Bangalore torpedo

Bangalore torpedo
TypeExplosive charge
Place of originBritish India
Service history
In service1914–present
Used by
Wars
Production history
DesignerCaptain R. L. McClintock
Designed1912
ProducedFebruary 1943 – November 1944 (M1A1)
No. builtApproximately 3,255,000 torpedo sections (M1A1)
VariantsM1 Bangalore Torpedo series, Advanced Performance Bangalore Torpedo (L26A1 Bangalore Torpedo Demolition Charge), Bangalore Blade
Specifications
Mass13 lb (5.9 kg) per torpedo section (M1A1)
Lengthup to 15 m (49 ft) in 1.5 m (4.9 ft) sections (general), 5 ft (1.5 m) (M1A1)
Diameter2.125 in (54.0 mm) (M1A1)

FillingTNT, 80–20 TNT and ammonium nitrate (M1A1), C4 (modern production)
Filling weight9 lb (4.1 kg) per torpedo section (M1A1)
Detonation
mechanism
Detonator
ReferencesCatalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, Second Edition 1944, Volume III, p. 598

A Bangalore torpedo is an explosive charge placed within one or several connected tubes. It is used by combat engineers to clear obstacles that would otherwise require them to approach directly, possibly under fire. It is sometimes colloquially referred to as a "Bangalore mine", "banger" or simply "Bangalore" as well as a pole charge.

Per United States Army Field Manual 5-250 section 1–14, page 1–12 "b. Use. The primary use of the torpedo is clearing paths through wire obstacles and heavy undergrowth. It will clear a 3- to 4-metre wide path through wire obstacles."

  1. ^ a b "The Ukrainian Armed Forces received Bangalore demolition systems to help overcome mine and wire obstacles (photo) - SUNDRIES". Sundries. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.