Against infantry and tanks: what is known about the M136 Volcano remote-detonation mine system

Taiwan is actively interested in the American M136 Volcano remote mine system.

< p>As the authors of the Taiwanese magazine The Liberty Times write, the M-136 Volcano remote mine laying system, created by American designers back in the 80s of the last century, is still in demand on the world arms market, ArmyInform reports.< /p>

At least the military from this island ordered 14 sets of these installations from the USA at once. The deal came into effect last year after the US State Department approved a proposed $180 million weapons package that included Volcano systems and M977A4 HEMTT trucks. But in September of this year, Taipei received a report that these "remote miners" will be delivered to the island no earlier than 2026.

M136 Volcano — is an automated mine delivery system that can rapidly deploy large minefields in various conditions using prepackaged containers. This armament is capable of quickly setting both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines over a large area, creating deterrents against potential enemy landings and vehicles.

Experts of the defense publication Army Recognition emphasize the universality of the deployment of this weapon. “Volcano”, and this is how the name of the installation is translated, can be both ground (Ground Volcano) and air-based (Air Volcano). The system is quick to assemble and disassemble, and it uses modified GATOR mines, available in active or inactive containers.

The Ground Volcano modification is optimally suited for the installation of deep and tactical minefields. This system uses an M139 dispenser and an easy-to-use dosing control unit. Ground Volcano uses modified GATOR mines, available in both combat and training versions.

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The system includes three main components: M87A1 ammunition, training ammunition M88 and M89. Each M87A1 container contains six anti-tank mines and one anti-personnel mine. Anti-tank mines are equipped with magnetically induced detonators, which are activated during the movement of objects with metal components. This makes mines particularly effective against armored vehicles.

Anti-personnel mines, in turn, are activated with the help of strings that can reach up to 12 meters in length. The diameter of the mines is 12 cm, height — 6 cm, and each mine contains about 605 g of explosive.

Mounted on an Oshkosh Defense HEMTT A4 M977A4 truck, the Volcano system can carry 960 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, deploying a minefield up to 1,100 meters long and 120 meters wide for 4-12 minutes. This factor ensures operational protection of important objects and strategic points on the battlefield.

Mines are equipped with a timed self-destruct mechanism, which ensures that unexploded ordnance will not pose a long-term threat.

The M977A4 truck used to transport the Volcano system is equipped with a number of advanced technologies , which make it a reliable and maneuverable vehicle. Among its features — 500hp Caterpillar C15 diesel engine, traction control, anti-lock braking system and air suspension. These characteristics ensure high cross-country ability, including overcoming water obstacles up to 1.2 meters deep.

The M136 Volcano system is a powerful tool for creating minefields, providing reliable protection against enemy offensive operations. Its mobility, speed of deployment and high efficiency make it an indispensable part of the arsenal of modern armed forces.