M23 chemical mine
Encyclopedia
The M23 is a U.S.
steel cased chemical landmine. The mine was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s and approximately 100,000 were produced. The U.S. has begun disposal of its stockpile of these mines and although several large stores of these mines have been eliminated as of 2008 work is still ongoing .
The mine is broadly similar to the M15 anti-tank mine
in appearance with the addition of four pairs of small ridges on the top surface of the mine. The mine has two secondary fuse wells in addition to the primary fuse well and can be set to operate either as an anti-vehicle or anti-personnel mine. It is normally fitted with either an M603 or M608 fuse. Upon activation the bursting charge breaks the thin steel casing open, heating and spraying the VX nerve agent
to form an aerosol
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
steel cased chemical landmine. The mine was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s and approximately 100,000 were produced. The U.S. has begun disposal of its stockpile of these mines and although several large stores of these mines have been eliminated as of 2008 work is still ongoing .
The mine is broadly similar to the M15 anti-tank mine
M15 mine
The M15 mine is a large circular U.S. anti-tank blast mine, first deployed during the Korean War. Essentially, it is a larger version of the M6A2 anti-tank mine, which it superseded.-Description:...
in appearance with the addition of four pairs of small ridges on the top surface of the mine. The mine has two secondary fuse wells in addition to the primary fuse well and can be set to operate either as an anti-vehicle or anti-personnel mine. It is normally fitted with either an M603 or M608 fuse. Upon activation the bursting charge breaks the thin steel casing open, heating and spraying the VX nerve agent
VX (nerve agent)
VX, IUPAC name O-ethyl S-[2-ethyl] methylphosphonothioate, is an extremely toxic substance whose only application is in chemical warfare as a nerve agent. As a chemical weapon, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations in UN Resolution 687...
to form an aerosol
Aerosol
Technically, an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas. Examples are clouds, and air pollution such as smog and smoke. In general conversation, aerosol usually refers to an aerosol spray can or the output of such a can...
.
Specifications
- Diameter: 13 inches (0.32 m)
- Height: 5 inches (0.12 m)
- Weight unfuzed: 22¾ lb (10.3 kg)
- Content: 10½ lb of VX nerve agent (4.8 kg) and 13 oz (0.37 kg) Composition BComposition BComposition B, colloquially "comp B", is an explosive consisting of castable mixtures of RDX and TNT. It is used as the main explosive filling in artillery projectiles, rockets, land mines, hand grenades, sticky bombs and various other munitions...
4 bursting charge.