Valmara 59
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The Valmara 59 is a large cylindrical Italian bounding Anti-personnel mine. It is the first in the "Valmara" family of mines produced by Valsella Meccanotecnica, and was followed by the Valmara 69 and VS-JAP. The mine's body is plastic with a distinctive five pronged head. The central prong has a hole, to allow the threading a trip wire. The inner body of the mine has a main charge surrounded with approximately 1,000 steel cubes, below which is a steel wire connecting it to the base of the mine. When the mine is triggered a small charge lauches the mine into the air approximately 45 cm before the steel wire is pulled taught, the jolt of which pulls a striker into the detonator. A secondary time fuse triggers the mine after three seconds if it has not detonated after being triggered.
The fragments produced by the mine are lethal to range of 25 meters are capable of penetrating light armour.
[edit] Specifications
- Diameter: 102 mm
- Height: 196 mm
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Explosive content: Reported between 0.42 kg and 0.56 kg of Composition B with a RDX booster charge.
- Operating pressure: 10.8 kg pressure, 6 kg pull.
This mine is banned under the Geneva Convention though there are millions found in the world
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Brassey's Essential Guide to Anti-Personnel Landmines, Eddie Banks, ISBN 1-85753-228-7
- Valmara 59 at ORDATA
