MK 55
The Mine Mk 50 series includes the MK 55, a 2000-pound aircraft-laid bottom mine containing an explosive charge of 1290 pounds of HBX-1. The MK 55 is an influence mine specifically designed to actuate on submarine signatures, although it is also equally effective against most surface ship signatures. The MK 55 is almost identical to the MK 52, with difference being its weight (2,000 pounds), its larger explosive charge, the case is larger and the flight gear is different. Otherwise there are no variations: instrument racks, color-coded molded cables, and color-coded modular components are all identical and interchangeable with the MK 52's.
- Mod 1
- employs an acoustic firing mechanism.
- Mod 2
- employs a magnetic firing mechanism, efficient over a wide range of planting depths.
- Mod 3
- employs a combination of pressure and magnetic firing mechanisms.
- Mod 4
- (not used).
- Mod 5
- employs acoustic and magnetic firing mechanisms.
- Mod 6
- combines all three influence type firing mechanisms: acoustic, pressure, and magnetic, making it difficult to sweep.
- Mod 7
- The Mod 7, which is unique to the Mk 55 Mine, is similar to the Mod 2 except that it uses an improved dual channel magnetic firing mechanism, making it more difficult to sweep.
| Specifications | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Weight: |
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| Length: | 89-7/8 inches | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diameter: | 23-3/8 inches | ||||||||||||||||||
| Guidance: | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Control: | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Autopilot: | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Propulsion: | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Warhead: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fuse: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft | |||||||||||||||||||
References
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