TECHNOLOGY: U.S. Army Highlights Continued Value of Claymore Anti-Personnel Land Mines in Modern Warfare.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense, on May 28, 2025, the M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel land mine remains a key component of U.S. combat capability, as demonstrated during a live-fire exercise at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany. In this exercise, Pfc. Eric Larson of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s Regimental Engineer Squadron deployed and aimed the Claymore mine, underscoring its continued role in enhancing force protection and lethality. The U.S. Army’s ongoing use of the Claymore highlights its enduring relevance in modern military operations, both within NATO’s forward defense strategy and in broader conventional and irregular warfare scenarios.
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 U.S. Army Pfc. Eric Larson of the Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, positions and aims an M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mine during a training exercise at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area on May 28, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The M18A1 Claymore mine has been a cornerstone of U.S. military engineering since its official adoption in the 1960s, following a development program initiated in response to the challenges of the Korean War. Named after the Scottish two-handed sword for its wide arc of destruction, the Claymore was designed by Norman MacLeod and first saw extensive combat use during the Vietnam War. In Southeast Asia, U.S. infantry relied heavily on the Claymore’s ability to deliver controlled, devastating firepower against enemy infiltration along jungle trails and defensive perimeters. Soldiers could deploy it quickly along likely avenues of enemy approach, and with its command-detonated mechanism, eliminate ambushes or halt charges with precise timing.

Throughout decades of service, the Claymore has earned a formidable reputation from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, where its simple design and brutal effectiveness were credited with saving countless lives during base defenses, convoy halts, and combat patrols. Its ability to inflict maximum damage with minimal friendly exposure made it particularly effective in close terrain and counter-insurgency settings where speed, surprise, and lethality are paramount.

From a technical standpoint, the M18A1 Claymore is a directional anti-personnel mine with a curved rectangular plastic body containing approximately 680 grams of Composition C-4 explosive. Embedded within the mine’s face are 700 steel balls, each 3.2 mm in diameter, arranged in front of the explosive charge. Upon detonation—initiated manually via an M57 firing device and M4 electric blasting cap—the explosion projects the steel balls in a 60-degree horizontal arc with a lethal range of 50 meters, and a danger zone extending beyond 100 meters. The mine's design allows it to be mounted on the ground, affixed to obstacles, or positioned at variable angles using its integrated scissor-type folding legs.

Tactically, the Claymore is favored for its precision and user-controlled detonation. Unlike pressure-triggered mines, it is command-detonated, offering the operator full control over its engagement, thus significantly reducing the risk of unintended casualties or fratricide. It is typically employed in defensive perimeters, ambush setups, choke points, and base protection schemes. When integrated into layered defense strategies, the Claymore enables soldiers to deny enemy access to critical terrain, delay advances, and channel hostile forces into predetermined kill zones.

In dismounted infantry operations, the Claymore enhances small unit lethality, especially during reconnaissance and patrol missions. Its lightweight, compact form allows troops to carry multiple units, rapidly deploy them, and initiate defensive or offensive actions without the need for complex systems or heavy logistical support. Moreover, its psychological deterrent effect is profound—enemy forces, aware of its presence, are often forced to change tactics or slow their advance, buying valuable time for maneuver units or reinforcements.

Despite the proliferation of new-generation munitions and sophisticated battlefield technologies, the M18A1 Claymore mine continues to be a critical asset for the U.S. armed forces. Its unmatched combination of tactical flexibility, reliability, and lethal effectiveness ensures that it remains a key enabler in modern combat scenarios. Whether defending forward positions in Europe, securing temporary encampments in hostile terrain, or conducting counter-insurgency operations, the Claymore offers unmatched utility for the warfighter. As demonstrated by its regular inclusion in high-readiness training programs like those of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the Claymore mine endures not as a relic of the past, but as a versatile and essential weapon tailored for today’s complex and fluid battlefield conditions.