UXO 101 - M1 Anti-Personnel Mine Clearing System

The M1 anti-personnel mine clearing device is made up of a flexible linear charge 170 feet long and 1 inch in diameter wrapped in an aluminum cylinder (i.e., large can). The line contains 46 pounds of oil-soaked PETN high explosive. The charge has 19 strands of special detonating cord, which contains 100 grains of PETN per foot. The system is deployed in the field by looping one end of the cable around a stake anchored into the ground as shown in the image below. The looped end contains a booster charge and a threaded cap well, which accepts a 15-second delay detonator for exploding the cable. The oil-soaked PETN cable is projected across the minefield by a JATO rocket motor. Once the cable is shot over the minefield it is detonated. The detonation is meant to disturb anti-personnel mines in its path thus causing them to function thereby clearing a safe path through the minefield.

Source: TM 9-1900 Ammunition General June 1956