The German Kusten Minen (KM) mine series consisted of two types of surface-laid coastal defense mines. These were the KMA and KMB. Each type was used operatioanlly during World War II. (The KMB is described in Chapter 8.)

The KMA was a very simple contact mine, and the KMB was a control mine made of concrete. The KMA was used operationally by the Germans off the invasion coast of France, and the KMB was laid in great numbers off the Danish coast. Both mines were so designed that they could be fabricated locally by the various field commands from readily available materials. By this method a considerable saving of critical transportation space was realized.