M18A1 Claymore mine

Also known as

Claymore mine
M18 Claymore
M18A1 Claymore

The M18A1 Claymore mine is a U.S. directional, fixed fragmentation anti-personnel mine used for perimeter defense, outposts, and anti-infiltration tasks. Army sources describe more than 700 1/4-inch steel balls and electric or non-electric initiation, while ODIN notes the mine's internal C-4 layer behind the fragmentation face.

M18A1 Claymore mine, Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine, Munitions

Image source: Wikimedia M18 Claymore Mine.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Accurate Energetic Systems (AES)
Type: Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine
Produced: Non-electric initiation production started in 2005 and the system remains in U.S. service.

mine warfare anti-personneldirectional fragmentationportable

Specifications

Fragmentation arc: 60 degrees
Fragmentation elements: More than 700 1/4-inch diameter steel balls
Initiation: Electric manual initiation or non-electric shock-tube initiation
Main charge: C-4 explosive behind the fragmentation face
Use: Directional, fixed mine for bivouac-area and outpost defense

Carrier Munitions

The Claymore body carries a layer of C-4 explosive behind its fragmentation face.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

C4, Plastic demolition explosive, Munitions

Plastic demolition explosive

ODIN notes that the M18A1 Claymore mine contains a layer of C-4 explosive behind the fragmentation face.

Sources: M18A1 Claymore American Anti-Personnel Mine

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Used for perimeter defense, outposts, and against infiltration tactics; also used against thin-skinned vehicles.

Media

M18A1 Claymore mine Videos

Patrol Lane 9 - M18A1 Claymore Mine - EIB Instruction

M18A1 Claymore mine Images

M18A1 Claymore mine, Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Claymore install army.mil-2008-09-25-065314.jpg

M18A1 Claymore mine, Directional fragmentation anti-personnel mine, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia M18 claymore US army drawing.svg

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Sources

M18A1 Claymore American Anti-Personnel MinePublisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports the directional anti-personnel mine identification, the 60-degree arc, the steel-ball fragmentation pattern, and the internal C-4 layer behind the fragmentation face. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 M18A1 ClaymorePublisher: U.S. Army Program Executive Office Ammunition | Note: Supports the Claymore's 700 1/4-inch steel balls, electric or non-electric initiation, the 2005 start of non-electric initiation production, the current producer Accurate Energetic Systems, and the defense-of-bivouac-and-outpost service context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Wikimedia M18 Claymore Mine.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary Claymore photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Wikimedia Claymore install army.mil-2008-09-25-065314.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Claymore installation photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Wikimedia M18 claymore US army drawing.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Claymore technical drawing. | Accessed: 2026-06-27