| TS-50 mine | |
|---|---|
The TS-50 is a small circular Italian blast resistant minimum metal anti-personnel mine. The mine has a ribbed plastic case which is olive green, brown or sand colored. The mine has a central raised pressure pad on the top surface of the mine, which can operate even with the mine upside down. Pressure on the mine forces air through a diaphragm into a small rubber air bag, which inflates. As the bag inflates it pushes a shutter, which in turn removes the striker retaining lug. The striker is free to impact the detonator.
The design of the TS-50's fuze gives it a large degree of resistance to explosive overpressure clearance techniques, as the short sharp shock from an explosion does not last long enough to force enough air into the air bag to trigger the mine. This combined with the use of non-magnetic metals used in the mine difficult to clear using conventional techniques. A metal "detector" disc is provided with the mine to make it more detectable, however it is rarely used.
Additionally, the mine is waterproof and can be used in shallow water. The mine can be either laid by hand or scattered by helicopter from the DAT mine dispenser system.
The mine was originally produced by Tecnovar italiana SpA, and was in service with the Italian army. Since the anti-personnel mine ban has come into force the Italian army has destroyed all stocks of the mine. It is extremely similar to another Italian mine, the VS-50. The mine was widely exported and produced under license in Egypt and is found in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Georgia, Kurdistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Rwanda and the Western Sahara.