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Valsella Meccanotecnica
Valsella Meccanotecnica SpA (also known as Valsella) was one of Italy's largest manufacturers of land mines. The Company's headquarters initially were in Montichiari. It had two production plants in Castenedolo near Brescia, Italy. The three companies of Valsella, Tecnovar Italiana SpA, and Misar SpA (both the latter started by former Valsella employees) together were the centre of Italian mine production. Valsella ceased production of mines in 1994 due to the Italian Government's moratorium on production of anti-personnel mines. In 1999, prior to bankruptcy, it moved to complete civil production of engineering and vehicle projects. It ceased to be a separate company in 2005. History The beginning Valsella was formed in 1969–1970 by Brescia-based entrepreneurs, Francesco Rena and Antonio De Cristofano, with ties to the Italian Ministry of Defence and the Redon Trust, a Schaan, Liechtenstein, based company of which one of the Valsella founders, Cristofano, was an attorney. I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Land Mine
A land mine is an explosive device concealed under or on the ground and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets, ranging from combatants to vehicles and tanks, as they pass over or near it. Such a device is typically detonated automatically by way of pressure when a target steps on it or drives over it, although other detonation mechanisms are also sometimes used. A land mine may cause damage by direct blast effect, by fragments that are thrown by the blast, or by both. Landmines are typically laid throughout an area, creating a ''minefield'' which is dangerous to cross. The use of land mines is controversial because of their potential as indiscriminate weapons. They can remain dangerous many years after a conflict has ended, harming civilians and the economy. Seventy-eight countries are contaminated with land mines and 15,000–20,000 people are killed every year while many more are injured. Approximately 80% of land mine casualties are civilians, with children as the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Simmel Difesa
Simmel Difesa is an Italian firm located in Colleferro that manufacturers land and naval munitions. Founded in 1948, Simmel specialized in the production of large-caliber munitions. In 1988, Simmel was acquired by the Fiat Group. During this period, Simmel itself acquired the assets of Bombrini-Parodi-Delfino, a longtime manufacturer of gunpowder and munitions in Italy. Simmel was acquired by and became an operating company of the Chemring Group in 2007, which purchased Simmel at the cost of $102.5 million. In 2014, Chemring Group sold Simmel Difesa to Nexter Systems Nexter Systems (formerly known as GIAT Industries or ''Groupement des Industries de l'Armée de Terre'', Army Industries Group) is a French government-owned weapons manufacturer, based in Roanne, Loire. Group organization The Nexter group is .... In October 2007, an explosion in the Colleferro munitions works killed one worker and wounded 13. Today, Simmel has over 200 employees and an annual turnover of over ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Valmara 69
Valmara 69 or V-69 is an Italian bounding anti-personnel mine manufactured by Valsella. The mine was developed from the V-59 mine, and although the mine is no longer produced in Italy, a number of copies were produced in other countries e.g. the "SPM-1" manufactured by Singapore. The South African version was called the J-69, and was an identical copy of the Italian version. A single centre prong version was also produced. It is no longer produced by South Africa who are compliant with the Mine Ban Treaty requirements. Description The mine has a short tubular olive green or sand colored plastic body inside which is the steel bounding body of the mine. On top of the mine is a round fuze cap with five prongs. The mine is triggered when the fuze cap tilts, either because of pressure on one of the prongs or a pull on an attached tripwire. The tilting fuze mechanism is not affected by overpressure. When the mine is triggered, a spring-loaded firing pin fires a percussion cap inside ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Valmara 59
The Valmara 59 is a large cylindrical Italian bounding anti-personnel mine. It is the first in the "Valmara" family of mines produced by Valsella Meccanotecnica, and was followed by the Valmara 69 and VS-JAP. The mine's body is plastic with a distinctive five-pronged metal head. The central prong has a hole, to allow the threading a trip wire. The inner body of the mine has a main charge surrounded with approximately 1,000 steel cubes, below which is a steel wire connecting it to the base of the mine. When the mine is triggered a small charge launches the mine into the air approximately 45 cm before the steel wire is pulled taut, the jolt of which pulls a striker into the detonator. A secondary time fuse triggers the mine after three seconds if it has not detonated after being triggered. The fragments produced by the mine are lethal to a range of 25 meters, and are capable of penetrating light armour. Specifications * Diameter: 102 mm * Height: 196 mm * Weight: 3 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VS-MK2 Mine
{{One source, date=August 2013 The VS-MK-2 is a plastic bodied scatterable anti-personnel blast mine manufactured by the now-defunct Valsella Meccanotecnica, SpA, an Italian high-tech defence contractor that specialized in the development and production of area denial systems. The mine is extremely difficult to detect because of its low metal content i.e. it is a minimum metal mine. Additionally, it is resistant to blast overpressure due to a pneumatic system in the fuze. The mine will also function in up to 1 metre of water. An electrically fused anti-handling version of the mine was also produced designated VS-MK-2-EL, VS-MK-2-E or VS-MK2 AR-AN to hinder clearance attempts. Although Italy has ceased production of this mine it may still be found in uncleared minefields located in Angola, Sudan and the Western Sahara. Description The mine is circular and normally olive green or sand colored. The top of the mine has a black neoprene plunger/pressure plate, which rests on a small ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VS-50 Mine
The VS-50 is a circular plastic-cased anti-personnel blast mine that entered production in 1985. It was formerly made by the now-defunct Valsella Meccanotecnica SpA, an Italian high-tech defence company specialized in area denial systems. The company also the made the Valmara 69, and was one of the first to implement plastic construction for landmines. The VS-50's design is similar to that of the TS-50 and VS-MK2 mines. It is blast resistant and can be used in a minimum metal configuration. Though unlikely to kill, its explosive charge is quite sufficient to destroy the victim's foot, being capable of penetrating 5 mm of mild steel leaving an 80 mm-diameter hole. Description The mine consists of three sections, a bottom section containing the main explosive charge, a middle section which contains the fuze and safety/arming mechanism, and the top section which consists of a neoprene pressure pad. The neoprene pressure pad is sometimes reinforced with an 18 gram mild s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VS-N Fuzed Mines
The VS-2.2, VS-3.6 and SH-55 are Italian circular plastic cased anti-tank blast mines that use the VS-N series fuze. They have very few metal components and are resistant to overpressure and shock. The VS-2.2 and VS-3.6 can also be deployed from helicopters. It was produced by Valsella Meccanotecnica and Singapore, but production has ceased. The VS-2.2 and VS-3.6 are essentially the same, the VS-3.6 being slightly larger, the SH-55 is larger still and has a more rounded appearance. A smaller mine, the VS-1.6 also uses the same fuze. Description The mines are normally olive green or sand coloured and are circular. The VS-2.2 and VS-3.6 consist of a ribbed main body containing the main charge and a large circular VS-N fuze which sits on top. The SH-55 is larger, and the circular main body is not as ribbed, it uses the same VS-N fuze as the other mines. The VS-N fuze is air pressure driven with pressure on the top plate of the mine forcing air into a diaphragm which exerts pres ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
VS-HCT Mine
The VS-HCT series of mines are Italian plastic cased anti-tank mines that use Misznay Schardin effect warheads and have a dual seismic and magnetic fuze. The mines are no longer produced and differ in size and shape. VS-HCT The VS-HCT has a circular case with vertical ribbing. The mine can be either mechanically laid or laid by hand and incorporates both electronic and mechanical arming delays. The mine's fuze has a battery-powered seismic sensor which is used to detect approaching targets, plus a magnetic sensor which triggers the mine at the optimum point. Once triggered the mine fires a clearing charge, which clears up to 100 millimeters of earth that may have been laid on top of the mine. Once the clearing charge has been fired, the main charge is triggered. The main charge throws a heavy metal slug upwards, which is capable of penetrating up to 175 millimeters of armour. A self neutralizing period of between 1 and 128 days can be selected. The mine's status can also be checked ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TS-50 Mine
The TS-50 is a diameter circular Italian blast resistant minimum metal anti-personnel mine designed and produced by Valsella Meccanotecnica (Italy). Description The mine has a ribbed plastic case which is olive green, brown or sand colored. The mine has a central raised pressure pad on the top surface of the mine, but is designed to operate even with the mine upside down. Pressure on the mine forces air through a diaphragm into a small rubber air bag, which inflates. As the bag inflates it pushes a shutter, which in turn removes the striker retaining lug. The striker is free to impact the detonator. The mine requires a constant pressure of approximately 2 to 5 kg (5 to 11 lbs) for an average of 0.11 seconds before the fuze will detonate. This allows the mine to be laid in a high density pattern without the shock of a detonation impacting the nearby mines. The design of the TS-50's fuze gives it a large degree of resistance to explosive overpressure clearance techniques, be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bremach
Bremach was an Italian/American manufacturer of tactical trucks specializing in the manufacturing of military vehicles and 4WD fire engines. History Bremach was founded in 1956 in the city of Varese (northern Italy) by the Brenna brothers, the owners of a repair workshop. They purchased the license for the production of the three-wheeler ''Macchi MB1'' motorcycle from Aermacchi. The name Bremach was formed by the combination of BREnna and MAcCHi. In 1983 the company began production of its most famous car series, the Bremach GR (4x4). It includes a unified multi-purpose, all-wheel drive car bonnet GR35 and GR45 full weight of 3.5-4.5 with a four-cylinder 2.5-liter diesel engine Iveco (with turbo charging - 103 hp). In 1993, Bremach launched a low-frame chassis BRIO (Brio) 4x2 with 75 hp engine for municipal services. With an overall height (1820 mm), it allows for use in low, or confined areas. By 2000, Bremach Industry was facing financial difficulties, and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
EPC Groupe
EPC Groupe (Explosifs Produits Chimiques S.A.) is a French multinational company that trades in explosives and drilling; It is one of the world’s leaders in explosives manufacture, storage and distribution and in particular drilling and blasting. History It was founded in 1893 bEugène-Jean Barbierand its first implantation was in Saint-Martin-de-Crau (France). Structure It is headquartered in La Défense (France). It has ovefifty subsidiarycompanies around the world. United Kingdom In the UK it has two sites, in Somercotes, Derbyshire and Great Oakley, Essex, known as EPC-UK. It began in the UK in 1905. The UK head office is south of the A38, at the B600 junction. It started in the UK as Explosives and Chemical Products (ECP), later part of Exchem. It has a 12,000 acre test site on the Essex coast at Hamford Water in Tendring Tendring is a village and civil parish in Essex. It gives its name to the Tendring District and before that the Tendring Hundred. Its name w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
