This section has very detailed information about the OZM-3 bounding anti-personnel land mine, much of which is not covered in most Western sources. This section will describe the appearance, operation, use, and disarming of the mine. In the near future the history of the mine will be covered in detail.
The OZM-3 is a circular bounding fragmentation mine. It is olive in color and has a body of sheet steel. It is similar to, but smaller than, the more modern OZM-4 and OZM-72 mines. The primary difference, however, is that the OZM-3 can be prepared for electrical detonation. Two electrical wires run through the top plate of the mine. The integral ends of the wire join in a heat coil in the propellant charge. The external ends of the cable can be attached to a detonation device for electrical detonation of the mine.
At the top of the mine lies a threaded farewell. The fuze (usually of the MUV series) is screwed into this well. Beneath the fuze detonator is a flash tube and in the base of the mine is the propelling charge. If the mine is intended fired or it is in transit, a transit cap is screwed onto the fuze well. The transit cab is attached to the top of the mine with a thin chain. The well for the main detonator is located centrally in the mine. The detonator well is closed with a detonator retaining plug on the top of the mine.
Dig a small hole where the mine is to be placed, allowing an extra 2-4 cm so that it can be concealed when buried. Remove the detonator plug and install MD-9 detonator, then replace the plug. Place the mine in the prepared hole and partially cover. Remove the safety pin. Cover and camouflage the mine being careful not to exert any pressure on the pressure plate. The mine will armed 15-20 minutes after the safety pin is removed.
The OZM-3 method of operation is dependant on how it is detonated. It can be detonated either by electrical or mechanical means.
Mechanical detonation - the mine is mechanically initiated through the use of a MUV series fuze which is attached to a tripwire. When the wire is tripped, the release of the spring loaded striker in the fuze will drive it down and initiate the percussion cap. This will ignite the flash tube which then ignites the propelling charge that launches the mine, minus the base plate. The propelling charge also ignites the pyrotechnic delay element that sets off the detonator when the mine is approximately 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) above the ground. The lethal fragmentation radius is approximately 10 meters (30 feet).
Electrical detonation - the mine is electrically initiated by an electrical impulse through the wires attached to the top of the mine. The electric pulse causes a heat coil within the propellant charge to burn. This then ignites the propelling charge that launches the mine, minus the base plate. The propelling charge also ignites the pyrotechnic delay element that sets off the detonator when the mine is approximately 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) above the ground. The lethal fragmentation radius is approximately 10 meters (30 feet).
The OZM-3 mine can be neutralized and/or disarmed easily as they have no anti-handling devices. The methods differ depending on the type of fuze that the mine is armed with. Our instructions are very complete and can be viewed as accurate, however, no one should attempt to disarm ANY mine without proper training.
NEUTRALIZING THE OZM-3
If armed with a tripwire...
Trace both ends of the tripwire and check for other connected release mechanism set-ups. If the tripwire is
a single wire, cut it and tie it around the igniter to
secure the pin. If a release mechanism set-ups is suspected, then
the mine should
not be neutralized. If a VPF fuze is used, be sure to insert a safety pin first.
If electrically armed...
Simply identify the initiation mechanism and cut the electrical wires leading to
the mine.
DISARMING THE OZM-3
To disarm the OZM-3 the mine must first be neutralized. Once this is accomplished, the operator must then carefully unscrew the igniter. Then the sealing cap is screwed onto the socket joint. The final step of disarming the mine is for the operator to unscrew the central plug and remove the detonator.
Here you can see what weapons the OZM-3 Bounding Anti-Personnel Land Mine replaced and what weapons eventually replaced it. You can find out more about each weapon by clicking on the links below.
| The OZM-3 replaced... | OZM-3 Bounding AP Mine | The OZM-3 was replaced by... |
| OZM-2 Bounding AP Mine | OZM-4 Bounding AP Mine OZM-72 Bounding AP Mine |
Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you. We hope you can find them as useful as we have.
Brassey's Essential Guide to Anti-Personnel Landmines, Recognizing and Disarming, by Eddie Banks, Copyright 1997 by Eddie Banks, published by Brassey's, London, England, 1997
The Soviet Army, FM-100-2-3, published by Headquarters Department of the Army, Washington D.C., 1984