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Mark 65 QUICKSTRIKE Service Mine

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Description

The Mk 65 QUICKSTRIKE Service Mine is an explosive-loaded mine for operational planting by B-52H Stratofortress, F/A-18A/D Hornet, B-1B Lancer, and P-3C Orion aircraft. It was designed as a mine from the outset, using a thin-walled mine-type case filled with a PBXN-103 explosive mix vice the thicker bomb-type cases used by QUICKSTRIKE Mines Mk 62 and 63 filled with explosive mix H-6. The mine uses either a Target Detection Device (TDD) Mk 57 (magnetic and seismic sensors) or a TDD Mk 58 (magnetic, seismic, and pressure sensors) to detect stimuli generated by enemy vessels.

This mine weighs approximately 2,260 pounds, consisting of a mine case, nose fairing, and a Tail Section Mk 7. Its case is a steel cylinder 93 inches long and 21 inches in diameter at its largest point. A 16?inch portion of the aft end of the case tapers from 21 inches to 17.5 inches in diameter, at which point the tail is attached. The mine's case is painted olive drab.
The QUICKSTRIKE training Mine Mk 65 is a recoverable, inert-loaded mine identical in size and weight to its Service mine counterpart. It is designed solely for training aviation personnel flying the same airborne platforms identified above for the Service mine variant.

The mine consists of a mine case, nose fairing, and an operational Tail Section Mk 7. The mine case is painted either white with orange stripes or orange with white stripes to enhance its visibility in the water and to help expedite recovery efforts.

Although this mine contains no explosives and does not explode as do Service mines, the Tail Section Mk 7 contains a low-level explosive device that is used to deploy the parachute once the mine is released from the aircraft. After release from the aircraft, impact with the water shears off the tail which uncovers a float assembly housed in the rear of the mine case. This float rises to the water's surface to mark the mine's underwater location.