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From: Russ Traub (rtraub@PICA.ARMY.MIL)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Are there "smart" minefields?
Message-ID: <1991Mar14.040704.28470@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 14 Mar 91 04:07:04 GMT
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From:  Russ Traub (rtraub@PICA.ARMY.MIL)
>From portal!cup.portal.com!ts@uunet.UU.NET
>Does anyone make or use "smart" mines?  For example, suppose you
>put a CPU and some simple communication system, such as a very low
>power radio, in each mine.  Each mine would communicate with its
>neighbors.

>Such a minefield could do rather nasty things, such as wait for 
>a groups of soldiers or equipment to get deep into the minefield
>before exploding.

     This idea was discussed in a recent open forum briefing.  One 
concept would do exactly what you suggest, i.e. wait for a large group 
of soldiers or equipment to get into the middle of a minefield before 
detonating.  Imagine the damage and confusion.

     Another concept is for a mine to go off after it has been 
"tripped" a certain number of times.  This could allow a retreating 
army to lure the attackers into a minefield, without becoming a 
casualty of the minefield themselves.

     I don't know if any of these systems are currently available.  
They may be just be on the drawing board or concepts right now.

                                        Russ