Mk7 Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching Systems (APOBS) is a replacement for the Bangalore torpedo
The Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System is an explosive line charge system that allows safe breaching through complex antipersonnel obstacles Developed for the U.S. Army Engineer School, MANSCEN, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, the Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching Systems (APOBS) is used to conduct deliberate or hasty breaches through enemy antipersonnel minefields and multi-strand wire obstacles. It is light enough to be carried by two soldiers with backpacks and can be deployed within 30 to 120 seconds.
Once set in place, the APOBS rocket is fired from a 35-meter standoff position, sending the line charge with fragmentation grenades over the minefield and/or wire obstacle. The grenades neutralise or clear the mines and sever the wire, effectively clearing a footpath for troops up to 45 meters in length.
The APOBS replaces the Bangalore Torpedo, which is 320 pounds heavier, takes significantly longer to set up, and cannot be deployed from a standoff position. It also reduces the number of soldiers required to carry and employ the system from 12 to 2.
Armed with APOBS, soldiers or Marines will benefit from the following features of the lightweight 125-pound system: Delay and command firing modes; Deployable within 30 to 120 seconds; Deployable from a 35-meter standoff; Clears antipersonnel mines and complex wire obstacles; Clears a footpath 0.6 to 1.0 meters by 45 meters. As a certified insensitive munition, APOBS is safe to employ and transport.
