With technology has come the arrival of the second type of mine – scatterable. Scatterable mines are significantly different from conventional mines. First, these mines are not emplaced by a Soldier’s hands. Technology enables these types of mines to be emplaced by a variety of means including artillery pieces, helicopter, and fixed wing aircraft. Second, scatterable mines do self-destruct after a period of time. With that said, let’s discuss in very simple terms how these mines work.

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After being delivered by the aforementioned means, the individual mines hit the ground and after a short period of time (minutes) become armed. These mines are now active and will detonate if a vehicle hits the tripwires extending from the mine. The arming of the mine also activates the self-destruct timer within the mine. Once the duration is complete, the mine self-destructs in place. The duration of the mines is from a matter of a few hours to a period of weeks.

The advantages of these mines are numerous. These include: 1) Because of the delivery means; an obstacle utilizing the means can be emplaced quickly. 2) Again, the delivery means enables the mines to get to locations that conventional mines may not be able to get to. 3) Since they do not require a Soldier to physically emplace; valuable time is saved so these Soldiers can be utilized elsewhere. 4) Technology has made these mines much more lethal than conventional mines. 5) Their relatively small size (as compared to conventional mines) places a great deal less stress on a unit’s logistical system.

Scatterable mines are not without their challenges. First, the delivery means (especially since they are generally delivered through the air) requires detailed coordination. Second, because of their small size and various camouflage patterns; these mines can also cause causalities to friendly vehicles who do not know the minefields have been emplaced. Third, although the delivery means are accurate; scatterable mines simply will not be as accurately emplaced as a hand emplaced conventional minefield. Finally, there is a dud rate on these mines. This occurs principally because the mines land in positions that do not enable them to arm or utilize the trip wires. However, in total, these challenges pale in comparison to the distinct advantages of the scatterable mine.

Scatterable mines being emplaced.

Obstacle Effects

One of the key things the commander must decide is what effect (s) he wants his obstacles to achieve for him. Effects must be synchronized with the indirect/direct fire plans and any potential maneuver in the defense. When the commander discusses the use of obstacles in his defensive plan; he needs to talk in terms of effects. He doesn’t need to tell his staff how many mines he wants here or how he wants his obstacles to look like. That is why he has expertise on his staff. The commander tells the staff what effects he wants and lets his experts determine how to achieve the effect. Let’s discuss the four commonly used effects in obstacle emplacement. We will provide a general overview of the effect and then address how it is synchronized with fires.

Disrupt – If a Commander is concerned about the mass the enemy can attack his defense with; he will want to break up that attacking formation before it reaches his main battle positions. In that case, in terms of obstacle effect he will ask to emplace disruption obstacles. The object of these obstacles is to disrupt the enemy’s march formation, put some chaos in his command and control, upset his timing and synchronization of his assets, and cause him to commit his breaching assets too early. The commander believes if he is successful in the above, the enemy will move into his main engagement area piecemeal (or in smaller formations) negating his mass. These smaller units will enable his forces to have more lethality with his fires.

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