MINE, AT, VOLCANO, All Types

The budget line item MINE, AT, VOLCANO, All Types is part of the Army's ammunition procurement portfolio, specifically under the appropriation for Procurement of Ammunition, Army (2034A), and the sub-activity for mines. The primary objective of this program is to procure and maintain a stockpile of M87A1 Volcano Tactical Mine canisters and related antitank mine systems. These systems are designed to provide maneuver commanders with a tactical anti-vehicular obstacle capability, enhancing the Army's ability to shape the battlefield and deter or defeat enemy armored forces.

The M87A1 Volcano Tactical Mine Canister is a key component of this line item. Each canister contains six antitank tactical mines, housed within an aluminum tube and breech assembly, and includes transmitter coils, a dispersion strap, and a propulsion system. The system is intended for one-time use and is classified as Class V ammunition. Its design enables rapid deployment of minefields, allowing joint forces to respond flexibly to evolving threats. The M87A1 Volcano system complies with U.S. Anti-Personnel Landmine Policy, focusing exclusively on anti-vehicular applications to reduce risks to non-combatants.

The goals of this procurement are multifaceted. It supports the Army's Title 10 war reserve and operational requirements, ensuring that sufficient munitions are available for OSD-approved Combatant Commander Operational Plans, homeland defense, and other directed missions. The program also fulfills training requirements for both active and reserve component forces, enabling individual and collective proficiency at Army schools, home stations, and combined training centers. Additionally, it addresses test requirements for the development, fielding, safety, and quality assurance of Army munitions throughout their lifecycle.

Justification for this line item is rooted in compliance with DoD Instruction 3000.04 and Army Regulation 5-13, which govern the munitions requirements process and prioritization system. The program ensures that the Army maintains a depot-level inventory in accordance with its procurement goals, supporting both annual training and war reserve needs. The program also aligns with Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 110-181), which mandates the availability of such items for homeland defense, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities.

The MINE, AT, VOLCANO, All Types line item is classified as Code A, indicating it is approved for service use. Requested funding supports critical operational, training, and testing activities. There is no budget request for the following fiscal year, suggesting that current procurement levels are sufficient to meet near-term requirements or that future needs will be reassessed based on evolving operational demands.

The objectives of this line item are to ensure that the Army has the necessary antitank mine capabilities to support both combat and training operations, maintain readiness for homeland defense and civil support missions, and comply with relevant policy and legal requirements. The program serves as a force multiplier, enabling joint forces to fight outnumbered and win against peer adversaries while minimizing friendly casualties. The procurement and maintenance of these mine systems are essential for sustaining the Army's operational effectiveness and flexibility in a range of scenarios.