SB-33 mine

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The SB-33 is a small Italian minimum metal blast type anti-personnel mine that entered service in 1977. The SB-33 can be emplaced by hand or scattered using the helicopter mounted SY-AT system.

The body of the mine is made of two glass reinforced polycarbonate halves, with the top surface having a central neoprene pressure pad. A small arming pin is removed from the side of the mine to arm it. Once armed gradual pressure on the top surface rotates a locking collar until the striker is released. Sudden pressure causes the striker to lock the rotating collar in position for the duration of the pressure, preventing the mine from triggering. The combination of low metal content and resistance to overpressure make the mine extremely difficult to remove.

The SB-33 AR version of the mine has an anti-handling system consisting of a mercury tilt switch. Copies of the mine were produced in several countries and the mine was in service with Holland, Spain, Greece and Argentina. The mines are found in Afghanistan, Djibouti, the Falkland Islands, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Western Sahara. This mine is no longer produced and Italy has destroyed all operational stocks and any associated machinery required for its manufacture.

Contents

[edit] Specifications

  • Diameter: 85 mm
  • Height: 30 mm
  • Operating pressure: 8 kg
  • Weight: 140 g
  • Explosive content: 35 g RDX/HMX (98%/2%)

[edit] Variants

  • EM-20, a Greek copy of the mine.
  • P-5, a Spanish copy of the mine produced under license. It is no longer in service with Spain, and all but 4,000 of the mines have been destroyed.
  • M/412, a Portuguese copy of the mine.

[edit] See also

[edit] References


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