OVERVIEW: The MDM‑6 is a Russian unsweepable bottom-deployed mine designed for covert deployment from submarines in shallow waters. It uses advanced pressure-triggered fuzing and target identification to pose a persistent undersea threat.

DETAILS: The MDM‑6 is part of the Soviet-era MDM bottom mine family (MDM‑3, 4, 5, 6) first conceptualized in the 1960s–70s, with the MDM‑6 variant tailored for submarine deployment via torpedo tubes. It operates in water depths up to ~50 m and features a microprocessor-controlled pressure fuze with target-count discrimination and arming delay functionality. The mine is “unsweepable,” meaning it is immune to standard influence and mechanical sweep methods. It can autonomously discriminate between vessel types based on seismic or pressure signatures and deploy a multi-channel detonation algorithm to ensure selective engagement.

FUNCTION: After submarine-launched placement, MDM‑6 rests on the seabed passively monitoring pressure and seismic ocean signals. Upon validation of a pre-programmed target signature, the electronic pressure fuze triggers detonation, neutralizing passing surface vessels or submarines.

NOTE:
IOC: 1970s (variant developed alongside MDM mine family)
Operators: Russia (Soviet Navy)
Platforms: Submerged deployment via torpedo tubes from attack submarines
Conflict used in: Cold War-era Soviet strategic minefields; no confirmed combat use

SOURCE: High‑Tech IMS Ltd: turn0search0; Bulgarian Mines data: turn0search1; cmano‑db Mine listing: turn0search2; cmano‑db MDM‑6 submarine listing: turn0search3