Any mine type can be deployed by a surface ship. The US Navy currently has no minelaying ships. Aircraft-laid mines are normally employed in offensive operations and are dropped from aircraft in the manner of a bomb. These mines must be specially configured for air delivery. Aircraft provide the capability for replenishing minefields over an extended period of time without danger from previously laid mines.
Aircraft are also capable of mining enemy-held inland waterways.
As the mine strikes the water, or submerges to a given depth, the release gear frees the mine case from the parachute, after which the parachute and mine then sink free from each other. Like bombs, air-laid mines are equipped with arming wires that maintain the mines in a safe condition until they are released from the aircraft. However, at the instant a mines is released from the aircrafts bomb rack, the arming wires are withdrawn, leaving the mine with the potential to arm. On the other hand, should it become necessary to jettison the mine in a safe condition, the pilot actuates solenoids that allow the arming wires to fall intact with the mine. Submarine-laid mines, normally used in offensive operations, are specially configured mines that are launched from the torpedo tubes of submarines.