ABSTRACT
The majority of underwater ordnance is designed to influence shipping by denying access or destroying an enemy’s ships. Some underwater ordnance will have detailed information stamped into the body; including the model, weight, and type of explosive, date of manufacture, and a shipping address. Some underwater ordnance uses the term “exploder” versus “fuze” to describe a fuzing system. Operating in an underwater environment is extremely different from land-based operations, which is reflected in the designs of these munitions. Underwater munitions are designed to damage, disable, or sink ships; target combat swimmers; mark targets, determine wind speed or direction; and a host of other tasks. A basic definition of underwater ordnance is a munition designed to be deployed in water. As with landmines, underwater mines are specifically designed to be functioned by the intended victim and are always considered to be boobytrapped.
