| abstract |
A land mine capable of self-destructions after a selected period of time which includes a central portion of a friction sensitive material capable of supporting self combustion. A layer of white phosphorus disposed so as to surround and directly contact said friction material and having embedded therein a plurality of explosive pellets. One or more thin wall, frangible, glass vials containing a vaporizable solvent, abutting at least a portion of said white phosphorus and facing outwardly thereof. The entire structure being coated with an elastic material which is soluble under the action of said solvent. There is specifically disclosed the use of acetone in conjunction with a nitrocellulose coating and a generally spherical configuration. The mine being capable of initial activation by pressure applied thereto, which, ignites the frictional material and in turn the phosphorus. The ignited phosphorus detonates the explosive pellets. The self-destruct operation commences when the mine is dropped, as for example, from an airplane, and the glass vial is broken thus releasing the solvent which starts the dissolution of the nitrocellulose outer film. When dissolved the phosphorus is exposed to the atmosphere and self destruction is initiated thus providing in addition, a visual indication of activation and self-destruction. |