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U.S. Navy Mines



Mines are used as an anti-ship or anti-submarine, subsurface weapon
The MK56 ASW mine (the oldest still in use) was developed in 1966. Since that time, more advances in technology have given way to the development of the MK60 CAPTOR (short for "encapsulated torpedo"), the MK62 and MK63 Quickstrike and the MK67 SLMM (Submarine Launched Mobile Mine). Most mines in today's arsenal are aircraft delivered to target.

General characteristics

MK67 SLMM
Primary function Destroy enemy shipping
Additional background The SLMM was developed as a submarine deployed mine for use in areas inaccessible for other mine deployment techniques or for covert mining of hostile environments. The SLMM is a shallow water mine consisting basically of a modified MK37 torpedo.
Type Submarine laid bottom mine
Detection system Magnetic/seismic or Magnetic/seismic/pressure target detection devices (TDDs).
Dimensions 19 in x 161 in 48.5 cm x 409 cm
Depth range Up to 600 ft 183 m
Weight 1,658 lb 754 kg
Explosives high explosive 330 lb 150 kg
Date deployed 1983

MK65 Quickstrike
Primary function Destroy enemy shipping
Additional background The Quickstike is a shallow water aircraft laid mine used primarily against surface craft. The MK65 is a 2,390 lb bomb fitted with a thin-walled mine casing. Older Quickstrike versions (MK62, MK63, and MK64) were converted streamlined bombs of the 500 lb, 1000 lb, and 2000 lb sizes.

Type Aircraft laid bottom mine
Detection system Magnetic/seismic/pressure target detection devices (TDDs) are used on various models.
Dimensions 29 in x 128 in 74 cm x 325 cm
Depth range Up to 600 ft 183 m
Weight 2,390 lb 1,086 kg
Explosives Various loads
Date deployed 1983

MK60 CAPTOR
Primary function Destroy enemy shipping
Additional background The CAPTOR is the Navy's primary anti submarine weapon. This deep water mine is designed to be laid by aircraft or submarine, and is anchored to the ocean floor. Its acoustic detection system is designed to seek hostile submarines, ignoring surface craft and friendly submarine acoustic signatures. Upon detection of a hostile submarine, the CAPTOR launches a MK46 Mod 4 torpedo.
Type Aircraft, ship or submarine laid magnetically moored mine.
Detection system Reliable acoustic path (RAP) sound propagation.
Dimensions aircraft/ship 21 in x 145 in 53 cm x 368 cm
submarine 21 in x 132 in 53 cm x 335 cm
Depth range Up to 3000 ft 914 m
Weight aircraft/ship 2,370 lb 1,077 kg
submarine 2,056 lb 9,35 kg
Explosives 96 lb (44 kg) of PBXN-103 high explosive MK46 torpedo
Date deployed 1979

MK56 a MK57
Primary function Destroy enemy shipping
Type Aircraft laid moored mine (MK56); Submarine laid magnetically moored mine (MK57).
Detection system Total field magnetic exploder.
Dimensions MK56 22,4 in x 114.3 in 57 cm x 290 cm
MK57 21 in x 121.1 in 53 cm x 307 cm
Depth range Up to 1000 ft 305 m
Weight MK56 2,000 lb 909 kg
MK57 2,059 lb 936 kg
Explosives HBX-3 MK56 360 lb 164 kg
MK57 340 lb 155 kg
Date deployed 1966

Jirka Wagner

 

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