TM-62 series of mines

TM-62 is the designation for a series of Russian anti-tank blast mines. The mines have a central fuze and typically have a 7.5 kg explosive charge, however they vary greatly in detail. The mines can be laid manually or automatically from a mine laying machine including the PMR-1, PMR-2 wheeled towed mine layers, the GMZ tracked mine laying vehicle and the VMR-2 helicopter mine laying system.

In a static test, the TM-62M proved capable of penetrating the hull of a Centurion tank, killing the simulated crew of animals inside.

The TM-62 series of mines can be fitted with the same fuzes as the TM-72 series of mines, which include MVN-72 and MVN-80 fuzes which are vibration and magnetism sensitive.

Variants

• TM-62M - The TM-62M uses a round metal case. It is the most widely employed of the TM-62 series of mines.
• TM-62B - The TM-62B paper or cardboard case and is basically a block of cast explosive with a fuze set into the center.
• TM-62D - The TM-62D uses a wooden case.
• TM-62P, TM-62P2, TM-62P3 - The TM-62P, TM-62P2 and TM-62P3 use plastic cases. The TM-62P and TM-62P2 mine cases have ribbed sides, whereas the TM-62P3 has smooth case.
• TM-62T - The TM-62T has a fabric and epoxy casing, with a central fuze.

Fuzes

• MVZ-62
• MVCh-62 - The MVCh-62 uses a clockwork arming delay of 30 to 120 seconds.
• MVN-62
• MVN-72 - The MVN-72 fuze uses a combination of electronics and clockwork, after an initial arming delay the magnetic influence fuze is enabled powered from a 1.5 V battery.
• MVN-80 - The MVN-80 is an improved version of the MVN-72 fuze.
• VM-62Z
• MVP-62 - The MVP-62 uses a pneumatic bellows arming delay of 20 to 300 seconds. The delay mechanism uses a minimum of metal making it difficult to detect when used with one of the minimum metal cases.
• MVP-62M

Specifications (TM-62M with MVZ-62 fuze)

• Weight: 9.5 kg
• Explosive content: 7.5 kg of TNT (although sometimes RDX/TNT/Aluminium and Amatol mixes are used)
• Diameter: 320 mm
• Height: 128 mm
• Operating pressure: 150 to 550 kg

References

• Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance 2005-2006