From Mark Hartridge
Lawrie Lyons suggests destroying landmines with by sonic boom from aircraft
(Letters, 27 June, p 54).
Sorry, it’s not that easy. The new landmines (the ones that contain just
enough explosive to maim but not kill and cost about 50 cents each with a bulk
discount) incorporate a “leaky dash pot” mechanism that requires quite a long
application of pressure compared to the pulse of a shock wave from an
aircraft.
This was originally designed to prevent an explosion triggering any adjacent
mines. Clever, aren’t we.
mharti@camtech.net.au
