or at least destroy its tracks or wheels.
Plus the magnetic (non-contact) fuse only works when the steel hull of the vehicle is above the mine. Thus, the fuse system only causes the mine to explode when it is between the tracks or wheels of the vehicle. If MN-123 is outside this outline, the explosion will not occur and the mine will “wait” for the next vehicle to pass over it. In addition, the explosion time can be set so that the explosion hits the front part (immediately) or further parts of the vehicle (with a delay). Typically, one cassette contains four mines with a fuse set for immediate operation (MN123.1) and one with a delayed fuse (MN123.2).
Cylindrical mine cassette containing five MN-123 scattered mines
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portalmilitarny.pl
Due to the requirements of international conventions, all mines have a self-liquidating device set for a period of 1 to 30 days, after which they self-neutralize.
Scattered mining
The system of scattered mines is characterized by: high speed of operationBecause does not require the participation of sappers' teams or site preparation. It allows you to quickly mine a large area, even just before the enemy attacks. It also provides precision by allowing control of the width, depth and layout of the minefield and creating selective firewallsthat hinder enemy actions without limiting your own troops.
Scattered mining is also flexible because it allows dynamically adapt the selection of the mine site to the current tactical situation. It also increases the safety of soldiers because automation and the use of vehicles reduce the need to stay in the danger zone and reduce the risk of losses and detection by the enemy. Additionally, it is characterized by high mobility, enabling fast movement and effective operation even in difficult terrain without infrastructure.
