Military

M76 Scatterable Anti-Tank [AT] mine

M76 AT SCATMINEs are cylindrical in shape, weigh approximately 1.8 kilograms, contain 585 grams of cyclonite (RDX) explosive as the main charge, and have a magnetically induced fuse

M76 AT SCATMINES are delivered using the M131 Modular Pack Mine System (MOPMS)

AT SCATMINEs are designed to produce a K-Kill (kill the crew of the vehicle) instead of an M-Kill. They produce a kill by using an SFF warhead (created from a two-sided M-S plate). The warhead penetrates the vehicle's belly armor, and spalling metal from the vehicle (created by the mine blast or secondary explosions) kills occupants instantly. Even though the crew is killed, the drive train may be undamaged and the vehicle may continue to move. On enemy tanks with autoloaders, the detonation of rounds in the belly-mounted ammunition carousel is very likely. The mine may not achieve a kill when the track of an armored vehicle runs directly over it.

The magnetic fuse is designed to detonate as the magnetic field changes over the mine. The warhead is bidirectional, meaning that it can fire from the top or the bottom. While antihandling devices (AHDs) are built into 20 percent of M70, M73, and M75 mines, the M76 mines do not have AHDs. They can however detonate when moved, because the mine may sense a significant change from its original orientation.

Due to their small size, the reduced explosive, and the possibility of landing with an improper orientation (on their side or at an angle), AT SCATMINEs have less chance of destroying a vehicle than a conventional full-width AT mine. An armored vehicle will not always be destroyed after an encounter with an AT SCATMINE. Further, the effectiveness of SCATMINEs in water obstacles is reduced even more, because 5 centimeters of water prevents the formation of the M-S slug. Although the blast wave is accentuated by underwater placement (attacking hatches and covers), mining of banks and approaches is recommended instead.

Though all SCATMINEs have a similar life cycle, specific times vary based on the SD time and the dispensing system. For safety reasons, SCATMINEs must receive two arming signals at launch. One signal is usually physical (spin, acceleration, or unstacking), and the other is electronic. This same electronic signal activates the mine's SD time. Mines start their safe-separation countdown (arming time) when they receive arming signals. This allows the mines to come to rest after dispensing and allows the mine dispenser to exit the area safely. Mines are armed after the arming time expires. The first step in arming is a self-test to ensure proper circuitry. Approximately 0.5 percent of mines fail the self-test and self-destruct immediately. After the self-test, mines remain active until their SD time expires or until they are encountered. Mines actually self-destruct at 80 to 100 percent of their SD time. The time period from when the mines begin to self-destruct and when they finish is called the SD window. No mines should remain active after the SD time has been reached. The probability of a live mine existing past its SD time is 1 in 10,000. Any mines found after the SD time must be treated as unexploded ordnance (UXO).

The SD time for the M76 is 4 hours (recyclable up to 3 times). As such, M76 mines actually start self-destructing at 3 hours and 12 minutes. When the 4-hour SD time is reached, no unexploded mines should exist.