Combat Engineer
The Type 74 Mine-Clearing Line-Charge System
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The Type 74 Mine-Clearing Line-Charge System
By: Garrick He
Two Type 74 Line Charge Systems are mounted on the GSL-131 Armored Bulldozer.
The Type 74 is a mine clearing line charge system that uses a rocket-towed explosive line charge which is transported in man-portable crates. The charges enclosed in the boxes that are linked together before use with one end attached to the two 153mm rocket motors working in tandem, the front motor firing first and igniting the second, once its propellant has been exhausted. The line charge is carried in a total of 14 boxes which are opened up before use and set in two parallel lines of seven boxes. The rockets are launched from a short rail held at an angel by two supporting legs.
The GSL-131 armored bulldozer carries two Type 74 line charge systems in its back cargo bed. The rocket motors and the line charges are stored in two large armor boxes that offer protection from small arms and artillery shell fragments.
The rockets will carry the line charge to a maximum range of 400 m. Launching is done with the operators behind cover. When the charge is detonated it will clear anti-personnel mines from a path of 3 - 6 meters wide and 80 - 100 meters long.
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