BLU-43 Dragontooth

Dragontooth was one of several airborne land mines tested, being preferred by the military because they could be used to deny access to large areas to foot traffic.

Its area-denial qualities were exemplified in the fact that the explosive content of any individual mine was readily capable of killing the victim, being powerful enough to remove a person's foot, but potentially incapable of even flattening the tire of a truck passing over it.

The color of the plastic varied and could be olive drab, tan, brown, or camouflaged, and had no painted or molded markings.

Each mine contained a small amount of liquid nitromethane/nitroethane explosive and was designed with a shape that would cause it to spiral down to the ground, removing the need for a parachute.

A chemical self-neutralization system was used in the mines, rendering the main explosive content inert after a period of time after activation.