Mk 7 mine

The Mk 7 mine is a circular U.K. anti-tank blast mine. It can be laid either by hand or from a mechanical mine layer. The mine is conventional in design, with a central fuze well, below which is a tetryl booster charge, both surrounded by the main explosive filling of TNT. The mine can be fitted with a variety of fuzes, including a double-impulse fuze (which gives it some resistance to explosive demining methods) or a tilt-rod fuze, which gives it a full width attack capability. A mechanical anti-handling device was also produced for the mine, although this is reported to have never been used. The mine is currently being phased out of service with the British army. The mine is found in Afghanistan, Angola, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Libya, Namibia, Oman, Somalia, and Zambia.

The two most modern variants of the mine, the Mk 7/4 (standard) and the Mk 7/7 (waterproof), were taken out of service by the UK by March 2003 [1], after which disposal of existing stockpiles commenced.

Specifications

• Diameter: 325 mm
• Height: 130 mm
• Weight: 13.6 kg
• Explosive content: 8.89 kg of TNT
• Operating pressure: 150 to 275 kg

Variants

• Mk 7/4 (Standard)
• Mk 7/7 (Water proof)

Victims

The Mk 7 was responsible for the deaths of 10 Afghan girls aged nine to 13 k in December 2012.

References

• Mk 7 Mine specification at 'Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance'
• ORDATA entry for the Mk 7 mine, complete with photos
• [2]

Afghan bomb blast kills 10 girls, The Guardian, Monday 17 December 2012 07.14 GMT