Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1375-213-12-1 for M180 and M270 Cratering Demolition Kits, September 1980
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers the M180 Cratering Demolition Kit, NSN 1375-00-148-7159, and the M270 Inert Training Cratering Demolition Kit, NSN 6920-01-087-0038. Issued on September 15, 1980, TM 9-1375-213-12-1 provides operator and organizational maintenance guidance, along with repair-parts and special-tools information. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include an M180 or M270 kit, explosives, training components, tools, or other equipment.
Publication Details
This publication was prepared for military personnel responsible for operating, inspecting, maintaining, storing, and transporting the tactical and training cratering kits.
- Manual number: TM 9-1375-213-12-1
- Publication date: September 15, 1980
- Primary subject: M180 Cratering Demolition Kit
- M180 NSN: 1375-00-148-7159
- Training subject: M270 Inert Training Cratering Demolition Kit
- M270 NSN: 6920-01-087-0038
- Manual level: Operator and organizational maintenance
- Additional coverage: Repair parts and special tools list
- Related publication: Supplement to TM 9-1375-213-12, dated March 30, 1973
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Item included: Technical manual only
Manual Coverage
The manual explains the identification, purpose, components, operation, inspection, care, and organizational maintenance of the M180 and M270 kits. It also covers service upon receipt, operation under unusual conditions, troubleshooting, storage, shipment, and authorized repair parts. Illustrations show the kit components, complete assembly, electrical system, shipping containers, and field arrangement.
About the M180 Cratering Demolition Kit
The M180 was a portable, surface-placed system designed to make a large crater in compacted soil or road surfaces. Its main components included an M2A4 shaped charge, modified M57 electrical firing device, warhead, rocket motor, tripod and launch structure, and demolition circuit. The system worked in two stages: the shaped charge opened a pilot hole, and the rocket-propelled warhead entered the ground before its main charge functioned. It was intended for compacted earth, lightly paved roads, and some airfield surfaces rather than reinforced concrete, bedrock, arctic tundra, or loose sand.
About the M270 Inert Training Kit
The M270 was a completely inert and nonfunctional training version of the M180. It allowed personnel to practice inspection, setup, circuit checks, handling, maintenance, and packing without live explosive components. M270 parts were generally painted blue with white markings, while tactical M180 components were olive drab with yellow markings. Some M270 production versions used plastic simulated components, while earlier examples used metal parts. Electrical resistors represented the loads of the live firing components during training checks.
System History
Military engineers have long used craters to block roads, damage runways, and slow vehicle movement. The M180 was developed during the Cold War as a packaged system that combat engineers could place on the surface without first digging a charge hole. By combining the shaped charge, rocket-driven warhead, support structure, and firing equipment in one kit, the system supported rapid obstacle construction under field conditions. This September 1980 manual records the system during its established Army service period.
History of Use
The M180 was intended for combat-engineer obstacle work, route denial, road cratering, and airfield pocketing. A crater could delay wheeled or tracked vehicles and force movement toward another route. The M270 gave units a reusable way to train crews on the same general arrangement and maintenance procedures. Army records continued to identify the M180 as fielded equipment into the late 1990s, showing that the system remained relevant well beyond the date of this manual. No specific wartime use is claimed for this individual copy.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1375-213-12-1 is a useful reference for studying Cold War combat engineering, military demolition equipment, training devices, and Army maintenance practices. Its coverage of both the live M180 and inert M270 makes it especially valuable for museums, historians, restorers, and technical-manual collectors.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, or other signs of age and storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies.
Ideal For
This manual is well suited for military collections, historical research, restoration references, and exhibits about combat-engineer equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M180 cratering-kit research
- M270 inert training-kit displays
- Cold War combat-engineer exhibits
- Military demolition-equipment research
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height .25", Approx weight .5lbs.
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