ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

M18 Claymore mine

The M18 Claymore Mine is a kind of explosive which is very special because of the way it is designed to work. It is a weapon which is used to protect soldiers from enemies who might try to sneak up on them. It is shaped like a big, flat box that is about the size of a small notebook. The box has a lot of small metal balls inside it, which are like tiny bullets.

To use the Claymore Mine, soldiers place it on the ground or mount it onto something like a fence post so that it can see out towards the enemy's direction. When a soldier wants to set it off, they use a special remote control to detonate it. This makes the metal balls inside the box fly out all at once, like a big shotgun blast. Anything that is in front of the mine will get hit by these metal balls, which can cause a lot of damage to anyone who is too close to it.

The M18 Claymore Mine is used to defend against enemies who might try to sneak up on soldiers. When they are set off, they create a big blast that helps fight off attackers. It is a very important weapon for soldiers in war, and has helped save many lives. But because it is so dangerous, only trained soldiers should ever use it.