Asia

Mines: Explosives with a sensor

Mines are a well-known defense system that has killed many people. It can damage both people and vehicles, making it a good way to keep the opponent at a distance.

Operation

The operation of a mine is both simple and effective. It reacts when something comes into contact with or near the explosive. A sensor measures whether this is the case. The best known and most used sensor is a pressure sensor, if you step on it it explodes. However, infrared or vibration sensors are also sometimes used. It is important that it contains sufficient explosive material. In the past, there were so-called miners who exploded bombs close to a branch, but during the Second World War everything became more modern and they could be controlled from a distance.

The types of mines

You can divide all types of mines into 2 groups: land and sea mines. These groups contain all kinds of subdivisions and again below them. So it is actually a large family tree, only of the mine species.

Landmines

Landmines are poorly divided into 2 categories. The first type is an anti-personnel mine. However, this usually does not leave the victim dead. This is done this way because his mates then have to bring him back. The second type is an anti-vehicle mine and explodes on contact with a vehicle. However, these models are made for total destruction.

Sea mines

Although you wouldn’t expect it, there are more sea mines than land mines. For example, you have pressure wave mines that explode as soon as he measures a wave that could come from a ship. You also have contact mines that explode as soon as a touch is registered. You also have influence mines that can be subdivided into many other types of mines, including one that works with magnetic radiation. Finally, we have air mines that explode when they touch the sea or a shipping vehicle.

Mine exploration and Ottawa treaty

Of course there are also ways to detect mines. When detecting landmines, a special unit is often used that must detect mines using a metal detector. However, the sea mines are a bit more difficult and special ships are often used for this, such as mine hunters. More than a hundred countries signed the Ottawa Treaty, which stated that the use of anti-personnel landmines should be banned. However, some countries including the US did not agree.