The mine is intended for use as a non-extraction device for anti-personnel, anti-tank, anti-vehicle, object and other mines that do not have their own similar device. The mine is also used as a booby-trap mine of unloading action, which is placed under various military items (weapons, property, etc.).
The mine body (11) is made of plastic, has a rectangular shape and serves to accommodate the detonator and the explosive charge. A freely rotating target sensor cover is attached to the body with two pins. The detonator is of a safety type, of unloading action, and its body (8) contains: a trigger mechanism, a pyrotechnic retarder, a cocking mechanism, a safety-executing mechanism and a safety-detonating mechanism. The trigger mechanism is designed to ensure the safety of the detonator during transportation and putting it into combat mode. The trigger mechanism includes: a central sleeve (1), a nut (18) with a nylon thread (6) and a plate (7). The central sleeve contains a striker (3), a spring (2), a ball (4), a cover (5) and a primer-igniter (23). The striker is held in the transport position by a ball (4) located in the hole of the sleeve (1). The hole with the ball is closed by a pad (5), which is held by a nylon thread (6), wound on it and the sleeve in three rows and has a length of 0.8 m. With the help of a nylon thread, pad and ball, the spring-loaded striker is held in the cocked position. One end of the thread is rigidly fixed in the nut (18) of the trigger mechanism, the other end is hooked to the plate (7) with a loop.
When attempting to remove an anti-personnel or anti-tank mine from its installation site, the ML-8 mine explodes, hitting enemy soldiers. At the same time, the mine under which the booby trap is installed also detonates or destroys. In this case, the personnel are killed by the force of the explosion of the ML-8 mine itself.
When used as a non-extraction device, the ML-8 mine is installed under the bottom of anti-personnel pressure mines (as well as the ML-7) of the PMN, PMN-2, PMN-3, PMN-4, PMD-6M type, OZM-72 fragmentation mines, TM-62 series anti-tank mines or other mines. When used as a booby-trap mine, the ML-8 is installed on the ground so that it is not visible (for example, in an open hole), and an object is placed on it that will certainly arouse the enemy's interest (as well as the ML-7) and encourage him to pick it up or use it (weapons, household items, etc.).
Mine clearance is prohibited. Mine detection: - metal detectors – distance up to 40 mm; - radio frequency detectors – up to 50 mm; - odorant detectors – 250- 400 mm
The color is green, protective. Marking: Extruded on the mine cover and is standard (mine code, manufacturer code, batch number and year of manufacture. Some batches of mines do not have markings.